What's Blood Got to Do With It? Page 13

  “Can’ t wait 2 c u.”

  Adanya smiled after reading Bleak’s message. She started pecking the keys on her phone when a car horn blared, forcing her to focus her attention back on driving. “Whew, that was close. Got to be more careful.”

  As she drove inside her complex, she took the route leading to Bleak’s building. On occasion, he parked outside of his garage. Adanya hoped she would be able to tell if he was at home or not. She couldn’t. His garage door was closed, and his car was nowhere to be seen, so she drove home.

  Once she parked in front of her place, she texted him back, “Me 2.”

  ◊

  Evening couldn’t arrive fast enough for Adanya. After she bathed and dressed, she still had some time before Bleak was supposed to arrive, so she called Anaya who always seemed happy to hear from her. Adanya talked to her mother asking her about her day and what she’d been doing since the last time they’d hung out a week ago. She promised Anaya that she would let her spend the night with her again real soon.

  The doorbell rung and halted the conversation with Anaya. “Aunt Anaya, I’ve got to go,” she explained as she walked toward the door. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”

  “Okay, Pretty Adanya,” Anaya said and the phone went abruptly silent. Anaya never waited to listen to whether the other person on the phone had parting words or not. Once she was finished talking, that was it.

  Adanya stopped briefly in front of the leaner mirror in her dining room area to survey herself one more time. Satisfied with what she saw, she scurried to the door, peeped through the peep hole, and then opened it to a fine, sexy looking Bleak standing on the other side.

  “Hi, come on in,” she invited.

  He took a step into the apartment, and kissed her on the cheek, causing her to blush as she stepped aside to allow him full entrance into her place.

  “Don’t you look pretty,” he complimented.

  “You clean up pretty nicely yourself, but I’ve told you that before haven’t I?”

  “Guess you have. Hey, you ready to get out of here?” He glanced at the watch on his wrist. “You know how terrible parking can be in Midtown, especially when they’re showing a popular play like the one tonight.”

  “I’m ready. Just let me get my purse and keys.”

  “Cool.”

  The play was hilarious and Adanya had a great time. It felt good to be dating someone. At first she didn’t want to admit that she and Bleak were actually a couple, but the more time she spent with him the more serious her feelings grew.

  “The play was good wasn’t it,” she remarked as Bleak drove toward their next destination. They were going to walk along the river and then have dinner at the upper scale eatery, Paulette’s.

  Bleak seemed to know exactly what she liked and satisfied her taste very well, just like her father. Sometimes the way he walked, and the way he looked at her reminded her of Kenneth Anniston, and it caused her to miss the relationship she once had with him. But it was time to keep moving forward. As for now, her daddy was a part of her past.

  “So,” Bleak said looking over at her. “You know I’m feeling you. I’m feeling you a lot, Adanya.” He picked up his glass of cola. “Let’s toast.”

  Adanya looked at him with caution, but raised her glass at the same time. “What are we toasting to?”

  “The future and whatever it holds for you and me.” Their glasses met in the air.

  Adanya nodded in agreement and smiled. “I like that,” she said right before she took a sip of her tea.

  “I like you. I told you, I’m feeling you, Adanya. I want to keep this thing moving forward. What do you say about that?”

  She looked away. “Hey, don’t do that.”

  “Do what?”

  “Don’t check out on me.” He reached across the table and took hold of her hand. “Look, whether you admit it or not, I know you’re liking me like I’m liking you. I’m not trying to pressure you into anything. I just want to do like we’re doing now. Spend time together. You know, hang out and all. I like having you in my life.”

  “Is that what this is? I’m in your life?”

  “What would you call it then?”

  “Umm,” she hesitated before continuing. “I don’t know. I guess I never really thought about it. You know, Bleak I just don’t want to get in too deep.”

  “Why? What’s wrong with getting in deep, if that’s what you call this.”

