Chapter 11

“So, you were able to get up to Winslow this past weekend?” said Carlton.

“Yes, and he was feeling down. But I do thank you for getting him a private cell. I asked him about what it was like before,” said Lea.

“Okay?” said Carlton.

“He wasn’t real forthcoming. I’ve asked him before when I went up there, but I pushed a little harder this time, not trying to upset him, but I did want to know. But like I said...” she said.

“Likely he didn’t want you to worry too much,” he said.

“I know, and I appreciate that. He is such a good man. I just hope he’s safe now. And, maybe not too lonely. You know like you said he might be,” she said.

“I have to say, Lea, and I’ve kinda said it before, that that man is so damn lucky to have you. I would give anything to have a woman like you, in fact you per se,” he said, and he stared at her, meaningfully stared at her.

“Huh?” she said.

“You heard me, woman,” he said. Lea, he’s going to be in there too long for you to wait for him. And, I’m going to say it. If he were near as good a man as you say he is, he would cut you loose and encourage you to get on with your life,” said Carlton.

“Hah! He has, more than once,” she said. The man’s mouth opened wide but no sound emanated therefrom.

“What did you say?” he said.

“He understands how hard it is to be alone. He has told me that if a man wanted to marry me it would be okay. But there is one codicil. Never would he tolerate any man, even if I married, to claim his fatherhood of Kari from him. Stepfather, uncle, no problem of any new man, okay. But he has made it plain that the one thing he could not stomach was losing his fatherhood status. And that as Kari’s ‘only father’, no shared fatherhood, not ever that. No wiggle room on that one requirement,” she said.

“Oh my,” he said.

“Huh?” said Lea.

“Lea, that man, that wonderful man of yours just became a multi-millionaire,” he said. “And that among other things too numerous to mention.”

“What?” she said.

“Lea, I need you to marry me. I have looked. I have prayed for a woman of your caliber. There aren’t any, just you,” he said.

But...” she said.

“I totally guarantee you, that the day he gets out, he will be set for life. He will have money and power and any woman in the world that he wants, well, except you. I want you. Will you marry me?” he said.

“Huh? Marry you ... huh?” she said.

“Carlton...” she started, but could not think of anything to say. The man snorted.

“Lea, I need you to think about things. Talk to Anna and your mom, maybe. Marrying me would be best for everyone: Andrew, you, me, even Anna and your mom. And of course. it goes without saying, Kari. Take some time and think about things. Okay?” he said. She was nodding, but she was very dubious.

Lea was crying, only a little, but she was crying. She’d just got done assuring her man that she would be there for him no matter what when he got out. But this was different, wasn’t it? She had to think and indeed talk to Anna, especially Anna. Oh yes.

“Okay, sir, I will think about things. Okay?” she said.

“Yes, of course,” he said. “We’ll talk again, well, often and long.” She nodded.

“We always seem to be here when anything big comes along, doesn’t it?” said Lea.

“Big?” said Anna.

“Well, yeah,” said Leah: “me hooking up with Andrew, me dumping Wesley, Carlton dating the two of us,” I said.

“Okay?” said Anna.

“And me annouci8ng to you that Carlton has asked me to marry him?” said Lea.

“What did you say? Never mind, I heard you. What the fuck!” said Anna. And yes, she was screaming.

“Yes, and I don’t know what to do,” she said.

“Bullshit! You marry the guy. And when you do, you tell your man upstate what you did and how you are going to take care of him, or your new man is,” said Anna.