Total pages in book: 16
Estimated words: 14151 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 71(@200wpm)___ 57(@250wpm)___ 47(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 14151 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 71(@200wpm)___ 57(@250wpm)___ 47(@300wpm)
Pulling up to the house, I wait for Laurence to open the door before walking up the steps and ringing the bell. “Good morning, Mr. Hughes. May I take your jacket?” Helen, my mother’s maid, asks.
“Yes. Thank you.” I hand it to her and follow her inside.
“Can I get you a beverage? Coffee, perhaps?” Yeah, that is probably not a good idea. That shot of espresso the barista onboard the plane shoved at me is still working its way through me.
“Water would be good.” Nodding, she walks away after instructing me to head to the parlor. I hear muffled voices from the other side of the door, and I was surprised to think my father was also home. I knock and wait for permission to enter.
Opening the door, I am surprised to not see my father with my mother but Karen instead. “Son. You look well,” Mom says, giving me her hand to kiss before her cheek.
“As do you, mother. Karen.” I acknowledge her with a nod ahead. I don’t miss the slight pinch of her face. I assume she expected something else in the greeting, but I can’t tell you. “Mother, did you forget I was coming by?”
“No, of course not. It was mere hours ago you had the message delivered to me.”
“I see. Well, I am sure I mentioned it needed to be talked to you. It was a private matter.” Her smile fools no one, and neither does the underhandedness of her choice.
“Well, I invited Karen because I assume it is wedding details, and she is an event planner.” My temple begins to throb because she is raising my blood pressure. I unbutton the top of my shirt, about to tell her just that, when she thwarts me. “As a matter of fact, she was just telling me how she received this last-minute invitation to some event or another that she can’t turn down but now, she’s in a rush trying to find a date. I suggested you might escort her.” she announces this like it is a fact she has announced and decided. What the fuck is she playing at?
She is saved momentarily by the arrival of Helen with my water. I rip it from her hands, open it, and chug it down, willing myself to remain calm. Out of the corner of my eye, I can see Karen begin to fidget, perhaps rethinking her choice to align with my mother. Everyone knows I am unpredictable when pushed. My mother, no shocker, is holding steadfast as she has reigned over everything for far too long. Well, too bad for her. I plan on tearing that monarchy down quickly.
Her high-handed attitude and the bravado she is displaying right is pissing me off, and I am done with it. Standing up, I slam the bottle on the desk, march over to her, and grab her by her arm, pulling her toward the door.
“Lincoln! What is the meaning of this? I would kindly like for you to release my arm this instant.” She tries to posture in front of her guest. Ignoring her demand, I pull her into the hallway and talk as low and precise as possible.
“I don’t know what the fuck you’re playing at, mother, but this shit stops now. November is my fiancée, and she is going to be my wife. She is the love of my life and will be my children's mother. You are either going to get on board or miss the train.”
“As you wish, son, but there are people we need to invite to increase our status in this society.” Of course. It's always about status.
“Very well. Have your assistant send it to mine, and my woman and I will decide.” With that, I turn and walk away. I don’t miss the scoff behind my back, and it has me wondering, what else have I missed?
CHAPTER 5
NOVEMBER
For the fifth morning in a row, I'm on the floor in the bathroom, my stomach lurching and heaving as I empty my insides into the porcelain bowl. I don't know why I've been so sick, but it's been taking a toll on my body. But I force myself to get up and hop in the shower, determined to make it to class.
Even though I technically still live on campus, I've never spent a night in my dorm room. Ever since I met Lincoln, I've been staying with him. He's always been my sanctuary, my safe place. Why am I so all over the place?
But as I stand under the hot water, my mind wanders. I can't help but think about what I really want. I've been pre-law since the day I stepped onto this campus, but do I really want to be a lawyer? What's wrong with owning a dry-cleaning business like my family? They own five all over Wilmington, and it's always provided for us. My grandmother, or wàipó, taught me everything I know about the business. Thanks to her, I can remove any stain from any fabric: tomato, blood, grass, fruit, red wine, chocolate, coffee, grease, oil, ink, sweat, and other bodily functions. I can even get a mistress's lipstick off a dress shirt on your lunch break if needed. I've been working with Gran-Gram since I was five or six years old, and some of my best memories are sitting behind the counter of the flagship store of Luxe Laundry, the exclusive purveyor of the Wu Cleaning Method. I could tell you about the method, but it’s the best-kept secret in Wilmington.