Hate At First Sight, page 12
“Honey, I’ll be there in a jiffy. And boy do I have some news for you. It’s a good thing you called.”
I gave her some instructions that I knew would be a dead giveaway. But someone had to know. As soon as she walked through the door I grabbed the bag from her and headed to the bathroom. I waited there in silence, my heart pounding. A few minutes had passed when I heard a soft knock. Tasha came in and sat on the side of the tub without a word.
“I can’t look. I can’t. He’s gone. I chased him away. I can’t look, Tasha.”
“Well, I will.”
I closed my eyes as she picked up the little stick. I held my breath.
“Well.”
“Well, what?”
“Happy aunty day to me.”
I burst into tears and crumpled to the floor. Tasha hugged me tightly.
“Oh, honey! It’ll be okay. You’ll be a great mother.”
“I drove him away, Tasha! I can’t have a fatherless child!”
“Then tell him.”
“I can’t! I don’t know where he is! Oh, Tasha! What am I going to do!?”
“The first thing you’re going to do is calm down and get an official test done so we know how far along you are.”
“Six and a half weeks. We were stuck in his cabin for the hurricane.”
“Well! I guess you two got very busy, huh.” She rubbed my still-flat stomach and I sighed.
“What am I going to do, though, Tasha? I chased him away over this stupid equipment he damaged and wanted me to pay for and I refused to be scammed.”
“He is right about that though. He didn’t damage the equipment. Stephen did.”
I looked up at her.
“What!?”
“Yup. Let’s just say I was privy to a conversation and a transaction I had no business knowing. It seems that my darling husband’s jealousy of you knows no limits. He hired a couple of thugs to break the machinery. But it was done before the hurricane. The storm was just a sudden plus to cover up and further delay the progress of the project.”
“Do you have proof?”
“Is a recorded conversation proof enough?”
“Why would you be recording him though?”
“Building my divorce case. He’s been cheating on me as well.”
“Wow!”
“Yup. But it’s no big deal. I’ve already checked out of that marriage. Now I just need to make it official. I plan to go out in style and drama at dinner next week.”
The family dinner could not come fast enough the following week. I slid into my usual seat, waiting for the outburst my new appearance would cause.
“Rasheeda! Where’s your hair?”
I rolled my eyes at Simone. “On the salon floor.”
“But-but it’s all gone!” Sasha chimed in breathlessly.
“I know. I needed a change.”
“Well, I think it looks frightfully dreadful. I hope you have some wigs ready.”
“Actually no, mother. I’ll be rocking my natural curls for as long as I choose.”
“I think not.”
“Well, I think it’s not your place to give me fashion advice.”
“Don’t argue with your mother, Rasheeda. That’s disrespectful.” My father spoke up from his end of the table.
“Very disrespectful,” Stephen added.
Tasha touched my hand. “Tap me in, sis.”
I smiled and winked, slapping her open palm. She turned to Stephen.
“Let’s talk about disrespect, Stephen. How about disrespecting your marriage vows by cheating on me?”
“Cheating on you? Cheating on you? That’s preposterous!”
“So are Sophia Griswald, Tracey Simmonds, and Monica Wright figments of my imagination, dear?”
“Stephen? What is she talking about? Who are those women?”
“Tasha is out of her mind. She’s been overwrought lately with us trying for a baby and everything. We’re going to get her started on fertility-”
“Oh, shut the fuck up, Stephen! I’ve had it with you and your lies and narcissism.”
“Tasha! Watch your language around the girls.”
“Your little angels cuss like sailors, mother.” Stephen was red in the face as he stood. “We’ll finish this conversation at home, Tasha.”
“Well before you head home, brother dear. Would you like to explain to us how the site equipment got damaged?”
“How the fuck did you,” he looked around the table as all eyes focused on him. “I-I mean, what are you talking about, sis?”
“Oh. So now I’m ‘sis’ am I.”
“Stop being a little prissy bitch, Rasheeda. Why do you always have to behave as if you’re better than we are?”
I turned a baleful glare on Simone. “Little girl, stay in your lane.”
“Don’t talk to my sister like that!” Sasha shouted at me.
“You’re right. She is your sister. Consider me a stranger.”
“Rasheeda, calm down.”
“No mother, you calm down.” I stood and threw down my napkin and looked around the table. “All my life I’ve never felt like I belonged in this family. And I’ve had enough of the whole lot of you. Enough!”
“Don’t upset yourself, hon.” Tasha stood and gave me a side hug. Tears sprang to my eyes as I looked around once more.
“I’m done.” I looked at my father. “When this project comes to an end, so does my involvement as a Blake. I’ll be handing the business back to you.”
“You can’t just decide that you’re no longer in the family, Rasheeda. That’s absurd.”
“Really, mother? Watch me.”
“Oh please! Who’s going to pay for your lavish lifestyle if you walk away from all of this?”
“You must be mixing me up with your children who have no idea how to live without you and daddy’s wallet. I’m a survivor. Goodbye.” I turned to Stephen. “You’ll be hearing from my lawyer.”
“And mine.” Tasha picked up her purse and linked her hand to mine. “Let’s go, sis.”