  “I don’t call what we’re doing now as getting in too deep. I’m just saying that I don’t want to rush into anything. I know couples, well some of my friends who think they have the perfect match in a person only to have their hearts broken. And I, for one do not─”

  “Hey, let me stop you right there. I’m not out to break hearts because I don’t want my heart broken either. I believe what goes around comes around. All I’m asking is that we spend more time together, you know like a couple. I promise I won’t hurt you. That’s not my nature, Adanya.”

  Adanya wanted more too. She liked the idea of being Bleak’s girl but at the same time, she recalled the words of her father, Be cautious, tread carefully when it comes to men. They’ll tell you everything you want to hear, but won’t mean a third of it.

  She hoped Bleak wasn’t like that. She wanted to believe that what he said he was sincere about, but she didn’t want to chance it being crushed over some guy. She weighed her next words carefully.

  “Look, let’s just take it one day at a time. How about that?”

  “That’s all I ask.” Bleak massaged her hand and Adanya felt her body react to his touch.

  She cleared her throat before she changed the subject. “How’s your grouper?”

  Bleak smiled. “Good. How’s your salmon?”

  “Delicious,” she said and put a forkful in her mouth. “I love dining here. My daddy and I used to come here whenever we came downtown. Their food is always good.”

  “Speaking of your father, have you talked to him?”

  Adanya shook her head. “Nope.”

  “When are you going to forgive your parents, Adanya?”

  “I don’t think that’s any of your business.”

  “I’m not trying to be up in your business. I was just asking. And if you didn’t want me to say anything about the situation between you and your parents, then why did you bother telling me what went down with you guys?”

  “I don’t know why I told you. I ask myself that same question from time to time. I guess at the time I needed to vent. I mean, my best friend knows about it, but we don’t have that much time to talk about it. She has a steady boyfriend and all, so you know how that goes.”

  “So, what you’re telling me is that you used my listening ear as a crutch huh,” he chuckled. “Okay, I’ll let you use me.”

  Adanya smiled. “It’s not like that, and you know it. And look, I don’t mean to come across as mean. It’s just that it’s still a sensitive subject for me.”

  “Hey, I hear you, and I understand. So forget about it. Let’s finish up this meal, and then I hope you’ll come hang out at my place awhile.” He looked directly into her eyes.

  “Your place?”

  “Yes. I’m always coming over to yours, so can’t you do the honors and come to mine?”

  She nodded slowly. “I guess.”

  “That’s my girl,” Bleak stood up and leaned in and kissed Adanya on her lips.

  She welcomed his soft lips as they brushed hers. A tiny moan escaped from her throat and she eased back away from him. She looked around like perhaps she thought all eyes were on her.

  Bleak didn’t say anything. He sat back in his chair and took the last couple of bites of his food.

  “So, are you about ready?” Adanya asked some moments later. “I’m stuffed.”

  “No dessert?”

  “No way. I’m way too full.”

  “Okay, whatever the lady says.” He beckoned for the server to bring the check, paid their bill and then proceeded to stand up.

>   Adanya pushed back in her chair and Bleak quickly took hold of her hand and interlocked it with his as they exited the restaurant.

  “I’ve had a great time,” she said as they drove down Front Street in the direction of I40.

  “Me too, but it’s not over. Remember, you promised you’d come over to my place.”

  Adanya exhaled. She was about to respond but Bleak’s phone started ringing.

  “Excuse me,” he said and answered it. “What? Is she all right? Where are you?”

  Adanya listened and watched. Bleak was growing visibly upset.

  “I’m on my way.”

  “What’s going on?” she asked as soon as he ended the call.

  “That was my mother. She and one of my little sisters were in a car accident.” Bleak sounded frightened.

  “Are they all right?”

  “My mother said she’s banged up, but my little sister, Caitlin, they’re admitting her. I’ve sorry to have to do this, but I’ve got to take you with me to the hospital,” Bleak said and immediately turned and headed toward Adams Street and LeBonheur Children’s Hospital. “I don’t have time to take you home.”

