Chapter 7 #2
“You have a collect call from inmate Bernard from the St. Parklynn County Jail. If you wish to accept, press one.”
“The fuck?” Noble looked at the phone in complete disbelief.
“What happened?” Kaliste inquired, shifting the papers on the table.
“Why the fuck Bernard calling here?”
“Bernard?” Wilde questioned. “That pussy shouldn’t be calling this house.”
A knowing look covered Kaliste’s features. “Where y’all been? Bernard been calling this house.”
“What you mean been calling?” Noble grilled her.
“Um, calling. Mama been talking to him, too.”
An ache washed over his chest as he processed Kaliste’s news. He had been promised by Lyra that she was done with Bernard, only for her to go back on her word. With the phone still in his hand, Noble hung up then dialed Lyra’s work number.
“Unity Healthcare, this is Lyra speaking. How may I help you?”
“Mama, why you still talking to Bernard?” Noble wasted no time interrogating her.
“… What are you talking about?”
“He just called this house and Kaliste said you be talking to him. I thought you were done with him.”
“Noble, it’s complicated. He actually wants to apologize to you.”
He gawked in disbelief. “I don't care what he wants. That man tried to pin a charge on me and you sitting up here still talking to him.”
“Look, I know you're upset but he knows what he did was wrong. I let him have it to—”
“Don't nobody care about that,” he cut her off. “You flawed, Mama. You said you were done with him but you been talking to him on the low. What kind of mother are you?”
“Hey, don't use that language with me. This is grown people’s business and I know you were affected by it but you will not disrespect me. All I’m doing is talking to this man. You act like I’m back with him.”
Noble did something he had never done to his mother and hung up the phone in her face. There were no more words that needed to be spoken. She didn’t keep her word. She went back on the promise she’d given Noble and he couldn’t look past that.
“What she say?” Kaliste asked.
He scoffed. “Fuck her!”
“Don’t say that, Noble. That’s our mama. She don't need permission to talk to her boyfriend.”
Noble was too hurt to go back and forth with his sister. Lyra had been his soft spot—once upon a time his safe haven. Now, she was nothing to him. The respect was gone and it pained him not to see his mother as the greatest woman ever created.
Everything had played out the way Noble planned for it.
It had been a month since Jovanis’ murder and everyone seemed to loosen up, which gave Noble insight to see who Tuck had used.
There were several people on his list but he wouldn’t strike right away because it wasn’t time.
Vic had responded to a few texts but he was still MIA.
Noble didn’t want to believe he would turn against him but the game produced disloyalty.
Noble entered his logistics company where he saw Wilde talking to Kaliste.
She had been blowing him up since the meeting at her house, professing how sorry she was.
Yet, Noble couldn’t forgive her. At least not now.
She’d set him up to be ambushed by people he had a real problem with.
Forgiveness for her wouldn’t come that easily.
However, he was still a businessman and would keep his dealings with Kaliste and his mother professional.
“What you doing here?” Noble asked Wilde.
“Trying to catch up to you. Yo’ ass should've been named Ghost.”
Noble smirked at him as he grabbed some paperwork.
“Hey, Noble,” Kaliste greeted.
“Did that shipment arrive?” he asked, ignoring her salutation.
“Yes, it did. When are you going to let that go?” she complained. “I just wanted to make peace with you and Mama.”
Noble continued to the back where Lyra’s office was. This wasn’t the place nor the time to discuss their issues. He knocked before letting his presence be known. Lyra ushered him in with the wave of her hand while she was on the phone. He took a seat just as she ended the call.
“Did you get that email?”
She nodded. “I did, so you're about to add on another building?”
“Yeah, do you think you can manage both or should I hire a manager for that facility?”
Inhaling a deep breath, she replied, “I think I should be able to handle both.”
“I don't need you to think. I need you to know if you can take on this load because I got a feeling that this building is going to grow fast. It ain't no problem for me to hire someone else.”
“…Noble, can we talk about what happened?”
“No!” he snapped. “Why y’all can’t let that go? Damn!”
Noble wasn’t in the mood for this shit. He just wanted to discuss business and nothing more.
“I can’t get you on the phone. I’ve been texting you for a month straight, asking for you to call me. I won’t show up at your house because I’m scared of what your reaction will be. We don't need to be conducting ourselves like this.”
He peered at the woman who carried him for ten months.
Lyra used to be the apple of Noble’s eye.
