Page 15 of Cove City, Volume II

I pulled out my archives to dive into the articles I had written about Naheem’s father. I remember there was so much going on back then that it was hard to keep up. Although I wasn’t in the business of bringing up old memories, it was something about the way Naheem was acting that made me curious, like I had missed something. I heard the door open and close, and I knew it was Pierre. He came around the corner looking pitiful.

“You talk to her?” he asked.

I hated it when I disappointed my kids, but I hadn’t had any luck with Tuesday. Lying to him wouldn’t do any justice. I shook my head no. I could see him wearing his heart on his sleeve, and as bad as I wanted to comfort him, this was one situation he would have to fix on his own.

“I called her, but she wouldn’t say anything to me. I- I fucked up and I don’t know how to fix it, Ma, I don’t know.”

My heart broke into a million pieces. I knew Tuesday was upset, and whatever that reason was, I needed to know if it was valid. So, I was about to do something I had never done before: pry.

“What happened?”

Pierre walked over and plopped on the couch. “Quinton!.

“he yelled.

Just as I thought.

“The nigga violated big time ma. I,.

“he paused.

“I walked into my house and the nigga was on top of her. I tried killing his ass, but not only that, she- she saw me and Sasha and—”

“You were fooling around with Sasha? I thought she had a new guy.”

He threw his hands up before snapping his head my way. Pierre Harmon, my baby, had tears in his eyes.

“She does. We,.

“he sucked up his cries that wanted to spill.

“The baby. We were talking about the baby and Ma, I think Quinton is why she lost the baby,.

“he broke down.

The weight of the world was sitting on his shoulders, and it had become visible. Pierre has always been the one to keep his demeanor in check, but today was different. My hand slowly caressed his back to comfort him. It reminded me of Naheem and me when we parted ways, the feeling of loneliness, lost in the twilight zone of love, and unable to escape it. The difference between my son and me is that the person who stole my heart didn’t keep it, but the person who stole his was holding it hostage. Tuesday needed to come back because he needed her, and I’m sure she needed him.

I snatched my keys from the table.

“Where are you going?.

“Pierre asked.

As much as I didn’t want to, there were people I needed to see. I had to put on my cape because my baby needed me. I had to become supermom, despite how I felt, I had to be fearless, ready for war, and become a shield for my child. I headed toward the door when my doorbell rang. Now I was curious because there must have been a type of alert that I had been off work. All of these appearances were becoming immense. I swung the door open to a bouquet. They were the most beautiful flower arrangements I had seen, handpicked, and gently placed in the smoked glass vase.

“Delivery for Best?.

“the gentleman said.

Before I could grab the flowers, Pierre snatched them from the guy.

“Who the fuck sending you flowers?”

The idea of his finding out about Naheem and me this way wasn’t how I wanted it to happen. Although Tuesday knew my secret, I knew she wouldn’t share it because her concerns were bigger than what Naheem and I had over the decades.

“Watch your mouth. I let you slide with Tuesday, but you're doing a little too much.”

“Hell, I’m not doing enough. Who are these from?.

“he asked again as he peeked through the flowers looking for a card. I hurried and grabbed the vase out of his hand.

I set it down near the door, grabbed Pierre by his shirt, and tugged him toward the door, “Out!.

“I shouted.

He and I both left the house. I knew Pierre was on the hunt for Quinton, and once he found him, there was no telling what he would do. I’d much rather he be in jail than dead because that was still family. I needed to find my sister; she needed to release Quinton, who has been harboring things since she turned her back on him.

***

“Best! I’m so happy to see you here. Things have been in such a disarray today. Thomas has—”

I brushed past George as I went over toward Tuesday’s desk. George was so close up behind me that I could barely navigate around the space.

“George, how long have I worked here?”

“Uh, twenty-five years.”

“And when was the last time I took a vacation?.

“I asked, still looking through her drawers.

“I-I don’t know.”

I shot up.

“Exactly. I’m taking leave.”

George swallowed deeply.

He knew that without me, this place was nothing.

He had been afforded the luxury of running Cove City Press because the Media executive was a sexist racist.

I had been pushing articles out faithfully to cover the most intense stories, ones that had cost me a lot.

It made me turn my back on a man I loved with all my heart.

So, when George was picked over me with his lack of knowledge and journalist skills, I had become numb.

He hadn’t done anything right for Cove City Press, not even taking time out to keep the place running smoothly.

It had been I who had been keeping things running in here, and every visit from the executive, George, would smile and take credit for everything. I was fucking tired.

“George, you got this because I don’t. Maybe now you will get that goddamn coffee machine fixed,.

“I snapped as I left without any information.

I needed to find out where Tuesday was from. The last thing I remember was her mentioning TSU, and if that was the case, I already knew who I needed to see.

This wasn’t about to be a cake walk, but for my son. I was willing to challenge the world for him.

June 1990

Anything left to give

Naheem,

I don’t know whether to be happy you replied or upset.

How are things with Angela? I saw her, Naheem.

I saw every bit of her, and she’s pregnant.

When were you going to tell me you are about to be a father? I’m still trying to figure out why a piece of hope lingers in me.

I should be happy for you, but I’m not.

I wish it were so easy to discard love, but it’s not, and to see her pregnant without you telling me only makes this more complicated.

I understand you want me not to write this story, but it’s happening.

You said compromising was not an option, so why start now? Now, whether you want to share information or not, I will find out.

Again, this is my job.

I went through four years at TSU for this.

Your father has his hands in many things in the Cove.

I saw him and Clark Mercier together. What was that about? Do you want to tell me, or do I need to continue to peel layers back and find out on my own?

Naheem, I’m going to search high and low for information, and you and I both know where it leads.

So let me tell you what I know so far.

I know that your father has been paying Clark and his white counterparts to stay out of the way while he feeds people, like my sister drugs.

I also know that your father, along with a few other wealthy families, has been endorsing Clark Mercier.

I also know that your father is giving back to the community, but at what cost? You are just as evil as he is if you're taking part in any of it.

How do you help a community by flooding the streets with drugs?

I gave all the sympathy I could give.

I no longer feel sorry for you and your hidden secrets.

Stop calling me Bunny, it’s Best to you.

Naheem, I don’t have anything left to give.

I hope you are a much better father than yours.

Dying Love,

Best.