  “No, I understand. I’m fine. Just get to the hospital. Did she say if there was anyone else with them?”

  “No, only that my stepfather and my other little sister are on the way to the hospital .”

  “Well, calm down and just concentrate on getting there. Pray, Bleak. Pray,” Adanya told him although she hadn’t had a one on one with God in a long time.

  Bleak sped up Adams Avenue then turned on to Dunlap. He parked in the first vacant space in the hospital parking garage. Jumping out of the car, the two of them hurried toward the elevator.

  “Is she in a room?” asked Adanya as Bleak paced the small space of the elevator.

  “I think they’re still in ER. I think that’s what she said,” he answered nervously. Again, like her daddy often did when he was upset, Bleak rubbed the back of his neck. “I’ll find out when we get there. They should be able to tell us something at Information.”

  “Yes, you’re right.” Adanya took hold of Bleak’s hand in an effort to comfort him. “Bleak, you have to calm down. Everything is going to be fine.”

  Lord, he looked upward. Take care of my little sister. Please, Lord, let her be okay. “Can you tell me where I can find Caitlin Phillips.” His voice trembled, as he spoke to the woman at the Information Desk. “She was in a car accident. My mother told me they brought her here.”

  The receptionist searched the database. “She was admitted and transferred to Critical Care. Take the elevators to the right and go up to fourth floor. Follow the yellow color coded floor signs to the CCU,” she instructed.

  Bleak ran to the elevator with Adanya still holding on to his hand. He pushed the button and like before, he paced back and forth on the elevator until the doors opened to the fourth floor. He followed the color coded floor as instructed until they arrived at the CCU Waiting area. Another receptionist was stationed right at the entrance of the waiting area.

  “May I help you?” she asked.

  “Yes, I…I want to see my sister. The woman downstairs said she was in CCU.”

  “What’s your sister’s name?” she asked politely.

  “Caitlin Phillips.”

  The receptionist looked at her screen, then pointed to an area on the left, behind where Bleak and Adanya stood. “Her family should be over there.”

  “Thank you,” Adanya said on behalf of Bleak.

  He released his hand from hers and walked swiftly in the direction the receptionist told him.

  Adanya followed close behind. She saw a woman who she assumed was Bleak’s mother, leap up from a chair and come running toward them.

  “Bleak, baby…oh, honey,” the woman cried. A man suddenly appeared and stood next to her, with a little girl in tow.

  “Momma, how is Caitlin? What are the doctors saying?” “They’re doing tests on her, son,” the man answered instead, while he locked eyes with Adanya.

  Adanya’s mouth dropped open, and at the same time, she stumbled backward.

  Chapter 14

  “Those who are faithless know the pleasures of love; it is the faithful who know love's tragedies”. -- Oscar Wilde

  “Pumpkin, are you all right?” Her father led her to a nearby chair.

  Adanya looked around. Bleak, along with the woman she assumed was his mother, and a little girl who looked to be no more than two, three at the most, were gathered around her. She noticed several people in the waiting room were staring in her direction.

  “You…Her…She…” she continued to try to get the words out. Was she dreaming? Had she somehow gotten sucked into some awful nightmare and didn’t know it? Did she really hear her father calling Bleak his son? “What are you doing here? She finally managed to ask.

  Bleak spoke up before Kenneth. He looked totally confused. “What’s going on? You know her?”

  “It’s a long story. But yes, I know her.” “You know me? It’s a long story? Is that all you have to say?’ Adanya’s voice rose.

  “Not here, not now, Adanya,” Kenneth pleaded.

  “Bleak, it’s him.”

  “Who? What are you talking about?” Bleak looked around, obviously confused.

  “My father. The man who rrr…─”

  “I said, not here, Adanya,” Kenneth yelled. “My little girl is in there.” He pointed toward the exit, “And I don’t know how she’s doing. I don’t need this right now.”

  “John, what’s going on?” The frightened looking blond haired woman finally spoke up with tears crested in the corner of her eyes.

