Dark Waters, page 12
Lillian looks confused. “Keenan, what are we doing here?” She looks at suite B when she says, “I miss my store. New owners seem like they’re taking care of the place . . . at least the outside. The inside looks dark.”
Keenan Sr. doesn’t say anything when he gets out. Instead, once a car passes in the lot, he crosses over and heads to the suite. When Lillian calls out to him, he says, “Come on honey, I just want to look through the back door to see what they’ve done with the place.”
“Keenan, wait.” Lillian closes the passenger side door and walks across the parking lot to him. “Why are you moving so fast?”
“I want to look inside before we lose all the sunlight.”
“Okay, okay, I’m here.” When Lillian steps up on the curb, Keenan Sr. takes her hand and heads to the back door. Lillian walks up first and looks inside. “Son of a bitch. It’s not empty in there at all. They have my place laid out!”
Keenan Sr. walks up behind her. “Really?”
Suddenly, Lillian hears keys jingling. That’s when she asks, “What are you doing?”
He doesn’t answer her. Instead, he steps up, unlocks the door, and holds it open for Lillian. She just stands there looking at him. “Keenan?”
“Are you going to stand out here all night, or are you coming inside?” He turns on the lights. When he does, Lillian steps in. “What do you think?”
She said, “Keenan, I don’t know what to say,” looking around the swanky, well-put-together space. Everything was brand new. The accessories. The mirrors. Even the countertops. And the clothes are much more fabulous than before. Lillian is blown away as she continues to look around.
“Say something, honey.”
She looks right at him. “Why are you doing this?”
“Because it’s time I stopped being an asshole and took hold of what’s most important to me, and that’s you and your happiness, Lillian.” He hands her a mini stack of paperwork. “This is the lease that you now own, so that means the next time I get mad at you, I won’t be able to come down here and take your store away.”
She takes the papers from him and lays them on the glass display full of luxury handbags. When his phone chimes, Lillian asks, “Is everything okay?” which is code for Is that Mia?
He looks up from his phone when he says, “It’s Clarence Washburn.”
“Oh, my goodness, I haven’t seen Clarence in years.” She eyes him. “What’s going on? Why is he texting you so late?”
“It’s about Keenan Jr.”
“What about him?”
Keenan Sr. says, “He’s been taking bribes.”
“That’s not a shock.”
“He’s been doing a lot more, Lillian, that I didn’t know about yet. I have Clarence keeping a close eye on him for me, so he is just reporting back. Until I get solid evidence of what he’s doing, I will act as naturally as possible so I don’t tip him off.”
“You’re spying on your own son?”
“Lillian, come on now. You know I won’t have anyone judging me because of our disappointing children. I don’t give a damn if they can’t pull it together behind closed doors. I get that the three of them are failures in some form or fashion, so I’ve even grown to expect them all to mess up, but not in public. Uh-huh. I don’t play that; my children know I don’t. And see, I’m always here to clean up their messes, but not this time. This time, I’m going teach that damn Keenan Jr. a lesson.” After he clicks his phone off and puts it in his pocket, he steps closer to Lillian. “But I don’t want to talk about the children right now.” He kissed her. “I hope I made you happy again by bringing you here.”
“Keenan, I couldn’t ask for anything more. You’ve made me very happy tonight.” Lillian then starts to kiss him. And not a peck here and there, but a kiss, with tongue. They make out like teenagers, slobbering all over each other. Next, they start to take off their clothes.
Judge Waters could tell Lillian wants him sexually, and he wants her to never embarrass herself again by thinking he’d ever allow her to divorce him. Not ten years ago, not now, not ever! They are a spotless, influential black family, respected by all they come across, and Judge Waters will keep it that way at all costs. If he has to spend thousands reopening her boutique and suck her clit with her panties pulled to the side as she likes it, so be it. He’ll do whatever it takes to keep her in check and protect their flawless public image.
He and Lillian are almost completely naked right in the middle of the floor. He could tell by the way she was allowing him to have his way with her that he successfully stopped the divorce. So, he thought, now if I can just get Naomi to stop wearing her dresses so short, stop Saint Kenny from switching his hips when he walks, and stop Keenan Jr. from stealing money, my family will be perfect, the way it’s supposed to be.
