Page 44 of Wifey
I’m going to be involved more than I want to be comfortable with. Why do hood chicks glamorize this life? It’s not fun at all. “So, let’s say the person dies. Will it be over? Or will it just get started?”
“It’ll be over. I’m pulling strings behind the scenes to ensure no one is going to follow in her footsteps.” Jay takes another sip of coffee. “Some people might go missing, so might go on a one-way trip and never return, and some will be killed. No one from the opposition will leave the game on their own.”
Jay said it so fluidly like he was talking about a recipe. His words ring true about what I warned Cameron the other night – I wanted him to leave for good before I could say yes. “Got it.”
“You will.” He flashes his beautiful smile again. “Anything else, Ms. Taylor?”
What else could I say? Jay effectively told me to not to worry while putting the fear of God in me at the same time. How in the hell am I going to sleep tonight? “No.”
“This will all be over before you know it.” He stands up and I follow his lead. “If you ever need anything…” He takes out a business card and hands it to me. “…you can reach me anytime.”
“Thank you.” I begin to leave before I stop and turn. The question bothers me and it seems no one can tell me for sure. Maybe it’s because they don’t know, either. “Will Cameron be killed?”
“I don’t know.” He shakes his head. His eyes turn serious and look pointedly at me. “I can promise you won’t be.”
Nineteen
The next few weeks were quiet. As it became closer to election time, the country was on edge. Emotions ran high and everyone chose sides. The surrounding businesses around Fresh Espresso made it known they were openly supporting Eric’s challenger, Elizabeth Winters, a liberal White woman who had supported the protests and the Black community.
Daddy always said Fresh Espresso was neutral territory and I kept that promise. I didn’t want anyone to come in and be influenced by what I thought and felt. On the same token, I also didn’t want anyone questioning my support for one candidate considering my proximity to the Page family.
Any potential war between the EAC and the Administration was kept under wraps. If there was a shooting or death, Cameron reassured me he had nothing to do with and no one from his crew was involved.
I was thankful for the reassurance but a part of me couldn’t help it was the quiet before the storm. Cameron and Jay warned me Jacqueline was going to come after me and it wasn’t an ‘if’ about it but rather,when.
I couldn’t let that get in the way of what I was doing. As the rest of the employees ran the shop, I was in the back office doing payroll. People still needed to get paid and families needed to eat. I couldn’t be afraid of something I wasn’t sure when it was going to happen.
“Knock, knock.” Gabe comes in with a cup of coffee and a pastry for me. “I thought you would be hungry since you’ve been stuck back here for a while.”
“Oh, thanks, Gabe.” He came just in time. The moment I came in, I was doing payroll and staring at spreadsheets. A sista is quite tired of Excel. “I’m almost done here. Just wanting to make sure everyone is getting their money on time. I’m also including hazard pay because of the pandemic.”
“Always looking out like Lamont.” He sits down. “That’s why everyone loves you.”
“Daddy took care of everyone even if it was against his best interest,” I eyeball the spreadsheet and cross-check with figures on printed paper. “I understand why he did it, even if it wasn’t smart. Daddy also knew what it felt like not to have any money and not knowing when you’ll get some again. He was blessed.”
“He most certainly was.” Gabe paused for a moment. “Are you going to do the fundraiser for Elizabeth Winters tonight?”
“It appears that way,” I take a break from the computer screen and close it down. “I did that one for the Page family so I’ll do this one for Elizabeth as well.”
“Speaking of the Page family, I heard a rumor you were seeing their son? Cameron?” Gabe asks. “Any truth to that?”
I remember how upset Cameron was when I told Ethan we were just friends. For someone who was notoriously private about his life, Cameron didn’t want to hide our relationship or keep it quiet. “We’re close.”
“How close are we talking?” Gabe asks and I blinked at him. He holds up his hands in defense. “The streets talk, yo.”
“Oh?” He piqued my interest. “What streets?”
“Alicia has expressed some concern,” Gabe mentioned as he rubs his beard. “And I told her I would talk to you about it.”
“Oh Lord, Alicia and her bullshit,” I shake my head. I get why she’s concerned and I don’t blame her. But Alicia being a plain ol’ nosey-ass auntie is working my nerves. Every time she sees me, there’s a scowl before a smile.
“You have to give Alicia some credit now, baby girl. She’s known you since you were a little girl and you two were very close after Lamont died. She’s looking out for you.” Gabe defended her. “I’m sure she knows things about Cameron and his family that don’t sit well with her soul.”
I specifically remember the conversation Alicia and I had about the Administration. She knows a lot more about Cameron than I’m comfortable revealing. “I’m sure she does. I’m also grown, Gabe. I can’t have someone dictate what I need to do. I got that a lot when Daddy died and it’s been well over a year. I need to figure things out on my own now.”
“You know she’s looking out for your best interest. If she has some concerns, she’s allowed to have those concerns.” Gabe mentions. “I get she can be a bit overbearing but she means no harm, no foul.”
“I get that.” My shoulders relax and I take a deep breath. Maybe I’m just being a pain in the ass and bratty about the whole ordeal. Alicia cared for me more than my mother ever had and will. I guess I’m so used to being ignored, I don’t know how it feels to have someone who authentically cares. “I’ll talk to her.”
