Page 19 of A Trial of the Heart

Chapter

Nineteen

Shiloh:

It had been two days since Rashad had walked out on me at the restaurant.

As much as I wanted not to care, I did. I couldn’t focus on the case because something was just eating at my spirit, and I wanted to make it right.

Friday had finally come, and I had no report to give to Arthur.

It wasn’t because I hadn’t done any research; it was just that nothing was adding up.

Rashad owned all his businesses, paid his taxes, gave back to the community, and even volunteered at the elderly home.

He seemed like a good person on and off paper.

Placing my elbows on top of my dress, I dropped my head into my hands, massaging my temple in a slow circular motion. Not one case I’d ever taken on had me in such shambles, and it was really bothering my spirit heavily.

“Come in.” I exhaled aggressively after hearing the powerful knock on my office door. I already knew it was Arthur.

As expected, when the door swung open, Arthur’s frame could be seen.

“You have that report? I want to check out a few things.” There was no greeting, how my day was going, or even if I had a report to hand over.

“Good afternoon to you as well, Arthur.” The sarcasm and annoyance were having a battle when I spoke.

Arthur chuckled. “An afternoon it is.”

This prick, I thought, staring at him. Everything about him bothered my spirit. I couldn’t believe that there had been a point where I liked him.

“So that report…”

“It’s not ready yet.” There wasn’t a need in beating around the bush when I had nothing to present.

“Why is that?”

Clearing my throat, I shrugged. “There is no real evidence.”

“Are you saying I gave the case to the wrong person? I should have given it to William as I do all the other cases?”

I scoffed. “I’m not saying that.”

“Then what exactly are you saying? Shiloh, this case is cut and dry. Mr. Carter is guilty, and you will do whatever you need to do to prove it.”

“How do we know he’s guilty?”

“You have three days to have the report on my desk.” He ignored my question.

Or what? Is what I wanted to say, but I needed the job no matter how bad I hated it.

“You’ll have it.”

“Great.”

When Arthur was out of my office and had actually closed the door after himself, I once again dropped my head into my hands.

“Lord, I need the strength, a sign, and a way out,” I whispered. “Oop!”

I gasped when my phone danced, vibrated, and rang on my desk, startling me. My mother was calling, and it wasn’t her normal time, so it was alarming.

“Mommy, what’s wrong?” I asked the moment the call connected.

“What’s wrong? What do you mean, chile?”

“It’s…” My eyes jumped to the huge clock on the wall. “…a quarter after two.”

“Okay…”

I could imagine my mother with her hands on her hip, head tilted, and looking to the ceiling as if the words she were trying to find would be there.

“Is that a problem?” She followed up before I could say anything.

“Of course, not. It’s never a problem for you to call. It’s just since the day I left for college and every day after, you have only called two times a day at the exact same time.”

She had the time so down pat, it was almost to the exact second every day.

My mother sucked her teeth. “Oh, chile, I didn’t even think about it. You crossed my mind something heavy, so of course, I had to call to make sure you’re okay.”

I smiled. My mother was an amazing woman.

I loved her to life, but the truth was, she and I didn’t have the “best friend” mother-daughter relationship.

My mother loved and nurtured me, but when I was growing up, my daddy was my go-to person.

Oftentimes, I found my mother showing me little affection and tough love because that was all she knew.

It was never abuse or hate; she just lacked the real motherly gene.

So, times when she knew something was off or did something just because, I knew an angel had gained its wings.

“How are you, Peaches?” she asked. Her tone was calm as she called me by my childhood nickname I’d been given by my father. Since his passing, I hadn’t heard the name much.

“I’m okay.”

My mother let out a loud exhale. “Peaches, you can talk to me if you need to.”

She’d called me that more in one conversation than she had in a while, which meant she was concerned.

For some reason, I felt tears building, and I didn’t know if it was because I was so overwhelmed or the fact that my mother was allowing me to lean on her shoulder.

Either way, I had a strong need to let a tear or two go but I knew how to suppress my feelings well.

“I’m okay, Mommy. I’m just overwhelmed with work.” I didn’t want to stress her about what I did and didn’t have going on in life.

“Alright. I guess you’ll talk to me when the time is right, but can I say something?”

“Of course.”

“You’re my daughter, so I may be biased, but you’re very intelligent and don’t take no ish from no one.

