The Redemption(28)

“No, he was due in court today.”

“We’re gonna go.” His pain evident.

“Antonio…” I hear the sadness in Judith’s voice. It sounds a lot like the ache in my chest I’m feeling for him.

He takes my hands and starts walking back out the door.

Judith hurries behind us, and says, “I’m sorry she’s not here.”

“Not your fault. Always good to see you and go easy on your new boyfriend. Not everyone can handle a sex kitten like you in the sack,” he jokes.

She laughs. “More like cougar. I haven’t been a kitten for many years.”

In the car, we wait at the bottom of the driveway for the gates to open. The tension in the car is building but I just want to make it go away and heal the hurt he’s feeling. “I’m sorry you won’t get to see your mother.”

“We’re gonna see her.”

“We are?”

He nods, not adding to the conversation. Certain topics control his mood like a pendulum. He can be the happiest guy around and then fall to the other side when a heaviness replaces the joy. His mother is obviously one of these topics. Cory being another…

Ten minutes of listening to the engine roar as the wind blows through the open windows of the car, and we’re there. Security waves him through. “Are you a member of this country club?” I ask.

“My family has generational privileges.”

“Makes sense and very fancy, Mr. Caggiano. I didn’t think you golfed.”

He pulls into a parking spot and says, “Actually, I do golf. I even played in high school on the team for a year before I quit.”

“Why’d you quit?”

“Because I hate golf clothes almost as much as I hate Chad Spears and he was Team Captain.”

“Why do you hate Chad so much?”

His irritation is apparent. “Spears is a spoiled *.” His eyes hook to his right onto mine and he says, “Listen, stay away from him. He’s shiny on the outside, all packaged up and manufactured by his producer parents and Hollywood, but he’s bad news.”

“Are you jealous?” I tease. Wrong move on my part.

Cutting the engine, he stares at me. “I’m not jealous. The girls he dates, they’re different when he’s done with him. He’s a user of drugs, people, and connections. He gets high off of building himself up by destroying others. Bad news, Rochelle. Don’t trust him. Okay?”

I’ve never seen him so serious before. “Fine.”

“Promise me?”

“Okay, I promise,” I reply.

I’m learning there’s a long history there. I mentally note that Chad Spears is another one of those hot topics for Dex.

We walk inside the main building and I follow as he begins walking faster, taking big strides to the patio on the other side. The place is busy, the ladies who lunch dressed in tennis clothes, Diane Von Furstenberg, or silk dresses. I feel out of place, definitely underdressed now.

There’s a beautiful woman, flawless skin with chestnut colored hair that is reminiscent of Jackie O. She’s laughing with three friends, martini glasses in front of each. He sets the present down in front of her and says, “Happy Birthday, Mother.” With that out of the way, he turns around and starts walking away.

She doesn’t seem surprised in the least as she calls, “Antonio. Come back here.” Her tone is not demanding, but lilted with a smile, maybe to keep up appearances.

“Dex,” I whisper, taking hold of his arm before he passes me. “Stop.” I nod behind me and add, “It can be different. Give her a chance.”

His hardened glare softens before my eyes as he looks at me. When his hand touches my face, he whispers, “You’re so damn beautiful.” He leaves me standing there in awe of his sweet words and twisted from the sad event.

Her voice reminds me of Katherine Hepburn and other women of society back East, not California at all. “Are you with my son?” she asks, fluffing the bottom of her bob hairstyle.

With big curious eyes on me, I reply, “I am.” Maybe more than I’m ready to acknowledge.

“Please send my gratitude for the gift.”

Her sentiment feels cold despite the words. “I think it would mean more coming from you.”

She’s uncomfortable in the conversation by how she shifts on her feet. “He doesn’t take my calls,” she states with one hand on her hip.

“Maybe because you stand him up. Excuse me. I need to catch up with him.” I hurry away, rushing through the clubhouse and out the doors. Dex is sitting in his car, windows down, the engine off. When I approach, he slides his sunglasses down over his eyes and looks straight ahead. Choosing to let this all die down, his emotions showing in his slumped shoulders, I lean my palms on the open window, and say, “Hey, you still owe me lunch.”

With a tilt of his head in my direction, I see a slight smile cross his face. “You’re right. Get in.”





“I didn’t know Beverly Hills had burger joints.” I take another big bite of my burger.

“It’s a little secret. Most people don’t realize that not everyone in Beverly Hills proper is wealthy. There are pockets of average working Joes.”

Related, but my thoughts veering, I state, “I’ve thought about moving.”