Legacy: It's Never Black and White in Love and Business (7 page)

(1 year later) 

“Hello, this is Carlton Webber, and I am sitting here with Senator Marcellus Marlowe as he travels on the road. Senator Marlowe, is a North Carolina candidate for Governor running against Mr. Cannon Keen. Good Morning, Sen. Marlowe. How are things on the road?” 

“Well Carlton, things are going well. I’ve met a lot of people, and I’ve listened to their concerns. That is why hitting the road here in North Carolina was so important to me. You can’t represent people if you don’t know them, and if you want the vote of the people, they need to know that you are willing to listen.  Otherwise, the system is not working as it should.” 

“What would you say that you’ve learned about our state?” 

“I’ve learned that our state does have some problems to iron out, but there is brilliance and intelligence here in North Carolina.  Teaming up with local church groups, schools, and other outreach programs has allowed us to meet some very talented and intelligent people who can certainly help direct the course our state will take going forward.” 

“And, how’s the family handling all of this?” 

“Well, as most of you know, I like to keep my family around me.  We’ve traveled a great bit together, but my beautiful daughter-in-law is due any day now, so my wife Lena is at home with her and my son.” 

“Do you plan on heading home for the birth?” 

“Absolutely, the moment she feels the first contraction, we’re gonna turn this bus around. I can’t miss the birth of my first grandbaby.” 

“That is an amazing thing. Do you plan to share the experience with your voters and friends?” 

Marcellus let out a hearty laugh, “No, I can’t say that we’ll allow cameras in the delivery room, but we certainly don’t mind you all meeting the newest extension of our family.” 

“That sounds great Senator Marlowe. We look forward to meeting the newest little Marlowe and one last question, if you would.” 

“Sure, I think we have time for one more.” 

“What is next for your son?  Do you anticipate him heading toward a life of politics?” 

“I can’t say that.  But, what I can say is that wherever he is and in whatever he decides to do, you can rest assured that he will be helping someone. He’s a Marlowe.” 

“Well North Carolina, you heard it here first. Thank you for your time Senator Marlowe. We’re gonna hold you to sharing a photo of your grandchild.” 

“The grandbaby is our legacy. I look forward to sharing.” 

“This is Carlton Webber signing off.” With those words the lights went out and the cameras went down. “Thank you for allowing us to follow you during your campaign. I think what you’re doing is great, and I hope it really changes some things for the better,” the reporter continued. 

“No doubt it will,” said Marcellus before turning to his bodyguard. “Jackal, please show Mr. Webber to his car.”  The tall strong man opened the door as watched as the eager young reporter step off the bus. 

***

 “Mr. Keen, you have a phone call on line one.” 

“I’m a little busy right now Sarah, who is it?” 

“There’s a Mrs. Tesha Edwards-Brewer on the line.” 

What could she possibly want after all this time? The girl was in college and doing well according to his sources, but it had been a while since he’d checked in on Edwina. The last thing he heard was that she cleared her trust fund. This must be about money
, Cannon thought. 

“Yes, Tesha. What is it? I was just heading out.” 

“I need to talk to you.” 

“About what? Our reason to talk should be old enough to speak for herself now.  Is the money I send not enough to cover college?” 

“You have no clue, do you?” Tesha asked sarcastically. 

“Clue? Is there something I need to know?” 

“Cannon, I have never breathed a word to the world about you being Edwina’s father, but I need something from you now for being so quiet all these years.” 

“Don’t talk to me about money when you two just emptied the trust fund I set up.” 

“That was your daughter. She found out that she had a little money and went crazy. I don’t know what rock you’ve been hiding under, but she even went and married that Marlowe boy.” 

“What Marlowe boy?” 

“Matthew Marlowe, the son your opponent Senator Marcellus Marlowe.” 

“How could you have allowed this to happen, Tesha? She could ruin me.” 

“Stop being so dramatic, why do you think I’m calling you? Now, this disrespectful child of yours wants money from you to keep quiet.” 

“WHAT!?!” Cannon yelled through the phone. “After all I’ve done for her, how could she do this to me?”  

“I told you the little bitch was disrespectful. Do you know she’s passing as white, too?” 

“Passing? That’s very dangerous in this arena, especially with your black ass around here stirring the pot.” 

“Oh, so do you really want to talk about my black ass? Your love for my black ass is what got us here in the first place,” Tesha snapped back. 

“Enough, enough. How much does she want?” 

“Three million dollars.” 