“Rasheeda! Rasheeda Desmarie Blake if you walk out that door don’t ever come back!” my mother shrieked. I whirled around.
“Thank you!”
I headed out the door with Tasha hot on my heels. The crisp cold air hit me squarely in the face. But my spirit was light. Tasha and I got into my car and drove away. A few hours later we sat on my living room floor devouring a carton of rocky road ice cream. Earlier in the week, she had moved out most of her essential items. Tonight, made it official that she was living with me. And it had never come at a better time.
Winter rolled in and with it came a myriad of issues. Both Tasha and I followed through on our promises of Stephen hearing from our lawyers. My parents were not speaking to either of us as we were bringing ‘shame on the family by not handling these issues privately. And to add to that, I had to get creative with staying out of the tabloids once my pregnancy began to show.
In the midst of it all, I missed Sheldon terribly. Tasha had suggested a million and one ways in which I could make up with him. But the fact remained that he was not in the country. It did not help that I had come across a New Year’s event report and amid the photo spread, Sheldon was posing with a well-known runway model, drink in hand and all smiles. I was devastated. Clearly, he had moved on with his life. I needed to do the same.
Early in January, I regrouped my thoughts. I had to push on with RDB now more than ever. The hotel was slated to be handed over in the summer now, and I fully intended to carry through on my promise to hand over the chain to my father afterward. I had enough money and investments to live comfortably for the rest of my life if I had to, but work was important to me.
As the baby grew inside me, I began to go out less and less. There was only so much a winter jacket could hide and no more. I had not informed my parents nor did I intend to either. Tasha was still my only confidante on the matter. But all good things had to come to an end.
Somehow someone snapped a photo of me. It was the kind of photo that one catches at the opportune time. I was leaving the office building and a gust of wind lifted my coat. The outline of my five-month pregnancy was clearly seen. The caption read: Bun in the oven but who’s the baker? Hotelier Rasheeda Blake expecting.
My heart sank when I saw my phone lighting up with my mother’s number. I promptly rejected it, and every other call from anyone I did not know. I simply had to wait for the nine-day wonder to blow over and everyone would move on to the next juicy gossip.
Chapter 18:
Sheldon
I sighed as I looked out over the landscape. The trees were turning green again after being asleep all winter. The April weather would still be cool but not as bitterly cold as winter had been. It had been a long six months since I had upped and decided to head up a new project in Europe. But as far away as I went and as long as I stayed, just coming back home brought memories of Rasheeda rushing back. Damn! Our last meeting was still a sore point for me. The way she had summarily kicked me out of her life devastated me. So many times I had been tempted to pick up the phone and let the chips fall where they may. But I resisted. My pride would not allow me to grovel.
I plucked a magazine out of the back of the seat in front of me. As I flipped through it, my thoughts raced ahead to what I needed to get done. It was not yet motorcycling weather but at least I could ride around the block to get the engine going. Then I would need to take a trip to Jack’s Hill. Jack’s Hill. On second thought, that would have to wait. Memories of Rasheeda there would not bode well for me.
I froze as I turned a page of the magazine. My eyes skimmed the picture and caption and I felt my heart plummet. Rasheeda? Pregnant? I examined the photo carefully, my heart racing. Rasheeda, my Rasheeda, was pregnant? She was all cloaked up except for the shifted jacket. How many months along was she? I checked the date of the magazine and did the math. Then the realization hit me. The weekend of the hurricane. That had to be it. Neither of us had thought about protection. Not once, twice, or any of the number of times we had been in the throes of ecstasy. Rasheeda was carrying my child. I was sure of it. But yet she had chosen not to contact me. That spoke volumes.
***
A few days after my return I went to the hotel site one evening. I was pleased to see the progress we had made. Before I left I had given the final instructions and they had been carried out to a T. In two months it would be done and I would close the chapter on Rasheeda as a client. Then I would need to work on figuring out getting back Rasheeda my girlfriend and mother of my child.
I sat in the office going through the final plans when there was a knock on the door. Before I could tell the person to enter, the door opened. I looked up and froze. Rasheeda. She had not yet looked into the room and was about to close the door.
“Sorry for the surprise visit Mr. Barker but – Sheldon!”
“Hello, Rasheeda.”
She pulled her coat around her quickly but not fast enough. There was her belly. And she was further along than the picture had shown.
“I-I-”
She turned and ran out of the trailer.
“Rasheeda! Wait!”
I stood at the door and watched as she walked as quickly as she could off the site. I decided to let her go as some of the workers were already looking curiously in my direction.
“Is everything okay, Sheldon? Was that Miss Blake leaving?”
“Yes, it was, Kyle.”
“Lovely lady. So respectful and courteous. It’s always a pleasure when she visits the site.”
I laughed. “I see she gave you the angelic side when she met you. She cussed me out every which way she could at our first meeting.”
“Miss Blake? That Miss Blake?”
“Same one. I’m going to run and let you get back to work, okay?”
“Okay.”
I headed to my truck. Rasheeda was long gone. But I knew one place where she could not hide from me. I stopped to grab a sandwich and coffee and went to her apartment. Thankfully she had not changed the elevator code. I sat in the corridor and waited.
