the reporter continued, “we’ve assembled a panel of…”
Avery turned the television off. A panel? Was she mad or was it the rest of the world? Did people really want to hear this? She thought for a second how this would make Carter feel, but refused to feel sorry for him or anyone in that family. Maybe if they got in enough trouble of their own, they would stop making trouble for her.
When she heard Alex’s key in the door, Avery tried to refocus.
Alex had that textbook charming smile on his face and an apologetic tone. “I know you hate me baby, but I couldn’t help it. I was playing hoops with the guys, and the time got away from me.”
Avery just stood there, hands on hips. A voice way back in her head told her he was lying, but she couldn’t deal with that right now. They hadn’t had sex in a couple of weeks, but she never believed Alex would actually cheat on her. That would be unforgivable.
“I know I forgot to call,” he said. “I meant to, but when I thought about it, I was already on my way over here, so…”
Avery’s eyes narrowed. He was definitely lying.
“So.” Alex seemed apparently satisfied with his own explanation. “What did you make for dinner?”
“Nothing,” Avery said. “This kitchen is closed. Go home.”
“Go home? Avery, I live on the other side of L.A. You’re kidding, right?”
“You must be insane,” she exclaimed. “Cancellations; showing up late. How much of this did you think I would put up with? The sight of you makes me sick, Alex. Go home and decide what you want to do. Either something changes or everything changes.”
The textbook smile faded. “Is that a threat?”
Avery was surprised at the words herself. “Maybe it is. I don’t know anymore. I can’t tell what I mean or what I feel. I’m just so…unhappy with us.”
He leaned back, his defensive posture beginning to form. “So, what are you saying?”
“I love you, Alex. I want to marry you, but either I come first for you, or not at all.”
When she entered the house, Leigh came face-to-face with the last person she wanted to see: her mother. It wasn’t just because she had a look on her face that warned you not to mess with her, but Leigh felt guilty going behind her back to fund the clinic which was why she slipped a quick greeting out and headed for the kitchen.
“Where have you been?” Janet asked. She hadn’t spoken more than two words to her since knocking down her ridiculous idea to work in the middle of a war zone with prostitutes and drug addicts. “I went to sleep at eleven last night and you weren’t home. And you left early this morning.”
“I was in Malibu with some friends.” Leigh never thought she’d say this, but right now she wished she could be more like Haley. Haley let a lie roll off her tongue as smooth as butter.
Janet didn’t want to argue with this child even though she knew she was lying. She had just gone twelve rounds with a frustrated Haley who, only four days after an attempt on her life, wanted out of this house. “I didn’t like the way we left things.”
“I really want you and Daddy to understand. I want your support.”
“We love you so much, Leigh. I hope you understand that.”
“I do, but this is my life. I’ve got to make my own choices. I want this clinic. If you would listen to our case for—”
“I know the clinic is a good idea,” Janet said. “You don’t need to convince me of that. But it’s not for you.”
“You’ve made a career out of charity. Why can’t I?”
“You can’t possibly compare what I do with the Chase Foundation with what you were thinking of doing. Let’s be serious.” Janet could see the hurt in Leigh’s eyes and it wasn’t what she’d intended. Being a parent was painful and Leigh was so sensitive. “I want everything for you, Leigh.”
With nothing to say, Leigh turned and walked away. Her mother would never understand that any of her children had a right to their own lives. She preached the importance of who they were and what they meant to the community. The choices they made couldn’t be just theirs. That’s why they had to pick the right friends, the best colleges, at least two degrees, careers of the highest regard, walk the right way, talk the right way and dress a certain way. Taking everything into consideration before any choice was made was the price for privilege.
Leigh could only hope that after she got the clinic up and running, her mother would become a part of it. She wasn’t sure she could do it any other way. Her mother’s approval meant the world to her.
Janet felt emotion well in her throat. She had been so hopeful that things could be different between them after all of this time.
“I want you to be safe. I can’t tell you how many nightmares I’ve had over the last year. All those nights not knowing, and hearing the horrible things going on there. Now with Haley, I just can’t take it.”
Leigh turned back, her mother’s words reaching inside her. “Who would we be as black people in this country if we let fear stop us from helping our brothers and sisters?”
“Everything your father and I have done is so that you don’t have to be a savior. No matter what you say, this is not the right choice for you.”
“Either way, it’s my choice.”
Janet looked into her eyes, believing her sincerity. There was so much about who they were and what they stood for that Leigh never understood; never tried to. She couldn’t let her do this. She wouldn’t.
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