Authors: Cas Sigers
Chocolate Dove (18 page)
“People with money are different. They judge people a lot more than people without.”
“Now, I have to agree with you on that. My dad has been judging me every since I decided not to become an architect or engineer.”
“I have a bad feeling about this.”
“Well, we are here now. You can't sit in the car all night.”
Basra took several deep breaths and walked with her husband to meet her in-laws. Hansa greeted them at the door. She was just as pleasant as she was at the art show. She hugged Basra and whispered “congratulations” in her ear. They went into the parlor area and helped themselves to a few glasses of wine. Basra was nervous but made sure she didn't drink too much. Next, she met his sister, who arrived shortly after them. Since only his mother knew about the marriage, Grayson wanted to make the grand announcement during dinner. They had agreed to remove their rings as to not cause suspicion. His sister resembled his mom with more Indian features. She, only eighteen months older, was single and a partner in a private dental practice on Long Island. As soon as she saw Basra, she gave a curious smile and said, “Don't you model?”
“I do,” replied Basra.
She pulled out her iPad, and pulled up
Grazia
magazine. She flipped through the pages and held up a picture of Basra.
Grazia
magazine. She flipped through the pages and held up a picture of Basra.
“I thought that was you. I love this magazine, and I remembered seeing you in there. I thought you were from India, and I was so happy to see someone of color in the spread. You are so beautiful,” she said.
“Thank you,” Basra said.
“Ma, come here!” screamed Grayson's sister, Kaamil.
Hansa came rushing into the room. “Is everything okay?” she said.
“Look.” She showed her mom the picture on the screen. “She really is a model, not some go-go bar dancer claiming to be a model. No offense,” she said to Basra.
“None taken.”
“She just had an audition with Lauren's Closet,” bragged Grayson.
“Get out! I love their stuff. If you get that gig, I bet you get discounts, hint hint.”
Basra continued talking to Kaamil as Grayson followed his mom into the kitchen. She was quick to ask him about the marriage.
“So when are you going to tell your dad?”
“Where is he?”
“Working. I suspect he'll be here before the evening is over.
“I wanted to announce it over dinner. You didn't mention anything did you?
“No. This news has to come from you.”
Grayson looked at the spread his mom had laid on the table. “Did you cook all of this or did Annie Mae do it?”
“We both did,” she answered.
“Where is she anyway?” Grayson asked, referring to their housekeeper.
“She had the night off. She goes to Bingo on Friday.”
Grayson laughed as Kaamil and Basra walked in the kitchen.
“I like her, Gray. I like her a lot. She's smart and has pretty teeth.”
“Do you do anything besides modeling?” Hansa asked.
“I'm in school, studying psychology.”
“Oh really, what do you plan to do after college?”
“I was thinking about therapy.”
“She should be teaching math,” expressed Grayson. “She's a math savant.”
“Stop it. I'm not.”
“Really, she can add super large numbers, divide them, whatever.”
“I'm just good with numbers. Stop it, Grayson.” Basra turned to Hansa. “This is really good wine.”
“One of my favorites as well.”
They continued to chat around the kitchen area until Hansa heard Ray coming in the door. “We're in here,” she called out.
Ray walked in the kitchen and greeted his wife and daughter with kisses on their cheeks. He looked at Grayson and nodded. “Son.”
“What's up?” said Grayson.
“What's up, huh?” Ray said, certainly not appreciating the casual greeting.
“This is Basra,” said Grayson.
Basra shook Ray's hand. “Nice to meet you, sir,” she said, holding her breath.
“She's a model,” expressed Kaamil. “A real one in magazines.”
“That's nice.” Ray placed down his briefcase and a looked at the food. “You didn't have to wait for me. I told you I'd be late,” he expressed.
“It's okay, we've been running our mouths.”
“Since we were already having company for dinner, I thought one more wouldn't hurt.”
“Who's coming?”
Just then Ray's business associate called from the front door. “Hello.”
“Follow the voices,” Ray called out. “We've been working so many late hours on this hospital deal, I figured that the least I could do was offer a home-cooked meal.”
“Sorry, I had to finish up a phone call,” said Ray's associate as he walked into the room.
“Everyone, this is Adam Feinburg,” said Ray.
As though she were staring into Medusa's eyes, Basra turned to stone and her wine glass fell onto the floor. Everyone turned in her direction. She quickly knelt to pick up the pieces. Grayson graciously helped her.
“This is my wife and daughter, Hansa and Kaamil. That's my son, Grayson, and his friend ...”
