Cicely, who had been sitting virtually mortified through the entire discussion, spoke up. “Let’s change the subject. I haven’t seen my big sister in quite some time and I for one do not want to waste one more moment belaboring to whom and for what she should or should not apologize. She’s home and I have a beautiful new nephew to boot. I for one am going to enjoy them both.”
“Amen! I agree with you, Cicely.” Jillian stood and gave each person in the room with the exception of Cicely and Latonya a harsh, pointed stare. “While I appreciate being included as a part of the family in this welcome-back dinner. I have to say, if you all are going to spend the time attacking Latonya, then I’d rather not be included. She’s alive and she’s back. Let’s just thank the Lord and move on.” With that she put her napkin down on the table and walked away.
Before she made it fully out the door, she turned. “Sweetie, I sure am glad to have you back. Your Gran and I made sure your little boy didn’t forget you. I’m making cookies with the boys tomorrow afternoon, and I’d love it if you joined us. Good night, all.”
“She always was a drama queen.” Rolling her eyes at her friend’s retreat, Gran turned to Latonya. “Peanut, you know I’m happy to have you back. I love you. You just scared me, that’s all. I’m sorry if I was harsh.” She rose from her seat and walked to Latonya.
Latonya got up and they embraced the way they should have in the beginning. Not wanting to be left out, Cicely got up and joined in on the hug.
“I love you. Don’t forget that. And know that you always have a place to go if you ever have to leave here again. You hear me? You always have a place to go.” Gran squeezed her tightly before letting go.
“Yeah, Peanut!” Cicely agreed. “I have my own place now and you and the boys are always welcome.”
Latonya’s voice choked. “Thanks, Gran and Cicely. I know that and I appreciate it.”
“I’m going to go check on that ornery old Jillian before we head out,” Gran said. “I’ll tell you that mouthy woman needs Jesus!”
“I hope you all aren’t leaving yet. I feel like we have so much catching up to do. Cicely, I want to hear all about your new job and the graduations I missed.” Latonya surveyed the smart and competent young woman that her sister had become and her heart swelled with pride.
It seemed that Cicely had accomplished everything Latonya had wanted for her. She decided she would at least thank Carlton for all he’d done to help her grandmother and her sister. He didn’t have to do that and she knew it.
“Let’s go and talk while Gran mends things with Jillian. Then we can go and check on Pamela and the boys. I can’t believe how big little Carl has gotten.” Latonya grabbed Cicely’s hand and together they headed out of the dining room. She glanced back at Carlton before leaving and gave him a hesitant smile. She fully intended to thank him for helping her family later.
Carlton watched his wife leave the room and pondered the smile she’d given him. Was it too much to hope that the smile meant she might one day find it in her heart to forgive him?
“Well, that was a fiasco.” Grandfather’s gruff voice broke through Carlton’s wondering.
The dinner hadn’t gone as smoothly as the younger Harrington had planned. But the end result was worth it. Seeing the genuine happiness on Latonya’s face once she’d worked out her differences with her grandmother made it all worth it. “Things worked themselves out just fine.”
Grandfather harrumphed loudly, causing Carlton to give him a pointed look. Carlton wouldn’t tolerate any of the nonsense his grandfather pulled early in their marriage.
“Listen, Grandfather. I know you have never approved of my marriage and you are entitled to your opinions. But you will respect my wife or you won’t be welcome in my home. Latonya has graciously decided to remain here for the children’s sake. And I fully intend to win back her heart and her trust. I want to make my marriage work and I won’t let anything or anyone stop that.”
Grandfather’s jaw dropped and the older man suddenly looked every bit of his seventy-plus years. “Did she say something…anything about why she left?”
Carlton’s eyebrows furrowed. “What do you mean? She left because I kicked her out. I should have trusted in our relationship.” He paused and studied the older man. “I don’t know what you saw or thought you saw between her and Weatherby. But I do know that my wife didn’t have an affair. I know that now in my heart and soul.”
Grandfather opened his mouth and shut it quickly. “Well, it would appear you know everything, then. I only hope that you don’t end up regretting any of this.”
Narrowing his gaze slightly, Carlton responded, “I know that I won’t.”
After she and Cicely convinced Pamela to allow them to tuck the boys in and read them good-night stories, Latonya sat in the study with her sister.
Cicely was dressed in a classy designer pantsuit and wore her brown hair in a stylish up-do. She appeared happy and successful, all of the things Latonya had dreamed of for her sister.
“I’m so pleased with the woman you’ve become, Cicely.” Latonya hugged Cicely close. “Look at you, Miss Career Woman living in her own apartment!”
“Well, I had the best role model anyone could ask for,” Cicely offered.