You’re Allen’s daughter, and you’re just like him.

Whether it be work or your personal life, understand you’re in control, and never allow anyone to make you change your character.

You know to do the right thing. Always do it.

Whatever this is will pass, and you will make it out on top. ”

I smiled hearing my mother say ish, she never cursed, and if she did, it was time for everyone to move out of her way. Also, hearing her mention my daddy warmed my heart. I was his child, and ever since I could remember, I wanted to be just like him.

“Thank you, Mommy.” She hadn’t said a lot, but what she did say meant something.

“And pray, baby,” she added. “I’m gonna let you go. I have to start this here dinner for Deacon Silvers.”

My mother would cook every day when I was younger, and my father was alive.

Once he passed and I had already moved out, the cooking slowed.

About three months ago, she started cooking again for Deacon Silvers.

She said it was because he recently lost his wife.

I had my thoughts about that, but my mother was grown.

My daddy had been gone for some time now, and she deserved happiness.

“Yes, ma’am. I love you too,” I said before disconnecting the call and resting it back on the desk. The smile I had grew, and I had no reason for it.

Picking it back up, I went to text LeeAnn, but a text from an unknown number came through.

757-345-2345: Most times when I slide on a person I don’t double back. Something about you got me doubling back… nah tripling back. Either way, can you meet me tonight? I’ll let you pick the place. Rashad by the way.

The only reason I didn’t know it was Rashad was because I deleted his number.

I was either being tested by God, or William and Arthur had put this whole thing in motion to ruin my career.

Sitting there, I contemplated ignoring him or messaging him back.

Most times, I was strong, but with him, I always felt the need to think it through fully first.

757-345-2345: If you not with it, I get it. It’s just something about you I can’t shake, and I feel the need to explain so you know who I really am.

On a normal day, I’d call or text LeeAnn for insight, but as I bit my bottom lip not really thinking of anything, I didn’t.

Me: My place tonight at 8 547 Park Ave. Williamsburg VA, 23188

“Oh fuck.”

I had been so caught up in the moment I hadn’t realized I’d given him my address. Since I had an iPhone and he did too, I still had time to unsend it before he saw it.

757-345-2345: Bet

“No, no, no!” It was too late.

Panicking, I called LeeAnn. “I messed up.”

She didn’t even have time to say hello before I spoke.

“Umm… Hello, Shiloh. I am well, and no, I’m not with patients at the moment,” she said sarcastically. “Now, how did you mess up?”

In a hushed tone, unsure if anyone was outside my office door ear hustling, I gave LeeAnn the details, not leaving anything out or missing a beat as I spoke. When I was done and she hadn’t said a word, I had to look to the phone to make sure the call was still rolling.

“You hear me?”

“Girl…” She dragged out the word in a low whisper.

“LeeAnn, really?”

She giggled. “Listen, girl, even this is extreme for me.”

“What am I supposed to do?”

“Ain’t nothing to do except make sure that thing waxed, stretch, and let that man work you out for the night. ‘Cause ain’t nothing else taking place.”

“Oh, girl, grow the hell up.”

“Nah, you grow up.”

I rolled my eyes. “You really aren’t helping right now.”

“Hell you want me to say, Shiloh? You and that man had relations and undeniable chemistry so much so folks on the boat thought y’all were married or at least engaged. Now, he’s coming to your house, and not even early. He’s coming when dinner should be done, and you’d be his dessert.”

“Do you have any other advice?”

“Maybe use a condom this time?”

The entire time Rashad and I had sex it was unprotected, and though I was on birth control, I worried about an STD. The moment I got home, I got many tests done, and thankfully, they were all negative.

“That’s not sexual, LeeAnn.”

“Oh, my bad.” She snorted. “Just be honest with him and yourself. Hear what he has to say, say what you need, and when it’s all done, realize y’all are not a team and may the best man win.”

LeeAnn played entirely too much at times, but I knew I could always count on her whether it be to cry, laugh, fight, give advice, or just listen.

“I love you,” was all I could say.

“I love you more. Now, make sure you do a split on that thing.” She laughed loudly, but it was cut short as I disconnected the call.

I heard all LeeAnn said, and while I wasn’t getting sex from Rashad, I did need to hear him out and then let the best man win as she suggested.