“Basra,” she said, standing and holding pieces of broken glass.
“Nice to meet everyone. I hope I'm not imposing,” said Adam.
“Of course not, the more the merrier.”
“I'm going to sweep this up,” said Grayson as he left the kitchen.
Basra's hands were shaking. “My dear, are you okay?” asked Hansa.
“I'm good, I'm so sorry,” she said, avoiding direct eye contact with Adam.
“What was that you were drinking?” he asked.
“It was ... uhmm, it was a merlot.”
“It seems that my presence startled you, so let me pour you another glass. Ray, where do you keep your wine?”
Ray motioned for Adam to follow.
“Where's your restroom?” she asked.
“I'll show you,” said Kaamil. “Oh, God, you're bleeding. We have Band-Aids.”
Basra went into the bathroom and closed the door while Kaamil went down the hall to get a first-aid kit. Basra sat on the closed toilet, as her shaky legs were no longer able to support her frame.
“Oh God, oh God, oh God!” she whispered. “Why!”
There was a knock on the door. Basra stopped breathing. “I have the first-aid kit,” called Kaamil from the other side.
Basra exhaled and spoke. “Come in.”
Kaamil walked in the bathroom, cleaned Basra's cut, and bandaged it with a neon pink Band-Aid. “Sorry; it was all I could find. Are you good?” she asked.
“I am, thanks. I need to use the restroom, though.”
“Oh yeah. Sorry.”
Kaamil left and Basra sat back down on the toilet. She prayed silently and took several deep breaths before walking out. As she opened the door, Adam took a step in.
“Here's your wine.”
“I'm good,” she said, trying to sidestep him.
“Fate keeps bringing us together, doesn't that mean something?”
“It means the devil is as busy as he is devious, as my mother used to say.”
Adam was uncomfortably close as he leaned in to whisper. “You smell delicious. Whatever he's giving you, I will pay double. Meet me tonight.”
“Don't do this,” she said with fret.
Grayson came around the corner. “You okay?” he asked.
“I am,” she called out loudly as Adam stepped to the side.
“Here is your wine,” he said again, cordially handing her the glass.
Basra smiled, took the glass, and grabbed her husband's hand. Adam went into the bathroom. Grayson stopped to have conversation in the hallway.
“I know you're nervous about announcing the marriage, but you've got to calm down. It's going to be okay. I know they will fall in love with you. My sister is already a fan.”
“I know,” Basra said softly.
Grayson leaned over and gave his woman a kiss. Adam approached as he was leaving the bathroom.
“I see love is in the air,” Adam stated.
“Yeah, I'm a very lucky guy.”
“More than you know,” said Adam as he stepped to the left, walked by Basra, and lowered his hand to cautiously graze her butt as he passed by. Basra heart damn near stopped. Her fairy-tale had turned into one by the Brothers Grimm, and she was soon going to be eaten alive.
“You ready?” said Grayson.
Basra nodded slowly and attempted to smile. Grayson took her hand and led her to dinner.
Chapter 16
Basra and Grayson sat down for dinner and Adam placed himself directly in front of her. He was such a wild card she had no idea what he might say or do. Therefore, Basra just kept her face angled toward Grayson to avoid direct eye contact. Her mind was focused on a plausible reply if indeed Adam decided to blurt out the truth during dinner. Unfortunately, nothing came to mind. She'd have no excuse except to call him a liar.
“You ready?” Grayson whispered to her as they started on the entrée.
Basra was so focused on her situation that she completely forgot they were there to announce their marriage.
“I don't think this is a good idea,” she said while lifting the rice with her fork.
“Basra and I are married,” Grayson stated.
All parties stopped eating. Ray looked down the table at Hansa, who smiled nervously.
“You knew about this?” he asked.
“Just now, he told me right before dinner, his mother fibbed.”
“Don't get upset with her. If you have something to say, say it to me,” Grayson said to his father.
Ray picked up his fork and continued to eat. Basra followed suit. Finally, Kaamil spoke.
“I think it's great. I mean, I wish I would have known but I'm so glad you didn't have a wedding, because if I have to buy one more stupid bridesmaid's dress I'm going to throw up.” She smiled at Grayson. “Congratulations.”
“Thanks, sis,” he replied.
“So how did you know she was the one?” Kaamil asked.
“Something spoke to me. It's this indescribable feeling.”
“So when did you and Sophie break up?” asked Ray.
“Awhile ago.”
