family who were still forced to live in low-income neighborhoods, work menial jobs, and live paycheck to paycheck. Wayne realized that without the grace of God, he could have been stuck there just like they were. For that reason, he went out of his way to be sure he kept in close contact with them. Gwen was one of his favorite cousins. She was funny, outgoing, and full of life. For those reasons and many others, he never grew weary of spending time with her. His schedule while in Atlanta was jam-packed with promotional appearances, and he had to admit that had it not been for the situation with Semaj, he would not have had his publicist call her again. He smiled at her across the table realizing that regardless of the circumstances, he was really glad to see her.
While they were eating, Wayne received a call from Kandyss. Due to a timing issue, her producers had advised her that Wayneâs segment of the show had been cut in half. Theyâd been friends for a long time, and she wasnât happy giving him less time than an up-and-coming comedienne would receive. So sheâd talked her producers into having a part two and allowing him to appear on her show for two days. She asked him to return to the studio, and with a change of clothes and the magic of editing, it would appear that he was there for two shows.
Wayne excused himself from lunch and called Doug to come to the restaurant and give Gwen a ride home. He rushed back to the studio and returned to his dressing room to wait for the second taping to begin. He chose a powder-blue three-piece suit from his vast collection, matched it up with a striped tie, and sat down to wait for the makeup girl to arrive.
While he waited, he realized it was almost four oâclock so he turned on the television to catch up on the local news. He flipped casually through the channels until he saw Semajâs face on the screen talking about a multiple shooting that had occurred on the cityâs east side. In spite of himself, Wayne beamed with pride. As he watched, he couldnât help but notice that Semaj had inherited Allisonâs high cheekbones, thick eyebrows, and dazzling smile. Semajâs teeth were perfectly straight and white, just like his motherâs had been. âYou have her smile, but those are definitely my eyes,â Wayne said to television.
Chapter Seven
Ellen sat quietly on her sisterâs living-room sofa flipping through a magazine while Aaliyah stared at the television. Sheâd been watching the same DVD over and over again all afternoon, but Ellen didnât mind. She was grateful for anything that would keep her quiet and occupied.
When Ellen arrived at the hospital the previous weekend, sheâd found out that her sister had suffered a mild concussion. Although Jenise denied it, Ellen knew it was the result of Reggieâs latest beating. The doctors questioned her repeatedly and even had a social worker come in to speak with her, but Jenise still would not admit that her head injury was caused by her husbandâs fist slamming into her head over and over again. Ellen had hoped that the police would be called and charges would be filed against Reggie, but as long as Jenise refused to cooperate, there was very little that they could do.
As a condition of her release, the doctor had advised that Jenise should not be left alone, and that she needed to be observed for the next several days to make sure she didnât black out once again. They arrived at her apartment in the wee hours of the morning on that Sunday and realized that Reggie was gone. Ellen felt relieved and immediately agreed to stay with her sister for as long as she needed her.
It had been a week, and although Reggie had not returned, Jenise was feeling much better and had not had any episodes of confusion or dizziness for a few days. Ellen had made up her mind that if everything went well with her sisterâs health for the rest of the day, she would return to
While they were eating, Wayne received a call from Kandyss. Due to a timing issue, her producers had advised her that Wayneâs segment of the show had been cut in half. Theyâd been friends for a long time, and she wasnât happy giving him less time than an up-and-coming comedienne would receive. So sheâd talked her producers into having a part two and allowing him to appear on her show for two days. She asked him to return to the studio, and with a change of clothes and the magic of editing, it would appear that he was there for two shows.
Wayne excused himself from lunch and called Doug to come to the restaurant and give Gwen a ride home. He rushed back to the studio and returned to his dressing room to wait for the second taping to begin. He chose a powder-blue three-piece suit from his vast collection, matched it up with a striped tie, and sat down to wait for the makeup girl to arrive.
While he waited, he realized it was almost four oâclock so he turned on the television to catch up on the local news. He flipped casually through the channels until he saw Semajâs face on the screen talking about a multiple shooting that had occurred on the cityâs east side. In spite of himself, Wayne beamed with pride. As he watched, he couldnât help but notice that Semaj had inherited Allisonâs high cheekbones, thick eyebrows, and dazzling smile. Semajâs teeth were perfectly straight and white, just like his motherâs had been. âYou have her smile, but those are definitely my eyes,â Wayne said to television.
Chapter Seven
Ellen sat quietly on her sisterâs living-room sofa flipping through a magazine while Aaliyah stared at the television. Sheâd been watching the same DVD over and over again all afternoon, but Ellen didnât mind. She was grateful for anything that would keep her quiet and occupied.
When Ellen arrived at the hospital the previous weekend, sheâd found out that her sister had suffered a mild concussion. Although Jenise denied it, Ellen knew it was the result of Reggieâs latest beating. The doctors questioned her repeatedly and even had a social worker come in to speak with her, but Jenise still would not admit that her head injury was caused by her husbandâs fist slamming into her head over and over again. Ellen had hoped that the police would be called and charges would be filed against Reggie, but as long as Jenise refused to cooperate, there was very little that they could do.
As a condition of her release, the doctor had advised that Jenise should not be left alone, and that she needed to be observed for the next several days to make sure she didnât black out once again. They arrived at her apartment in the wee hours of the morning on that Sunday and realized that Reggie was gone. Ellen felt relieved and immediately agreed to stay with her sister for as long as she needed her.
It had been a week, and although Reggie had not returned, Jenise was feeling much better and had not had any episodes of confusion or dizziness for a few days. Ellen had made up her mind that if everything went well with her sisterâs health for the rest of the day, she would return to
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