2. The Changed Ms. Taylor
2
The Changed Ms. Taylor
“ Y ou must be bursting with pride,” one of Eric’s nameless friends beamed at Nicole. She forced herself not to cringe as the guest chattered on. The woman’s cheery voice grated on her nerves like nails on a chalkboard.
Nicole hovered on the outskirts of the Hayes’s massive living room. A hodgepodge of people had gathered there to celebrate Maya’s performance. Eric’s pretentious coworkers mingled around the fireplace, sipping from their champagne flutes. Crew members stood by the bottom of the stairs, swapping inside jokes. Maya’s co-stars ate around the dining table, their faces stripped of makeup and hair pulled into buns.
Nicole, herself, was immediately placed at the after party. Not into a group, but as being someone special. In her sapphire silk blouse and black cigarette pants, she stood out from the crowd in the only way a supportive mother could.
“Maya was nothing short of amazing,” the woman continued. Nicole listened half-heartedly. “And I heard she had a hand in writing it, too? Next, you’ll tell me she’s releasing a song.”
“Only if she gets Mariah Carey’s voice overnight. ”
The woman laughed. “Well, even without the ability to sing, she’s a star. Both on stage and off. I mean, I’ve never seen anything like The Hustler’s Heir before. Where did she get the idea to write a story about a con artist?”
Nicole was in no mood to give a history lesson. Instead, she recited her rehearsed answer. The one she’d been giving ever since Maya told her she was adapting their lives for the stage. “Maya always loved those crime movies. I let her watch Ocean’s Eleven too many times. Her imagination took off from there.”
“She’s talented at making up stories. From the cons to Jade’s backstory. Going in, I thought it would be hard to root for her. With her being a thief and all. But after seeing where she came from, it was hard not to root for her. When you grow up with a mom like Gwendolyn as a role model, well, it adds up. Being raised by a woman like that would screw anyone up.”
Similar comments had been pouring in all night, praising Maya and the play. They should have made Nicole proud, but instead, they left a bitter taste in her mouth. How could she be proud when these compliments came at her expense?
Their image of Maya hunched over her laptop, researching heists for her script, was fake. Maya’s script was akin to a diary. Memories from her past strung together into a coherent narrative. The truth disguised by creative license and name changes. Only four souls in the room knew. And to keep it that way, Nicole would have to get used to the insults.
She needed a break, so she excused herself under the guise of getting more champagne. As she made her way through the party, Nicole greeted guests, feeling like an impostor. A feeling she was used to, but not like this. It was in the kitchen where she could finally breathe a sigh of relief.
The caterers swarmed around her like ants, but Nicole ignored them. She was busy smoothing the tension from her face. A slight smile found its way to her lips. Followed by a relaxed posture and a melodious laugh at the absurdity of it all. She had long since mastered the art of putting on the perfect front.
A front she had shed for good a year ago when she gave up her life as a con artist for the mundane life of a civilian. But donning it again for one night wouldn’t hurt Nicole. And if it made Maya happy, it was a small sacrifice.
Nicole poured herself a glass of champagne before striding out of the kitchen. Her eyes scanned the crowded room for Maya, not finding her. She was likely off with Kennedy, as she always was these days. It was almost disgusting how inseparable they were. Looking at them, no one would have guessed Maya came into Kennedy’s life with impure motives. And certainly not with the intention of seducing her father, Eric, and stealing his money.
It wasn’t the typical love story you recounted to the grandkids. And yet, Maya and Kennedy were a love story. With new chapters written every day. The latest being how supportive Kennedy was as she watched Maya bask in the glory of her play’s success. She showered Maya with flowers, praising her for all to hear, and hosted an after party in her honor.
Against all odds, Maya and Kennedy were still together. Defying all logic, they were still happy. Much to Nicole’s chagrin. She played it cool, but she did not like Kennedy. She thought Maya could do better than to be with the woman who plotted against them after she found out about their scheme.
The disdain Nicole shared for her daughter’s choice in partner was not one-sided. Kennedy never said it, but her eyes often followed Nicole, always suspicious of what she did next. As if she were waiting for her to slip up and pull another con.
And who could blame her? Nicole had not exactly proven herself trustworthy. But she didn’t need to prove it to Kennedy. She needed to convince Maya.
To avoid any more painful conversations, Nicole retreated to the empty patio. With a light push on the door, she slipped through unnoticed. The sound of her heels clicking on the concrete made a voice nearby speak lower. She paused, recognizing Kennedy’s voice speaking in hushed tones.
Curiosity got the better of Nicole. She peered around and caught sight of Kennedy’s glowing, warm ivory skin. Not even the night’s darkness and the hedges she stood behind could dim it. She was leaning against the house, her phone pressed to her ear. “I want this over with as fast as you do. How soon can we meet?”
Kennedy’s eyes snapped to Nicole. A flash of irritation crossed her face before she composed herself. “I’ll see you then,” she replied before ending the call and facing Nicole with a forced smile.
