12
Mimi didn’t care what time it was in Germany, she had to talk to Raphael. She set the few groceries she bought down on the kitchen counter, along with her keys and purse, and let out a sigh. She noticed the light on the answering machine was blinking but hesitated, wondering of it was another irate call from Victor. Something had to be done about his intrusion, and only Raphael could calm her nerves.
Quickly, she put the yogurt, skim milk, apples, lemon, and salmon in the refrigerator. She was dying for the taste of salmon, her favorite. She would broil it after she spoke with her husband.
Closing the refrigerator door, she reached for her purse to get her BlackBerry so she could call Raphael. As soon as she touched the keyboard, the phone rang and a smile danced across her face.
“Hey, Baby, it’s about time.”
“Hey, Mommy, I know I’ve been delinquent.”
“Delinquent is not the word, but we won’t fuss about it now that you’ve called. How’s school going?”
“It’s going good. I’m more worried about you. How are you doing?”
“Well, you took long enough to check on me. I’ve sent you several text messages.”
“I apologize. I…I remembered what you said about having more than one friend in my life…”
Mimi took a seat. “Something happened between you and Asia?”
“No, Mommy. We’re still cool. I have a new male acquaintance.”
“Okay, Afrika Nicole Bailey. Remember what your goal is. You don’t need any distractions or stumbling blocks to keep you from reaching that goal.”
“No, Mommy. I’m going to be an icon on Wall Street one day. I haven’t lost focus. You can bet your bottom dollar on that—Wall Street jargon.” Afrika laughed.
“Well, I’m not laughing. I don’t want to see anything but A’s and B’s for grades.”
“Not a problem. But I didn’t call to talk about me. Asia told me that you were supposed to meet her mother today for lunch. How did it go?”
Quiet ensued. Then Mimi took a breath and exhaled. “I didn’t meet her.”
“Why? What’s going on? You telling me to be careful about getting involved with Asia’s family puzzles me. Mommy?”
“I’m a little apprehensive about seeing Brenda again; that’s all. I sort of skipped out on her when she may have needed me most years ago, but I had my reasons. I’m afraid that Brenda won’t forgive me and I don’t think I can endure the thought of it.”
“But, Mommy, she wants to see you. You should’ve seen how her eyes lit up when she realized that you were my mother and that you were living right under her nose. I believe she would’ve interrogated me all night if I had let her. Now, Asia’s father, Mr. Christianson, there’s something sinister about him.”
“What do you mean?” Mimi asked, holding her heart and her breath.
“It’s the way he stares at me, like I’ve…”
“What do you mean, he stares at you?”
“I’m trying to tell you, Mommy. The first time I saw him on campus, I understood that he might have mistaken me for Asia. However, the next time I saw him, at Asia’s house, his eyes…his eyes were spooky. Like they were lasers and he was drilling holes through me. Then the next day at the football game, there he was again with that twisted grin on his face, watching me like he was some kind of stalker.”
“Stay away from him, Afrika. You hear me?”
“Yeah, Mommy. You’re scaring me.”
“I’m not trying to scare you. I never liked that man when we were in college. Even then, I couldn’t put my hand on it,” Mimi lied for Afrika’s sake, “but I’ve always thought he was up to no good. I don’t know what Brenda saw in him, but she said she was going to marry that man one day.”
“But what has that got to do with him staring at me? And what made you think he was up to no good?”
“I can’t explain it, Afrika. If I could, I would. I don’t trust him as far as I can see him.”
“Well, he gives me the creeps. He’s Asia’s daddy and all, but you don’t have to worry about me; I’m going to stay as far away from him as possible. So why didn’t you really want to see Mrs. Christianson?”
“Who said I didn’t want to see Brenda? So many questions, Afrika.”
“That need answers. Something strange is going on, Mommy, and you opened the can on my curiosity by telling me to be aware of Asia’s family.”
“Truth be told, Victor, Mr. Christianson, never liked me. I was his wife’s best friend, and I believe he thought I was trying to turn Brenda against him.”
“Were you?”
“I’ll say this. I didn’t do a very good job of convincing Brenda to stay clear of Victor. She wanted him. I even think she got…she got…”
“She got what, Mommy?”
“Never mind.”
“You want me to act like an adult, but you still treat me like a little girl.”
“That’s not true, Afrika. Some things are better not said, so let’s leave that thought in my head.”
“Whatever. So, tell me, Mommy, did you know who Asia’s parents were when I brought her by the house?”
Brenda hesitated—thought about how she would answer the question. “Actually no, but I had my suspicions.”
“What was it?”
“Her name, since you want to know.”
“Asia?”
“Yes. My best friend and I made a pact all those years ago that if we had girls, she would name her daughter Asia and I would name mine Afrika.”
“Dang! Asia’s mother said the same thing. I don’t understand what’s going, but it’s giving me the jitters. Before I go, I have one last question for you?”
“What’s that?” Mimi asked with apprehension in her voice.
“Are the Christiansons why you didn’t want me to come to North Carolina?”