Chapter 20

“Lukewarm acceptance is more bewildering than outright rejection.” M. L. King, Jr.

 

“You have some nerve, bringing this boy up in my house. And talking about the two of you are trying to have a relationship. You must be insane. What’s wrong with you?”

Annalisse didn’t think it was possible for her world, or her life to come crashing down like it had. And to have Adanya stand up in her house accompanied by some white boy, well not just any white boy, but Kenneth’s stepson. What was Adanya thinking? Was this some kind of a cruel joke? When would it ever end?

Annalisse hissed and spat one round of cruel words toward Bleak after another. She even talked about his mother, belittled the fact that Kenneth was the father of Bleak’s little sisters.

“Stop it,” Adanya yelled. “I’m sick of this. When are you going to listen to me? It’s not Bleak’s fault. We met each other and neither of us knew about my daddy’s other life. Bleak is a good man. And we care about one another.”

“Humph. You have no idea if he’s a good man or not because you’ve never been in a relationship,” Annalisse said with venom dripping in her every word. “And now you bring some white boy up in here talking about he’s a good man. Girl, you need more than book sense up there.” She pointed a finger at Adanya’s head. “And how do you know he didn’t know who you were. He’s probably known all along. Probably knows about our whole family.”

Bleak had turned what looked like two shades darker than his normally fair skinned complexion. He held back from talking, choosing rather to let mother and daughter fight the battle.

“I don’t believe that. Bleak would do anything like that. Would you?” she turned and looked at him.

Bleak bit his bottom lip. “Are you kidding me? You know I wouldn’t. I came on to you because you are a beautiful woman, Adanya. Not because I was trying to hook up with my stepdaddy’s daughter. What would I get out of that? But if you want to blame me for all this, then go ahead. I’m tired of defending myself. But God knows the truth.”

“Hah. Don’t bring God up in this. I see right through you. You’re not right. But one thing is for sure, God will bring it out in the light. Just like this came out about your mother and my husband, then the real deal is going to come out about you,” she shouted. Turning back and focusing on Adanya she added, “Why would you bring this punk up in here anyway? I don’t want to hear anything he has to say.”

“I brought him here because I didn’t want to be like my loser daddy. I didn’t want to keep any secrets from you, like the two of you did me. But I see that you can’t look past Bleak’s skin color, or the fact that he’s Carla’s son. When are you and daddy going to act like grownups, and stop blaming everybody else for your mistakes?”

“Listen to yourself. Look at who’s standing next to you, then think about what his mother did to this family.”

“His mother? I don’t think Daddy’s exactly squeaky clean in all of this. If it wasn’t for him, then none of this would have happened. And you.” Adanya pointed. “Barely have one foot out of a jail cell, and you’re blaming Bleak’s mother?”

Annalisse looked stunned.

“We’re leaving.”

“Good. Go right ahead.” She shooed Adanya off. “I can’t make sense of any of this mess. It’s too much. Just way too much,” Annalisse said angrily.

“Come on, Bleak. I can’t do this anymore either. I want to go home.”

Bleak grabbed her hand and led her toward the door. He opened the car door for her and waited on her to get inside. “Are you all right?”

Adanya shook her head. “I don’t know what to do. What else can happen to me?”She bowed her head.

“Pray, baby. God is the only one who can get you through this. He’s the only one who can get any of us through this. But there’s something I want you to know,” he said as they drove toward home. “My mother is just a much a victim as you are. First of all, she would never knowingly date, let alone marry a man who already had a wife and child. That’s not in her nature, or character. Like you, my mother is a loving, kind, and decent human being. She’s a great mother, and she’s been nothing but good to your father. If she had known, or even suspected, that he had someone else, she would have divorced him in a heartbeat, and this I know.”

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be judgmental. I didn’t mean to come off the way I did about her. I don’t even know the woman.”

“You don’t, but you do know me. But if you’re going to keep on coming down on my mother, acting like she’s the one to blame for all of this, then I’m telling you now, Adanya, I won’t deal with it. I love you, but I won’t put up with the way you’re downing my mother. I have two little sisters who need me. And if you don’t trust me, if you want to take out your frustrations on me and my family, then all I can do is bounce.”

“Do what you have to,” she said, her mouth suddenly tight, and a frown came over her face.

The rest of the drive was made in silence. As soon as they arrived in front of Adanya’s flat, Bleak opened the passenger’s door, got out, and immediately began walking toward his building.

