Underestimated Too(21)

“Her husband was a big time movie director, traveling a lot, leaving her alone more than he should have. He and Michael were good friends. He sent a lot of rich, famous people to Michael for expensive purchases. Valerie was there a lot,” Drew answered.

“And your mom?” I curiously asked, waiting for Deidra to stop me. She didn’t, she let us interact with each other without a word.

“She knew. She couldn’t do anything about it. She made excuses for him, saying he was just a man with needs. She was still sure he was going to marry her. He’d never had any intentions of marrying my mother. Trying to convince her of that fact was like pulling teeth, not that I ever got the chance anyway.”

“What do you mean?” I probed, confused.

“You know how the house is. I didn’t plant all those cameras; Michael did. He could hear every word we said. He didn’t let us around each other much, not alone anyway. She came down for meals, looking like a million bucks. She escorted my father to all his parties and functions, playing the role of the perfect couple. You of all people should know how that is. You played it too, Morgan.”

I only nodded, remembering the same dinner parties, with my arm looped through Drew’s, playing the flawless wife as well.

“Mind if you fill me in too?” Deidra asked.

“Later, that’s getting a little ahead of time,” Drew countered, and she nodded for him to continue. “Valerie left shortly after I’d walked in on them. Michael was furious when he came looking for me. I’d never seen him that mad before.

‘Go to my office,’ Michael ordered, taking a call on his cell.

I went to his office, bouncing around nervously, waiting for the unknown. I glanced at the computer screen, seeing my mother on his monitor, sewing. Why the fuck was she sewing? What the fuck was she sewing? I wondered, trying to occupy my mind.

‘Take your pants down, boy.’ Michael startled me, closing and locking the door behind him. I’d never done that in front of him. He’d always just crawled in bed with me. Hesitating he screamed for me to do it, now. I did. He moved his eyes down my scrawny sixteen-year-old body and removed his belt.

‘Bend over,’ he ordered.

I took his blows from the belt, gritting my teeth, and reminding myself that I was a man, and I wasn’t going to cry. He couldn’t make me cry,” Drew spoke vehemently.

“Drew, you were not a man. You were a boy,” I assured him.

“SHUT-UP!” Drew yelled, turning to me.

Deidra lightly shook her head, motioning me not to respond and for Drew to continue.

Drew then calmly proceeded, “That became Michael’s next thrill; me messing up so he could bend me over his desk and humiliate me with his belt. He still visited me whenever he wanted at night but never spoke of it. I never mentioned it either. I did what was expected of me. I’ll never forget the first time I stood in front of a group of men and led a meeting. It was in the Chicago store. It was struggling and Michael had given me three months to come up with a plan and fix it. I did, leaving him and a room full of men overly impressed with me. I never felt bad at all when I was the one made to fire three employees and up the hours of three more. I felt powerful, prevailing, and unstoppable. I was on top of the world and nothing was stopping me.

By the time I was seventeen, I could run Callaway Jewels, fire anyone without an ounce of remorse, and close a major deal better than Michael himself. I didn’t care about anyone, or anything. I only cared about the next big deal, how much money the stores were making, and how much power I held over others. You think I’m cocky now, you should have seen me then.” Drew smiled my way.

I didn’t want him to stop. I wanted to hear more. Deidra stopped him after that. We’d already gone over our hour by ten minutes.

“Have a seat, Drew.” Deidra nodded to the sofa beside me.

Drew sat, reaching for my hand.

“Let’s pick up here, next week. Are you going to be here?” Deidra asked, looking at Drew and not me.

“Yes, we’ll be here.”

“No, makeup or dark sun glasses?” Deidra posed it as a question to Drew.

“No, she won’t need either. I promise,” Drew reassured her confidently.

“Drew’s not coming home right away. He’s going to work at his office downtown for a while. I’m going to take a cab home,” I elaborated.

“No, you’re not, and you’re riding with me. I’m fine.”

I was a little scared to do that. I mean, Drew seemed fine. He didn’t seem angry at all. I would prefer going with him. I just didn’t know if it was a good idea.