Like a Sister(84)

*



I managed to eat the next morning. Aunt E and I shared ham with fresh hash browns and biscuits. Aunt E’s eyes were on me more than her plate. “I’m glad your appetite’s back.”

“I need sustenance. I’m dropping Desiree’s stuff off this morning.”

“You want company?” Aunt E said. “I always wanted to drive a Tesla.”

“You don’t even have a license.”

“Don’t need one. Car that expensive should drive itself.”

I fiddled with a piece of ham. “Mel’s gonna be there. I spoke to him last night.”

To her credit, Aunt E didn’t look surprised. She just calmly nodded. “Glad to hear that.” She took a bite.

The question was out before I even realized I’d been thinking it. “What happened when they broke up?”

Aunt E’s mouth was full so she used it to her advantage, taking time to chew and swallow. “Your Gram always thought it was your mom’s fault. You know Black women and their sons.”

I did, so I wasn’t surprised. “And you?”

“I had my own thoughts.”

“Which were?”

“You should talk to Mel about it. Let me know what he says. I’ll tell you if my thoughts were right.”

She smiled then, trying to keep it light. My whole body felt weighted down. Still, I managed to stand up. My appetite gone again. “Got it.”

“Lena.”

I paused at the trash can. Waited. Hopeful.

“You…” Her voice stalled out, then caught again. “Don’t forget to wash your plate.”

*



The drive to Mel’s reminded me why I biked. I stared longingly at a Citi Bike breezing past as Desiree’s air-conditioned Tesla sat in Fifth Avenue traffic. I’d never wanted more in my life to be sweaty. But by the time I got to the apartment, I wished traffic had been worse. I felt less nervous asking about Desiree’s DUI than asking about my mom. At this point, I didn’t believe Mel had been in town—not with the newspaper photos and Tam’s records—but I needed to know why Desiree would’ve thought she saw him. See if she’d called. If they’d at least spoken. If Mel hadn’t been the driver, I doubted he knew who it could’ve been. Murder Mel would’ve taken care of them long ago.

To say talking about that would be an easier conversation than asking him about my mother was probably all anyone needed to know about my parents’ relationship. I’d heard her version of the breakup enough. When a Free Money song would come on the radio. When we’d see one of his artists on a magazine at the grocery store. When one would perform on late-night TV. Both before and after my visits to Gram, ones that always seemed to coincide with Mel being out of town. But he’d never offered his side, and I’d never asked.

The parking garage was around the corner from their place. I gave the keys to the valet, grabbed Desiree’s things, and headed over. The doorman was polite. The ride to their floor was short. The door was already open when I got off the elevator. Veronika stood there, smiling like she was posing for the cover of Architectural Digest.

I clutched the plastic bag, sure Mel would just pop up behind her like the star of a horror movie. But he didn’t.

“I’m so glad you came.” Veronika pulled me in for a hug, ignoring the bag wedged between us.

She stepped back, and I didn’t know what to do. So I just presented the bag. “Everything the police gave me.”

She didn’t take it. Just looked at it, and I understood. These were her daughter’s final belongings and I was acting like it was a housewarming gift.

“You still have that expensive water?” I said, more to fill the space than my stomach.

Veronika defaulted to Stepford Wife. “Of course. I’ll be right back.”

I went into the living room and sat, putting the bag down beside me. The apartment was quiet, like the moment right before the bad guy pops out of the closet.

But my villain was still missing.

I was staring down the hall when Veronika came back with two glasses of water. She handed one to me. “Have you gone back to class yet?”

I shook my head, barely able to remember what class I was missing today. Any minute now, he’d show up. “You need any help with the funeral? I know I’ve been MIA.”

“Everything’s set.” She took a sip. “We sent out the invites for the larger service, but we want to do something just for the family and some close friends. You’ll come?”

“Of course.”

Any minute.

“Tam said you were the one who had the idea about the dress. Desiree would have loved that. She was so lucky to have you as a sister.”

“I was lucky to have her.” I glanced at the hallway. “Where’s Mel?”

“He’s not here.” She had the nerve to smile, like it was no biggie. “He had a last-minute meeting.”

Of course he did. I set the glass down next to the coaster on her coffee table. All it had taken was him laughing on the phone and I’d fallen for it.

“He should be back by ten. He told me to tell you to wait. You’re not leaving, are you?” Veronika would attach herself to my leg if it meant following through on Mel’s wishes.