“So, that’s it? You’re just going to walk off without saying anything?” Adanya stood outside of her car.

“It could have been nice,” he said as he walked away without looking back.

Tears welled up in Adanya’s eyes. She turned and walked toward her flat, unlocked the door and let herself inside.

Snoopy met her at the door, ready to go out to relieve himself. Without saying a word, she went to the hall closet, retrieved his leash, put it on, and walked him outside. Tears overflowed, her heart pounded against her chest, and unexplainable grief overpowered her spirit.

If Bleak wanted to walk out on her, so be it. She couldn’t, wouldn’t waste her time or effort on chasing after a man. That was one piece of advice from her father that she would take heed to. Bleak isn’t the man for me anyway, she told herself as she walked Snoopy around the doggie area of the complex.

When she returned to her flat, she went to the fridge to see what she could find to snack on. She settled on making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on whole wheat toast. Her message tone beeped. She’d received a text.

“Hey whats goin on. haven’t heard from u n 2 days”

She’d forgotten that she hadn’t talked to Nanette. She had to fill her in on what had happened. Instead of texting her back, she called.

“Are you kidding me?” Nanette remarked after listening to everything Adanya told her. “Is your dad going to be okay? Do you think your mother is going to have to go to prison?”

“I don’t know.” Adanya sat on the couch, with Snoopy curled up next to her. “At this point, I don’t know anything. Girl, it’s like I’m living in somebody else’s world.”

“I don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t know what to say? I don’t know what to say myself.”

“What about Bleak? I know he’s got to be messed up about everything too. I hope you two are leaning on one another. I mean, I’m your best friend, and you know I’m always going to have your back. But you and Bleak, well you two can have something special, I think. If you can move past the fact that your daddy is his stepfather, then who knows where your relationship can lead.”

“It’s not possible.”

“Why?”

“I can’t do it, Nanette. His mother? My father? No way. And think about it. Even if I wanted to stick around to see how things turned out, I don’t think I could do it.”

“What? Do you think it’ll be too awkward seeing your daddy and Bleak’s mother together? Is that it?”

“I guess, if she stays with him that is. But I don’t see how any sane woman would stay with a man like him.” Adanya folded her feet underneath her bottom, pushing Snoopy off of her at the same time. “And you’re right, how could I face seeing my daddy with Bleak’s mother? And my sisters? I have two sisters, and I still can’t believe it, Nanette. This is so soap opera, so Lifetime.”

Nanette sighed into the phone. “Well, I’m just glad you found out all of this now. I want you and Bleak to work things out, and be together. But I sort of understand where you’re coming from. I know you like him, but still, it would be awkward. I mean, running into your daddy with Bleak’s mother, that is if she decides she’s going to stay with him. It’s going to be tough enough if you plan on getting to know your sisters. So, whatever you do, just know that I’m here for you.”

“You are such a good friend. I love you, Nanette.”

“I love you too. Look, you just chill out the rest of the night,” Nanette suggested. “I’m going to lay this body down too. I’m tired. It’s been a long day.”

“I heard that. Thanks for listening. I’ll talk to you later.”

“Okay, bye.”

“Night, Nanette.” Adanya got up, slipped on her shoes, grabbed her purse and keys and left the house. She drove straight to the hospital to confront her father. Maybe by now the anesthesia had worn off.

When Adanya arrived to ICU, the nurse told her that her father had been moved to a regular room. Adanya hoped that it meant her father was going to have a relatively fast recuperation. She caught the elevator down to the second floor, and walked the corridors until she arrived at Room 227. She tapped on the door.

“Come in.” His voice sounded stronger.

Slowly, she pushed the door open and walked in the room with exact caution, like a lion on the prowl.

Kenneth saw her and smiled.

Adanya stood at the foot of his bed. “Daddy, why did you have to ruin everything?”

Kenneth stretched out his hand. “Come over here, Pumpkin.” Adanya didn’t move.

“No. I’m here because I need you to tell me the truth for once. Please.” She wiped a tear from her face.

“What can I say except I messed up.” His voice remained low, but he spoke clearly and deliberately. “I didn’t mean to hurt anyone.”

“You keep saying that, but you hurt everyone. I don’t understand. You have another wife? Children? A whole other life?”

“I got caught up. I didn’t mean for any of this to happen. It just did. I know it sounds like a cop out, but I don’t know what else to say.”

“Do you love her?”

