A WOMAN APART: Chapter 13 - LISA

by tarskeewee08

"If god were to showcase his vanity I believe he would do so through you"

Evangeline looked out the window of her office and heard Johns voice in her head. The way he spoke to her made her feel alive again. He awakened feelings in her that she either didn't know existed or forgot she had. Love was the one thing Evangeline avoided at all cost. Yet the idea of this man being in love with her gave her courage. She wanted to feel that way about someone again. It was liberating just accepting the idea of Love.

She hugged herself and stared out at the cities daytime hustle. People busied themselves with their daily lives very few taking note of one another. Before John came along she was one of those people. She had lovers and admires, but her life mainly consisted of work and achievement.

A career that was chosen for her before she could walk. Goals set for her life without any input on what her desires were. The one time she thought of rebelling and living for herself she'd witness and experienced more pain than any 17 year old love sick girl should have. Her survival was only granted because of her need to please her father. He was the one man whose love meant the most but came at a price. She'd paid that price.

Evangeline looked up into the sky. "You hear that daddy, I paid my debt to you now can you please release me" she said weakly.

He'd told her once that her life wasn't her own. That she had an obligation to the many Williamsons before her. Those that sacrificed so our legacy would be carved out in history. Now with the prospect of having a love she'd been denied before she wanted to be free. She wanted her shot. The painful thing is that paying her debt to her father was easy. Paying her debt to Dennis may be impossible.

"Cookie?"

Evangeline turned around to see her mother standing in her office "Ma?"

Lisa smiled. Look at her baby. She was everything she'd worked hard to make sure she would be. A successful attorney, with a private practice in one of the wealthiest cities in America. She'd really lived up to her potential. Lisa walked over to her and embraced her. "I've been calling you since Saturday"

Evangeline hugged her mother and felt the anxiety that time spent with Lisa always brought. "I'm sorry I was staying at a friends, I didn't want to be disturbed. Why didn't you leave a message?" she asked pulling away from her and smiling warmly. She'd missed Lisa despite the conflict her visit was sure to bring.

Lisa smiled at her "Well I didn't know if you were caught up in some big case and I didn't want to disturb you. Who is this friend?" she said frowning and stroking her daughter's hair.

Evangeline blushed and walked away from her mom toward her desk "I am so glad you came mom, Layla will be too"

Lisa looked at her daughter and narrowed her eyes. She knew when her girls were trying to keep something from her. "I asked you a question Cookie"

Evangeline looked up and smiled "Just a friend ma, I am entitled to a personal life you know"

Lisa smiled "Of course baby, I'm sorry just being protective of you as always"
Evangeline had to laugh at that. It was the biggest understatement of the day. Lisa had crossed the line of protectiveness years ago.

"Have you seen Layla yet? Would you like to go with me today? I have to get her ready for the bail hearing tomorrow"

Lisa walked over to the chair in front of her daughter's desk and sat down coolly "That's what I wanted to talk to you about Cookie"

Evangeline looked up concerned "Yes"

"Well, look at you and what you've accomplished. Your father is in heaven beaming right now. It must have taken great effort for a young unknown black female attorney to establish herself in this town"

Evangeline leaned back in her leather swivel chair and stared at Lisa "Your point?"

Lisa smoothed out her channel skirt with her manicured hands. Evangeline's father had left quite a nest egg for her mother when he died. To look at Lisa you'd think she lunched with Dorian Lord everyday "My point is that Layla's predicament could undo everything you've worked so hard for"

Evangeline eyes darkened. She wasn't in her office fifteen minutes and already she wanted to throw her out "Please tell me you came to town to help me help Layla"

Lisa shot her daughter an angry look "I came here because you called and needed me. I know what's best for the both of my children. It's time that Layla answer for what she's done. I think it would be best that you don't fight these charges and bring unwanted attention to yourself."

Evangeline shook her head. This was the most pathetic thing she'd ever witnesses. She was just glad that Lisa hadn't said this to Layla "I think you should go back home mom" she said focusing back on the paperwork on her desk. She wasn't in the mood to fight. She was feeling positive today.

"I'm your mother!" Lisa snapped causing Evangeline to look at her "Don't you dare dismiss me. I've sat back and watched you bail that girl out time and time again. Now this time it's too much! I will not let her destroy what we have worked so hard for"

Evangeline glared at her mother "WE?"
"That's right. If I had let you have your way at 17 you would be some project living mother of six straddled with a lowlife blue collar…"

"Shut up!" Evangeline screamed

Lisa looked back at her shocked. The look on her daughters face was of more rage than she'd ever seen directed at her. "Cookie..?"

