In My Rearview Mirror Page 8

  Instead of calling the doctor, Margo dialed Winter’s cell. Margo prayed that she wasn’t in a meeting or away from her phone. She didn’t have to wait long.

  “Mom, what’s up?”

  “I need your help, Winter. Something is wrong with Ian. He’s been screaming at the top of his lungs and his body is hot. I’ve got to take him to the doctor and I need you to watch Evan.”

  “I hear Ian. He’s either mad at you or something is truly wrong with him. Did you take his temperature?” Winter asked, concerned.

  “I don’t know where the thermometer is but if you know, please tell me. Can you come?”

  Winter sighed. “Give me an hour. I’m getting ready to go into a meeting, but as soon as I give my presentation I’ll be there. I wish I could drop everything right now, but my boss is giving me the I need to get into the conference room look now.”

  “Okay, Winter. I’ll see you as soon as you get here.”

  “Okay, the thermometer is in the layette tray. See you in an hour.”

  “Thanks, babe.”

  Margo found the thermometer and before she could check Ian’s temperature, Evan began to cry. Margo sighed and shook her head. “I’m going to have to hire a nanny.”

  She checked on Evan and reached over into the crib and gave him a kiss. He quieted down, although Ian’s screaming had crawled to a nagging whine. Margo sat down in the rocker and proceeded to take Ian’s temperature, and just as she was getting ready to put it into his rectum, her cell phone rang. Thinking it might be Winter, Margo scooped Ian up and reached for her cell phone that she had set in the layette. Before the caller hung up, Margo pushed the TALK button.

  “Margo?”

  A frown formed on her face. “Who is this?” Margo asked, not recognizing the voice. She pulled her BlackBerry away from her face and looked at the number. The person’s ID wasn’t recorded, which meant the caller wasn’t a friend or acquaintance. So how did this person get her number?

  “Has it been that long?”

  “Been long for what?”

  “Okay, I get it,” the voice at the other end of the line said. “I’m a complete stranger.”

  “If you don’t identify yourself in the next three seconds, this call is history. I’ve got more important matters to attend to.”

  “Margo, this is Malik.”

  Margo froze with Ian still on her lap and his diaper open to expose his buttocks. “Malik . . . I didn’t recognize your voice. I guess I should be calling you son-in-law. It’s funny how life evolves and changes at the drop of a hat. Are you in love with her?”

  “If you’re talking about Ivy, the answer is yes. Surely you’re not objecting. As I recall, you rejected my affection on more than one occasion; a man can only take so much rejection.”

  “It’s not even about that, Malik. How could you and Ivy sneak behind my back and get married without even a phone call to say you wanted her hand in marriage like any other decent suitor? She’s my daughter, and she’s half your age. I’ve been calling Ivy for weeks and have yet to receive a return phone call. And then I had to see it on TV in living color from your campaign headquarters in Fayetteville—your big announcement—candidate for Senator, Malik Mason, is now married to Ivy Myles. How long has Ivy been in Fayetteville?”

  “Not long, but I’ll talk to Ivy about getting in touch with you.”

  “You’re so cavalier. You don’t feel the pain that this family feels.” Ian began to wail.

  “Are the babies mine? Is that my baby crying?”

  “You’ve got some nerve, Malik. You aren’t anybody’s daddy. These are Jefferson’s babies. Evan has a birthmark in the same place that Jefferson does.”

  “I’m happy for you, Margo, although you won’t admit the obvious that I could well be the father of those babies. You’re in denial.”

  “Well, it’s my business, Malik. And there’s nothing going on over here that you need to worry about. You need to watch your back because that child of mine that you’re married to is the sneaky one.”

  “Bitterness doesn’t become you, Margo. It’s a shame to see a woman who I adored, who was talented, beautiful and amazing, with such a stank attitude. You’ve changed. You seem so . . . hostile . . . so angry.”

  “For your information, I am angry. I’m angry at you for taking advantage of Ivy and angry at Ivy for being inconsiderate and stupid.”