  “John? I don’t understand. Why is she calling you by your middle name?” Adanya pressured.

  “Honey, who is she? What is this about?” The woman looked just as disturbed as she sounded.

  Kenneth turned to the distraught woman. “This, she’s my…she’s my daughter.” His eyes were flat and fixed on Adanya as he spoke to the woman.

  The woman’s hand flew up to her mouth.

  “Your daughter?” Bleak said and looked at Kenneth and then back at Adanya. “But…you’re married to my mother. What’s going on here?” Bleak asked as his fury began to mount.

  Adanya’s tears poured. In the back of her mind she could hear Bleak’s mother bawling. She heard her daddy talking to her, trying to calm her down. Without saying so much as another word to anyone, Kenneth wrapped his arm around the woman’s shoulder and led her, and the little girl, out of the waiting room.

  Bleak chased behind them mouthing words at her father that Adanya never thought she’d hear come out of his mouth. He was too mild mannered and respected his faith too much to say a curse word. But tonight the Bleak she saw was behaving like a raging bull. He ran up behind Kenneth and grabbed hold of his shoulder.

  Kenneth turned around and Bleak got up in his face screaming and yelling. A nearby security guard ran up and demanded that they leave.

  Adanya was left sitting alone and confused in the waiting room. She’d been sitting so long that she finally came to the conclusion that Bleak wouldn’t be back.

  She fumbled nervously inside her purse until she felt her phone. Removing it, she dialed Nanette.

  “Nanette,” she cried into the phone.

  “Girl, what’s wrong? You sound like you’re crying.”

  “I need you to come and get me.”

  “What happened?”

  “Please, just come and get me.” Adanya sobbed.

  “Where are you?”

  “LeBonheur.”

  “LeBonheur as in the Children’s Hospital?”

  “Yes.”

  “What are you doing there?”

  “I can’t explain right now. Just come. Please. Come now.”

  “I’m on my way.”

  Adanya ended the call and put the phone back in her purse.

  “Ma’am, are you all right? Is there anything I can do for you?”

  Adanya looked up fo
llowing the sound of the male voice. “No, I’m…fine. Thank you,” she managed to say.

  “Are you sure? I couldn’t help but witness some of what happened. I was sitting right over there.” He pointed to a nearby sofa. “Do you need something? Can I call somebody for you?”

  “No,” she said again. “But thank you. Someone is on the way to get me.” Adanya stood up while she wiped the tears and snot away from her face with the back of her hand.

  “Hold up,” he said. Adanya stopped and watched as the stranger walked to the receptionist area and came back with some tissue.

  “Here.” He passed the tissues to her.

  “Thank you so much.” She sniffled and wiped her face and hands. “You’re welcome. If you sure you’re okay, I’ll leave you alone.”

  “Yes, I’m good.” She looked around like she was expecting to see Bleak, or her father. Nobody she knew was around, so she walked swiftly out of the waiting area and didn’t stop until she was downstairs. She went to the front of the hospital and waited, hoping and praying that Nanette would be there soon.

  As soon as Adanya spotted her car, she took off running toward it. Nanette pulled up and didn’t have time to turn off the ignition because Adanya jumped in the car straight away.

  “Girl, what’s going on?”

  “Oh, Nanette it’s terrible.”

  “Where is Bleak?”

  “I…guess he’s still in there. I don’t know,” Adanya said between all the sobbing. “Just get me away from here.”

  Nanette yelled. “Look, I’m not leaving until you tell me what happened. Did he hurt you?” She was worried and confused. What could have happened that had Adanya so distraught?

  “I’ll tell you, but get me away from here first. If you won’t do it, I swear,” Adanya opened the door, “I’ll walk, call a cab…anything,” she demanded.

  Nanette reached out and grabbed Adanya’s arm and held on to her. “Close the door,” she ordered.

  Nanette sped down Dunlap and headed toward the interstate. For a couple of minutes they travelled in silence, except for the constant sound of Adanya crying.