After fourplay, Lillian and Keenan Sr. head to the benches in the dressing room. When they get in there, Lillian goes to stop him. “Keenan, maybe we shouldn’t.”
“Why not? When the kids were still at home, we used to sneak and do it here all the time.”
“I know, but . . . Not here; let’s go home.”
“Okay, dear, let’s go.” The second Lillian turned around, Keenan Sr. scooped her up and pressed her against the wall. Before she knew it, his hands were under her dress, taking her panties off. Next, he slid right inside Lillian. She’s tight and wet, just like Keenan Sr. remembered. It’s been so long, but he hasn’t forgotten how to make love to her just right. She’s not a quick sloppy cummer like Mia. Lillian is more of a slow burn that likes to have sex past the sixty-minute mark. Keenan Sr. thought that was fine tonight since he was full of Viagra and four extra-strength Excedrin pills.
“Oh, Keenan, baby, what are you doing to me?”
The judge didn’t say a single word as he tore Lillian up against the wall like he was in his thirties again.
“Keenan, honey, yes, you got me . . . right where you want me. I love this!”
Oh, sweet Jesus, Mia, I love it too . . . and you know what I like. Yes, fucking yes, Mia, yes! Your body. Your lingerie. Your tits, Mia, Mia, Mia! Keenan Sr.’s mind is heavy on his mistress as he releases inside of his wife.
Breathless, Lillian says, “ . . . Keenan . . . thank you for coming down here and doing this for me. I’m glad we’re still together . . . and nothing and no one will ever change that. I love you . . .”
He is pretty winded too, but happy and relieved all at the same time. Keenan Sr. pecked Lillian’s lips as he thought, I hope that did the trick because I’m not screwing you like that again anytime soon. Now get rid of those divorce papers, goddamnit! That’s what his mind was saying, but all his lips had to say was, “I love you too, honey.
26
Keenan Jr.
As Keenan Jr. drives, his father talks through his Bluetooth. “Son, are you sure you’re ready to take on a project like this so close to the election?” Judge Waters speaks to his son as he drives up an old county road.
Keenan Jr. was enthusiastic when he said, “Yes, sir. I think this property is the perfect investment for my vision. It’s just so far out the way, but I know I can make it work.”
“How did you find it all the way out Route 63?”
“Dad, I never come out this way; if it weren’t for Julie in the office sending me screenshots of this space, I would have never known it was out here. But I don’t care how far it is; after seeing the photos online, I already know I want it. It’ll be a great headquarters.”
“That’s wonderful, son. Do you have the downpayment today if you like the space? If so, I’ll match it for you.”
Keenan Jr. has his chest poked out when he says, “Thanks, but no need, Dad. If I like this space, I have the cash to buy out the entire lease.”
He doesn’t take his dad’s money; with Faith’s help, he has everything he needs after yesterday’s fundraiser at Hamilton Elementary School. Keenan Jr. is on top of the world with a bank account full of more stolen money.
Father and son chat more as Keenan Jr. drives. The long stretch of road is lined with car dealerships, hotels, and fast-food restaurants—well, a Wendy’s and a Taco Bell. Keenan Jr. passes all of it, going at least sixty miles per hour and chatting with his father. He doesn’t have a care in the world besides locking down his new campaign headquarters. Keenan Jr. feels God is on his side, so he can’t go wrong.
When his father starts to talk about the election, he listens to every word intensely until he becomes distracted. “Keenan, I will talk with Jack Pierce this afternoon. He will endorse—”
“WHAT THE HELL?!”
After Keenan Jr.’s outburst, Keenan Sr. asks, “Son, is everything okay?”
“Dad, I have to call you back!” Click! Keenan Jr. hangs up on his dad. He no longer cared about the election or Jack Pierce. Keenan Jr. thinks, fuck Jack Pierce! as he sees them from the street.
