Lindsay's Legacy Read online

  “Nay, tell Keva ’bout your and Cody’s plan to reintroduce your kids and Sha’Ron this weekend. Perhaps Kevaun can be a part of that dinner.”

  Keva raised an eyebrow indicating her interest. “Are you kidding? You all already have a time arranged for the sibling reunion? This is perfect. Only the Holy Spirit could devise something like this.”

  “I agree. My husband, Cody, plans to take Shauntae and Li’l Shaun to meet Sha’Ron at Red Lobster. I will not be part of the festivities because Cody feels Sha’Ron may not be ready to face the woman who killed both his parents.”

  “Cody. That is not a very popular name, especially in the circles in which we used to run. Would this be the same Cody who used to be Shaun’s attorney?”

  Lindsay realized Keva was out of the loop during all that drama. She was not aware of all the things that transpired between the time she took off and her reappearance in her life today.

  “One and the same,” Lindsay grinned.

  “Okaaaaay. Brother-man was fine.” Keva chuckled as she used air quotes when she spoke about Cody’s looks.

  “Here is something else you maybe interested in knowing. Sha’Ron is also in the drug game, being groomed to take over his father’s empire.”

  Keva’s eyes became as huge as saucers as she processed Lindsay’s news. “Oh no! Are you serious? Shaun would have never allowed that to happen. What in the world is Patricia thinking? I’m sure she knows.”

  Lindsay snorted. “Key word there is Patricia.”

  “’Nuff said,” Keva replied.

  “Uncle Bobby is still in the game, and from what my husband has gathered, he is training Sha’Ron the same way he trained Shaun.”

  “Shameful. So, even knowing this, you are obviously going to allow your kids to go to the reunion dinner.”

  “I am not that keen on the idea. Trust me. But Cody thinks I should just trust him and God. Cody believes it is his duty to try to help turn Sha’Ron in a different direction. My mother here agrees.”

  “Wow! How noble of Cody. I see he has made some changes in his life.”

  “I guess we all have,” Lindsay said.

  The waiter returned with Lindsay’s and Sherrie’s meal at that moment. He put the dishes in their proper places and asked Keva, “Can I get you something, ma’am?”

  “No. I’ve already eaten. I’m just sitting and chatting with a new friend.” Keva smiled at Lindsay. Amazingly, the tension Lindsay felt earlier evaporated.

  “No problem. Can I get anything else for you ladies?”

  Mother and daughter indicated they were fine, and the waiter left.

  Once Sherrie blessed the food, she and Lindsay began eating their lunch. Between bites, Sherrie said, “Keva, as I told Nay, I understand your reluctance to just place your son in the presence of a young man who is selling drugs. But at the end of the day, Sha’Ron is his blood, just like Shauntae and Li’l Shaun. I’ll tell you the same thing I told my daughter. I implore you to trust God and allow Kevaun to become acquainted with all of his siblings.”

  “I’m not that hard to convince, Ms. Westbrook.” Lindsay was amazed that Keva remembered her maiden name. “If Cody is willing to allow Kevaun to tag along on the trip, I certainly don’t mind stepping out on faith and allowing him to go.”

  Upon hearing Keva’s quick consent and declaration to trust God, Lindsay began to feel really silly, convicted, if you will, about her persistent disapproval of the reunion. She too loved God. Hearing her mother and her once-upon-a-time archenemy speak about trusting Him so easily made her feel like less of a Christian; a feeling she found hard to swallow. She kept her emotions tucked away, though, vowing to pray and ask God to increase her faith.

  “I guess that’s settled. Keva, if you’ll just give me your phone number, I’ll call you as soon as all the details are worked out.” Lindsay pulled her cell phone from her purse and programmed the numbers Keva recited into it.

  “Is this a cell number?”

  “Yes,” Keva answered.

  “I’m about to dial your phone, then you’ll have my number as well.” Lindsay did as she said, and Keva programmed Lindsay’s name in her phone.