“Couldn't have been that long ago, I just saw her father and he said you guys were planning a ski trip,” his dad continued.
“A trip that never happened because we had broken up,” Grayson commented with growing annoyance.
“Let it go, honey,” said his mom.
“I'm just concerned about my son's life and the hasty decisions he seems to make.”
“You are so concerned that we haven't spoken in a year,” Grayson commented sarcastically.
“You know, I can go back to the hotel,” Adam commented.
“Nonsense, let's just drop it and enjoy this nice dinner that my wife has prepared.”
“Thank you,” said Hansa.
For the next few moments, the only noise from the dining area was that of clinking knives and forks. Finally, Adam felt the need to break the tension.
“Hey, there's no such thing as a perfect family. I wish my son would come home and surprise me with a bride, but I just found out he was gay.”
“Oh that's a rough one,” Ray commented.
“Oh yeah, so be glad you've got a beautiful daughter-in-law, and maybe soon you will have some grandkids running around. I only have one child and so that dream for me is over.”
“Sorry to hear that,” Ray said.
“I'm gay,” blurted Kaamil.
Once again all utensils fell to the table. This time when Ray looked at Hansa, her eyes were bulging. “I guess this is a surprise to everyone.”
“Perhaps you know my son ...”
“All gay people don't know each other,” huffed Kaamil.
Hansa, nearly in tears, excused herself from the table. Ray went to see about her. Inside, Basra, though still nervous, was pleased that no matter what Adam had to say it would take a back seat to all the other chaos breaking loose.
“Kaamil, can we talk in the kitchen?” said Grayson.
“No, no, uhhm. You can talk here, I can go in another room,” said Basra.
“I can go with Basra,” said Adam.
“On second thought, maybe you should leave well enough alone, Gray,” Basra stated.
“I need to talk with my sister,” he said, rising.
Kaamil and Grayson went into the kitchen to speak, leaving Basra alone with the snarling dinner guest.
“And then there were two,” said Adam, winking at Basra.
“Don't you say anything to me,” she said.
“I'm not saying anything to you, but the question becomes, will I say anything to your husband? I mean there've been so many surprises tonight, what's one more?” He snickered.
Basra rose and attempted to leave the dining room, but Adam stopped her at the door. He took her by the wrist and forced her hand on his crotch. “Squeeze,” he said.
“Please, not tonight. I promise I will come see you later this week.”
“Tomorrow,” he demanded.
Basra once again tried to go around him, but he wouldn't let her by. “Please kiss me,” he begged. “What kind of panties are you wearing?” Adam remained at the door. The more she fought him, the bigger the scene would become. Basra turned and went back to the table and sat. Tears started welling in her eyes.
In the kitchen, Grayson was trying to get some explanation from his sister.
“I don't understand why you never said anything to me,” he said.
“I didn't know how.”
“Are you serious? It's me, Kaamil. I'm the family fuck up. You were perfect in Dad's eyes.”
“Right! Which is why I couldn't say anything. Mom's been trying to marry me off since I was twenty-one. I didn't want to break her heart.”
“So you just kept your little secret and let me be the bad guy,” Grayson expressed.
“Are you mad because I didn't confide in you, or because I didn't share in some of our family shame?”
“Both. You let me take all of the heat.”
“This isn't about you, Gray!”
“It was my night. I wanted to announce my marriage and talk about my wife.”
“So now you're mad because I upstaged you. Hell, if I hadn't seen how happy you were I wouldn't have even come out. I have a girlfriend, and I want to bring her home. You have inspired me.”
The siblings stood in the kitchen, staring at one another. The tension quickly calmed. “I love you, Gray, but I'm not as strong as you. I want Mom and Dad to respect me. I need that.”
Grayson walked over and hugged his sister. “I love you too, sis.”
Kaamil exhaled deeply. “It feels so good to finally be honest.”
“So who is the girlfriend and how long have you been with her?”
“Two years. She's a pediatrician. We have a place together over in Suffolk County.”
“How have you managed to keep this from Mom?”
“I still have my apartment downtown. As long as I make regular visits home, she doesn't come see me.”
Grayson explodes into laughter. “Your ass is gay! That's so great.”
“You're just happy that now after all of these years, you're no longer the family disappointment.”
“You damn right.” Grayson hugged his sister. “It's going to be okay, I promise. They will come around, and if not, you are always welcome in my home during the holidays.”
In the dining room, Basra was mulling over her meal. She no longer had an appetite and with Adam leering at her from across the table she wanted to hurl her plate across the room.