She was flawless to him; without fault and stood on a pedestal he had created just for her.
Sadly, he knew those feelings, those emotions for her would never return.
She’d showed her hand with him. Like the old people said, her slip was shown.
She’d chosen Bernard over him. It was a hard reality to accept but Noble did it.
Lyra seemed to think she could have it both ways—please her husband while remain in Noble’s good graces—but life didn’t happen that way for him.
“You remember why we’re here?” he asked, narrowing his eyes.
“Of course.”
“I don't think you do. You forgot how that man tried to ruin me…”
Lyra clamped her lips shut as her gaze cast over her messy desk.
“I feel like you’ve forced that memory out of your mind.
It’s like you forgot how severe this shit could’ve been, Ma.
If I’m disappointed in anybody in this situation, it’s you.
You didn’t move how I thought a loving mother would move.
You want me to forget how you didn’t have my back and just move on like you did.
Well, I’m not set up that way. You're my mother so I’m going to always hold you to a higher standard.
You let me down, and I don't think our relationship can be repaired.”
A single tear dolloped on Lyra’s cheek. He spotted the regret swirling in her eyes.
Noble wished things could’ve been different.
He wished he could’ve pardoned her actions but if he did, she would think it was a gateway to continue fucking him over.
Noble couldn’t allow that. Lyra would be held to the fire just like all his other enemies.
He stood, not bothering to bid her farewell. Lyra needed to sit in the puddle of remorse and really ponder her actions. Walking back where Wilde and Kaliste were, Noble signaled for him to follow him outside.
“Aye, I came here to tell you that that nigga Jakai still be talking to Tuck’s bitch-ass.”
“Word?” Noble faced him.
“Yeah, one of the homies told me the other day. Every time that nigga call, he step away and shit. I bet that’s who Tuck sent to murk Jovanis.”
Noble nodded, considering what Wilde had told him. He knew it was someone on the inside, someone that he didn’t think would make that move. Jakai was the perfect candidate. He was an under performer. A weak link that would do anything to prove his worth.
“Yeah, a’ight. Get one of the jits to keep a close eye. I want to know what the fuck he’s doing from the time he wakes up until his bitch-ass goes to sleep.”
Wilde nodded. “I got you.”
“I heard you been on your shit ever since you took over Jovanis’ role. I’m counting on you so keep working, my nigga.”
“Man, I got this,” Wilde assured.
Wilde had been improving ever since Noble checked him about his lack of effort. He’d been reliable and showing up when necessary.
“I gotta go pick Kenji up. I’ll holla at you later.”
They gave each other a brotherly hug before parting ways. Noble was still irritated with his mother, so he felt spending time with Kenji would cure him of his irritation.
Cecilia had turned the backyard into a private oasis.
Lights strung between the palm trees, giving a golden glow to the atmosphere.
A long table was set with candles and roses.
Tiki lights lined the yard while a rustic bar was set up by the pool.
Big balloons floated that spelled good luck.
Cali smiled at all the people in attendance for her going away dinner.
Initially, she protested when Cecilia presented the idea.
Now, she was elated to be around her close friends and family.
A few of her cousins, who she hadn’t seen in a while, came along with her aunt on her mother’s side.
Cali looked down at her outfit, experiencing a feeling of beauty enrapture her. While trapped in her web of depression, she hadn’t seen her face made up in months. Her feet hadn’t been placed in heels, and her body hadn’t been clothed in the finest threads.
She was clad in a black halter dress that exposed her back. Her pixie had been done thanks to Bria’s stylist. The gold earrings and chunky bangles gave her look more dimension as her Tom Ford heels completed her outfit.
“Please forgive me for forgetting how fine you are,” Bria joked, donning a red two piece that complemented her cocoa skin.
Cali chuckled. “Shit, I forgot myself.”
“I see Bresha got your hair together.”
Cali swiped her hand down the back of her head. “Yeah, I was nervous but she killed it.”
“Hey, girl!” Irish greeted with Ivory right behind her. “Ooh, you look good.”
Her ginger hair was pulled back with a thirty-inch ponytail. Her bubble-hem yellow dress stopped mid-thigh, exposing her toasted brown legs.
“Thank you.” Cali hugged her and then Ivory.
“Ivory, you swear you grown with this lil’ mini dress on,” Cali teased.
Ivory shimmied her shoulders. “I'm about to be twenty-years old. I am grown.”