Chapter 4
Adora
“Miss Mitchell, like I said, until we make a final determination of accidental death, the life insurance policy can’t be paid out,” the agent, William Morris, repeats.
“I gave you the police report. She was in an accident. It says accident right at the top of the report,” I say as I tap my fingernail on the copy of the report.
“Our investigators aren’t so sure,” he rebuts.
“The police report says accident but the actual cause of death was heart failure. We have learned that she received a terminal diagnosis last March. In January, she doubled her life insurance, then this happened three weeks later. She was on the road traveling to work an hour before her normal time and there were no signs of anything that would have caused her to swirl off that road. The incident—”
“Accident!” I snap, correcting him. He’s really infuriating me.
“The accident,” he starts slowly, then continues, “Was not the final cause of death. Heart failure was more likely due to the spread of her cancer.”
“I refuse to even entertain what you are insinuating. Let’s stick to the facts.
January is open enrollment. People change their insurance.
Hell, I changed mine at my job. That’s normal, and again, see here on the report, there was another vehicle.
It was an accident, an accident that caused her, you know.
My mother would never ever do what you are suggesting.
She just wouldn’t,” I stress and my voice cracks.
My mother did not try to kill herself. She would never.
“I can’t imagine what you’re going through or feeling. I really can’t but I also can’t release this policy until the investigation is concluded.”
“My momma worked her ass off for that resort for the last fifteen years. She earned her benefits and you won’t pay them.
Ugh! I just can’t. I don’t even want the damn money.
I want my mother back. That’s what I want and I want you to stop saying she did this on purpose.
My mother wouldn’t leave me and my girls on purpose,” I spit.
My emotions are on the verge of a massive explosion. This shit is too much! I lost my mother, my best friend, six weeks ago. I had to explain to my babies why they wouldn’t see their nana any more. I lost the one person in this world who had my back no matter what. My mother is gone, gone forever.
I buried my mother, and now, I have to argue and fight for what she worked so hard for and defend her against this bullshit. I’m over it, and in ten seconds, I’m going to lose it for real. To keep from losing it in here, in front of him, I quickly grab my papers and stand.
“Miss Mitchell, please. Have a seat,” he says.
“The investigation is still going on. There’s nothing else to say. Call me when you’ve made a decision,” I say, then rush out of his office.
I damn near run out of the building to keep from breaking down in front of any of these fucking people.
I fail miserably though. Tears start streaming down my face before I reach the main entrance.
My legs tremble when my hand reaches for the door handle then I hunch over.
An agony I can’t even describe rips through me and I buckle.
I’m on my knees and sobbing uncontrollably.
The tears I’ve been holding in for the sake of my babies pour out and I can’t stop them. Even if I wanted to stop, I can’t. I’ve reached my breaking point and my heart is irrevocably shattered.
“James! James! Help me!” I hear a woman cry out frantically, then seconds later, I feel my body being lifted from the floor.
Whoever tries to stand me back up but my body has lost all strength.
I’m no good. “To the sofa,” the lady says, then she and, who I guess is James, practically drag me to the sofa.
She sits beside me then drapes her arm around me. Next to this complete stranger, comforted by her arm, I cry. I let it all out and just cry. I don’t know how long my tears fall but this kind stranger stays right here and just rubs the side of my arm as they do.
“Are you okay, sweetheart?” she asks after I inhale and sigh loud as hell.
“No,” I admit. I’m a million miles from okay.
“Can I call somebody?” she asks.
“The person I want to call won’t answer. She can’t answer,” I sob.
“Aww, sweetie. Then just let it out,” she says warmly and I do.
My mind races and my tears spill as I try to even wrap my head around what the insurance agent is alleging.
He believes my mother intentionally drove off the road that night.
He thinks she upped her insurance and took her own life so me and my girls would benefit.
He wants me to accept that my mother chose to leave me, that she purposely broke my heart.
I can’t.
I just can’t.
I won’t.
The vibration of my cell in my pocket is the only thing that pulls me from my much-needed emotional release. I pull it out and see it’s the girls’ school. I also see it’s four o’clock. Shit! School let out at three-thirty.
“Hello,” I answer.
“Miss Mitchell. This is Miss Brown, Romi’s teacher. School let out thirty minutes ago and both Romi and Averi are still here.”
