Читать книгу True Confessions - Electa Rome Parks - Страница 13

Dear Journal,

It’s already day three of my discharge from the hospital and today has been very productive for me. I feel somewhat stronger, physically anyway. I got out of bed and dressed, plus I plan to call my best friend Taylor back. She always places a genuine smile on my face and sometimes I wish I could be more like her. I envy the carefree way she breezes through life. Her motto is: “Life is too short not to live it to its fullest.”

Right now, I am really pissed at Mother. In fact, internally, I am simmering. Mother thinks I’m a little girl with no mind of my own. I am not a child. I’m a twenty-eight-year-old grown woman and I wish she would wake up and realize that. Mother can’t continue to go through life trying to protect me from everybody or everything that she deems evil or unsuitable. She has a good heart and means well, but she has to realize I have to learn to fight my own battles. Mother can’t conquer them for me.

I can’t believe she refused to let Drake talk to me earlier this morning. From what I heard, she even raised her voice to him, and Mother rarely raises her voice to anyone. She just nags, nags, nags. She is the queen of nagging. Even when she and Daddy were going through their divorce, I never heard her screaming or shouting at him. Now, crying was another story. I heard plenty of sobbing and witnessed many tears shed. However, that was water under the bridge because they have both gone on with their separate lives.

Mother is fully in charge of her life now and has been since she and Daddy divorced over five years ago. During their long marriage, she doted on Daddy so much that she almost smothered him to death. She had good intentions, but it was suffocating to him. He said Mother choked the life out of him slowly but surely. One day, out of the blue, he simply left. According to Daddy, he couldn’t take any more. Now, I receive that un-orthodox love from her. Up until now, living in separate households made it bearable.

I knew it was a mistake telling Mother some of the cruel comments Drake had said to me. Sometimes I would start talking, without thinking, and all the negative emotions and feelings would flow freely from my loose tongue. Two Sundays ago, Mother caught me during one of those rare moments on the phone. I didn’t tell her everything, but I told her enough, too much in fact. Now, she can’t stand Drake’s ass. If she knew the entire story, she’d want to kill him with her bare hands.

Let me tell you about the man I loved. Notice “love” is past tense. Drake is such a handsome man. He has movie-star good looks and can have any woman he desires. Yet, he chose me. In the beginning I was flattered, then I realized he sensed something vulnerable in me that he could control. Drake thrives on control and he’s an expert at identifying a person’s weaknesses. That is something I would learn further down the line.

The first time I set eyes on Drake was a year, two months, and a day ago. I can break it down to the hours, minutes, even seconds if you asked me to because I recall it just like it was yesterday. If only I had known or sensed in some way that he’d be trouble. Trouble with a capital T. If it’s too good to be true, then it probably is, and all that glitters isn’t gold. Drake was more like fool’s gold.

I was delivering business reports and correspondence up to the sixth floor to one of the managers, Bill Walker. Mr. Walker managed some of the top-tier clients that I serviced. We were engaged in the usual cordial how’s-the-weather chitchat in his spacious office. Not much of anything was really being said. Then Mr. Walker asked me the question that changed my entire life—for the worse.

“Kennedy, have you met our new manager, Drake Collins? He came to us by way of California roughly two weeks ago.”

“No, I haven’t.”

“Well, come and let me introduce the two of you. You’ll probably work with him periodically on accounts and assist in getting him up to speed.”

We walked out of Mr. Walker’s corner office and strolled four doors over. I envied management. They all had large, stately offices that had floor-to-ceiling windows and were privileged to a spectacular view of Atlanta and could see as far away as Stone Mountain. Me, I had a tiny cubicle that didn’t have a door I could conveniently close for privacy, and I definitely didn’t have a view of the city. My view was the grayish wall of my cubbyhole.

With my degree in business administration I could be in management, but I didn’t have the desire to play the political games that were necessary to be successful in corporate America. Honestly, I didn’t know what I wanted to do.

Whenever I complained to Mother, she encouraged me to go back to school for my MBA. Sometimes I thought it was a good idea, but other times I wasn’t feeling another two or more years of professors, studying, and exams. With a full-time job, when would I have the time or energy?

As we walked into Mr. Collins’s office, sitting with his back to us and talking on the phone was an African American male who spoke with authority and power. He signaled with his finger that he would be just a moment. We patiently waited for him to end his phone call, and I quickly checked out his office space with curiosity.

