CHAPTER 16

Keesha, sensing A.J. had a lot on his mind that he didn’t wish to share with her, drove him home in silence. Once they arrived at the apartment, she tried to be cheerful, but A.J. was quickly reminded of the other major problem in his life: Carly and the baby she was carrying. He sat down on his couch and motioned for Keesha to do the same.

"Are you okay?" she asked after he had taken off his jacket. "You were very quiet in the car."

"I'm okay. I'm so glad to be out of the hospital, but now that I'm here, I was unpleasantly reminded of my woefully deceitful neighbor."

"I was thinking about her, too. Hopefully, she won't know you're home until you're ready to deal with her."

"I don't think I'll be that lucky. I'm sure she's checked my progress every day. Probably the only reason she hasn't already banged on my door is because she's still at the hospital."

"I have no problem running interference for you. Especially when it comes to that witch."

A.J. turned so he was facing Keesha and grinned at her wickedness.

"It's hard for me to believe that you and I were once good friends to Carly."

"Yes," Keesha agreed. "And look where it got us. Although, correct me if I'm wrong, but I suspect there may have been more than friendship on your mind where Carly was concerned."

A.J. looked away as he took in her words.

"Carly, believe it or not, treated me wonderfully. She listened, she seemed to understand where I was coming from, and she didn't judge me. I thought I had finally begun to develop one of those healthy, honesty-based relationships that AA always talks about. And yes, I did develop deep feelings for her. But I tried to respect her relationship with Tony. Little did I know about her dysfunction, although I should have gotten a clue when she sent those custody papers to Bobbie. But I'd had so many people judge me that I wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt. Could I have been more wrong?" A.J. shook his head as he thought of all the things Carly had done.

"The main thing is you know what kind of a person she is," Keesha reminded him.

"Yes, you're right. And I'm also glad I know what kind of a person you are, too. You've stood by me when I've given you absolutely no reason to. I thank God every day for you, Keesha."

"A.J. you *have* given me a reason to stand by you: your sobriety. It's all I ever wanted for you, but I was never sure if it was what you wanted for yourself. And I knew I couldn't make you want it. I loved you so much that all I wanted to do was to take care of you, but I knew that I needed to let go so you could do what you needed to do. And I feel as though I did what I needed to, you did what you needed to, and now we've found our way back to each other. Does that make sense?"

"Perfect sense. And I'm so happy that we did."

"Me, too," Keesha said, and smiled. "And, hopefully, with a little time and patience, our relationship will grow."

"I'm willing if you're willing. I want to take our relationship to the next level. But I sensed you pulling away from me at the hospital. Were you?"

"I'll admit I have concerns. I'm sooo happy right now, and we're closer than we've ever been, but a part of me still doubts. I doubt that we can truly be happy together. I have doubts that you're going to stay sober. And I can't shake them. I'm sorry."

"I know, Keesha. I have the same doubts myself and about myself. In some respects, I doubt my sobriety every day, and when I make it through another one, I know it wasn't me who did it. Because if it were up to me, I probably would be in a bar drinking. But that's not what I'm about anymore. I agree with you that time is the only thing I have to show you how much I've changed. And I want you to see it and believe it for yourself. I can tell you, but I know you need to see the changes for yourself."

"I have seen the changes, A.J., and that's why I'm here. But is it enough to build a future on? I'm not ready for that commitment."

"I'm not either. But I need you in my life, Keesha."

"And I need you in mine. I will be in your life, A.J. You have to trust me on that one."

Keesha gave his hand a squeeze. "When the time is right, I believe we'll be together. In every sense of the word."

A.J. nodded and rose from the couch. "You know what I just realized?" he said, needing to change the subject. "I haven't offered you any food or drink. What a wonderful host I am. Can I get you something?"

"A soda if you have it."

A.J. opened his refrigerator and realized it was almost bare. "Second choice? I'm sorry. I let my food supply dwindle. I don't have much for us to eat or drink."

"No problem. I'll go to the grocery store. Feel up to going with me?"

"Would you mind if I didn't?"

"Nope. I will attack the store and be back in a flash."

"Thank you," A.J. said, as he handed her some money.

Keesha kissed him on the cheek and headed out the door. She had just made her way to the elevator when Carly stepped off.

"Hello, Keesha."

Keesha glared at Carly.

"I heard the good news about A.J. Is he in his apartment? I'd like to say 'hi'."

Carly headed for A.J.'s door, but Keesha got there first and blocked it with her body.

"You are not bothering him, Carly. In fact, you are not going anywhere near him or calling him for any reason. Am I making myself clear?"

"Who made you A.J.'s bodyguard?" Carly asked snidely.

"I did. You don't know what A.J. has been through, but I can tell you that most of it has been caused by you and your selfish, conniving schemes. They stop here, and they stop now. Do you understand?"

"Let me see if I've got this straight. You're blaming me for A.J.'s food poisoning and subsequent hospitalization? Correct me if I'm wrong, but weren't *you* the one who was with him when he got sick? Maybe you should look in the mirror. Or maybe A.J. should be cautious around you."

Keesha wanted to scream. Carly could not be this dense.

"I do not have the inclination nor the time to spell it all out for you, Carly, but suffice it to say that A.J. will be in touch with you when he's ready, and he better not hear from you."

"I will talk to A.J. whenever I want to, Keesha, and you can't stop me."

"Oh, yes, I can. And you better believe I will. I want A.J. to be the one who exposes you for who and what you really are, but maybe you need to be reminded, Ms. Roberts, that I, too, know the truth. And don't think for one minute that I would hesitate to go to Tony because I wouldn't. I'd go to him just like that." Keesha snapped her fingers in Carly's face for effect.

"Come to me with what?" Tony asked.

They both looked at Tony in surprise as neither one had heard him approach.

"Hi, Tony," Keesha said, too brightly. "How are you?"

"Fine. And you?"

"I'm okay. I'll let Carly fill you in on our discussion. I need to get to the store."

Keesha discreetly glared at Carly as she passed by her.

"Was it my imagination or were the two of you arguing?" Tony asked.

"No, not at all. Well, maybe Keesha is still anxious where A.J. is concerned. That's what she meant when she said she wouldn't hesitate to go to you. I guess A.J. would want his mom or his dad to take care of him if he got sick again, but she said if she were around and A.J. were sick, she would come to you."

"Monica told me he was released today. How's he doing?"

"Fine," Carly said, nodding her head. "Keesha said he's fine."

"As long as we're outside his apartment, why don't we say 'hi'." Tony lifted his hand to knock on the door.

"We can't," Carly said, quickly grabbing Tony's hand to keep him from knocking.

"What do you mean we can't? What are you talking about?"

"I didn't mean we couldn't. I just meant that I already asked Keesha if I could say 'hi' to him, and she told me he was sleeping."

"Oh. Sleep probably is the best thing for him."

"You would know; you're the doctor. Why don't we go inside, and I'll cook us something for dinner."

"Good idea. It's been a long day."


Go To Chapter 17