“I know, I know. I’m so sorry. My meeting ran over but I’m on my way. I’ll be there in about twenty minutes. Are they okay?”
“They are fine. They’re both right here on their iPads working on sight words while I grade. We’ll be here when you get here.”
“Miss Brown, thank you so much. And again, I’m so sorry and I’m on my way,” I rush out apologetically.
“Okay. Call when you pull up.”
“I will,” I say, then end the call. For my babies, I will my strength back.
I inhale, close my eyes, exhale, then open them.
That’s when I finally see the woman who has been comforting me and just let me cry my eyes dry.
She looks my age and she’s pretty. When a smile spreads across her face, I muster up one, then sincerely say the only words that come to mind, “Thank you.”
“No problem. Sis, we’re all entitled to a bad day,” she says compassionately.
“I’ve had fifty-one,” I admit sadly and she nods. “Seriously though. Thank you,” I tell her then stand.
Thankfully, my legs are steady and my energy has returned.
While I appreciate her kindness, I don’t have time for any more conversation.
I left my babies at school and I’m freaking the hell out.
I’m all they’ve got and they depend on me; I can’t be fucking up like this and leave them stranded at school.
She reaches into her blazer pocket and pulls out a small wallet. I realize it’s a business card holder when she pulls one out. I take it and glance down. Deven Toussaint, Senior Insurance Agent. She works here.
“Maybe I can help with what has you upset. Call me once you handle your business,” she says.
“Thank you,” I utter sincerely before rushing out of the building. This time, my legs cooperate.
I manage to make it to my car. As soon as I’m inside, I log into my eClass account and message Miss Brown to let her know I’m truly on my way.
Seventeen minutes later, I pull into the school and park in front of the main entrance.
Then I open the app and see Miss Brown responded.
She’s in the front lobby with my babies.
I get out and walk to the door. As I reach up to press the buzzer, the door opens and she walks out with them.
Romi rushes toward me and hugs me and Averi runs to my car.
While hugging Romi, I thank Miss Brown again.
“No problem. Things happen,” she assures.
“But not with me. I’ve never left them like this.”
“It’s understandable. You and the girls have been through…are dealing with a lot,” she says and my eyes immediately question her.
Are my babies having issues in school?
Reading the concern on my face and in my eyes, she quickly adds, “But they are doing great. Romi is my star student this week.”
“Yeah, Mommie. I was gon’ tell you,” Romi exclaims while holding the star medal around her neck. “I’m her helper this week.”
“Aw, look at that. I’m proud of you,” I gush.
“Thank you. Can we get a cupcake?” she asks and I smile. I left them today. They are definitely getting cupcakes.
“We sure can,” I tell her and she rushes over to her sister. “Thank you again. I can actually send cupcakes for the class and you tomorrow.”
With a grin, Miss Brown says, “You don’t have to do that.”
“Trust me, I do and I insist.”
“Then okay, but not tomorrow. Maybe Friday. A classroom full of pre-k students hopped up on sugar would make my day too interesting.”
“I understand. Friday it is. What’s your favorite? I’m going to Seasonal Sweets.”
“Anything chocolate.”
“Got it. You have a good day.”
“You too,” she says, then calls out to my babies. “Girls, thanks for helping clean my boards.”
“You welcome,” they sing in unison.
She turns to walk back into the school and I head to my ride.
I unlock the door, grab their backpacks, and they climb inside.
Averi sits behind me and buckles her seatbelt and Romi climbs into her booster seat.
She tries to buckle it but I assist her.
Then I climb in and drive straight to the bakery.
They pick their favorite cupcakes and I get a white chocolate latte and cronut.
My best friend Kandi’s grandmother, Miss Mattie or MeeMee, owns Seasonal Sweets and my girls love her desserts.
My mother and Kandi’s mom Celeste were best friends, so naturally Kandi and I were close.
Her mom is my godmother and she’s been with me through all of this.
I need to update Kandi on the insurance policy.
She just had her first child, Jazzmyn, five months ago, and that didn’t stop her from helping me plan the funeral, being there for me and my babies, and even helping us move.
“Mommie, is Auntie Kandi coming?” Romi asks when we sit down.
“No, baby. I didn’t tell her we were coming.”
“Oh,” is all she says. Her focus is now on her banana pudding cupcake.