CHAPTER 4
Confrontation
Within twenty minutes, Dru had driven through the front entrance of the new car lot of the Nissan dealership. It was a busy Saturday afternoon with a couple dozen customers poking around the lot observing the latest model sedans and SUVs.
Dru found a vacant space, pulled in, and turned off the ignition. “Go on,” she said to Alita. “It’s time that you confronted someone.”
“I’m not feeling this Sister Shit right now,” Alita protested.
“Well, I’m not feeling how you’ve been acting lately. If you need to get things off your chest, do it with Leonard. You complain about him to the sisters all the time, but nothing is ever done about how you feel. Sis, I think he’s the true source of all your frustration. Not Coco. Not Leno.”
“Oh, Dru, c’mon, just take me home. I’m worried about Leno.”
“And you ought to be. Why would you kick out your own son?”
“You are not a mother. You wouldn’t understand.”
“If being hateful and unmerciful to your own baby is the way mothers are supposed to act . . .” She couldn’t complete her sentence. “I may never get married either. I think it’s much easier to be miserable without a man without having to add a baby to the equation.”
“Look, none of this is as bad as it seems. Not motherhood. Not even marriage. You just gotta make sure you’re with the right person. That’s all.”
“Well, right person or not, I think you need to have a conversation with your ex,” Dru insisted. “Go on, get out the car, take care of business. I’m going to count to ten, and by the time I’m done you better be out of here.”
“Oh, Dru. Are you trying to be like me?”
“I sure as hell am not. Now go! Get out, Alita.”
“I can’t believe you.”
“I can’t believe half the things you do either, yet you still do them.” Dru softened the edge in her voice. “As long as we’re here, just get out and try and talk to him about what’s going on. He might be able to help you.”
“I doubt it.”
“One, two, three, four.”
“Druuuuu.”
“Five, six, seven.”
“You’re wrong for this, Dru.”
“Eight, nine, ten.”
Alita defiantly remained unmoved; she stared straight ahead, looking as angry as she’d ever been.
“Ten?” Dru repeated. “You’re not going to answer me?”
Alita said nothing.
“Oh, so you’re deaf and dumb now?”
Alita burst out laughing.
And right then Leonard Washington spotted them and slowly walked over to Dru’s car. He was wearing a headset and his mouth was steadily moving. Leonard was a tall man himself. He had rugged good looks, strong chin, piercing eyes, with broad shoulders. He resembled a younger Mathew Knowles back when he was managing the group Destiny’s Child.
Leonard loved to dress to impress and give the appearance of an important businessman. He wore a decent black suit with the vest, a crisp white shirt, and a red paisley silk necktie set including matching cufflinks and a pocket square that was neatly tucked inside the front pocket. His shoes were a nice grade of black leather and perfectly polished.
As Alita gazed at her ex, she was amazed and pissed off at how good he looked. Like he was something special, and he carried himself as if he were a king.
“Um, Alita,” Dru said, “I think Leonard’s trying to get your attention. Don’t you see him waving at you?”
“He ain’t waving at me. He’s swatting a mosquito or something.”
“Alita, you ought to be ashamed of yourself.” Dru laughed heartily at her stubborn and willful sister. “C’mon, girl. Swallow your pride, get out the car, and prove to me that you can have a grown-up conversation with the father of your child. The more we wait here doing nothing, the more the clock is steadily ticking. There’s no telling where Leno is right now, and I am so mad about that I can scream. In this day and age, it’s not wise to kick out a child. No matter how mad you are at him. Do it for Leno.”
Dru’s convincing plea made Alita feel sick and ashamed.
“All right, all right. Damn,” Alita grumbled. “I will get out of your car just so I won’t have to hear your mouth.”
“You’re getting out,” Dru replied, “because you love your son.”
Alita sighed, opened the car door, and slowly emerged. She nervously patted her hair and checked to see if there were any lipstick stains showing on her teeth. She wondered if she still looked as good as she had when Leonard first fell in love with her.
As soon as Leonard realized Alita was headed for him, he stopped walking and simply stood still in front of her.
She stared at him.
He stared back with no emotion on his face.
Finally he said, “May I help you, miss? Did you want to purchase a new car or a used one?”
“What the fuck?”
Alita rushed at Leonard with her hands outstretched. She came dangerously close to shoving him with all of her strength, but she stopped herself.