“Please, your success is your own. I’m just glad that you are living your dreams.” Latonya thought back briefly to when she was Cicely’s age, fresh out of graduate school and in her first job. Latonya’s life took a detour when she married Carlton and had her children. But she didn’t regret any of it. She simply had to find a way to put her life back on track, get her children and move on. “So, I can’t wait to see this hot new place of yours. Do you think they have any openings in your apartment complex?”
Perplexed, Cicely responded, “They have openings all the time. Why?”
“I’m thinking it might be best for me to get my own place and set up a secure environment for me and the boys. Hopefully Carlton and I will be able to figure out some sort of shared custody agreement.”
“So you don’t think that you two will be able to work it out?”
Shaking her head, Latonya replied, “I think that too much has happened and it would be impossible to make our way back from that. He hasn’t even apologized yet.”
“Peanut, anyone with eyes can see how sorry he is. As irritated as I was with him when he broke his promise to me and hurt you, I could see that he loved you and he was hurt the entire time you were gone. I can see that he still loves you and he hopes that you two will be able to work it out.” The sincerity in Cicely’s voice made Latonya do a double take.
Latonya started to ask her sister when Carlton promised he wouldn’t hurt her. But Cee Cee’s seemingly earnest pleas on Carlton’s behalf sidetracked her. “Whose side are you on, anyway?”
“Always yours, Peanut. That’s why I don’t want you to make any rash decisions.” Cicely hugged her. “I knew the man was trouble the day he showed up on Gran’s doorstep with flowers. I also knew just from looking at you that you had given him your heart. I’m just hoping that my role model will fight for her heart, fight for her family and fight for her love.” Cicely broke out into a wide grin. “Just think about what a bad impression you’d make on your devoted baby sister if you didn’t.”
Latonya shook her head and laughed. “You are so lucky I haven’t seen you in a while. That’s the only reason why I’m letting you get away with that crap.” Even as she said the words, a part of her let Cicely’s words seep in. She realized that she should wait before rushing off to get her own place. She should at least give living under the same roof with Carlton a try.
Cicely joined Latonya in laughter and hugged her. “Besides, what’s our favorite line?”
Puzzled, Latonya stared at Cicely.
“Oh, don’t act like you don’t remember, Lady in Blue!” Cicely put her had on her hip and struck a pose of mock defiance.
Latonya closed her eyes and smiled. She traveled back to one of those typical summer days when she was in high school and Cee Cee was finishing up the eighth grade. They didn’t have any money to go out and do anything, not even catch a matinee. They’d flipped through the channels of the cableless television bored, until they landed on a PBS airing of Ntozake Shange’s For Colored Girls. They sat glued to the television and the play became a favorite of theirs. Latonya even got tickets to a live version of the play that the University of Miami theater put on and took Cee Cee as a present for her seventeenth birthday. They would often recite lines from the play whenever the mood struck them. But the Lady in Blue’s monologue on apologies had been their favorite.
“I remember the Lady in Blue,” Latonya responded with a sassy grin.
“Well, then you know that the one thing you don’t need is anymore apologies.…” Cicely started.
“I got sorry greeting me at my front door. You can keep yours!” They finished in unison and busted out laughing.
Cicely wiped the laugh tears out of her eyes. “Seriously, Peanut. It’s not what he says. At the end of the day it’s what he does that counts.”
If it had been anyone else, Latonya would have been inclined to agree with Cicely. She new that words were often empty. However, Carlton Harrington III needed to own up to his part in this and she wanted to hear an apology!
Realizing that she probably wouldn’t be able to influence Latonya, Cicely stood. “I’m going to find Gran and take her home.” She paused. “Hey, I was thinking that I would surprise her with a vacation, a Caribbean cruise or something. Do you realize that she has never really had a vacation?”
Latonya smiled. It was wonderful to see her sister taking such good care of Gran. Cicely really had turned out just fine. “I think that’s a lovely idea, Cee Cee. But do you really think you’re going to be able to get Evelyn Stevens on a boat?”
“I know, right. I can hear her now. ‘Child, I’m not getting on no boat. If God wanted me to be in the water he would have made me a fish.’” Cicely did a pretty good impersonation of Gran. “But I’m going to get the tickets, anyway. You can help me convince her. Oh, I’m so glad you’re home, Peanut. Let’s get together later this week. Okay?” Cicely asked before walking out of the room.
“You bet, Cee Cee.” Latonya watched her sister leave.
“Whoa! Oh, snap. You scared me! What are you doing standing out here, Mr. Harrington?” Cicely’s startled gasp from outside the door caused Latonya to look up.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to frighten you,” the old man apologized gruffly.
“It’s okay,” Cicely replied.
