Déjà Vu Read online

  Angelica looked at Donna as if she was crazy. Get on the bed with these women and do what? Angelica was thinking.

  “You need to move it, Angelica,” Donna prodded. “Time is money.”

  Angelica moved toward the bed in no hurry. There was complete silence as the rest of the group waited for her to take her place and receive the next order from Donna.

  “Angelica, you will lie in the middle of the bed with your legs slightly bent, and Jazz, you will get beside her and lift her hair and put it to your nose while you drop your other hand to her stomach. Ciara, you will be on the other side of Angelica. We will take several frames. You will take your hand and caress her face, finally giving her a passionate kiss. André, place Angelica’s hands in the cuffs.”

  “What kind of magazine is this?” Angelica questioned, pushing Andre’s hands away and scooting off the bed.

  “Do you not need a job?” Donna asked.

  “I thought this was supposed to be a modeling job,” Angelica countered.

  “What do you think this is? You are posing, modeling, whatever you want to call it. You are wasting my time. Now get back to your post.”

  “No female is going to be kissing on me. You all act like a bunch of lesbos.”

  The air was thick and very quiet on the set.

  “Oh, hell no,” Angelica screamed. “Oh, hell no! You have misrepresented yourself, Donna. This may be your gig, but it isn’t mine.”

  “Fine, get the hell out,” Donna screamed back. “Just remember, you no longer have a job and you will not have a place to live. If you can’t pay your way, you have no place to stay.”

  Donna picked up her camera and began to click away, giving orders that her subjects, minus Angelica, obeyed. Angelica stood by, disgusted at what she saw, closing her eyes during acts that a heterosexual being such as herself found most repulsive. She would have left, but she had no way out of the jungle she found herself in, and she had to pray that Donna would at least give her a ride back to her apartment so she could collect her things. Angelica’s eyes flew open at the roar of one of the lions.

  Silence was deafening. Angelica would have felt better if Donna had cussed at her or something. Completely ignored, Angelica looked out of the window and watched as the busy streets of New York conducted their business—taxis escorting tourists to one of the many Broadway plays and busy restaurants welcoming early evening customers for dinner. It would be easy to fall in love with this city, but Angelica had already hit her first obstacle in less than a week, and without a job and a place to live, her empty condo in Fayetteville, North Carolina was looking pretty good.

  “You and your stuff have twenty-four hours to be out of my house,” Donna finally said without looking in Angelica’s direction.

  “We should talk about it,” Angelica said.

  Silence ensued, and Angelica left it at that. She had no idea where she would go and what she would do for money. She had enough money to stay in a hotel for a while, but she needed a job if she planned on staying in the Big Apple. Her plans did not include running back to Fayetteville, at least not this soon. Margo, Malik, Jefferson, and Hamilton were better off without her.

  14

  It looked like Mother’s Day as Margo sat in church flanked by all four of her children—Ivy and JR, and twins Winter and Winston. Margo lifted her hands and sang louder than the other parishioners, her children glancing from time to time to make sure she was all right. Margo was happy because she was sure the Lord was about to answer her prayer.

  A side door opened and Malik walked in and found a seat. After a moment, he gazed around the room until he spotted her. A look of surprise registered on his face upon seeing the entire Myles clan. He faced the front and bowed his head.

  “‘Tis another day that the Lord has made,” the pastor said. “We should rejoice and be glad in it. Oh, the Lord is good all the time. All the time the Lord is good.”

  “Yes,” the congregation sang, cheering the pastor on.

  “Sister Myles, please come down front.”

  Margo jumped up and made her way to the front of the sanctuary. She felt Malik’s stare as she passed in front of him. Neither Malik nor anyone else was going to steal her joy today.

  “Sister Myles has a testimony she would like to share today. Go on, Sister Myles, and tell us about the goodness of the Lord.”

  “Thank you, Pastor. Church, if I haven’t told you individually, I’d like to take this moment to say thank you for all your prayers during one of the most stressful times in my life. The last five years have not been easy for me or my children, but through the grace of God, we are doing fine.