Everything was neat, in place, and very efficient looking. There were not a lot of personal items such as photos or anything of that nature. So, I wasn’t sure if he was married or had any children. This new manager had a few colorful framed prints and affirmations on his wall and credenza. I still hadn’t gotten a good look at Mr. Collins, but I was secretly thinking about all the work waiting for me.

Finally, he turned around and stood up to address us, and I stumbled head first into his soulful eyes. Standing before me was the absolute most gorgeous man I had ever seen in my entire life. My breath caught in my throat. He was almost flawless; almost too perfect. Drake was the perfect specimen of a strong black man, on the outside anyway. The only imperfection I saw was a small scar, barely noticeable, right below his perfect bottom lip. I wanted to reach out, touch his cheek, and see if he was real, because the man standing before me had to be an illusion.

He was a six-foot-two god with slightly wavy close-cropped hair, light brown eyes, smooth dark brown skin, and a thin mustache that framed his beautiful smile. Even through his business jacket, I could make out the six-pack that was beneath his dress shirt. It was obvious he worked out at a gym because he was tight. I figured he was around thirty, no older than thirty-three. Yes, he was all man because just his presence was affecting me.

I was truly shocked that I hadn’t heard the women on my floor talking, gossiping, and placing claims on this manly specimen. You couldn’t miss Drake. When he walked in a room, he was the kind of man who made you pause in whatever you were doing and just drool. He commanded attention. I had merely blocked out my coworkers’ comments regarding him, or maybe they hadn’t bothered to inform me about him. I know they didn’t consider me competition, not because of my looks, but because they knew I didn’t date on the job.

I didn’t believe in office romances. I had witnessed what messing with the boss could do for you—give you your walking papers when the relationship went south, or maybe an internal black ball followed you out the door. Yes, the termination of office affairs had ended some promising careers at my company.

“Kennedy, Kennedy?” Mr. Walker repeated, giving me an odd look with a slight smile on his pale face.

Mr. Walker was forever in need of a few hours of sun, but he was pretty decent. He always treated me with respect and valued my opinion regarding clients. Recently, he personally called and asked me why I hadn’t interviewed for one of the management positions that were open. Internal associates always received first priority over external candidates. Mr. Walker thought I was a perfect candidate to interview for the position.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” I said, swallowing the lump that had suddenly formed in my throat. “I spaced out for a moment. I guess I was thinking about the workload waiting on my desk.”

“Well, yes. You guys have been swamped with a high volume of calls lately, since we installed the new software. Don’t worry, Drake and I won’t keep you long.”

Drake and I awkwardly stared at each other. I longed to hear what his voice would sound like directed toward me. I thought it would be rich, deep, and sexy. Suddenly, images of him whispering sweet nothings in my ear clouded my brain. What was going on?

“As I was saying, Kennedy, I’d like for you to meet Drake Collins. Drake, this is Kennedy Logan. She’s one of our best senior relations service representatives. Kennedy has helped me out on numerous occasions and has an excellent rapport with many of our top-tier clients. She’s a great asset to the company.”

I held out my slightly shaky hand and tried, un-successfully, to stop the huge blush that had assaulted my face. I was pretty light skinned, so I knew that Drake and Mr. Walker noticed the redness that flushed my cheeks, neck, and face.

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Collins. Welcome aboard.”

“Same here, nice to meet you too,” he stated as his huge hand swallowed mine. I couldn’t help but notice the contrast of our skin tones as they meshed in a handshake. I observed that Drake had perfectly manicured nails. And his hands, they were smooth and soft to the touch. I knew then that this man took care of himself and hadn’t done any hard labor a day in his life. He had been pampered and catered to.

Even though we were in a professional setting, I saw Drake quickly and discreetly take me in from head to toe. Starting at my feet, Drake swiftly admired my long legs, paused at my hips, made his way up to my chest, and finally took in my glowing face. All in a matter of seconds. When I went out with Taylor, this was the same look that I typically received from the men in the clubs. In the clubs, it turned me off because I always felt I was being sized up like a piece of raw meat by the hungry lions. For some reason, with Drake, my heart gave a quick flutter. This completely caught me off guard.

“Kennedy. What a lovely name.” My name just flowed off his tongue like a fine wine poured into expensive crystal glassware.

“Thank you.”

“Are you originally from Atlanta, Kennedy?”

“Yes, born and raised here. I am a true Georgia peach.”

