Legacy: It's Never Black and White in Love and Business (3 page)

Marcellus hadn’t stopped smiling since he heard Matthew was bringing his girlfriend, Edwina, home for Thanksgiving. The poor girl never knew her father and was raised by a single mother who got killed in an unfortunate car crash. His heart went out to her, but the truth was, Marcellus had the young lady checked out. He’d had his banker friend look into her accounts, and she had over half a million dollars sitting in a trust account. He’d had his college buddy find out that she maintained a 3.8 GPA and that her tuition had been paid by Clarke Bellow. 

Hot damn! My son has hit the jackpot.  No more hood rats around here,
he thought as he danced a jig in the middle of his office. The Bellows were one of his largest campaign contributors. These former thugs took their money and made some very smart business decisions. They’d been law abiding citizens ever since, and Marcellus had no problem spending their money, even if they were colored. 

***

Edwina gasped as she saw Matthew’s home. It was made of beautiful dark brown brick. As a matter of fact, the mansion looked like it was made of blocks of Hershey’s chocolate. The house itself was immense. Their garage was the size of her home back in Norwood. 

“Oh my God!” Edwina exclaimed, “Your house is so big.” 

Matthew just laughed. 

“My Mother is going to love you,” he said, as he squeezed his girlfriend’s hand. 

Edwina’s mind drifted away. She knew Tesha was somewhere drinking with those “friends” of hers. She probably didn’t even notice she was gone. This motherless child quickly put away her thoughts and redirected them to more pleasant possibilities.  

Matthew and Edwina pulled up just as a black car with dark windows backed out of the driveway. 

“They must have gotten the wrong house,” Matthew remarked, as he placed his Benz in park. “Are you ready, Baby?” 

Edwina tried to wish away her nervousness as she responded, “Yes.” 

Matthew walked around to open his lady’s door and kissed her reassuringly. He felt her tension dissipate and now they were ready to head to the house. Edwina’s wealthy beau held her hand as they mounted the massive steps that led to the front door. 

Matthew stuck his key in the lock as Edwina noticed a legal sized manila envelope leaning against the door. It wasn’t marked Fed Ex or anything else. It simply read:
To the Attention of - Mr. Marcellus Marlowe
. She handed Matthew the letter as they headed into the biggest house Edwina had ever entered.
This house is even larger than the Bellow’s
, she thought. 

Marcellus heard the click in the door from his private office that sat off to the left of the foyer. 

“Hello, Matthew,” his father remarked, unable to hide the large smile covering her face. 

“Hi, Dad,” his son returned, “I’d like to introduce you to the young lady who keeps me straight at UNC by the Sea. This is Ms. Edwina Edwards.” 

“It’s very nice to meet you Senator Marlowe,” Edwina said with a small smile before extending her hand. 

Marcellus quickly grabbed it and placed a kiss on its back. 

“No, Edwina, the pleasure is all mine. Anyone that can make my son straighten up and fly right is welcome here.  Maybe later you can tell me how you do it,” Marcellus winked. 

The group turned, as they heard the sound of a fork hitting crystal. 

“Well, I guess that’s your mother’s way of letting us know dinner is ready.”  

Matthew smiled. He hadn’t seen Lena in months. She had been a gem since his mother died 10 years ago. She came into Marcellus’ life like a whirlwind, but this Caribbean fireball kept his father happy, healthy, and on his toes. He couldn’t ask for anything more. 

“Come on,” Matthew said, as he grabbed Edwina’s hand to introduce her to Lena. He couldn’t wait to see her reaction. 

 The happy son quickly turned on his heels, “Oh, Dad. This was at the door for you.” 

“Thanks, Son,” Marcellus responded, as he hid his uneasiness. “Did you happen to see who left it?” he asked.  

“Nah, Dad.  Wait, on second thought, there was a black car with tinted windows pulling out of the driveway when we pulled up.  We didn’t see who it was, though.” 

“Okay, Son. Go ahead and say hi to Lena.” 

Lena St. James-Marlowe was the personification of beauty. Her hair fell well below her shoulder blades in soft ringlets. Every hair was perfectly curled and in place. She sat near the head of the partially filled table. A hearty smile covered her face, as she saw her stepson for the first time in months.  

“Hey Matt!” she yelled, as he ran to the table to meet her. He hugged her tightly before turning to introduce his future wife. 

