“One day she came to visit me; she was in my apartment when you arrived, I told you she was the cleaner, gave her twenty dollars and dismissed her,” she laughed. “Do you know what that simpleton did? She left me all her worldly goods, and I took them. Imagine my surprise when I realized she had been sitting on my father’s life insurance for fifteen years. Apparently, she had saved it all for me.” The laugh Diana emitted was so shrill it grated on his nerves.
Disgusted with her, Jackson pushed her story from his mind. He couldn’t help her mother. He could only feel sorry that her only child had treated her in the way she had. His only concern was his children. “None of what you have told me explains why you hate my children.”
“People like me are rare...we are special. We only have enough love for one person throughout our lives. That person is you. I got pregnant because it was the only way to get what I wanted, you. Those boys detract your attention from me. Shortly they will begin to breed, which will be even more of a distraction. I will not stand for that.
I’m not getting any younger, darling. This is our time, yours and mine, and I intend to have your undivided attention.”
Jackson had heard enough. He had wanted to hear something about her past that could explain the woman she had become. He now fully accepted that the mother of his children had no morals when it came to getting what she wanted, and she wanted him.
“Do you have anything else to say to me, Diana?”
“When will those boys be gone?”
“Of course everything is going to take time. Give me a couple of weeks to sort things out. In the meantime, you and I can keep in touch. That way we can ensure that we are both keeping up our end of the agreement.”
“Darling, please don’t ever take me for a fool. I know that Jason and his wife have just purchased a house in the country. You have exactly seven days, move them all there if you want to, or anywhere else for that matter. I don’t care. Oh, by the way. Under no circumstances are they to be allowed to move into Kingdom New York.”
When she finished speaking, Jackson wanted to laugh in her face. Did she think they were children who would acquiesce to her every demand? That she knew about the house Jason and Aviva had purchased was just another reason for them to tread carefully around her. She was obviously watching their every move, and they needed to be cognizant of that fact. For now, it was enough that she thought she’d outsmarted them. Her continued self-absorption played into their hands.
“As enlightening as this visit has been, I have other matters to attend to. Therefore, I must take my leave.” Pushing himself to his feet, Jackson felt the need to be out in the fresh air. He needed to draw in a deep breath that wasn’t polluted by the stench of her cigarette smoke or her very being.
“Why of course, darling. It was so good of you to visit me.” Now standing beside him, Diana extended her cheek for Jackson’s kiss.
He complied; all the sooner to be out of her toxic presence. He was shown out by a young man who as far as Jackson was concerned was much too good looking to be believed. As he passed through the front door of Diana’s house, he felt the young man’s hand brush against his side. Jackson’s eyes darted towards the younger man in confusion at his touch. He was staring straight ahead. His expression so blank, it was as though Jackson wasn’t even there.
With a barely perceptible nod, Jackson continued out the door towards his waiting car.
*******
Breaking news said the headline:
“This is Abe Gantz of, TRIB TV. This afternoon we were contacted by the R&B artist known as Carlos Ernesto. The statement I am about to read to you is exclusive to TRIB TV. Here is what Carlos Ernesto had to say.”
“‘After continued contact with the mother of my daughter, it has become apparent that the information my family and I previously stated is without foundation. I now know that some unscrupulous men have seen fit to attempt to cash in on my success.
I was mistaken. I want to take this opportunity to say unequivocally that I was incorrect in my judgment of, Ms. Braithwaite.
For any distress my misguided comments may have caused; I wholeheartedly apologize.
It is my hope that, going forward, the mother of my child and I, will be able to reach an amicable agreement that will ensure the nurturing of our daughter.’”
“Ladies and gentlemen, are you thinking what I’m thinking? Does this statement say to you, as it does to me... cover-up? What’s really going on here? Stay tuned. As always, we at TRIB TV are on the case. I promise you,” Abe said with his most earnest look. “I will get to the bottom of this story. Viewers, this is my promise to you!”
**********
Jake turned off the TV. He had been exposed to trailers of excrement in his time, but this was probably the biggest load yet. Who the hell did Carlos think he was fooling? That family needed to fire whoever was advising them. Didn’t they remember that he too had stated that MacKenzie had deliberately gotten pregnant to trap him? From the look of his brother’s expressions, his conclusion of the statement hadn’t been lost on them.