“How's the meal?” Grayson asked as he strolled back in with Kaamil.
“It's good,” Basra replied.
“I'm sorry, you two. Our dinners are not normally this crazy. But since we haven't seen Gray in so long, I figured we'd make it one to remember,” said Kaamil.”
Seconds later, Ray came back into the dining room. “Sorry for that,” he said, apologizing to Adam.
“Hey, this is what family is all about. I promise none of this will leave the house.”
“I really appreciate it,” said Ray as he disturbingly looked at Kaamil. “Hansa has a headache. She apologizes for not returning. Let's just try to make the best of this evening.” Ray sat back down at the head of the table.
Adam looked across the table and motioned toward Basra. “I swear I've seen you before,” he said to her.
“She's a model. You've probably seen her spread in fashion magazines.”
“I'm sure I have seen her spread ... I don't think it was in a fashion magazine, though.”
“I've done tons of catalogue work. Maybe your wife orders those catalogues,” Basra said with a quick, scornful glance.
“I'm divorced so it must have been somewhere else. Have you done any videos, film work?”
“No.”
“None that you know of. Cameras these days are so small, one never knows when they are being filmed.”
Adam's behavior was odd and everyone at the table was taking notice.
“I've never done any videos, but I do have a familiar face, so I'm sure that's it. So, Mr. Charles, what new project are you working on?” she asked as a quick diversion.
“We are building a new wing to the hospital. Adam's company is financing the extension. It's turning out to be a real success.”
“Oh, speaking of success, Grayson's show was a hit. He sold out of pieces and Arthur Cossington commissioned him to do work for his hotels all over Europe.”
“Who is Arthur Cossington?” asked Kaamil.
“He's the European Conrad Hilton.”
“Oh, well congrats, brother.”
“I just do the painting. Basra is the brains behind it all, he was her contact.”
Ray sat up in his chair and his interest piqued.
“You speak English very well. How long have you been here? How do you know Arthur Cossington?”
“We speak English in Somalia and Mr. Cossington and I have mutual friends. I asked one of them to invite him to the show and he happened to be in town.”
“You have mutual friends? What does your family do? Do they live here?” asked Ray.
“Really, Pop, that's enough,” said Grayson.
“It's fine. No, sir, my family is still in Somalia. My dad is an engineer.” Basra knew where the line of questioning was going. How could a young Somali girl know friends of a European billionaire hotel mogul? It didn't make sense.
“I read an article about Arthur Cossington, a very eccentric man. Even at eighty, he still micromanages much of the minutia involving his hotels,” added Adam.
“Yeah, he called me himself,” stated Grayson.
“These mutual friends must be very close,” Adam expressed curiously.
Basra leaned over and whispered in Grayson's ear. She was ready to leave.
“We're going to head out,” he commented.
Kaamil grabbed her plate and rose. “I think I'll head out with you.”
“I think you need to stay, young lady. Adam, once again, I apologize for the madness that has erupted this evening.”
“No problem.”
“Do you two mind taking Adam back to his hotel?” asked Ray.
“Uhhm. No, of course not. Where are you staying?”
“I normally stay at my place in Manhattan, but I'm staying at a hotel close by this evening.”
“Yeah, we'll drop you off.”
Basra, Grayson, and Adam prepared to leave. Grayson gave Kaamil one more hug. “Be strong,” he whispered in her ear.
She nodded and embraced Basra. “Welcome to this crazy family.”
Basra smiled and said good-bye.
Adam crawled in the back seat of the rental and they took off. As soon as they got down the street, Adam spoke. “I know where it was that I saw you.”
Basra swallowed the lump in her throat, for she didn't know what Adam might say. Oddly, he didn't say anything. He left it open-ended. Basra flipped through the radio, found a station, and turned it up so loud that if anyone had to talk, they would have to scream over the volume. Grayson pulled into the hotel downtown. Adam hopped out and leaned in Basra's window.
“Thanks so much,” he said, leaning across Basra to shake Grayson's hand. “The ride was very enjoyable,” he said, staring Basra in the eyes. Adam walked into the hotel.
“He was strange,” said Grayson as they pulled off.
“Yes, he was,” agreed Basra.
The trip back to Brooklyn was quiet. They spoke briefly about Kaamil, but for the remainder of the time Basra closed her eyes and rested. By the time they reached home, a series of texts started buzzing on Basra's phone. She knew it was Adam. She checked the first one, which read: I need a good spanking. She quickly erased it and tossed her phone in her purse.
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