  “Thanks a lot, Nay-Nay, for allowing me to join you and for hearing me out. I pray that things between us will be better than before for the sake of our children and so we can glorify God.” Keva stood to depart. “I’ll leave you two to enjoy the rest of your lunch in peace. Ms. Westbrook, it was nice to meet you. Nay-Nay, I’ll wait for your call.” Keva then left the restaurant.

  Once she was gone, Lindsay simply said, “Wow! Who would have thought that?”

  Sherrie’s reply was just as simple. “God!”

  “Wow! Look how God works,” Cody said as he finished listening to Lindsay tell him about running into Keva that afternoon.

  “Yeah. That’s what Mama said too.”

  “So, I guess that means our little foursome will now be a fivesome, or does Keva plan on joining us also?”

  “She and I have not yet completely worked out all the details. I promised to give her a call as soon as you put the final touches on time and location.”

  Cody saw no need to delay finalization of the time and restaurant location. He pulled out his phone and dialed Sha’Ron’s cell. He picked up on the second ring.

  “What up, White Boy?” Sha’Ron offered as a greeting.

  “Hey, Sha’Ron. I was just calling to work out the final plans for dinner this weekend and to let you know there will be at least one more guest present.”

  “I’m cool with whatever time you come up with, but who is this new guest you talking about?” Sha’Ron wondered if his murderous stepmother had decided to join them after all.

  “Lindsay ran into Keva Simpson today. She too expressed an interest in wanting her son Kevaun to get reacquainted with his siblings. Do you remember Kevaun, Sha’Ron?”

  Both disappointment and relief invaded Sha’Ron’s brain over the fact that Lindsay had not been the added member to their dinner party. The first emotion he understood completely. The feeling of relief shocked him a little. Why wouldn’t he want to face his target? He held the phone pondering his thoughts for a while before answering Cody’s question.

  “Sha’Ron, are you still there?”

  “Oh yeah, man. Phone blanked for a second,” Sha’Ron lied. “Yea, I do remember him. My dad used to bring him around when he was little; then he and his moms jetted and I didn’t see them again until Dad’s funeral. Is his mom coming too?”

  “I’m not sure. We have to give her a call to let her know the time. Would you have a problem with her joining us?”

  “Naw. I ain’t got no beef with her. I remember that she and your wife didn’t get along too well, though. They were about to scrap this one time at a birthday party or something. They cool now, White Boy?”

  “Let’s just say they are trying to mend fences for the sake of you all. So let’s say we all meet at Red Lobster on Telegraph near Warren at four P.M. Cool?”

  “Bet. Works for me.”

  “And Sha’Ron, do me a favor. In front of the kids, call me Cody instead of White Boy C, okay?”

  Sha’Ron chuckled at Cody’s request, thinking, This punk is a real trip these days. “Sure, man. Whatever. See y’all at four on Saturday.” He then hung up the phone.

  “White Boy C?” Lindsay asked with a perplexed look as Cody disconnected the call.

  “Just an old street name. Sha’Ron has agreed to four P.M. at Red Lobster. You can call Keva and give her the details.”

  Lindsay dialed Keva’s number and gave her the time, date, and location.

  “Thanks, Nay-Nay. I really appreciate you being big enough to do this for me and my son.”

  “It’s for my own children as well, Keva. Are you going to attend the dinner?”

  “If Cody doesn’t mind keeping an eye on Kevaun, I don’t mind leaving it to just the kids. I’ll drop him off at the restaurant and pick him up when Cody calls.”

  An idea s
uddenly struck Lindsay. “Why don’t you and I get together around the same time at a nearby restaurant? After you drop Kevaun off at Red Lobster, you can meet me there.”

  “That sounds like a plan. Why don’t we meet at the Chili’s on Southfield and Ford Road?”

  “Okay. See you there about four-fifteen.” They then disconnected the call.

  Lindsay thought about her impulsive decision and wondered what made her do that. Cody slyly wondered the same thing.

  “What in the world has come over you? Now you want to hang out with the woman you simply wanted to hang a few years ago.”

