tired of it.The calls from high schools around Indianapolis for him to speak, the luncheons where he served as guest of honor, always bringing home trophies and awards, and the donations he rained on every civic organization known to mankind wearied her. Why couldnât they just be alone, enjoy his success and his money on a smaller scale? Why did she have to share him with everyone? She was content being home with Alva, Nicolette, and shopping. Now he was gearing up to tell another story about some downtrodden soul who would struggle to get a GED in hopes of being like him.
âWhereâs your sensitivity, babe? This is about someone we know.â Winston rubbed her leg, hoping sheâd soften and get over herself. âJames was in an accident tonight. I was with Aruba at the hospital.â
âAre you serious? What happened?â Engaged in his words, she moved closer to Winston.
âLuckily, it was a sideswipe. He was with someone else and left Jeremiah at home. I think you should call Aruba and find out how theyâre doing.â
âWell, thatâs typical. I told her a long time ago to get rid of him, but noooo, sheâs holding on for dear life to a marriage thatâs not worth saving.â She reared back on the couch and continued her ranting. âSheâs a pretty enough woman to get a better man than James. I mean, she probably couldnât get someone like you, but she doesnât have to struggle the way she does. Thereâs no way Iâd be with a man that broke and out of touch with reality.â
âIs that so, Tori?â
Victoriaâs damage control efforts kicked in. âWhat I meant was sheâs a hardworking person who deserves more. Do you understand what I mean?â
âWhat I understand is that youâve been staring at Heywood-Wakefield items too long. Go call your friend, Tori.â
âOkay, Winston. Iâll call in a few minutes.â
âNicolette knocked out? Did Alva have a hard time getting her down tonight?â
âSheâs tired. We went shopping today and she had the quaintest bear constructed at Build-A-Bear. Sheâs been asleep for an hour.â
Winston left the media room and entered Nicoletteâs room, exhausted. He kissed Nicoletteâs forehead, acknowledging her as his center, his sanity. The love he had for her surpassed the craziness of life with Victoria. Tori couldnât be satisfied and he didnât know how to appease her anymore. She complained about everything. Lately, the nagging took on a life of its own. The house was too small. âI deserve more than seven-thousand square feet .â The cars werenât new enough. âEvery Kobe, 50 Cent, and Shaq can get a Range Rover and a Mercedes. I want a Bentley.â She whined about a new ring. âI know youâre not Kobe, but can I at least have four carats? Harry Winston is calling my name.â His practice wasnât visible enough. âIf Ian Smith can host a show, why donât you?â Seeing Nicolette made it all worthwhile, reminded him of why he chose to work hard so his family wouldnât need or want for anything. He watched her napping, her chest rising and falling with soft breaths. He touched her hands and smiled. âRest, daddyâs girl. I love you.â
Winston dragged to their bedroom, removed his clothes, and jumped in the shower. He wanted to wash away Victoriaâs voice, his discontentment of late, his thoughts of Aruba. He wondered how Aruba was doing, if things had turned out okay with James and their situation. He wondered how he could be there for her more, and what he needed to do to concentrate on his own union.
[8]
Itâs Generational
âM omma, Iâm just asking you to come get me in the morning! Iâve been in an accident. Iâm at Methodist.â Tawatha steadied her cell phone in one hand as she turned to secure the ties on the back of her hospital
Learning to Kill: Stories