Page 25 of Forbidden Fruit

“Yes. Now look at it like you stole that rare treasure from its original owner, and you’ll understand him a little better. His disdain toward you isn’t personal, Jedrek. I told him that what he fails to see, though, is that he’s pushing his daughter away.”

“Thank you for explaining that to me. It definitely makes me look at him differently. It took everything in me not to push him back yesterday,” I admitted, then took a swig of the Coke she’d brought.

“I know. I could see it on your face. I admire the respect, loyalty, and love you have for my daughter, despite my husband trying to push you to your limits. While I didn’t like your mother’s cooking as much, she was a sweet woman.” She chuckled. “Tell her thank you for taking my daughter in. I have something for you and Vashti.”

She reached in her purse and pulled out an envelope. I stared at her outstretched hand for a moment, then took it from her. When I opened it, I got choked. It was a cashier’s check for fifty grand. I looked up at her, eyes wide and asked, “What’s this for?”

“That’s Vashti’s money. Maybe y’all can get a bigger apartment or use it as a substantial down payment on a house. Whatever you see fit to do with it. She has more, but I have it in a money market account. I can’t withdraw it right now. There’s another $65,000 in there.”

I swallowed hard, then stood from my seat and pulled her to her feet and hugged her tightly. “Thank you so much.”

She smiled brightly. “Tell Vashti not to buy a car just yet. I know y’all need a second vehicle, but I’m trying to get her Range Rover to her.”

“My goodness. This takes a load off… really. Thank you so much.”

“I appreciate you stepping up to the plate like a man. Thank you for taking care of my baby. I have to go. Tell her not to tell her dad I gave her that money.”

“Okay. Thanks again. Lunch was off the chain. Where did you get this?”

“Floyd’s. See you later.”

“Okay.”

I called Vashti right after she left, since I still had a few minutes. “Hello?”

“Hey, Vash. What y’all doin’?”

“We’re cooking. How’s work going? Wait! You saw my mother. What happened?”

I chuckled as I listened to her fire off question after question. She was surprised with everything I told her about how her dad felt. Then I said, “She also gave me a cashier’s check.”

“She did? How much, Drek?”

“Fifty G’s.”

“You lyin’!”

“Nope. She said it was yo’ money, and she’s tryna get yo’ Range to you.”

“Oh my God! We have to celebrate! Me, you, and Ms. Carol.”

“Celebrate what?”

“New life! Let’s go to Larry’s French Market. All the seafood you can eat, baby.”

“It’s a date. I’ll see you when you pick me up.”

“Okay. I love you, Drek.”

“Love you too, Vashti.”

I clocked back in with a huge smile on my face. The day couldn’t get done fast enough.

Thirteen

VASHTI

We’d been doing great and had moved to a much bigger apartment on the west side of Beaumont. Drek had gone back to school for his final semester, and I’d been working for three months. I loved my new job. Today had been long as hell though. Being on my feet most of the day at five months pregnant, seeing about patients, had me completely worn out. Everything was fine with my pregnancy, and we’d decided to let the sex of the baby be a surprise.

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