“I can’t believe it. I’m finding it’s rare to find a true Atlanta native. Everyone here seems to be a transplant from New York, Florida, or someplace up North.”

“Well, you’ve found me.”

“Indeed I did.”

He smiled.

I smiled.

“Maybe you can suggest some good restaurants for lunch and dinner, for that matter. I just relocated from Los Angeles, and I’m still learning my way around and finding the hot spots in the city.”

“I’m afraid I’m the wrong one to ask. I usually eat lunch at my desk. I’m a diehard brown bagger,” I explained. Drake’s eyes never left mine. I could get lost in them. Drown. When the sunlight from his open window blinds hit them just right, the specks of green in his eyes danced around in merry circles.

When we heard Mr. Walker politely clear his throat, we came back to reality. As I brushed my wild hair out of my face, I quickly blushed again and looked down at the floor. Suddenly, I wished I had worn my nice black Donna Karan suit and put on some makeup. Plus, I was in dire need of a manicure. I quickly balled my fingers into tight fists at my sides and hoped he hadn’t noticed.

“Well, Miss Kennedy. It is Miss, isn’t it?”

“Yes.” I wanted to scream out, Yes, I’m single. Single and available. It had been awhile since I’d been in a long-term relationship. Any relationship.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, and I may have to call you so you can explain to me some of these reports you guys generate in your department. And if Bill recommended you, then you must be great,” he said, holding my hand again, a bit too long. I shuddered and felt a moisture that surprised me.

“Nice meeting you too, and I’ll be glad to explain the client reports. They can be a bit confusing to someone not used to reviewing them. Just give me a call. I’m in the directory, extension 3-5123.”

“I may certainly do that,” he said, releasing his hand and eyes from mine. My heart finally stopped fluttering, slowly returning to near normal.

As Mr. Walker and I walked out, I felt Drake’s eyes as they seductively caressed my butt. When I discretely glanced back, our eyes meshed, I was lost, and he smiled. I offered a weak one in return and kept walking, faster. Somebody was a lucky woman because I knew that man had a woman. And if she was smart, she was a woman who kept a close eye on him. As Taylor would say, “Don’t shit where you eat.”

Drake could almost make a woman go back on her promise to never date someone she worked with.

Later that evening, after a somewhat tense day with Mother, I decided to give Taylor a quick call. I didn’t feel like talking, but I knew if I didn’t call her back, I’d get sixty questions later on. And I had no intention of telling her of my attempt to take my life. Sure, she was my best friend, but I was a private person to a fault. There were some things even Taylor didn’t know about me. Many things she probably never will.

She was always complaining that she told me all her business and I consistently held out on her. Not that there was much to tell on my end. Taylor, on the other hand, always had an exciting story to share. I told her that she needed to write a book or two. Relationship stories with lots of drama were bestsellers.

I dialed Taylor’s phone number from memory, and lay back against my bed pillow. It was raining lightly outside and I could feel the gloom trying to pull me back in and consume me. I had lit a couple of my favorite candles to give my room a nice, fragrant smell. Lately, it smelled stuffy and confining. I realized I was going stir crazy; the walls were closing in on me and my random thoughts.

Mother and I had shared an uncommonly quiet dinner. I knew what was bothering her even if she wouldn’t admit it. She didn’t want me to talk with Drake or have anything else to do with him. And I could understand her feelings, but I couldn’t make that promise to her, not just yet. I couldn’t make the promise to myself. So, Mother tried not to confront me, and I tried not to upset her anymore than I already had. Therefore, dinner was quiet and subdued and strained. Each of us was lost in our own personal thoughts as we ate shrimp linguini, a garden salad, and rolls, and drank iced tea.

“Hello?”

“Hey, girl,” I said, trying to sound as cheerful as possible.

“Oh, so you finally call back your best friend? Where have you been? I’ve been calling and calling for two days now. Images of your dead and rotting body were running through my mind,” she said, releasing that high-pitched, cheery laughter of hers. Taylor was always in a good mood. I could probably count on one hand the number of times I’d seen her in a foul mood. Me, I was another story. I thought that Taylor didn’t know how close she was to the truth about me being dead.

“I haven’t been feeling well. I had to go to the emergency room the other night.”

“What? What happened? Why didn’t you call me?” she asked with concern etched in her voice.

“No, Mother came by, took control as usual, and drove me to the hospital.”