  “Don’t exaggerate, Cody. It has been more than eight years since Keva and I had animosity toward each other. And to answer your question, I have no idea what came over me. The invitation came pouring out of my mouth before my brain had a chance to process it.”

  “Well, I think it’s a great idea since your children will be spending time together. The two of you need to really get beyond the past.”

  Lindsay wondered if she could so easily let go of the former issues she had with Keva. This was a woman who once upon a time was the source of one of the most painful times in her life. She nearly lost her mind when she found out Shaun had actually cheated on her with Keva and fathered her baby.

  But she was a new woman now; a woman with a new life, a new husband, and a better relationship with Christ.

  “Well, I guess this will all kick into gear this weekend. I pray there is very little drama associated with the new blended family thing... .”

  Chapter Eight

  Saturday morning came, and Lindsay awoke with a little anxiety. Though she had heard the speeches of Cody and her mama, as well as witnessed the trust of Keva, she was still very nervous about the kids spending time with Sha’Ron.

  She got out of bed and kneeled at the side of it to pray. “God, thank you for seeing my family through the night and for waking us this morning. Lord, today is a new beginning for my children. I pray for their safety and for this day to be the beginning of a healing process for them. I pray, Lord, for all the children involved, and for Keva as well. I especially pray, Lord, for Sha’Ron. Please touch his heart, Father, and allow a great change to come over him. I pray also for myself. Help me, Lord, to have peace about this whole situation. This is my prayer in Jesus’ name ... Amen.”

  Lindsay got up and realized that her rising-out-of-bed moment before had not caused her husband to stir in the slightest. Cody lay sound asleep, seemingly without a care in the world. Looking at the clock, she realized it was still early; only seven-fifteen. However, instead of climbing back into bed, she decided to use the time to get some chores done, starting with the family laundry. As the first load of clothes began to wash, Lindsay went through her moderately sized home cleaning and straightening as needed. All rooms were given attention except the bedrooms because her lazy-boned family was still in snore mode.

  Just as Lindsay began transferring the first load of laundry from the washer to the dryer, Shauntae made an appearance in the doorway of the laundry room.

  “Good morning, baby.”

  “Good morning, Mom,” she replied as she walked in to give her mother a hug and kiss.

  Lindsay contemplated about whether she should bring up the subject of today’s events or wait to see if Shauntae would mention them.

  “Mom, I am so excited about seeing Sha’Ron today.”

  Okay, so much for contemplating, Lindsay thought. “Are you, honey?”

  “Yes. I can’t wait till four o’clock,” Shauntae squealed excitedly.

  She and Li’l Shaun were unaware of Kevaun’s inclusion in the reunion. Lindsay and Cody decided they would explain it all, even telling them about Tawanda’s daughter, though she would not be there at dinner.

  “Well, baby girl, I hope it turns out to be all you expect it to be,” Lindsay said convincingly.

  “Thanks for setting this up, Mom. I know it probably wasn’t easy for you to allow Li’l Shaun and me to do this under the circumstances, but I am so glad you did.” Shauntae hugged her mother again.

  “I just want you two to be happy. Wanting to reestablish a relationship with your family is not an outrageous request. It makes perfect sense, Shauntae.” Those were the words she shared with her daughter. In her head, she was thinking, If only you knew the whole truth of how I feel, child ...

  Lindsay worked hard at controlling her apprehension all day in order to not worry the children. However, Cody could read her like a book. “Baby, I need you to calm down. Everything will be okay. I promise. I can feel it in my spirit.”

  “Cody, I am a stressed-out mess. I’m worried about Sha’Ron being around my kids and being a drug dealer. I’m worried about what he might say to them about me that may hurt their feelings. I’m worried about them seeing Kevaun for the first time in such a long time and whether they’ll even remember him. I’m worried about them learning about Tawanda’s daughter and me not being there.”

  Tawanda and Shaun’s daughter, Shauna, was just an infant when Shaun died. Lindsay never bothered telling her children about the last child their father conceived while the two of them were still married and Li’l Shaun and Shauntae never asked about her after the day of the funeral.