"No! You stop it dammit!" Evangeline said throwing her pen on her desk and pounding it with her fist. She felt like jumping across her desk and choking the life out of her mother. She felt like giving her as much pain and sorrow that those words she spoke gave her. She wanted to scream. Tears flowed down her face and she glared at her mother with hatred. "Don't you…" she started but the rage in her body broke off her words "Don't you ever mention him to me" she finally chocked out.

Lisa looked at her stunned. Normally when she threw this up at Evangeline she retreated. She fell back under her control and did her bidding. Something had changed. Something had the pain raw for her again and that worried her. She did not like her daughter loosing control. "Cookie you need to calm down"

Evangeline wiped at her tears. For years her mother had taunted her with Dennis. Even after the horror and tragedy that their love had turned into. For years she repressed it and held onto her guilt silently. She promised her father that she would make him proud. That she would gain his respect again for disappointing him so. She'd promised herself that she would never love again and never think of the day Candace called and her world was forever changed.

She closed her eyes and composed herself in the way she'd seen her father do when Lisa pushed him too far. She was his child and she knew how to survive her mother because he had taught her well. Pain was something you could endure or succumb too. She'd decided a long time ago to just endure it.

"Mom, I'm sorry for yelling. I have a lot of work today to do. Where are you staying?" she asked calmly turning the rage off and regaining control.

Lisa smiled. That was her cookie, she could keep it control. Never let anyone know her pain. "Well I'm at the Palace but I'd rather stay with you"

Evangeline looked up at her and smiled "I think you'd be more comfortable at the Palace."

Lisa nodded. "I did pay Layla a visit"

Evangeline looked back up at her mom and frowned "Please tell me you didn't ask her to plead guilty"

Lisa looked at her nails and then casually back at her daughter "I suggested it"
Evangeline shook her head. "Would you stop it! I will get Layla out. There's a deal that I'm working with the prosecutors on. If we are lucky Layla will be home tomorrow night"

Lisa rolled her eyes "Layla better appreciate what you're doing for her"
Evangeline kept her voice calm and pushed away her anger at her mother "Mom, please be supportive, she's had a rough time. Can we just be a family through this?"

Before Lisa could respond there was a knock on her door. "Come in" Evangeline said curious as to who it was.

John peeked his head in "Excuse me, I didn't know you were with someone"
Lisa frowned "I'm not just someone I'm her mother" she said haughtily

Evangeline's eyes got wide. She didn't want them to meet. She actually preferred that Lisa never knew of John. "Hey, this is my mother Lisa Williamson" Evangeline said rising from her desk and making the introductions nervously.

Lisa stood and looked John up and down
He walked in and closed the door the smiling "A pleasure to meet you Ms. Williamson" he said extending his hand.

Lisa smiled and shook his hand "Are you a colleague?"
John looked at Evangeline and smiled "If you mean attorney no, I'm actually a Lieutenant with the LPD"

Lisa looked over at her daughter and took note of the smile on her face "You and Evangeline working on something?"

Evangeline stepped in "Mom, I think you should go back to the Palace and rest up. Tomorrow is a big day for Layla and I have some things to discuss with John"

John watched the exchange between Evangeline and her mother curious. There was tension between them.

Lisa looked at her daughter with a smirk on her face. "Okay, will you come to the Palace and join me for dinner?"

Evangeline shook her head no. "Normally I would but I'll be burning the midnight oil tonight" she said sweetly. Walking over to Lisa she kissed her cheek. Lisa knew that Evangeline was trying to get rid of her. She looked back at John and sized him up again.

"I want you to call me tonight, I'm staying in room 1234" she said grabbing her purse and kissing her daughter back.

Heading to the door she stopped in front of John "It was really nice to meet you"
John smiled at her "Very nice to meet you too, hope to see you again soon"
Lisa looked back at her daughter "We'll see" she said dryly and walked out of the door.

John looked at Evangeline "So that's your mom?"

Evangeline was exhausted by her mothers visit. She hadn't realized it but she'd held her breath and inhaled sporadically since that woman walked through the door. Despite all the pain between them before and after Daddy died, she always tried to respect and love her mother. So many years of not dealing with her true feelings for Lisa has left her emotionally drained.

She looked at John and tried to cover her anxiety "Yep that's Lisa!" she said casually.