His speed decreases watching them. They are standing right there, right in front of him. Though Keenan Jr. still travels well over forty miles per hour, his car seems to sit still. He can’t believe his eyes; it’s Taylor and some tall black guy with dreadlocks. They are kissing right outside her car. He thinks, Right outside the Marriott! Keenan Jr. does a double-take to ensure his mind is not playing tricks on him to make him think Taylor could be cheating. He thought, Nonsense! It must be another white woman and random black dude kissing, but Keenan Jr. quickly discovers his mind isn’t playing some god-awful trick as they hug outside her car. He doesn’t know the man she’s with, but it was definitely Taylor hugging and kissing him.
When he calls his dad back, concerned, Keenan Sr. asks, “Son, are you alright?”
Keenan Jr.’s voice is calm, like before he saw Taylor and her mystery man. He’s playing it cool for his dad but fuming on the inside. “Yes, I’m fine, Dad. Sorry about that.”
“What happened, Son?”
As Keenan Sr. is waiting for a response, all Keenan Jr. can think about is Taylor. You’ll pay for this!
Taylor pulls into the same spot at the hotel as last time. She’s here on time, ready for what the man jumping out of the white Tahoe beside her is about to give.
Taylor checks her makeup. She fluffs out her hair. She unbuttons two more buttons on her lacy top. Next, she grabs her stomach. Butterflies are inside. Now it feels like grasshoppers have joined in. She is so nervous as she always is when she pulls up in front of the hotel.
Knock, knock. Ross lightly taps on her window. She’s smiling when she looks up at him. Taylor no longer feels like she has bugs in her tummy, looking at the man she can’t wait to touch.
She says, “I’m sorry, I was just checking out my makeup,” when she opens her car door.
“You look beautiful this morning, Taylor.”
She blushes. “You’re sweet. Thank you.”
When she gets out, Ross pulls her into a big bear hug right outside. She doesn’t care. She is too lost in the smell of his cologne to care about anything other than him. She wants to tell him he smells good, but he tells her first.
“Taylor, you smell so good.”
“Thank you. I wore something extra special just for you.” After the hug ends, Taylor closes her car door. She flicks her hair as she throws on a pair of sunglasses. When she gets to the back of her car, Ross wraps his arms around her again. This hug is much more intense and sensual than the first one. She even French kisses him when he leans in. Taylor is so into Ross that she doesn’t see Keenan Jr. watching her as he drives by.
“I would make love to you right here if I could.”
“I know you would.” Taylor giggles as they head for the hotel’s entrance. “But come on, let’s go inside.”
He holds the door open for her. Then, looking at Taylor’s ass as she switches in front of him, Ross says, “I can’t wait to lick every inch of your body.”
She slightly turns to him as they walk. “You are so nasty.”
As they head inside, no one would ever suspect these two people were married, but not to each other. Taylor is still wearing her ring, while Ross’s platinum band was purposely left at home.
Once Ross grabs the room keys, he and Taylor head to their favorite suite on the twentieth floor. They kiss the whole elevator ride up, with most of what they are wearing left at the door once they get in their room.
Ross is inside Taylor the second they hit the bed; she loves every inch of it.
“Oh, Ross! . . .”
27
Lillian
The Next Day
When Taylor rings the doorbell, Lillian calls out, “It’s open,” from the atrium.
“Mrs. Waters?” Taylor closes the front door behind her. “Where are you?”
“I’m out here, hon.”
The Bluejays sing to each other in the trees above as Lillian sips lemonade. When Taylor makes it out to the atrium, she gets up to hug her, wearing a floppy tan hat and a large pair of sunglasses. “Taylor, I am so glad you came over.”
“I’ve wanted to get over all week, but Keenan and Kennedy keep me so busy.”
“Trust me, honey; I did it for years, so I know what you’re going through. Except I had three.”
Lillian and Taylor joked and caught up. Next, they talked about their favorite shows from the week. Lillian mentioned some drama that comes on CBS every Monday night, while Taylor said she and Kennan Jr. had just finished season two of a show called BMF on STARZ. After Taylor explained the show’s premise, it didn’t sound like anything Lillian would watch, but she promised to check it out. Then, Lillian took the conversation from TV shows to real life.