Lena gasped for air, as she saw the familiar face standing before her. 

“Lena, this is Edwina Edwards, my girlfriend,” Matthew smiled. 

Lena swallowed hard, as she looked over to her father, Julius St. James. He cleared his throat, and suddenly, Lena was herself again. 

“It is great to finally meet you,” Lena coughed, “Matthew and Marcellus have told me so much about you.  Please excuse me for a moment. Something weird is going on with my throat.” 

“Do you need me, Boss?” asked a huge guy named Jackal. 

“No, Jack, I got it. I just need to grab a drink of water. I’ll be right back,” Lena said, as she headed for the door just as Marcellus entered. 

“Where are you headed, Babe?” he asked Lena, “You know I won’t cut this turkey until you get back.” 

“I just have something caught right here,” she said, pointing to her throat. “I need to grab my inhaler just in case. I’ll be right back, Cutie pie,” she continued. She slapped her husband on the ass and headed to her bedroom. 

Lena grabbed her nebulizer to take back downstairs.  She pulled a cell phone from her purse and began to dial. 

“Hey girl!  Happy Thanksgiving!” greeted a jovial voice.  

“Hey, Clarke. Happy Thanksgiving,” Lena returned as her voice trembled with anxiety. “I can’t talk long, but you will never guess who just came to dinner.” 

***

Lena returned to a room in the midst of the throes of laughter. The energy was so light and welcoming that entering the room made her smile. 

Marcellus was holding his stomach and tears were running down his face. Lena’s father was even in tears. 

What could I have missed?
Lena asked herself as she sat beside Marcellus. She watched him pull out his pocket square and dab his eyes as he finished off his laugh. 

The dinner was a very pleasant one. Edwina seemed to easily find her place in the family’s tall tales and crazy stories. Marcellus was pleased.  

“Let’s leave these two women alone. Give them some time to get to know each other,” Marcellus announced as he stood. 

Lena smiled, knowing what he really meant was, “Hey guys, come join me in the study for cigars and cognac.” 

Matthew planted a kiss on Edwina’s forehead, “Just call me if you need me.” Then the gentlemen followed Marcellus off to his study. 

“Sooo, Ms. Edwards,” Lena remarked, trying to hide the venom building up in her veins. “What is it that you’re doing with my son?” Lena asked. 

“He saved my Phys Ed grade,” Edwina responded. Her comment threw Lena off. 

“What do you mean?” she asked, her voice softening only a tad. 

“I have this crazy fear of water, but floating and treading is a requirement of Phys Ed class. I was trying, but I lost it while trying to float one day, so the teacher assigned me a swim coach.” Edwina smiled as she remembered meeting Matthew for the first time. 

Lena looked at the smiling and innocent face staring back at her and realized she’d been mad at the wrong person all of these years. It was Tesha she should be angry with. Edwina had no idea what happened all those years ago.  Now that Lena finally got the chance to look into the eyes of her dead husband’s bastard, she didn’t have the heart to tell her the things she told herself she always would. 

Everyone had secrets and for now. Lena guessed Tesha was Edwina’s big one. She remembered Marcellus telling her this girl’s parents were dead. Lena knew first hand that Mandell was dead, but she also knew Tesha was very much alive. 

Edwina was having a great time with the Marlowes. Something was weird about Mrs. Lena though. She’d been uneasy since her conversation with Matthew’s stepmom. There was something strange, but familiar about this woman. She just couldn’t put her finger on it.  

Stop being paranoid! She is a very nice lady. Don’t let your fear mess this up for you
, Edwina thought, as she looked down at her vibrating phone. Tesha had been calling non-stop since yesterday, and it had her shook. Things were going too well for Edwina to include the alcoholic disaster in her life. Calamity seemed to follow her wherever she went, and for the first time ever, she was finally free from all Tesha’s bullshit. 

Edwina slid her finger to the right, across to the red circle, and ended the call. She threw her head back into the pillow and tried to ground herself in the moment when the phone vibrated again. She picked it up and there was a text message from Tesha this time. 

Don’t know me now?  It’s okay. I know where you are. 

 I hope you have some leftovers. 

 I’m on my way. 

“She won’t let me catch a break. Damn.” Edwina said, punching the pillow. “Here she goes messing up something else for me.” she said to herself. Her thoughts were interrupted when the phone rang with a very familiar ring tone. 