“Leaving so soon?” Nicole asked, taking a sip of her champagne.
Kennedy shook her head, placing her phone in her pocket. “I would appreciate you not eavesdropping on me. You of all people, should know the value of privacy.”
Kennedy equating herself to a former con artist made Nicole suspicious more than the tail end of her phone call did. But she played it off, not wanting to tip her off. “I apologize. It was an accident. I didn’t know you were out here and I wanted some air.”
“Well, you got it. Now you can go back inside.”
“Have I done something to upset you? Like recently, I mean. Because I thought we were past me trying to steal from your father. It’s been nearly a year.”
“I’ve made peace with your crimes because I love Maya, but I will never be past you taking advantage of my father. And roping Maya into it.”
“If it weren’t for my con, you and Maya would have never met. Much less fallen in love. Don’t I deserve a little credit?”
Kennedy’s jaw tightened. “You may have introduced us, but everything else has been a battle against you. You’ve been nothing but an obstacle in our way. If anyone deserves credit for anything, it should be me. For convincing Maya, there was more for her out of life than becoming another you.”
“Careful dear, the pool cover isn’t on.” Nicole glanced at it, then back at her. “It would be a shame if you fell in. As I recall, you don’t do well in the water and Maya’s too busy to come running to fish you out of it this time.”
“You should take your own advice, Nikki. A fall at your age could be cosmic. The amount of blood on the tiles… Well, it would be a pain to get clean and your salary might not cover it.”
Nicole’s hand twitched with the urge to slap Kennedy’s smug face, but she resisted. This was Maya’s night, and she wouldn’t let her relationship with Kennedy ruin it.
Didn’t mean she couldn’t threaten her. “Word to the wise. If it ever came down to it, Maya would choose me over you any day.”
“Keep telling yourself that. If her play was any sign of the truth, she will always resent you for turning her into a criminal. Instilling in her the fear of getting caught. Making her live a lie her entire life. As much as you try to pretend to be a loving mother now, Maya sees right through it. The things you’ve done will always plague your relationship, no matter how hard you try to salvage what’s left of it. “
“And you know what the worst part is, Nikki?” Kennedy asked, not bothering to pause. “Maya doesn’t need you anymore. She’s stronger than you ever thought she could be. She’s outgrown you in every way possible. One day she’s going to realize that and you’ll be nothing but a distant memory. So go ahead, keep up your charade of being the perfect mom. Deep down, Maya knows who you are. And she knows she deserves better. ”
Nicole was silent, the words hitting their mark. When she went to speak, the sound of the patio door opening cut her off. “There you two are,” Eric said.
“Here we are,” Nicole confirmed. Brushing off Kennedy’s words, she plastered on a smile for Eric. “Having a friendly chat.”
He raised an eyebrow, noticing the tension in the air but choosing not to comment on it. “You two are holding the party up. Maya’s waiting to give a toast.”
Nicole trailed behind Kennedy as she led the way inside. If she learned anything from their encounter, it was that they needed space. Lots of it. Eric shut the door behind them, sealing them in with the rest of the guests. Chatter and laughter filled the living room, but Kennedy’s eyes stayed fixed on Maya. She approached her and pulled her close, leaving a light kiss on her cheek.
Maya’s joy radiated as she raised her champagne glass. “To Victoria, Derek, Talia, Jamie, Alice, and our crew, who helped me bring The Hustler’s Heir to life. Thank you. None of this would have been possible without you. You started out as colleagues but soon became friends, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
There was a round of applause, breaking only to allow Maya to finish. “Bringing this play to the stage took 10 months’ worth of energy, effort, fears, frustrations, and doubts. Never for a second did I quit, though. That’s because of this amazing woman by my side. She has pushed me to want more for myself, cheered me on, and will be by my side no matter what the future holds. Kennedy, thank you for showing up for me in a way no one else has ever done before. I can’t wait to return the favor.”
The applause was louder now and the cheers deafening. Kennedy smiled, her pride visible. Nicole couldn’t help but wonder if a part of her was smiling because she had won this battle in their war.
Before she could think too much about it, the applause died down and Maya spoke again. “My last thank you goes out to my mom. Our road to getting here hasn’t been easy, but I’m grateful for how far we’ve come. And how far we still have to go. You are the person who has influenced me the most. The story of my life isn’t complete without you. So thank you for so much, but most of all, thank you for getting me here.”
Nicole joined the crowd in applause. It was a bittersweet moment for her. The daughter she had hurt and used was thanking her. She knew she didn’t deserve it, but she took it anyway.
Raising her glass, Nicole proclaimed, “To Maya. My greatest accomplishment.”
The words echoed around the room as everyone joined in on the toast. During the celebratory moment, Nicole made a promise to herself. She would do everything in her power to be the mother Maya deserved. Gwendolyn, the mother from the play? She was a thing of the past. Pure fiction from Maya’s mind, banished to the pages of her play. Their story had to be rewritten for the better. Nicole wouldn’t stop until it was.