“Because of you,” she growled, “our son has run away from home.”
“Come again?”
“Leno is missing,” Alita said. “I don’t know where he is right now.”
“Are you serious? When’s the last time you saw him?”
“We drove him to practice earlier today.”
“What type of practice?”
She stared at him with pure hatred. “Bas-ket-ball.”
“Sorry, I didn’t know.”
Alita simply stared past her ex-husband, wishing he’d just disappear in thin air, never to be seen again.
“Hey, Lita,” he tried to explain. “You know how it is.”
She recalled how ambitious Leonard had been back in the early years of their marriage. He wanted to be the best at what he did, and that meant working hard and proving to himself and to the company that he had the skills to make them a lot of money.
“I sure do know how it is, Leonard,” she scoffed. “But working fourteen hours a day is no excuse to not know what’s going on in your son’s life. Your only son.”
He gave her a blank stare.
“Leno is your only child, right?” she asked, unable to help her curiosity.
“I know you didn’t just ask me that question.”
Stunned, Alita gave him the middle finger.
Leonard abruptly turned and walked away. She raced beside him, wanting to defuse the situation and stay focused on the main point. “It’s nice to see you doing so well, Leonard,” she said. “Your being salesman of the month or whatever award they’ve given you. While you’re winning awards and making a ton of money, I’m doing the best I can to raise our son on my own but financially struggling like hell at the same time.”
“Oh, really?” he said, sounding totally unconcerned.
“I stock products, okay? That don’t pay as much as a new car salesman. I don’t earn commission like some people. Plus I have two other jobs that I have to work to make ends meet.”
“I don’t know why. You get plenty of money from me every month.”
“Ha! That chickenfeed ain’t enough for a growing teenage boy.”
Leonard stopped walking. “Like hell it isn’t. I do my part, and the money you get should be more than enough to take care of him.”
“Well, I’m telling you, Dumbass, it’s not. That chump change barely covers expenses. He eats like a horse and an elephant. A pregnant elephant. As an athlete, Leno has a very healthy appetite. I can’t just give him a hot dog and call it a day. He eats four of them suckers at a time. With all the works. And he demands I make chili for him, not the stuff that comes out the can.”
“Maybe he should help out and get himself a part-time job.”
“Hello? He has no time for no damned job. He has to practice, all the fucking time. And speaking of practice, Leno’s big feet won’t stay the same size for longer than a month. They know us by name at Skechers and Finish Line and New Balance.”
Leonard grinned. “You say his feet are big, huh?”
Alita wanted to punch him. “On top of that,” she continued, “I have to scrape up the funds to send him to summer basketball camps and athletic clinics. Been doing that since he was in seventh grade. And he’s been begging me to let him take a driver education course; that costs at least five hundred dollars.”
Tears filled Alita’s eyes, but she dared them to slide down her cheeks. She toughened up. “So you see that doing your part is more than just paying the State of Texas. It’s driving him around. It’s keeping up with his schools. Making him do his chores. Taking his ass to the barbershop. Ha! You should see the new haircut Leno has these days. He wants to be all fancy and shit and stand out, so he has this Mohawk thing going on. The bottom part of his head is dyed brown like his natural color. And the crown is like a fiery blond color. It stands up several inches high. He calls it his signature hairstyle. Ha! Our son looks like that fucking Dennis Rodman, only he’s a hundred percent more handsome. I hope he won’t end up being as controversial as Rodman but it would be nice if he makes a grip of cash—” Alita shut her mouth. She wanted Leonard to know their son was good, but she wasn’t ready for him to know how great he was at playing ball.
“Okay, Lita. It sounds like you have a lot on your plate. Well, I’m doing what I can do. But if you work hard like I work, I don’t believe that you have time to do anything else for Leno. So tell me something. What’s really going on? What are you actually spending time doing besides spending all the child support money?”
“You cheap-ass bastard,” she said. “I know you’re good at what you do. Selling people a bullshit dream just like you did me years ago. So I know you making plenty of commission on these car sales. Thanks to President Obama, the interest rates are very low. So yeah . . . lots of people are being approved to buy all kinds of cars these days.”
“So?”
“So you can afford to give more money to your son.”
“Don’t you mean give more money to his mother?” Leonard rolled his eyes and stormed away from Alita. She ran and caught up with him again.