“Hi Mrs. Bellow,” Edwina greeted her mentor while trying to hide her tears and fears. 

“Hello, Edwina. Happy Thanksgiving. Are you and Lena looking forward to all the Black Friday shopping?” 

“I wish Mrs. Bellow. I just got the worst text ever. My mom is on her way here to embarrass me.” 

“Why would she do something like that?” 

“Do you remember the conversations we used to have about my mother and her envy? Well, I haven’t been home or called there since I left for school, and I know she is really heated.” 

“How could she just find you like that? Did you post your location on Facebook or Instagram?” 

“No Mrs. Bellow.” 

“Oh, I got it. You have the location setting on your phone turned on, don’t you?” 

“Yep. I wanted to see how long our trip here would be. Matthew wouldn’t tell me.” 

“Turn it off right now. I got you.  But, you and your mom need to sort this out asap. Got me?” 

“Will you come?” Edwina asked, her voice low and high like a child. 

“Come where, Baby?” Clarke asked. 

“Will you come with me? I know she won’t hit me if you’re there.” 

“You’re damned right she won’t,” Clarke returned, “You just enjoy the rest of the fall break and I’ll take care of Tesha.” 

“Oh, Mrs. Bellow. There’s one more thing.” 

“What is it, Love?” 

“I told the Marlowes that my mother is dead.” 

Edwina could hear Mrs. Bellow spewing out something. “You did what?” she exclaimed. 

“But she is, Mrs. Bellow. After a lifetime of being broken by her, I had to kill her to live. She and everything she’s ever done is behind me. I want to be better than her and to do that I have to be free of her, so I killed her in mind. She is dead to me. My mother is dead.” 

Clarke’s mind wandered back to the last 18 years of her life. Tesha had been a mess and considering all the drinking and weed smoking, it’s a wonder Edwina was this normal. 

“We’ll talk about this later. Get dressed. I got you,” Mrs. Bellow returned, now moving into business mode. 

“Thanks, Mrs. Bellow. I don’t know how to repay you. 

“Don’t worry, Suga. We’ll figure something out. You just enjoy the rest of your holiday.” 

“Yes Ma’am.” 

***

 
I’ll be nice to her, but I won’t like her, and I won’t let her get close
, Lena thought as she brushed her hair in the mirror. It was all she could do to hide her disgust from Marcellus. He’d grown to know her so well and could notice the slightest change in her mood or attitude. How could she ever explain that Edwina was Mandell’s illegitimate child? Various scenarios ran through Lena’s mind, as she turned to pick up her ringing cell phone. 

“This is Lena.” 

“Hey, Lady. This is Clarke. I need your help, Sis,” Clarke stated. 

 “What’s up?” she asked. 

Then, for the next 10 minutes, Clarke filled Lena in on what life had been like for Edwina since Mandell’s death.  

“I’d never thought I‘d say this about any parent/child relationship, but Edwina really is better off without that alcoholic bitch. You gotta help her Lena. I know it’s not your thing, but she’s done everything right. Why should she be punished for having that piece of mess be her mom?” Clarke pleaded. 

“What do you need me to do?” Lena asked, ready to finally give it to Tesha. 

***

Edwina laid across the bed paralyzed in fear. She knew Mrs. Bellow had her back, and her word was golden, but the young woman still worried. 

Her thoughts were again interrupted as she answered the knock at the door. 

“Come in,” she called. 

Her heart dropped to the bottom of her chest as Lena St-James-Marlowe stepped into the room. She sat at the vanity in the corner of the room and turned the chair to face her new charge. 

“I just got off the phone with Clarke Bellow. She says you need my help,” Lena began. 

Edwina looked on at Lena in shock, not knowing how to proceed or what to say next. 

“I do,” she responded honestly. The torrent of tears washed away her shame. “I used to be so embarrassed by the crazy things she did, but now I just want to be free. I want a chance to make my own decisions, my own mistakes. Instead, I was forced to relive hers, and I just couldn’t take it anymore.  So, I told everyone she was dead.” 

Lena nodded understandingly. 

“Yes, Clarke just told me about your mother’s tragic death. I am so sorry to hear of your loss. She also told me you have a little problem on its way to you right now.” 