“Taylor, how is everything going between you and that son of mine?”
Taylor took a beat before she answered. “Everything is fine. I don’t get to see Keenan as much because he’s always at work; besides that, we’re in a nice place.”
Lillian thought No, you’re not. She then looked at the bracelet around Taylor’s wrist, which was better than the one around hers. That’s when the messiness she’d been holding onto started coming out. Lillian folded her hands in her lap, choosing her words very carefully. “Taylor . . . we talk, you and me all the time. But you never bring up anything wrong about you and Keenan Jr. It’s always me crying on your shoulders.” Lillian then smiled tenderly.
Taylor looked confused. “I don’t cry on your shoulders, Mrs. Waters, because Keenan and I don’t have the problems that . . .” Then, she stopped herself and came back with, “Kennan and I are in a good place.”
“So, you’re okay with all of it?” Lillian’s eyes are back on Taylor’s bracelet. “The jewelry, the new cars, the renovations to the house. And he told me Kennedy is going to Europe next year.”
“Well, yes, we’ve been looking into some boarding schools over—”
“Where do you think it all comes from?”
Taylor’s forehead wrinkled when she said, “Excuse me?”
“Come on, Taylor, don’t let my son make a fool out of you. You’re smarter than this.”
Lillian threw Taylor completely off guard—it was clear from the stunned look on her face. Their talks and visits never leave Taylor speechless and ready to run out on Lillian like her children and husband. Usually, she was so loving when she spoke of her eldest son, but Taylor doesn’t understand that that was before he pissed off and embarrassed his father. Now Lillian feels it’s her mission to handle him, so she called Taylor.
“Mrs. Waters, I honestly don’t know what you’re getting at. Keenan is a District attorney with a substantial legit salary. He makes an excellent living. You know that having a husband who was an attorney once.”
“Yes, but my husband didn’t steal a dime.”
Now Taylor is getting mad. “Mrs. Waters, what the . . . Keenan Jr. earns everything he brings home. Trust me, the hours he spends away from me and our daughter—”
“Taylor, stop! Please. Now listen to me.” Lillian scoots to the end of her seat cushion when she comes out with, “Keenan Jr. has compromised himself and his elected office by taking bribes, defrauding the city, and abusing his power for a very long time.”
Taylor jumped up. “Wait one goddamn minute! Kennan would never take a penny that didn’t belong to him! We both know that, so I will not let you or anyone assassinate his character that way.”
Lillian’s eyes were up on Taylor, who was near tears as she stayed seated and calm. “Honey, we don’t both know anything except that the attorney general’s office is ready to charge your husband for taking bribes, using his influence for personal gain, and I’m sure Keenan Sr. left out a few other things they’ve suspected he’s done.” Lillian gave Taylor about thirty seconds to process what she had just told her before she hit her with, “His latest attack was on an elementary school on the north end. He stole money from their fundraiser, planted a few trees, and walked off.”
Taylor started to cry as she sat back down. “He would never do that. He’s running for mayor; I don’t understand.”
“You don’t see the extra money he’s spending? And don’t say that he makes a good living mess again because you know it’s more than that. Think about it, Taylor . . . how does he bring in more money than his father? Because according to his lifestyle, he does, and that’s a problem.” Lillian reached over and handed Taylor a tissue. “Trust me on this, Taylor. You are my closest friend in the world, so I’m not saying this to try and hurt you.”
Her voice shakes when she says, “Then why are you telling me? He’s your son.”
“Because he upset his father, and I don’t play that. I will not let any of my children hurt or disrespect Keenan Sr. He’s been too good to us, and I will protect him at all costs.”
Taylor just looked at her, thinking Since when?
“On top of me protecting my husband, you are my friend Taylor, and just because Keenan Jr. is my son, I don’t want him to blindside you. Of course, his father will protect him, but Keenan Sr. can do only so much.” Lillian now felt terrible after seeing how hard Taylor took the news about Keenan Jr. She could tell Taylor was crushed, so she got up and hugged her.