  “A couple of days ago, I received a call from my husband, and he reports that he is up for parole in a few days. Jefferson’s attorney believes he has an extremely good chance of being released from…prison, soon. I rejoice because of your prayers; my prayers are about to be answered. I owe everything to God, and I can’t thank Him enough for all He has done in my life and what He is doing for my family. I ask that you continue to pray for us. Thank you, Pastor.”

  Clap, clap, clap, clap, and clap. The congregation praised the Lord right along with Sister Myles.

  “God is good, isn’t He saints?” Pastor said.

  “Yes, He is,” the congregation blurted out.

  “Sister Myles, we thank you for your testimony. We will be in prayer for Brother Myles’ early release. Hallelujah!!!” Pastor shouted.

  Malik continued to look straight ahead. It was obvious to Margo that the news had stung him. It was hard concentrating on Pastor’s sermon for wondering what was on Malik’s mind. Why should she worry? The Lord was about to answer her prayers, and her husband would finally be home where she could pamper him until he got enough. Jefferson didn’t need to worry about a job right away; she had sold four houses in the last few weeks.

  Church was over and some of the members came over to give Margo a hug and offer words of encouragement. After the group dispersed, she looked around for Malik. There was no sign of him. Margo shrugged her shoulders. She had hoped to receive congratulations at the news about his best friend, but obviously the news was not good to him.

  She corralled her group together and exited the church. Her children seemed to enjoy seeing everyone. It had been years since they had visited. Ivy pulled her mother to the side.

  “Mom, you are so obvious.”

  “What are you talking about, Ivy?”

  “Malik. You’ve got a thing for Malik. I saw how you watched him today. I bet you don’t remember a word that Pastor spoke because you were tuned in to Malik. Mom, don’t deny it.”

  “Shut up, Ivy. You’re always thinking with your mouth. Malik is your dad’s best friend and that’s it. You need to keep your wandering mind in check. Do you hear me?”

  “Straight up, but I know what I saw. You can’t fool me.”

  “What are you talking about?” Winter asked, walking into the middle of Margo and Ivy’s conversation.

  “Nothing,” Ivy said.

  “Your dreads are squeezing your brain, Ivy,” Winter said. “It was obvious you were talking about something because your hands were moving a mile a minute. It probably has something to do with Malik.” Margo and Ivy exchanged glances. “What I tell you? Anyway, everyone in the family knows that Malik has been more than attentive to Mom.”

  “All right, hold on Winter. You and Ivy need to get it straight right now. My eyes and heart are only for your dad. Any ideas or illusions you may have conjured up in your brains about me and Malik are false. Now, let’s get out of here and go to dinner.”

  “Hello, Margo,” Malik said. Margo jumped and turned around to find Malik in her space. Ivy and Winter each put a hand over their mouths to stifle a laugh. Margo looked like a thief that had been caught.

  “Good afternoon, Malik. Good Word today.”

  “Which one, Pastor’s or yours?”

  Ivy and Winter turned and continued to giggle at the sight of their mother.


  “Of course, Pastor’s. He sure did preach today.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me about Jefferson? Don’t you think I deserved to have received the news privately, instead of during a congregational announcement? We’re like family.”

  “Jefferson asked that I not tell anyone yet.”

  “So you make a public announcement? It will probably be printed in the Fayetteville Observer, tomorrow’s edition. I thought we were better friends than that.”

  “We are, Malik. Bad judgment on my part.”

  Malik smiled at the girls. “Sorry for the intrusion.”

  Margo stared at Malik as he walked away. “As I said, Mother,” Ivy chimed in, “you need to come clean with yourself. The Bible says you can’t have two masters.”

  Winter roared with laughter.

  “Enough! Go pull Winston and JR from their friends, and let’s go eat.”

  “As you say,” Winter said, still laughing.