“Yes, Ma’am. I don’t know what to do. She is hell bent on getting to me. I’m just not sure why. It’s not like she’s coming to make amends. She’s probably drunk and then that’s an entirely different beast. I just don’t want to be embarrassed. I really like Matthew, and I don’t want her to ruin it for me.”  

“I got ya this time Lil Lady, but we have a really deep conversation coming up really soon. Got that?” 

“Sure thing, Mrs. Lena. If Mrs. Bellow trusts you, I do too,” Edwina returned, finally feeling a bit of relief. 

Lena smiled. Despite her best efforts, she could not dislike this young woman.

“Meet me downstairs in 10 minutes. Today you get your first lesson in Marlowe Family Calamity Avoidance.” 

Edwina chuckled. Lena did too, but then her face became much more serious. 

“Suga, when you associate yourself with someone like Matthew, there are certain things that come along with it. For instance, there are those women who will flirt with him in your face and those who will do it behind your back. Then there are the serious things, like living-dead people stalking you. I am helping you because you don’t deserve to be belittled when you’ve checked all the boxes. You are very intelligent. You and Matthew will go far, but you should know that this may be one of the hardest things you ever do.” 

“No, it won’t be. I told you, she’s dead.” 

“Okay, Lil Mafietta. Let’s see what you’re made of. See ya in 10.” 

“Yes, Ma’am.” 

“Oh, Edwina, cut that ma’am shit. You better hope you look as good as me when you’re my age, and besides, it’s time you meet your Godmother anyway,” she crossed the room and kissed her new protégé on the forehead. She closed the door behind her quietly as she left. 

Godmother? Wow
, Edwina thought, as she lay back on the overstuffed pillows enjoying the perks of her new life, but missing Lena’s clue. 

***

Edwina met Lena in the foyer. Her new godmother met her with a smile and again Edwina’s worries vanished.  

“Are you ready?” she asked 

“Yes, Mrs. Lena. Let’s see what these sales have to offer us?” Edwina answered confidently. 

Edwina followed Lena through the length of their massive home to a garage bigger than her house in Norwood. They had every car she’d ever wanted to drive. Her eyes moved past the Mercedes, over the Maserati, and to the left of the Porsche to land on an all black Range Rover with flat black paint and black rims. 

“So, you like the Rover, I see,” Lena smirked. 

“What gave me away?” Edwina smiled. 

Lena laughed, “I’ll school you on that later.  Get in,” Lena said, as she walked to the passenger side of the truck.  

“Ummmm, aren’t you on the wrong side of the car?” Edwina asked with a confused look. 

“Nope, let’s go,” Lena answered, as she closed the door. 

Edwina couldn’t hide her smile as she smelled the scent of new leather and gripped the steering wheel.  

She turned to Lena, “Where are the keys?” 

Lena laughed, “Just push this button, Suga. Now stop daydreaming and let’s get outta here.” 

Lena gave Edwina turn by turn directions to the front gate. Then she instructed Edwina to pull to the road’s edge and they waited. 

Edwina’s hands gripped the steering wheel as she saw her mother’s car approach. She saw two security guards exit the booth and shortly after that, her Mom’s trunk popped open. Tesha stepped out of the car obviously cursing and screaming.  

Another guard walked to her passenger side and opened the door. He got down on his knees and that’s when Edwina knew they had her. Tesha never went anywhere without taking something to smoke with her and for an hour drive, she probably had at least half an ounce on her. 

Moments later, the red headed man stood up shaking a Zip-loc bag of weed in the air. The second immediately headed toward Tesha. She pulled away as he tried to handcuff her. She slapped the shit out of him before he’d even seen what was coming. The red head rounded the back of the car as the other guard attempted to regain his balance.  

Tesha didn’t get far in her tracks before she stopped dead sudenly and fell to the ground.  Lena watched Edwina’s reaction to see if she meant the strong words she spewed earlier, but to her surprise the young woman never even flinched. 

“How could you not even move?” Lena asked, trying to hide her approval. 

“Sometimes, you have to cut away the thing that stops you from growing. I can always love her from afar, but she can never get close to me again. She’s dead, remember?” With that, Edwina pulled from their space, through the guard station and made a left turn toward the mall. 

“As long as you know this will keep her away from our home today, but it won’t stop her from trying to see you.” 

“I know, but I’ll figure something out. I can’t have this stranger stalking me forever.” 

She ain’t my Mammy
, Edwina thought to herself.