  “That was unkind. Do you still go to church? And by the way, when you see Jefferson, tell him his threats don’t scare me.”

  “Don’t worry about what I’m doing. And as far as Jefferson is concerned, you tell him yourself. He doesn’t live here. Whatever has gone on between you and Jefferson is your business.”

  “I love my wife, Margo. I’m going to take good care of Ivy.”

  “That sounds promising. But why, Malik? Ivy is much too young for you. You have no right to use my daughter to get back at me.”

  “You are crazy, Margo. I put you out of my mind a long time ago. You don’t even exist in my life. If it wasn’t for Ivy, I wouldn’t give you a second thought, Mother-in-Law.”

  “Let me tell you something and hear me well. If you are using my child as a pawn in your desire to exact revenge on me, you will pay.”

  “Ivy loves me, and she will be a senator’s wife come Election Day. Can’t say the same for you. You wasted five long years pining for Jefferson while he was locked up in prison where he belonged. I was there for you, at your beck and call, and in the end you kicked me to the curb like I was piece of chewing gum that you chewed the flavor out of until there was nothing left but to discard it.”

  “You said it, I didn’t. But let’s not forget, I was still a married woman.”

  “But you did spread your legs for me. It was good, Margo. Your nectar was so sweet.”

  Margo hit the END button and threw the phone down on the floor. She picked up Ian and held him tight in her arms and cried some bitter tears.

  Eighteen

  Malik sat in his office at SuperComp Technical Solutions and pondered his conversation with Margo. Margo acted strange and Malik couldn’t put his finger on it. What if the babies were his? He’d want to do the right thing, but acknowledging such at this time might ruin his chances to become Senator. Maybe it was best to leave it alone, but he couldn’t. He always wanted a son . . . his son.

  At that moment, Malik thought of his first wife, Toni, who died in a car accident with their unborn child in her womb. And then he thought of, Ivy, so young . . . so beautiful who reminded him so much of her mother . . . her mother, Margo. He reached deep into his heart and searched for the answer as to why he was with Ivy.

  Sitting in the quiet of his office made Malik think about Margo’s words, if you are using my child as a pawn in your desire to exact revenge on me. Malik loved Ivy. He was sure about that. Their chance meeting in Atlanta was not orchestrated or planned. He’d be lying, though, if Ivy’s resemblance to Margo didn’t make him stop and take a second look, but it was Ivy herself who had captured his heart and tapped him with a love Jones. Malik was sure about his love for Ivy but something deep within was telling him he still loved Margo. “But I’m married now,” Malik said out loud.

  Malik pulled out of his daydream when the phone began to ring. “Hello,” he said on the second ring.

  “Hey, babe, how’s your day going?”

  Malik sat up straight in his seat. “Good, couldn’t be better. How’s my beautiful wife today?”

  “I feel great, especially after the way we made love to each other last night. Wow, Malik, you were so gentle and thorough.”

  “The only way to treat a lady. I love you, Ivy.”

  “I love you, too. I’m going to go out and look for some things for the house to give it a little feminine touch. You’ve lived here a long time, but I want to feel like I’m a part of it as well.”

  “I just had a thought; well, maybe I’ve been thinking about it for a short time. Why don’t we go house-hunting for a place we can call
our own?”

  “Do you mean it?”

  “Yes, baby, and once we find our dream home, we can go together and look for new furniture and other furnishings for the house. I was ready to get some new stuff anyway.”

  “Malik, I’m so happy. Thank you, baby, for wanting to do this now.”

  “Well, we need a realtor. Your mother would be perfect.”

  There was silence on the line and then a heavy sigh. “Sweetheart,” Ivy took her time getting the words out of her mouth, “sweetheart, I don’t want my mother in our business. I’m sure Winter has told her by now that she saw us at the restaurant. I haven’t spoken to my mother in a long time, and this shouldn’t be the basis for us getting together.”

  There was a pause on the other end of the line, and then Malik spoke. “Ivy, you need to contact your mother and make peace with her. I’m a believer that when you communicate it makes a world of difference.”