  Malik jumped in his car and drove away. How could Margo humiliate me like that in front of God and witnesses? It had taken courage to tell Margo that he loved her. Spending all that time with her wasn’t just for show and tell. Now his heart ached for what he was so close to claiming but was now cut off like a major detour on a heavily traveled road.

  Jefferson didn’t deserve Margo. Hadn’t he spent endless hours begging and pleading for Jefferson to see the error of his ways—to leave that married woman alone and save his marriage to Margo? All the lying, cheating, and fornicating Jefferson committed should have been sure grounds for divorce, but wonderful Margo, loving Margo, forgiving Margo would stand by her man, no matter what she had been through or how long it took for her life to mend.

  Malik drove blindly down the street, distancing himself from the last image of Margo and his hurt ego. He stopped for the light and watched what appeared to be three generations of women cross the street, the young mother holding the hand of her daughter on one side and that of what appeared to be her mother on the other. His chance at fatherhood had been lost when Toni was killed along with their unborn baby, but he’d settle for being Margo’s friend, lover, and confidant.

  He shook his head to erase the new image that had forced its way into his subconscious. Angelica’s lips were touching his, and he was fighting, resisting the temptation to touch hers.

  Honk, honk, honk!!

  “Hold your horses,” Malik shouted at the car behind him. “I know the light is green.” Malik put his foot on the gas and headed down the street. He pulled into the parking lot of an Italian restaurant called Carrabba’s to get a bite to eat and be alone with his thoughts.

  15

  Donna pulled the car to the curb and jumped out, retrieving her camera equipment before placing her car keys in Ari’s hand. She looked back at Angelica, who seemed to be taking her time getting out of the car, and then disappeared through the door to the building.

  Ari extended his hand and helped Angelica from the car. He got an eyeful as he let his gaze travel the length of her body. Angelica squeezed his hand, and she felt his fingers pulsate.

  “This might be the last time I see you,” Angelica offered.

  “Already tired of the penthouse?” Ari asked.

  “Things are not right up there. Weird things,” Angelica replied.

  Ari began to laugh. “Yes, Miss Donna has a lot of strange visitors to her house. Don’t tell her I said it. I thought you were another one of her lesbian friends. They have some wild parties up there. I’ve been to a few and had a great time.”

  Angelica crinkled her nose. “No, I’m not like that, Ari. Donna is my ex-husband’s cousin, and she was supposed to be hiring me for a modeling job. Imagine my surprise when I got to the set this morning—women kissing women and posing in lewd positions.”

  “Oh, you’re talking about that gay magazine Donna is shooting.”

  “You know about that, Ari?”

  “Yeah, Donna and I are tight. Like I said, I’ve been to some of her wild, girl parties. It’s not a place for the timid or weak of heart.”

  “It sounds disgusting.”

  “For some it might be. I kept the party going and was there to dance with the ladies if they wanted to. No one was intimidated by my presence, and I certainly posed no threat.”

  “Well, since I can’t play the game, I’ve been given twenty-four hours to gather my things and remove myself from the premises,” Angelica said with a sigh. “If Donna had given me a week, I would have been very appreciative. I guess she wants me out of her sight.”

  “Tell you what,” Ari said, “let me park the car and meet me downstairs in fifteen minutes. I may have a temporary solution to your problem.”

  “Thanks, Ari. I’ll see you in a few.”

  There was no sign of Donna when Angelica entered the condo. She went to the room she had called hers for the last few days and began pulling clothes out of closets and drawers, folding them and placing them in a pile. She looked around the room and then focused on the black and white pictures that adorned the walls. All were of women, beautiful women, Donna’s women, but Angelica would not be one of them.

  Angelica turned to find Donna standing in the crack of the door that was slightly ajar. At first there was a battle of the eyes, each one daring the other to speak. Then it was their body language—Donna’s stance was defiant, saying I have the upper hand; don’t mess with me, while Angelica’s stance was more agile and said, So you played me; I’ve got nine lives and you will see me again.