“You still could have called; I am your best friend,” she pouted. “What’s the verdict?”

“Nothing much. I caught the flu and had gotten severely dehydrated.” I surprised myself at how convincely the lies rolled off my tongue.

“Better you than me. You should have gotten a flu shot.”

“Thanks a lot.”

“Girl, you know I’m kidding.” She chuckled.

“I’m not so sure.”

“Can I bring you anything? Soup? Orange juice?”

“No, I’m cool.”

“Well, how are you feeling now?”

“Better.”

“Is that why Mrs. Logan is over there? She answered my call last night.”

“Yeah, Mother is nursing me back to health. You know how she is; this is right up her alley.”

“Well then, I know you are in good hands. It’s sickening the way that woman dotes on you. Gives you anything you want and then some.”

“Whatever.”

“I’m not hatin’. Girl, you got it made.”

“I guess.”

“You guess? You know how my mom and I just coexist. Consider yourself lucky to have a mother who puts your needs before her own.”

“You’re right and I do count my blessings.”

“But you are feeling better?”

“Yes, a little.”

“Good, because you have to go with me to the club this weekend. I’ve already bought this tight, sexy black dress and shoes. Cost me a small fortune.”

“I don’t know, Taylor. You know how I hate that entire club scene.”

“I know, but you need to get out now that you and Drake have broken up. He can’t stop you from going out with me anymore.”

Just the mention of Drake’s name momentarily sped up my heart. I burrowed deeper into my pillow, exhausted.

“Are you there? Can you hear me?”

“Yeah, I’m here.”

“Well? You still are broken up, aren’t you? Don’t tell me you’ve gotten back together,” she questioned cautiously.

“Yes,” I answered, cutting her off. “We are still broken up.”

“Well, is it a go for this weekend?” Taylor asked.

“First of all, Drake didn’t stop me from going to the club with you when we were dating. I wanted to spend time with him because he was always out of town on business.”

“Yeah, right. Tell me anything, K. Quit making excuses for that man. You know Drake was always trying to tell you what to do and you usually listened. You did what he said, period. I’ve witnessed it with my own eyes and it made me sick to my stomach.”

“Whatever, Taylor. Just drop it.”

“I am going to drop it because I don’t want to upset you. So, are we hanging out?”

“I don’t like feeling like I’m on display. I only go to hang out with you; do you a favor and spend time with my best friend.”

“Maybe you’ll meet a nice man.”

“I’m not looking for one.”

“I know, because you definitely didn’t meet one in Drake.”

“I thought we agreed.”

“I’m sorry, K. I couldn’t resist.” She snickered.

“Besides, I don’t meet men like you do.”

“Girl, I love you like a sister, but for the life of me I can’t understand why you don’t realize the spell you cast on men. K, you are gorgeous. With that good hair, flawless skin, light eyes, a model’s figure, and a sister’s butt, you are just what the doctor ordered. Add in that innocence and naivety you project and you are quite mysterious and desirable to most men.”

“Really?”

“Yes, really.”

“Innocence I project?” I asked, confused. “What are you talking about?”

“Yes, I don’t know any twenty-eight-year-old woman who doesn’t cuss, drink, or kiss on the first date.”

“Taylor, stop exaggerating. I curse when I’m in rush-hour traffic and I do drink when we go out.”

“Yeah, and when you do cuss, it sounds ridiculous. Who cusses using proper English? And two drinks is not what I call drinking.”

We both laughed. It was the first laugh I’d had in a while and it felt good. Real good. I had forgotten the feeling.

“But, I love you anyway,” Taylor offered.

“Love you back.”

There was a moment of silence.

“I have to ask. Have you heard from him?”

“Who?”

“Girl, you know who. Don’t act dumb. This is Taylor you’re talking to.”

“Drake?” I asked with some difficulty.

“Yes. Drake. Who else would I be talking about? I know by now he has tried to crawl back to you like the snake he is, by way of an apology or intimidation.”

“Haven’t heard from him. He knows it’s over; we both realize that this time around.”

“If you say so, K. I’ll have to see it before I will believe it. It’s still early in the breakup. I’ve seen y’all go through this break-up, get-back-together cycle numerous times. I realize you love him, but you are like some sort of trophy to Drake the way he is always showing you off. Wanting you to dress sexy. Wear your hair a certain way. He wants you to be someone you’re not. Can’t you see that? By the way, you never told me what the big breakup was all about? You guys have broken up so many times, I’ve lost count. What was it this time?”