I had eaten my sandwich and finished my coffee and was basically twiddling my thumbs when the elevator doors opened. I saw a woman step out. She did a double-take when she saw me. I figured she was one of the penthouse neighbours, so I was surprised when she stopped at the door. My heart sank. It had never occurred to me that maybe Rasheeda had moved.
“Good evening. Can I help you?”
“Ummm. I’m sorry. I thought Rasheeda Blake lived here. I must be mistaken. Sorry to be in your way.” I got to my feet and picked up my garbage. The woman smiled at me.
“You must be Sheldon. I have to say her description did not do you justice.”
“I guess she added the horns and tail.”
“And your brother got the halo. I’m Tasha soon-not-to-be Blake.”
“Her sister-in-law. Pleased to meet you.”
“Same. I’m sure. So you’re back in the country and want to see Rasheeda. You may be in for a surprise. You have a lot of talking to do.”
“I know. I saw her this evening.”
“So, you know?”
“Yes.”
“Well, I’ll leave her to fill in the blanks then. Would you like to come inside and wait?”
“Thank you.”
She opened the door, and we stepped inside.
“She usually gets home by six so you won’t have long to wait. And I think I’m going to have dinner at the little deli on the corner. Give you some privacy and stuff. Have a seat.”
“Thank you.”
I pulled off my boots and sat on the couch where Rasheeda and I had spent so many evenings in each other’s arms. I picked up a book from the coffee table. ‘Now that you’re expecting’. I flipped through the pages and felt a pang of sadness go through me. Had it been the right decision to leave for so long and not try to work things out with her? Was my damn pride so important? I felt as though I had missed out on a very important part of my life: expecting my first child with the woman I loved. Loved. There was no doubt in my mind that I still loved Rasheeda. She was the woman who had my heart. What was a few thousand dollars worth of machinery if it was going to put such a rift between us?
“Well, I’ll be off so you two can have some privacy. No bloodshed. Just kiss and make up.”
I laughed. “Now I know why she’s actively looking for a new man for you. You’re cool, Tasha. I do think my brother would like you.”
She laughed. “Get your act together with Rasheeda first. Then we’ll see about your brother. It was nice meeting you, Sheldon. Don’t be a stranger now. And don’t let her tantrum put you off either. Later.”
“Bye, Tasha. Nice meeting you as well.”
I watched as she left the apartment. Now I understood why Rasheeda liked her. And strangely, I thought she would make me a fine sister-in-law as well. I was still chuckling at that when the door opened.
“Did you forget something Ta-Rasheeda? Hello.” I stood and watched as she halted at the door. “I hope you don’t mind. Tasha found me wandering in the hallways and took pity on me and let me inside. She’s a really great woman, I can see why you like her.”
“Why are you here, Sheldon?”
I held her gaze as I walked over to her. I stopped directly in front of her, forcing her to look up at me. I took a deep breath as emotion rocked through me. My hand went to smooth a random curl away from her face.
“You cut your hair. I like it. I like it a lot. And I love you, Rasheeda. Can we figure things out? Please?” I placed my hand gently on her stomach. Tears sparkled in her eyes. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“You-you weren’t here.”
“You told me you’d have me arrested.”
“I said no such thing.”
“Well, I would have been arrested for disobeying the restraining order because there’s no way I would have stayed away from you. I had to leave.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I’m sorry too. A few pieces of iron aren’t worth losing you, baby. I love you. And I love our child.”
She wiped at the tears which were now falling. “I love you too, Sheldon. Listen. About the machinery.”
“Forget about it.”
“But you need to know what happened. You were right in a roundabout way. I was liable for the damage after all. My brother hired someone to sabotage the site. We’re in court right now. My parents and sisters aren’t speaking to me. And I’m giving back the hotel chain when this project is over. Tasha and Stephen separated so he’s got that on his plate as well.”
“A whole lot has been going on since I’ve been gone, huh.”
“A lot. And I’m sorry I ran off my mouth.”
“And ran me out of the country.”
“Straight into the arms of another woman.”
“Another woman. What are you talking about?”
She lowered her eyes. “I saw those pictures of you with that European model.”
“You mean cousin Rosa?”
Her head flew up as she held my eyes. “Your cousin? Your cousin’s a supermodel!?”
“If you don’t count the beauty queen and the fashion designer, her sisters. One of my aunts on my mother’s side went to Spain as an exchange student and never came back home.”
“Your family is really something else isn’t it.”
“Family reunions are a blast.”
“I can only imagine.”
“Why imagine, baby? You’re going to be a part of it all.” I placed my hand on her stomach once more. “You both are.”
“We have a lot of lost time to make up, Sheldon.”
“We have a lifetime to make up for the past six months. And I owe you six months’ worth of fortnightly trips. Your overnight bag is still there you know.”
She held her stomach and laughed. “I think I’ve outgrown quite a few of those clothes by now.”
“We can go shopping.”
“Together? In public?”
“Is there any other way? Besides, I think that would be the best way to announce to the world who the baker of this bun is, right?”