  “You will not last a day in this city,” Donna began. “This is not a place for losers. I don’t know what you expected when you arrived here, but I was doing you a favor, doing my family a favor by offering you a job in the first place.”

  Angelica clapped sarcastically. “Nice speech, cousin Donna. I didn’t ask for your help, and if I had known what I was getting into, I wouldn’t have agreed to come to New York. You sold me a bill of goods. Couldn’t be honest and upfront with me. So, because I had an attitude today and refused to subject myself to what I felt to be repulsive, you have exercised your right to dismiss me from not only a job that I had already dismissed myself from but also the refuge you promised while I’m in New York. You didn’t even have the decency to allow me a few days to at least find a new job and pay for my stay.”

  “Mighty fine speech yourself, but listen up, sister, you won’t be able to find a job in this city that will pay you enough money to afford the room you are staying in. You may need to call your brothers to see if they can help you because your eviction notice still stands.”

  Angelica looked at her watch. Twenty minutes had passed. She told Ari that she would be there in fifteen. “I’ve got to get some air,” Angelica said.

  “You have less than twenty-three hours and counting.” Donna left the room, leaving Angelica to ponder her predicament for a moment.

  Angelica looked at her watch again and headed for the door. Once in the elevator, she breathed a sigh of relief. The confrontation with Donna was not as bad as she had expected, and she hoped Ari would have some good news.

  Exiting the elevator, Angelica looked around but didn’t see Ari. She walked outside and, after not seeing him, walked back into the lobby and paced. She was anxious again, and Donna’s words, You have less than twenty-three hours and counting, haunted her.

  She paced for five minutes more and decided to go back up to Donna’s.

  “Hey, Miss Angelica, I wondered where you were.”

  “Ari, I’ve been waiting over five minutes for you.”

  “You didn’t come down when we discussed, and when you didn’t show up, I had to park one of the residents’ cars.”

  “I’m sorry, Ari. My nerves are on edge. I don’t know what to do.”

  “Look,” Ari said. “Why don’t you stay with me until you get on your feet? My place is not fancy, but it will offer a roof over your head. And it’s near the subway.”

  “I…I couldn’t. I shouldn’t. I…

  “What other cho
ice do you have? No strings attached.”

  Angelica walked to Ari and placed a quick kiss on his cheek. “Thank you for being my savior.”

  “I’m off in another thirty minutes. If you get your things down here by then, you can leave tonight.”

  “I won’t be late, Ari.”

  “All right. It’s been a long day,” Ari said.

  The elevator closed. Angelica thanked God out loud for the miracle. She was only a half hour away from being distanced from the hell she had brought upon herself by accepting Donna’s invitation. Yes, she knew it was hell because the pain was worse than any menstrual cramps she had suffered growing up, and they had been awful.

  Angelica moved swiftly inside the condo and retrieved her belongings. She placed the key Donna had given her on the coffee table and headed toward the door with her two suitcases in tow.

  “So, is Ari rescuing you from the evil cousin?” Donna asked.

  Angelica turned around and faced Donna, who stood at a diagonal on the dining room door—her right elbow touching the top part of the doorframe and her feet placed on the floor in the middle of the door opening. Donna seemed to have a thing for standing in doorways; in fact, she looked like one of the portraits that hung in the den that she had so beautifully captured with her camera lens.

  “You said it yourself, I had less than twenty-three hours to remove myself, and I’m doing just that,” Angelica replied.

  “Well, for someone who doesn’t know anyone in New York, you move mighty fast.” Donna smiled. “I’m surprised. You have twenty-two hours and thirty minutes.”

  “Why, Donna? I would not have treated you this way.”

  “Do I have to answer that, Angelica? You cost me a lot of money today, and I don’t take kindly to losing money. You’re a little old for my taste, but I wanted to help you. Adele Macy said you were feisty and would give the magazine debut the extra umph it needed.”

  Angelica dropped her bags to the floor and stared at Donna, who did not move from her position.