“It doesn’t even matter. I couldn’t handle any more of his foul ways and this was definitely the end.”

“It’s amazing, a man that gorgeous with all those damn issues.”

“Issues?”

“Yes, issues, girl. He has you so dick whipped that you can’t see whether you are coming or going. Why the man make you dress up in costumes all the damn time? It ain’t Halloween. Or the time he wouldn’t let you touch him, and he sucked your tatas all night long? Girl, that was a trip when you told me about that. His breastfeeding days are long gone. You ain’t his mama. What was up with that? Strange, I tell you.”

I didn’t say anything. I couldn’t defend him. Taylor had seen Drake in action, more than once, and I had told her things about our relationship to determine if Drake’s actions were normal.

“You are definitely going to the club with me, right?”

“I don’t know. I’ll let you know later in the week.”

“K?” Taylor asked, irritated.

“I promise.”

“Okay, cool. I guess I’ll have to hold you to that. At least you didn’t say no.”

I heard a beep, indicating that I had another call on my other line. I figured it had to be for Mother. She had received more phone calls since she’d been staying with me than I typically received in a week.

“Hey, Taylor, hold on for a minute. I have another call.”

“Okay, don’t leave me holding, Kennedy. You know how I hate that shit.”

“Girl, hold on.”

I pushed the button to click over.

“Hello?”

“Hello, baby. How are you doing? I’ve missed you so much.” I heard a deep, familiar, sexy voice, smooth as silk.

For a second, my heart fell down to my feet. My hands started to tremble uncontrollably. I don’t even know how I managed to click back over to Taylor. I was functioning on autopilot after hearing the sound of his voice.

“Taylor, let me call you back. I have another call I need to take.”

“Who is it?”

“Bye.”

“It’s him, isn’t it?”

“Bye, girl. Quit being so nosey. I’ll call you later.”

“Kennedy, don’t give in to him this time. Have a backbone. Please.”

“Bye.”

Slowly, I clicked back over and hugged my pillow closer.

“Hello?”

“Baby, what took you so long? I thought you had hung up on me. That would have hurt my heart.”

“Taylor was on the other line.”

“Probably talking about me.”

“Drake, contrary to what you may think, we don’t sit around discussing you all the time. The world doesn’t revolve around you, believe it or not.”

“Listen, baby, I didn’t call to argue with you. Okay? Just talk to me,” he stated, smooth as honey.

“What do you want, Drake?”

“I was just checking on you. I haven’t seen you at work for a few days. Wanted to make sure you’re okay. Besides, I miss you, baby.”

“I’m fine. Is that all?” I asked coldly.

“Hold up. Listen, I want to see you, Kennedy.”

“Can’t. We are over. Remember?” I stated with no emotion.

“Baby, I could never stop loving you and we could never be over. Love doesn’t cease to exist overnight.”

“You never started loving me and we are definitely over. Believe that.”

“Calm down. We can work this out, talk it out like always.”

“Not this time.”

“Just let me see you,” Drake begged.

“See me? For what?”

“To bask in your beauty and make sweet love to you.”

“You must be kidding. Have you forgotten what happened? Have you forgotten all those horrible things you said to me? Did to me? All the unspeakable names you called me?”

“Spoken in anger, that’s all. I didn’t mean any of it.”

“Well, it hurt me just the same. Some things you can’t take back.”

There was a silence.

“Listen, I have to go. I can’t do this,” I whispered as tears threatened to spill forth.

“Baby, don’t treat me like this. Don’t treat us this way; give us another chance. We deserve that much.”

“Me, what about you? You can never accept the blame for anything.”

“Kennedy, calm down. You know how you get when you let your emotions get the best of you, and then you don’t think rationally.”

I didn’t say anything. The double-talk was in full force.

“I love you. Seriously, we can work this out. I don’t want to lose you,” he said in that sexy, deep voice. The voice I used to adore. Now, the one I despised with a passion.

“Too late. You already have. Lost me.”

I actually heard my pitiful sobs before I realized I was crying. Fresh tears were spilling down my cheeks and I was totally surprised. I didn’t think I had any more tears left for Drake. I didn’t even have the strength to wipe them away as they fell onto my cover.

“Drake, don’t do this to me,” I managed to murmur between sobs.

“Sssh. Kennedy, I need to see you. I need to touch you, feel you. Fit snugly inside you, make you come.”