“Who? Carla? Or your mother?” Adanya shrugged. “Both.”

Kenneth nodded. “I love Annalisse. I’ve loved her since we were kids. I’ve told you that many times.”

“And Carla?”

Kenneth smiled. “Yes. She’s the mother of my children. She makes me smile. She makes me feel good about being the person that I am. When I look in the eyes of those two little girls, it’s an amazing feeling. She’s a great mom. Just like Annalisse.”

“Come on, Daddy. How can you? I am so not ready for this. And it’s obvious that Annalisse isn’t either, or you wouldn’t be laying up here in a hospital bed with two gunshot wounds.”

“I know. And I deserve to be here. I hate what I did to Annalisse. I hate what I’ve done to you, to Carla, to my little girls, to Bleak. To all of you. And speaking of Bleak.”

“What about him?”

“You never told me what was going on between the two of you.” “I don’t think I have to explain anything to you. But I will say this, that Bleak is no longer a concern of mine.”

“He’s a good guy. And I hope, no, I pray that you won’t judge him because of me.”

“Like I said, I don’t have to explain anything to you about Bleak and me. What I do in my private life is my business, not yours. You’ve done enough damage. But I do want to know one more thing.”

“What’s that?”

“Are you pressing charges against Annalisse?”

Slowly, he shook his head from side to side. “Of course not. But from what the police tell me, it’s not up to me. The state is the one who determines her charge. I feel bad that I pushed her over the edge.” Kenneth looked off toward the window.

“So she may be going to prison because of you? That’s what you’re saying?” Adanya remarked.

“I’m afraid so.”

“And what about you? Are you going to jail for being a bigamist?”

“Ummm.” Kenneth cleared his throat. “My lawyer told me that in Tennessee it’s considered a misdemeanor. I could be facing up to a year in jail, a fine or probation. Maybe all three.”

“A misdemeanor?” Adanya frowned. “You’ve destroyed the lives of two families and all you face is a tap on the wrist, if that?” Adanya giggled nervously while shaking her head. “I’ve heard enough. I’m leaving.”

“Adanya,” ple─”

“Mr. Anniston,” the short, robust doctor said as he walked into the hospital room. Adanya remained stationery.

“Yes, doctor. I’m glad you’re here. How am I?” Kenneth asked as the doctor walked up and stood directly next to Kenneth’s bed. He looked over at Adanya and nodded.

“That’s my beautiful daughter, Doc.”

The doctor and Adanya nodded at each other.

“Mr. Anniston, your blood pressure is a little high, so we’re keeping an eye on that. Could be due to the traumatic injury.”

“What about my leg? Am I going to be able to walk again?”

“The good news is that you will be able to walk again, but you are going to have to go through extensive rehab. You have rods in your ankle. And you’ll have to wear an orthotic device on your leg for well, maybe a lifetime. I’m not sure. We’ll have to see how you progress. You will have quite a noticeable limp. You’re more than likely going to have some problems, chronic pain in your thigh, maybe your entire right leg for the remainder of your life.”

Adanya turned away, hoping to avoid the panged look on her father’s face. But he was alive. No matter how angry, how hurt she was, she was glad that Annalisse hadn’t killed him. She breathed a soft sigh of relief before she focused back on what the doctor was saying.

“You’re fortunate, Mr. Anniston. You could have very easily lost your leg. And I know this is difficult for you, but the fact remains is that things could have been a whole lot worse. You could be dead.”

“Yeah. God is merciful. When can I get out of here?”

“You’ll be here until we can get you up and walking around some. Someone will be in here tomorrow to cast you for a brace. I’ve ordered physical therapy too. So you’re probably be here for another week, maybe more. You have pain medication available to you. Any more questions?” he asked and then looked at Adanya.

“No, thanks again,” Kenneth said.

“Then, I’ll see you tomorrow. Have a good night.” He turned and walked out of the room.

“I have to go,” Adanya spoke up.

“Wait, will you come back?”

“I don’t know.”

“I just pray that one day you’ll find it in your heart to forgive me. Adanya, I want Caitlin and Cady to know you. I want them to know what a wonderful, big sister they have.”

Adanya shot him a disturbing look then proceeded to speak. “You are wrong on so many levels. What you’ve done is unacceptable. He’ll deal with you, and that’s good enough for me. Adanya walked toward the door.

Pumpkin, don’t leave like this.”

She opened the door and walked out.