Déjà Vu Read Free Page B

you and Michael?”
    “Don’t be hard on yourself. Everything’s going to work out fine. I’ll drive down there day after tomorrow, and we’ll get you situated. How’s that sound?”
    “Much better than before. I heard you sold my house.”
    “It was for the best, Sis. Your money is collecting interest. Your furniture and clothes are in storage. Used some of the money for your court costs.”
    “And attorney fees, I’m sure.”
    “Pro bono, Little Sis.”
    “Yeah, right.” Angelica and Edward laughed. “Thanks, Edward. I love you, too. I was hurt that you and Michael weren’t here, butI feel better now. I’ll be looking for you on Saturday. And tell Michael he can call me.”
    “I will. Take care, Sis.”
    “You too.”
    Angelica placed the phone in the cradle and fell back onto the bed. Things were going to get better. She needed a job and a place to stay. The money that Edward had put away for her from the sale of her house would probably keep her for a year or more, but she wanted to do more with her life, and she wanted respectability. She closed her eyes and fell asleep.

4
    B zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Angelica peeked from under the comforter at the alarm clock. She stretched her arms and saw the sun beaming through the window. She smiled and sniffed at the freshness of her brand-new condo. Edward had come to town as promised and helped Angelica settle into her own place.
    Edward was accommodating. He made sure Angelica’s utilities were turned on, and she had food in the fridge, and later helped place the furniture where she wanted it. Edward did not leave town until he found a suitable car for Angelica to drive—nice, but nothing that would draw attention.
    Today was Sunday. Angelica wasn’t sure what she would do. She promised herself that she was going to turn over a new leaf, and she couldn’t think of a better way to start than to go to God’s house. There were so many churches in Fayetteville, but it struck her as what she should do. It was eight o’clock—plenty of time to make it to an eleven o’clock service.
    There had only been one color in the one suit that Angelica had worn the past five years—blue. Now she surveyed her closet with excitement. She probably had enough suits to go around for all the women in her prison quad two or three times. Angelica tugged at each suit, lifting each hanger to get a good look until she settled on the one she would wear to church. She decided onthe white suit. It was first Sunday and, more than likely, all the women would be dressed in white. Looking through the two hundred pairs of shoes that were held captive in their boxes, Angelica decided on a three-inch white Italian leather pump to accompany the rest of her ensemble.
    Next, Angelica walked into the master bathroom. The room was painted a deep rich, mango orange that was soothing to the soul. It lacked in decorations, which she would attend to next week. Angelica was thankful that she wasn’t on the street or in some motel passing the time.
    Angelica let her robe slide down the length of her arms, stealing glances of herself in a large mirror. She smiled at her image, patted her buttocks, and cupped her breasts as if she was on display. Satisfied, Angelica eased into her bathwater that filled the tub to the brim with foaming bubbles, and then stopped to pick up a few and blow them into the air.
    With one leg raised, Angelica took her sponge and squeezed water over her legs and arms, admiring the legs most men thought were beautiful. She flexed her toes and then brought her leg down, only to repeat the sequence with the other. Tina Turner had a nice pair of legs, but Angelica’s were to die for—insured value easily one million dollars. Angelica relaxed in the water, letting the jets in the tub massage the lower part of her body.
    It would be nice to have a strong pair of hands to massage all the places I can’t get to, Angelica thought. Angelica and Hamilton had often taken baths together—him