The Eternal Engagement

Thank God for credit cards.

This time she had more credit than cash in her purse. She would’ve had a few grand in her pocket had she known Steven was going to act a fool. Didn’t expect to be in transit overnight. Holding on to the three hundred dollars she had, Mona’s hotel incidentals were charged. She had access to the room, phone, Internet, minibar, dining service, and whatever else she needed for the night.

Sitting on the bed, she prayed for Davis’s family. They probably knew by now that something terrible had happened to Davis. Knowing Steven, the police may never find Davis’s body.

In a moment of silence, Mona recalled the first night they’d met. Wondered if he’d spoken his destiny into existence. If they’d decided to do one thing differently—go to Disneyland, not stop at the arena, or not eat at the café—he might still be alive. If she hadn’t left him alone in the shower with his eyes closed and his back turned, he could’ve defended himself. Or if she hadn’t gone to the kitchen, she could’ve protected Davis by shooting Steven before he entered the bedroom.

One decision made Davis’s death final. But which one?

The holiday gave her an excuse to call her parents. Dialing their number, she wondered if her old room was the same or if her mom had given her things away and made it available for guests.

“Hello.” The baritone voice was familiar.

“Hi, Daddy. You’re home. Happy Thanksgiving.” She was happy to talk to her dad.

“Hey, Mona Lisa. Why haven’t you called? Your mother has been worrying about you. Where are you? How are you?” he asked.

Wow, she hadn’t seen or spoken with her parents in over five years. The sound of her dad’s voice brought back fond memories of the few times he was at home. “Guess I’m a chip off the ole block.” They laughed, then she said, “I’m good. I’m in Los Angeles.” She didn’t want them to know she was headed to Seattle.

She made small talk until she felt comfortable telling them the real reason she’d called. “So, what did Mom cook?”

“Actually, I cooked for your mom today. We’ve been spending a lot of time together since my other friend passed away last year,” he said, sounding sad.

Wow, her dad had more than one lover, more than one family, and her mom took him back just like that? “I need to speak to Mom. Is she there?”

“Honey, Mona Lisa is on the phone.”

Honey? Since when?

“Hi, Mona. You all right?” her mother asked.

“Happy Thanksgiving, Mama. I’m good. I’m in LA.”

“Where’s Steven?”

Mona should’ve been prepared for that question. Didn’t want to hear her mother say, “I told you so.” They sounded happier than ever, like newlyweds on their honeymoon.

“He’s in the back,” Mona said.

“Took you too long to answer. You never were a good liar, Mona Lisa. I heard the hesitation in your voice. What do you need?” her mom asked.

“I know, Mama. It’s complicated. I’ll explain later. I’m calling because Lincoln called me. Told me you gave him my number. My cell phone is damaged and I need his number so I can call him back. Do you have it?”

“No, I don’t.”

“Mama, please. I have to get in touch with him.”

“Mona Lisa, I told you I don’t have that boy’s number. His grandmother called, asked for your number, and I gave it to her.”

Now who was lying?

“Can you call his grandmother on three-way and ask her for Lincoln’s number? Please, Mama.”

“No, I’m not calling her and that’s final. Changing the subject, you hear that Sarah McKenny got the death penalty for first-degree murder. Now, before you say anything, I know something ain’t right. I can feel it. Sarah didn’t kill Calvin. Is that why you and Steven had to leave town all of a sudden after Calvin’s murder? Y’all seen something? Is that why you married him, Mona Lisa? You covering up for him? You out there in the world making foolish mistakes? Don’t you ever come back here with blood on your hands, little girl, you hear me?”

The marriage hadn’t happened in that order, but her mom’s intuition was eerie. If Mona had known what Steven was going to do before she’d said, “I do,” she never would’ve married him. Mona knew if she confessed everything to her mom, her mother would go straight to the police.

“Sorry I called, Ma. Tell Daddy I love him,” she said, then hung up the phone before her mother figured out too much.

There had to be another way to get in touch with Lincoln. Maybe Katherine had his number.