  “And I’m worried about spending time alone with Keva. What exactly will the two of us talk about beyond the kids? I mean, what? Will we swap Shaun stories?”

  Cody eased behind his wife who was standing at the island in the center of their kitchen. Lindsay was wiping the granite countertop so hard Cody was certain there would be absolutely no color remaining when she was done. He gently began massaging one shoulder with one hand while he removed the dish towel from her hand with his other hand. He then used that hand to massage the other shoulder.

  “Lindsay, relax. Everything will work out fine. I will maintain control of things at the restaurant. As far as you and Keva go, you two talk about whatever you need to talk about in order to make things comfortable for the kids to spend time together. Don’t think about the past history of Shaun that you two share. Just think about what is best for our kids. You are very good at that.”

  Cody gently turned Lindsay to face him. He kissed her lips very softly initially. He then deepened the kiss and turned the mating of their lips into a very sensual tongue dance. He knew his kisses always had the power to totally take away his wife’s anxieties and make her forget what caused them.

  “What was I talking about?” Lindsay asked as Cody released her from his hold.

  Cody simply smiled and said, “I’m going upstairs to make sure the kids are ready to go.”

  Ten minutes later, the Vincini/Taylor clan headed out the door on their way to reentering and starting anew old relationships that were once either good, bad, or indifferent.

  “Mom, I thought you weren’t coming to the restaurant with us,” Shauntae said as they all headed to the same car.

  “I’m not, dear. Cody is going to drop me at a nearby restaurant. A friend of mine is meeting me there.” Lindsay knew calling Keva a friend was a stretch, but she didn’t want to have to explain the realities to her daughter at that moment.

  Approximately twenty minutes later, Cody pulled to the front door of Chili’s and got out of the car to open the door for his wife. He then walked with her to the front door, opened it as well, and left her there with a departing kiss.

  “Given the time it will take us to get to Red Lobster, Keva should be arriving in about twenty minutes,” he said as he jogged back to his vehicle.

  “That’s fine. I brought along a novel to keep me company.”

  Lindsay entered the restaurant. She gave the hostess, who seated her immediately, her name and explained that she was expecting someone else. She gave the same instruction to the waitress and told her she preferred to wait for the other party to arrive before placing an order. The waitress placed a glass of water in front of Lindsay and departed. Lindsay pulled out her book, Bring on the Blessings, by Beverly Jenkins, and began readi
ng.

  Lindsay had become so engrossed in her novel she didn’t realize that two females had approached the table until they were already seated. Then she looked up with a greeting for Keva dancing on her tongue. The salutation immediately died on her lips, however, when she recognized the companion Keva had with her.

  “Nay, I know I didn’t tell you I was bringing company,” Keva started explaining. “But I wasn’t sure how you would react to the news of me bringing her along for our meeting. I figured, though, that we should all get together since we all have a common interest here.”

  The waitress appeared just as Keva had spoken the last word. She was so focused on doing her job, she didn’t initially notice the combative look Lindsay was shooting across the table at the woman who sat next to Keva.

  “Oh, I see there will be three of you instead of just two,” the waitress clarified in a perky voice. “Can I start you lovely ladies off with something to drink?” The smile on her pretty face faded quickly as she noticed the malevolent looks on two of the ladies’ faces.

  Keva’s companion gawked just as good as she got. She stared at Lindsay viciously from her seated position just in front of her across the table.

  In an effort to slice through the tension, Keva began talking. “Ladies, the nice waitress wants to know what we would like to drink.”

  “Maybe I should give you all a few moments,” the waitress suggested uncomfortably.

  “No, sweetie. It will only take us a minute to look at the menu and place our drink and appetizer order. Ladies, let’s look away from each other and at the menu for a few seconds, shall we?”

  After a brief pause, Lindsay unwillingly pulled her gaze away from Shaun’s fourth and last baby mama, Tawanda, to look at the menu. She then looked up when she made her decision.

  “I’ll have a strawberry lemonade,” she said while looking directly at the waitress. She then redirected her gaze back at Tawanda, who had never stopped staring at Lindsay. Nor had she changed her scowling expression.