Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 67355 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 337(@200wpm)___ 269(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67355 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 337(@200wpm)___ 269(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
“I earned that money. Every bit of it. Howard, was an old fool to set up his will like that.”
“Well, at least you know it’s pointless to pretend you’ve done nothing wrong. If my dad’s old partner Greg wasn’t retired, I’d go after his law license, but I can still sue you for misappropriation of funds. But I won’t as long as you leave this house and disappear from my life for good. You can keep your trust, but if you try to cause any trouble for me or Zora so help me you’ll wish you never gave birth to me.”
“I already do! How can you treat your own mother like this? And over some black bitch!” She screams.
I take an even deeper breath.
“You now have 30 days.”
“I don’t want our paths to cross ever again. And if we do see each other again, hopefully you’ll be six feet under.”
As I exit the house, she runs after me. “Where am I supposed to go?”
“Frankly Mother, I don’t give a damn.”
I contemplate whether to head to the airport or go back to my condo for the night. I don’t have to be back at my office until Thursday for a board meeting and anything else I can do remotely.
But if I don’t leave town, I’ll be tempted to go by Zora’s house.
God, I miss that woman. She still consumes my every thought, but I’ve thrown myself in to my work and hobbies to fill the void.
I take the exit for the airport and I think about her. What’s she doing? Is she seeing anyone?
I’m so deep in thought, I’m startled when the computer through my speaker announces, “Incoming phone call from Zora.”
27
ZORA
Istill remember the code to get into Jackson’s building. And as I press the numbers in the keypad, my fingers shake.
I may be making a huge mistake by coming here but I don’t want to live my life with regrets.
I decided to give Jackson a call after another heart to heart conversation with my father. I think he was shaken by his last conversation with Langston.
My brother of course came back expecting father to bail him out of his situation by hiring him a good lawyer. To my surprise, my father put his foot down.
“I’m your son. I can’t believe you’re just going to let me go to jail? Mom wouldn’t let this happen,” Langston uses his go to line when he’s not getting his way.
“Don’t you bring up, Mom!” I yell at him. “Dad could have lost his house because of you and you don’t care. Mom wouldn’t have wanted you to treat Dad like this. It would break her heart if she knew her son became such a bum.”
Langston turns on me with clenched fists. “Shut up, Zora. You’ve always been Miss Goodie-Two-Shoes. Families are supposed to help each other out.”
“And you’ve never lifted a finger to help Dad. You haven’t even asked him about his health. He’s going through cancer treatment right now in case you care. But I’m sure you don’t.”
Langston, adjusts his tie, at least having the good grace to seem embarrassed. “Of course I care but I’m in trouble. I’m just asking for help this one last time.”
“You have a gambling addiction and it’s never going to stop until you get help.”
“You stay out this you! That’s why no man will ever want you. Because you don’t know how to mind your fucking business.”
His taunt may have worked a long time ago but I know for a fact someone does indeed want me. And I see this as the rant of a desperate man.”
“That’s enough!” My father roar, finally intervening. “Zora, let me handle this.” He turns to my brother. “If you ever talk to your sister down like that I will whoop your ass. Don’t think you’re too grown. That’s the problem, I should have tougher on you.”
Langston’s and my mouth falls open. Our father has never spoken like this with either of us.
“Dad…” he starts.
“Shut up. When your mother died, I didn’t want the two of you to suffer so I overcompensated by giving you whatever you wanted. Zora never asked for much but you, boy… “He shakes his. “I’ve bent over backwards for you. Well, I’m done. It’s time for you to be a man and take responsibility for your actions.”
Langston begged and even squeezed out a few crocodile tears but my father remained unmoved. I guess even he has his limit and Langston found it.
My brother ended up storming out of the house and neither of us have heard from him since. We have a complicated relationship and hope one day he gets his act together at least for my dad’s sake.
It was another month before my father, started dropping hints about me reaching out to Jackson because he was tired of seeing me walk around the house like I lost my best friend.