“Don’t, Drake. Let me go. You have to let me go.”

“I can’t do that, baby. Never. I need you too much. Need to feel you pressed up against me, underneath me. I yearn to cradle you in my arms, where you belong. Let me come over and I’ll slowly lick my tongue over your clit, bury my tongue deep inside you, and make you feel good again. You don’t have to do anything but lie there with your legs wide open for me.”

“No.”

“No?”

“That’s what I said.”

“Well, I’ll be there in fifteen minutes. We’ll discuss it while I’m undressing you.”

“Don’t, Drake. I have no desire to see you.”

“Fifteen minutes.”

“No. My mother is here.”

“Damn, why didn’t you tell me that before? When is she leaving?”

“She’s not; I’m sick. Recovering from the flu. She’s taking care of me.”

“It figures. She treats you like you’re a little girl; her precious baby.”

“And you act like you’re jealous of our mother-daughter relationship.”

“Why would I be?”

“Because you can’t have me one hundred percent.”

“Kennedy, you’re wrong. I already do.”

“I’m hanging up.”

“Tell me I’m wrong then.”

Silence.

“I thought so.”

“I need to go now,” I stuttered.

“Anyway, we both know that you aren’t Little Miss Innocent. Don’t we? I think I’m one of the few people who has seen the real Kennedy Logan. The one you keep buried deep inside yourself. I’ve seen her come out and play and enjoy every inch.”

“I have to go.”

“What? Did I hit a nerve? The things I could tell Mommy Dearest.”

“No, because I haven’t done anything you didn’t ask me to do. I did it all for love. For you.”

“I bet you’re creaming in your panties right now just thinking about us together. Me fucking you from behind.”

“Drake, you are sick and you have nothing on me.”

“Well, maybe if Mommy Dearest knew all the perverted acts her little princess has performed for me and on me, she’d think otherwise of your innocence.”

“You make me sick. I can’t stand your ass.”

He continued, “Maybe if she knew how you can suck dick better than a pro.”

Nothing but my cries were heard now; ones I didn’t even recognize as my own. Deep, heart-wrenching sobs.

“Maybe if Mommy Dearest knew how much you love me to eat you out. You’d lie there for hours with your legs spread, if I let you. You love that shit.”

Sobs. Loud cries.

“Or what about how I can get you to take it in the ass? Can’t get many women to do that. Especially not a black woman.”

“Why are you doing this to me? I haven’t done anything to you but love you.”

“And why are you crying? I told you, Kennedy, I was going to make you stronger; you’re weak. Cry babies can’t hang with the big boys. Get a backbone.”

“Well, I won’t hang with you. Don’t call me again, Drake.”

“You don’t mean that, baby. You crave my touch. When can I see you again?”

“Never.”

“I don’t have to penetrate you. Just let me touch you. Like I used to.”

“Leave me alone, I cried out loudly.

“See what I mean, Kennedy? Hang up on me. Scream, do something other than cry. Every time we argue, you cry. Your mom, your exes, Taylor, everybody pampers you. You need to toughen up, girl.”

I didn’t respond.

“Kennedy? Kennedy? Answer me, dammit. You will talk to me sooner or later. I guarantee it.”

“I hate you. You hear me? I despise you. I regret the day I met you.”

I didn’t even attempt to hide my muffled cries from him.

“Is that why you did what you did?”

“I hate your lying ass so much,” I screamed between sobs. “Stop twisting your perverted actions.”

“I bet you’d do it again—for me. I go to sleep at night with images of that night flashing in my mind.”

“Sweetie? Who are you talking to? What’s wrong?” I heard Mother ask as she walked quickly up the hallway and into my bedroom to find me simply crying and holding the phone receiver away from my ear as if that would make Drake magically go away. Disappear.

“Hello? Hello? Who is this?” Mother asked.

“Hello, Mrs. Logan. How are you? I don’t know what I said that upset Kennedy so badly. You know how fragile she is.”

“Listen, Mr. Collins. I am not going to repeat this twice. I don’t know who you think you are messing with, but I’m not Kennedy. Don’t call over here upsetting my daughter again. Is that understood…What?”

I could hear Drake through the phone. “I said she can’t hide from me forever. Tell her that.”

“I’m ending this call in two seconds.”

“She can’t hide under your apron forever like she has milk on her tongue. Hand the phone back to—”

“One, two. Your two seconds are up.”