Chapter 28
Lorraine stood silent as she replayed Keesha's words in her head. "Yes, Vera, my father told me everything." Snapping out of her trance, Lorraine calmly took a seat across from her beautiful daughter. The love and warmth that once radiated from her eyes, was now replaced by contempt and anger.
"What's the matter Vera? Cat got your tongue?" Keesha asked with pure cynicism.
"Well, it's obvious you know about my past," Lorraine replied flatly. "So what else did Victor tell you?"
"I know that he's is my real father and not David Ward. "It would seem David eventually found out you were a whore. But, if you hadn't been a slut that night, I wouldn't be here now!"
Lorraine maintained her composure, as Keesha's words pierced her heart. "But yet, you don't seem to be angry with him."
"I won't deny being upset when he first told me. But he explained why the truth, can't be revealed, just yet," Keesha said.
"And what reason would that be?" Lorraine asked bitterly. "Whether you want to believe it or not, everything I've done has been…
"To cover your ass!" Keesha shouted cutting Lorraine off. "You could have told me the truth, when I brought Malcolm home."
"How was I supposed to tell my daughter, who was beaming with joy, that I had an affair with her fiance?"
"Easy, you just open your mouth. You never seemed to have a problem before," Keesha shouted. "But we both know, if Victor had found out, you would've lost your meal ticket. Of course the great Lorraine Hawkins was never going to let that happen!"
"It's easy for you to stand there now and demand the truth. But we both know you couldn't handle it! You've never been strong enough to fight your own battles. I've always had to protect you."
Keesha shook her head in disbelief. "So in other words, you sacrificed yourself and fucked Malcolm to protect me?"
"He was blackmailing me! When I got his note asking me to meet him at the condo for one last fling, I thought okay, if this will get him out of our lives, then it would be worth it," Lorraine said as tears streamed down her face. "But then, he denied sending the note and refused to call off the engagement. That's when I pulled out the gun."
"Wait a minute. How did Malcolm end up at the condo?" Keesha asked.
"He said he received a note from me, but I never sent him anything," Lorraine replied.
Keesha began to pace the floor. "That's strange."
"What is?"
"Nothing!"
"What is it?" Lorraine asked intrigued by Keesha response.
"I said nothing. Besides let's not change the subject. The fact of the matter is, you fucked my fiance and almost killed me."
"No, the fact of the matter is, if it wasn't for me, you wouldn't be standing here married to the man of your dreams," Lorraine replied with an attitude. "You're right, if I hadn't cheated on David you wouldn't be here. But if I hadn't married Victor or slept with Malcolm, you never would have found your way back to Jason. The way I see it, you should be thanking me."
Keesha stepped back and took a long look at the woman she called her mother. "I don't know who you are. But I do want to thank you, Lorraine. I was unsure about my future. But after your little visit today, I know my true destiny."
"What would that be?"
"That's between me and my father," Keesha replied mysteriously.
Lorraine tried to read Keesha's expression. "I hope he didn't fill her head with that crazy story about the ancestry of the Wards, Mansfields and DuVauls."
Jason entered the room and kissed Keesha lightly on the forehead. "You look tired," he said gently stroking her cheek and cutting Lorraine a sharp look of disapproval. "It's time for you to leave."
"Surely, I can stay long enough for Keesha to get settled in?"
"You have exactly five minutes to leave our house, before I pick you up and throw you out!" Jason said harshly.
Lorraine looked past Jason to Keesha. "You heard my husband."
"Oh Lorraine, one more thing," Keesha smiled walking to the door.
Lorraine stood in the doorway hoping for an embrace. "Yes, sweetheart!"
"I suggest you watch your back from now on!" Keesha said in an icy whisper before slamming the door closed.
