Liar's Game by Eric Jerome Dickey

Author:Eric Jerome Dickey
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: General, Fiction
ISBN: 9780451205933
Publisher: Signet Book
Published: 2001-06-01T07:00:00+00:00

17

Vince

My world stopped revolving.

I took a slow breath and said her name: “Malaika?”

“Yeah, it’s me.” Her voice, unsteady. “How’s it going, Vince?”

Hearing Malaika’s voice jarred me down to the bone. It was like getting that middle-of-the-night call from a relative who never called, and you know they’re going to tell you something horrific had happened.

I asked Malaika, “How’s Kwanzaa? I mean, everything okay?”

“We’re blessed.” Malaika’s tone was hesitant. “I called to thank you for the little package you sent. That was unexpected.”

“Your mother forwarded it to Germany that quick?”

“Momma . . .” Malaika started, then: “We’re in San Bernardino.”

“You’re in San Bernardino?”

That blue-collar strip of desert was less than two hours away.

Dana ran her finger through her braids and mumbled, “Are they back to stay or visiting?”

Malaika’s end was filled with static, fading in and out. She must’ve been on a cordless phone, walking around the house.

“Yes, we’re in country.”

“How long have you been back in the States?”

“Six months.”

“Six months? Why are you just now calling?”

“I called last week.”

“Last week? Well, why didn’t you leave a message?”

“I spoke with the same female who just answered. She said that you didn’t live there, that I had the wrong number.”

My eyes went to Dana. Her eyes went to the carpet.

“Vincent, this is long-distance, so I’ll be brief. I just wanted to call and thank you on behalf of Kwanzaa—”

“Where’s Kwanzaa? Put her on the phone.”

“She’s not with me.”

“Where is she?”

Malaika wavered. “I just wanted to acknowledge your gift.”

“Can I talk to her?”

A lengthy pause. “That wouldn’t be a good idea.”

“What do you mean, not a good idea?”

“She’s adjusting to our positive lifestyle—”

“What, you think my lifestyle’s not positive?”

“I’m not saying that.”

“What are you saying?”

“This is a difficult situation. Stressful to all parties. I don’t think it would be fair to her to get her confused at this point.”

“Confused? I’m her daddy, nothing to get confused about.”

“I don’t think that would be a good idea.”

Dana’s breathing roughened. Her knuckles popped when she opened and closed her hands. She said, “Vince, sweetie, don’t beg her.”

I shushed Dana, then asked Malaika, “Where can I reach you?”

“I’ll contact you if the need arises.”

“If the need arises? C’mon.”

Dana said, “Vince, sweetie—”

My heart thumped. I shushed Dana so I could hear Malaika.

“Don’t disrespect me in front of her.” She hopped off the bed. “Sweetie, Vincent, don’t shut me out.”

I rubbed the bridge of my nose to fight the new stress. “Malaika, let me talk to Kwanzaa.”

“I can’t do that, Vincent.”

“Malaika, c’mon—”

Dana snapped, “That’s enough, Vince. Don’t beg. Don’t stand in my face and beg—”

“Dana, stop.”

“Vincent.” That was Malaika. “Is everything okay over there?”

“Enough is enough,” Dana cried. She came across the room, stood in front of me, nose to nose. “Baby, listen, understand what I’m saying. I just don’t think you should have to beg to see—”

“Malaika, lighten up.” I put my hand over the phone, muffled my irritation, and said, “Dana, c’mon now, baby, chill.”

Her response was a harsh whisper, pure frustration. “No, I’m not gonna chill. I’m watching you suffer.

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