“The older he gets, the more things cost. He’ll be a senior very soon. And he needs money for graduation photos, a class ring, the prom, the class trip, and when he goes to college, that’s even more money.”
Leonard stopped. “You said he plays basketball, right?”
She wanted to say “yes, idiot” but she said, “Have you been listening to anything I’ve told you?” She sighed. “Leno plays ball. And he’s pretty good at it too.”
“If he’s as good as you say he is, then he’ll qualify for full scholarships.”
“Is that what you’re hoping for? Because if you believe that a full scholarship will replace your daddy duties, you are dead wrong, asshole.”
“The name is Mr. Washington.”
“You may have Denzel’s last name,” she argued, “but you definitely don’t have his class.”
“That wasn’t necessary, Lita.”
“What’s necessary is you stepping up and knowing you should be helping out more with our son. And yes, you should be contributing to his college fund and not automatically think he’ll get a full scholarship.”
“Well, if my son is busy, then guess what? I am too. I’m doing everything that it is humanely possible to do based on the schedule I have.”
Alita looked at Leonard like he was crazy. “You’re doing the best you can? Like, even though you work long hours you can’t call Leno once in a while? And you don’t work every Sunday, so surely you can squeeze in some time for him.”
“Look, I know what I’m saying makes no sense to you, but you’re on the outside looking in. I have so little personal time that I usually sleep in on Sundays. I do stuff around the house, taking care of my car, doing laundry. I have to live my life too.”
Alita bit her bottom lip. Everyone was busy. But some people had excuses while others got things done.
“Lita, don’t worry about Leno. He’ll be all right. And if you’re as dedicated a mother as you say that you are, then you two should wind up just fine.”
“I’m glad you’re so confident,” she said sarcastically. “But we could do even better with your help. This isn’t just about me. It’s about your own flesh and blood.”
“If things go good for him, then you probably won’t need my help. Just keep doing what you’re doing. He’ll get that scholarship, sweetheart. And I’m sure when he does, it may be one of the answers to your many desperate prayers, Alita.”
She wanted to punch him, throw him to the ground, kick him in his nuts, and then kick him in the face with some spike heels. But she remembered their recent Sister Day assignment: Confront someone in a nice way and tell them what’s been bothering you.
Alita knew that so many issues bothered her, she didn’t know where to begin. But she knew she had to start somewhere.
Be nice be nice be nice.
She softened her voice and tried to smile. “Look, Leonard, I know you take your job very seriously. You’re good at what you do, and I know that and I am impressed.”
“Thank you.”
“I see you’re very busy, and I honestly did not come by here to argue or fight or start any trouble.”
“Then why are you still here? And why are you still harassing me? I’m at my place of employment. If you could hold down a decent job, you might really understand me.”
Alita slugged him before she realized it. Her closed fist bopped him on top of his head. Leonard felt as if he’d been hit by a boulder. His face contorted with anger. And Alita instantly had scary flashbacks of Leonard yelling at her. Shoving her against a wall . . . his fist crashing through the living room wall and tearing a small hole into it.
“Oh, shit, my bad. I’m so sorry.” She immediately felt regretful. Two men dressed in security officer uniforms quickly approached her.
“Mr. Washington,” one of them said, “is everything all right?”
“We’re good,” he told them. “I got this. We’ll be done in a minute. Thanks, guys.” After they left, Leonard asked Alita to come walk with him. They headed toward the very end of car lot. Leonard found a private space in between two Nissan Armadas. The vehicles’ height was so high, it felt like Alita was surrounded by skyscrapers.
She eyed Leonard suspiciously. Maybe she was about to get her ass whipped right there on a parking lot. “Why’d you bring me over here?” she asked.
“Stop thinking the worst,” he replied.
“Can’t help but think that when you’ve been known to raise your fist at me.”
“As I recall, Alita, you’ve assaulted me way more times than I’ve hit you. I still have a scar on my knee from that one time when you went batshit crazy. All because I got home five minutes and thirteen seconds late.”
She glared at him.
“And you’re very lucky that I never pressed charges,” he concluded. “So if I were you I’d just chill.”
“All right, okay.”
“Let’s get back to business,” Leonard said. “You came out here to see me, and I know it’s pretty serious, because the last time we talked you screamed into the phone ‘I never want to see your black ass again.’ Do you remember that, Alita?”
“What if I do?”