  “Okay, okay, I’ll call my mother, but I’m not sure when. With that said, I’m still adamant about not having her in our business. It would be different if you and my mother weren’t close friends. My mother had feelings for you, and she may still have them for all I know. She’s divorcing my dad after all they’ve been through. But why? My dad still loves her.”

  “How do you know?”

  “Because my brother, J.R., told me so. My dad is hurt by this divorce. I’m not saying he didn’t have it coming, but my mother wanted her husband despite all he’d done. So her doing this now doesn’t make sense.”

  “Are you afraid that if Margo still loves me that I might go to her?”

  “Why would you say that, Malik? We’re married. I can’t allow those thoughts to go through my head.”

  “But you did think them, didn’t you?”

  “This conversation is over. You have a senatorial race to win and you need to keep your mind focused on getting those votes. I’m going to pamper myself, and I’ll see you later.”

  “I love you and only you, Ivy. I mean that from the bottom of my heart. Don’t spend too much money. We’re buying a house.”

  “Okay, sweetheart, I’ll talk to you later.” And the line was dead.

  Malik sat a moment longer. Yes, he loved Ivy, but the hunger for Margo hadn’t gone away.

  • • •

  Margo paced the floor with a whimpering Ian on her shoulder, trying to soothe his little body. On her tenth walk around the house, she heard the key in the door and was glad to see Winter come inside.

  “Hey, Mom, how’s Ian doing?”

  “He’s still the same. He has a fever and I’ve got to see about my little fellow.”

  “Where’s Evan?”

  “He’s upstairs, asleep. I pumped some milk and left it in the refrigerator. He should sleep for awhile.”

  “I’ve got him. You run on to the hospital.”

  “Thanks,” Margo said as she finished putting Ian’s knit cap on his head. She grabbed the diaper bag and headed for the door to the garage. Almost as if she forgot something, Margo turned on her heels. “You wouldn’t guess who called me today.”

  “Daddy,” Winter said playfully. “Mom, you can stop the divorce proceedings at anytime. Daddy doesn’t want this and he’s still madly in love with you.”

  “Your father is okay with the divorce. We’ve decided to go our separate ways, and that’s what we’re doing.”

  “After seeing you the other day, Daddy ain’t sure about going separate ways.”

  “Well, it’s over and that’s that. You still haven’t guessed the name of my caller.”

  “Instead of playing twenty questions, why don’t you just tell me? And aren’t you in a hurry?”

  “Malik called me. Now watch your baby brother so that I can get to the hospital to see about the other one. Love you.”

  “Mother, I see the gleam in your eye, but please tell me you don’t still have feelings for Malik. I’m sure you haven’t forgotten that he’s married to your daughter—the daughter who’s forgotten we exist.”

  “I’ll see you later. Take care of Evan.”

  “I will. And, mother, I have a date this evening.”

  “A date? I didn’t know you were even talking to anyone.”

  “I just met him. His name is Phillip and he’s Dr. Wright’s son.”

  “The Dr. Wright who’s running for senator?”

  “Yes, one in the same. I met him at dinner. He’s gorgeous.”

  “I don’t know why I’m the last to know anything. Well, take care of my baby.” And with that Margo let herself out of the door.

  Margo strapped Ian in the baby seat and stepped up into her SUV. Before putting the key in the ignition, she thought about what Winter had said about Jefferson. She missed him . . . still loved him, but too much garbage had built up between them.

  For a fleeting moment, she wondered if the babies could be Malik’s. She did allow herself that one indiscretion and she didn’t have any protection. How long had she waited for Jefferson while he was in jail without giving herself to another man? Five long years, but her faith had brought her through.

  Margo closed her eyes, and then sighed. The messes people make out of their lives, she thought. How could she have been so stupid? However, part of her desired Malik. Was it because he had forgotten about her and was now making her daughter feel the way he used to make her feel, even when she hadn’t admitted it? Disgusting thought. “Lord, forgive me. My thoughts are not my own. I need some direction,” Margo cried out. Then she heard Ian crying. “We’re on our way, baby. Mommy’s sorry for being so selfish.”