John walked over to her and pulled her to him "This weekend was wonderful" Evangeline smiled at him "I know you're busy but I had to touch you again."

She tilted her head and felt him kiss her tenderly on the side of her neck. Evangeline wrapped her arms around him and closed her eyes. His touch was a big help. She thought about resisting but using her heart this time she lifted her head and kissed him instead.

John pulled back. "Do you want me to take you to the station to see Layla?"
She smiled "That means you would have to bring me back"
"Which is why I offered" he said seductively

Evangeline laughed. "I can't tonight. I have to be ready for court tomorrow and then the meeting about the plea deal"

John kissed her nose "I want to be a part of that meeting. We need to come up with an idea on how to deal with the Barkers"

Evangeline thought of RJ walking into the bar. She knew he would never do anything to harm her, but she hasn't seen him lurking around lately. Her instincts told her to check into that further.

"Let's go" she said letting go of him and retrieving her purse and briefcase from behind her desk.

John nodded and waited on her.

Layla lay in her bunk daydreaming of the things she would do when she was done with this mess.

"Layla" Evangeline said looking at her sister curled up with her back to her.
Layla turned over and looked up at Evangeline "Hey, Vangie"
Evangeline heard the dry and sullen way in which she spoke and felt worse. "You up for a visit?"

Layla looked behind Evangeline and saw that other cop with her and became angry "What is he doing here? More interrogations?"

John smiled at Layla "No, just thought I'd help"
Evangeline nodded "We are all working at clearing this up. If you want he can go"
Layla rolled her eyes "Who cares"

John opened the cell and let Evangeline in. "It might be best if I leave you two alone, I'll come back for you in 20 minutes" he said kissing her forehead.

Layla raised her eyebrows and looked at the exchange between the two of them amused

Evangeline blushed wishing that he hadn't done that in front of her "That's fine"

Layla folded her arms and waited until John left them alone "So you got a man now hunh?"

Evangeline dismissed the comment "I know that mom was here"
Layla looked at her angrily "You should you called her!"
Evangeline nodded "I'm sorry about that I thought she could help"

Layla jumped up from her bunk "Are you serious, even now you can't accept she keeps an extra broom stick in her closet to fly in and terrorize me!"

Evangeline smiled and then laughed. Both she and Layla laughed
"What can I say she's our mom" Evangeline said through laughter.
Layla stopped laughing and looked away "Well the jury's still out on that" she said under her breath.

"Tomorrow's the big day and I don't mean the bail hearing. I got the number from your purse on that Columbian contact and it's a good lead for the prosecutor. We strike a deal I might get you off with just probation"

Layla looked at Evangeline sadly "Vangie, if they don't want probation I could really go to jail?"

Evangeline looked at her sister and walked over to her. "Sweetie, there is no way I would let you go to jail. I will barter with the devil first"

Layla smiled "Guess that means you and mommy need to work out some kind of deal" she said laughing. Evangeline laughed and hugged her tightly.

"Just know that I have your back and we will do this together"

Layla nodded "Vangie, I'm sorry for the mean things I said last week to you. I'm sorry for throwing Dennis in your face. Mom has done that enough in the past and I don't want to be anything like her. Did she tell you that she wanted me to plead guilty?"

Evangeline nodded. "I'll handle mom, she's harmless…that judge is who we really have to win over" Layla hugged her sister and felt in that moment a closeness that is rare between them.

John came back and watched them embrace. Layla looked up and saw him staring "What's up with that guy?" Evangeline turned to see him smiling at them. "He's a good guy" she said letting go of Layla.

Layla walked to her cell bars "You like my sister hunh?" she said smiling at him.
John walked up and opened the cell "I'd say its more like love than like"

Layla looked at her sister and frowned "Love?"

Evangeline walked back to the small desk and got her belongings. "Remember to get some rest. I'll see you in the morning" she said trying to make a quick exit.

John looked at Evangeline confused. She was doing it again, minimizing their involvement in front of her family. It kind of hurt his feelings.

Layla sneered at John noticing his reaction "Don't worry, she does that to every man"
Evangeline ignored her sister's comments "Let's go" she said walking back down the corridor.

John locked Layla's cell and stared at her "Is love a bad word for you too?" he asked in response to the cold stare Layla was giving him.

Layla laughed "Love is no existent in the Williamson family" she said walking back to her bunk and sitting down.

John saw Evangeline waiting for him at the end of the hall and walked away from Layla. Something was definitely wrong with her relationship with her family.