“I’m just saying that I know you, woman. I know how hell-bent and crazy you get when you’re passionate about things. You tend to stress out over stuff that can be solved if you just give it a chance.”
She nodded. “Go ahead.”
“And I know that it’s only because you think Leno has run away that I will give you a pass for acting like an ass back there.”
“Oh, wow, thanks.”
“And be forewarned, the next time you won’t get a pass. You need to get over whatever you’re angry about, because it takes two to make a marriage work, and we know you were not the perfect wife.”
“Why are we talking about me?” Alita said.
“You’re right. This isn’t about you. The main thing you should be concerned about right now is our son, where he is right now, and you should definitely forget that idea about giving you more money. Maybe you can get a better paying job.”
Tears threatened to fill Alita’s eyes, but she wouldn’t allow it. “It’s not just the money, Leonard. You’re not around when I see my son run fast toward a basket . . .” She could barely speak. “I suffer through the worry and the fear . . . all by myself, Leonard. Can’t you understand that?”
Leonard shifted his eyes and refused to look at her.
“Money helps, but your presence is better. Maybe you can help him out with his homework, for example. Leno tries to do his best to pass his classes, and so far he’s done all right. His school ain’t about shit, but that’s because we’re zoned to it, and that can’t be helped unless we move. And I do work, by the way, and you know it. I have to. If I depended on the little bit of money you give me, both Leno and I would be out on the street pushing around a shopping cart and looking for someplace to sleep under a tall bridge and competing with the pigeons for food.”
He sneered. “You really know how to turn on the dramatics, don’t you?”
Alita almost wanted to laugh. “I’m keeping it real, Leonard.”
“You’re trying to manipulate me, Alita, and it won’t work. Not anymore.”
She felt like slapping him one last time. “Leonard, you were an ass back then, and you’re still one. I’m glad we’re not together anymore.”
“You’re not the only one. I’m glad about a lot of things too.” He stopped talking and realized he was sweating so hard that he needed to remove his suit jacket. He took it off and neatly folded it over his arm.
“Look, what’s done is done. Our only concern right now is our son,” he said. Leonard glanced at his watch. “Tell you what. I can take a short break and try to figure out where he is. I’m sure whatever is bothering him is only temporary.”
“How can you be so sure of that?”
“Because he has my genes. He is resilient. He is a smart boy and is not inclined to do too many stupid things. At least he doesn’t get that from my side of the family.”
“If you trying to throw shade at my family, don’t! They love Leno and care about him and everything he does.”
“Good for them.”
As if right on cue, suddenly Dru’s cute face came into view as she slowly walked past the two Armadas.
Leonard saw her and whistled. “Hey, over here.”
Dru smiled and walked over to Leonard. She extended her hand. “Well, hello there, brother-in-law.”
“Don’t call him that,” Alita scoffed.
Leonard smiled at Dru, reached over, and gave her a pleasant hug.
“You’re still looking just as beautiful as I remember you, Dru.”
“Why, thank you.”
“Oh, girl, if you fall for that lie, you’re really stupid. Only stupid bitches fall for stupid lies.”
“Um, excuse me,” Dru said. “Don’t forget I’m your ride. You can’t be talking crap about the limo driver. She will drive off and leave you. Then who’s going to look stupid?”
“And if you do leave me, with all these new cars around here, honey, I’ll be just fine,” Alita said.
They all started laughing and broke up the tension that threatened to make Alita explode with rage. She calmed down and turned. “Leonard, I don’t want to fuss and argue. I’ve called Leno ten times on his cell. He didn’t pick up. I know he’s mad at me, and it kills me when he ignores me. It hurts so badly.”
Feeling drained from all the drama, Alita found herself collapsing in Leonard’s arms. He nodded his head, patted her back. His display of sympathy actually made her feel even more emotional, but she didn’t want to break down in tears.
He let her lean on him for a minute then gently pushed her away.
“I’ll help you, Alita. Give me a minute,” he said and began to move from in between the SUVs.
He quickly departed, leaving Alita and Dru to themselves.
“Hey, everything all right?” Dru asked.
“I honestly don’t know,” Alita said. “Welcome to my life. Shit always bound to happen, and this is just the newest thing to deal with.”
Dru placed her arm around her sister’s shoulder. They walked toward the dealership showroom to catch up with Leonard. Ex-husband or not, Alita was forced to team up with him and figure out what could be done to save her son’s life.