  Margo put the key in the ignition and drove out of the garage and headed to the hospital. There was no doubt about what she needed to do. She wasn’t sure when, but at the appropriate time, whenever that was, she’d have both babies tested for their DNA. That would give a value to the unknown. Maybe it was best to leave the unknown the way it was, but Margo had to know.

  Nineteen

  The whole idea of Margo with twins scrambled Malik’s mind. He calculated and recalculated from the moment he’d made love to her until the approximate time she’d given birth to the twins. Malik shook his head because each time he’d gone over his calculation, the equation added up to the same theory—that those boys she’d just delivered could possibly be his. No, they were more than likely his. As far as he knew, Margo hadn’t consummated . . . hadn’t resumed her marriage with Jefferson in the bedroom once he was out of prison. And the fact that Margo and Jefferson had filed for a divorce, made it all the more evident that the whole of their marriage was in ruins.

  Malik looked at his watch and got up from his desk. The time was a little past one o’clock. He had an errand to run and he needed to be away from the office for awhile.

  “Reggie,” Malik called to his retail clerk, “I need to leave the office for awhile—campaign business. If anyone should call, tell them I’m on campaign business although I’m not going to campaign headquarters. You don’t have to tell them the latter. I’ve got to go on a fact finding mission.”

  “All right, boss,” Reggie said. “I’ve got this. Corky should be back from lunch in fifteen minutes.”

  “Good. If you or Corky should need me, you can reach me on my cell.”

  With that, Malik left his place of business that was virtually empty except for a browser who came in periodically to see if there was something new on the market. Malik jumped in his Beamer and headed out of town. He took the scenic route to Raleigh by way of Highway 210, eventually connecting to Highway 401, coasting and in no real hurry. Taking the scenic route always quieted his nerves; he wasn’t sure why.

  He cruised through the towns of Lillington and Fuquay Varina, inching his way to Raleigh. Once Malik got there, he wasn’t quite sure what his approach would be. The only thing on his mind was seeing Margo. He remembered how Ivy, in one of her rants, had talked about her mother living high on the hog in a brand-new townhouse in a new development called City Cottage in North Hills. He’d have no pr
oblem finding North Hills. Getting her address was the real hurdle, and if he hadn’t been in such a big hurry, he would’ve searched for it on the Internet before he left. “Damn, damn, and double damn. This can’t be a wasted trip,” Malik said out loud.

  Malik’s iPad was in the trunk of his car. He’d find a place that had Wi-Fi and look up Margo’s address. Malik drove on, his desire to see Margo intensifying with each mile he drove. Every now and then, he’d glance in his rearview mirror to see if the city’s law enforcement or paparazzi were following him.

  Traffic was heavy when Malik pulled onto Interstate 40. He drove a mile or two until he reached the Beltline, Interstate 440, the route that would take him to North Raleigh and North Hills. He drove a bit and took the off-ramp at Six Forks Road. He passed North Hills that had been completely redeveloped and went in search of a place to stop in hopes of acquiring Margo’s address.

  Stopping in the road, he asked a plump gentleman who took his time walking across the street if there were any book retailers close by. Malik was in luck as he had two choices, but he took the closest, which was on Sandy Forks Road. He thanked the gentleman and in less than two minutes Malik was exiting his car and entering the store.

  The store was quiet considering the time of day. Noonday was a prime time for customers to breeze in and out of a bookstore or some other retail place while on their lunch hour. Malik bought a small cup of cappuccino and sat down with his iPad. He quickly went into action and found the white pages. He brought up the White Pages and entered Margo’s name to include city and state. As he predicted, Margo didn’t have an unlisted number.

  Without giving it another thought, Malik shut down his iPad and quickly exited the store. He jumped into his car and headed for North Hills. His adrenaline flowed at the thought of laying eyes on Margo. What would she say? Would she invite him in? Their phone call hadn’t gone as he had hoped, but given his very presence, hopefully Margo would have a forgiving heart.