“We both know that number is insane, Tesha. I will give her one million, and that’s just because she’s my child.  I would never have her out there in the world living in the gutter and throwing shit on my name. You tell that girl of ours to take this money and keep her fucking mouth shut. There is too much riding on this, Tesha. You’d better have this handled. I cannot be in the midst of another scandal. I won’t survive it this time. Do you hear me? I’ll make the transfer later today, but you make sure she knows to keep her damned mouth closed.” 

Cannon slammed the phone down and pounded his fist onto his desk. 

***

 “See how easy that was?” James said proudly. He loved his new wife. She was down for anything, and she loved the hell out of him.  “Now, we just have to do the same thing to Marcellus, and we’ll be set for the rest of our lives,” James continued. 

Little did he know, Marcellus wouldn’t be as easy a sale. 

“I don’t give a damn what he says, James. I’m not giving Cannon Keen money. If he wants to blackmail me, let him go ahead. I promise you, he’ll have more to lose than me.” 

James wasn’t prepared for such resistance, and it showed. 

“Well Bro, a little birdy gave me the heads up, and I wanted you to know.” 

“James, stop lying. I know you like the back of my own hand, and this has you all over it. If you need money ask, but don’t come to me with this bullshit. Who came up with this? Was it that hood booger wife of yours?” 

“That’s your problem Big Bro. You always thought you were smarter, so what if it isn’t really Cannon Keen. The fact is, if you don’t get me 2 million dollars by tomorrow, I am telling everybody about your little African American family. I don’t mind being the poster child for that.” 

Marcellus knew his brother had him over a barrel, but all he needed was time and within a split second, the Senator had a plan. 

“Look, here’s the way this shit is gonna work. I ain’t giving you shit until after the election. How do I know you aren’t gonna come after more money then, too?” 

“Nah, Bro. Then you could get elected and not break bread.” 

“Shut up, you dumb mother fucker. You have a house, car, and monthly allowance because of me. Chill the fuck out before you’re making press release from a fucking box.” 

“Dang Big Bro, you don’t have to get so hostile.” 

“I’ll send you a postdated check if that’ll make you feel better. Now get your disrespectful and ungrateful ass off my phone.” 

Marcellus slammed the phone down, and as soon as he did it rung again. 

“What else do you want?” he asked. 

“Dad, what are you talking about? This is me Matt.  It’s time.”  Marcellus could hear his daughter-in-law scream as his son continued. “We’re heading out to the hospital now. Lena is taking charge as usual, so we’re fine, but get here as soon as you can. I don’t want you to miss the birth of Matthew Marcellus Marlowe, Jr.” 

“Don’t you worry about it son. I’m on my way.” Marcellus jumped up from his desk and grabbed his phone. 

“Jimmy!” he screamed, “Isn’t Cannon Keen here in Charlotte today?” 

“Yes Sir. He’s a couple blocks away at a venue downtown.” 

“Get him on the line for me,” Marcellus ordered. 

“Excuse me, Sir.” 

“You heard me, Jimmy. Get him on the phone for me, and you can do it right here. Just have a seat.” 

For the first time since he’d hired Jimmy, he realized that his nephew was sitting right in front of him. The boy looked just like James and his name was Jimmy. How could he have missed that all this time? 

Marcellus looked on as shaky hands dialed the opponent’s camp. 

“Hello.  This is Jimmy, assistant to Senator Marcellus Marlowe. I’d like Mr. Cannon Keen, please.” 

The Senator looked on as the room fell silent.  Finally, Jimmy began to speak, and within seconds, he was handing Marcellus the phone. 

“Hello My Brother,” Marcellus belted into the phone, “I think we should talk. I have an idea.” 

Jimmy had no idea how these two men were connected, but this phone call was evidence that they certainly were not enemies. They seemed like old frat buddies having a conversation. Jimmy was himself affiliated with another fraternity and he immediately recognized the camaraderie. 

“Great! I’ll pick you up in an hour and we can take my jet to the Port City. My daughter-in-law is about to have my grandbaby.” Marcellus hung up the phone and laid it on the desk before pouring his coffee all over the phone. 

“Oh, shit,” remarked the Senator, “We gotta get you another phone, nephew.” 

Jimmy’s look gave away his thoughts, as the word nephew resounded in his head but he remained speechless. 

“Let’s just leave this one here, and we’ll get you another one when we get to the Port.  But for now, we gotta roll.” 

Marcellus had just taken away Jimmy’s life line, in addition to finding him out. The young man was visibly afraid. His hands shook, as he picked up his clipboard from Marcellus’ desk. Marcellus smiled as he saw fear. 

“No need to be afraid, lil’ nephew. I’m not gonna hurt you. We’re family, but I am gonna show you how it’s done, so you can cut the shakes and shit. You and your daddy thought you were slick, but you can still use a greasing.” 

Matthew picked up his cell. “Yes, we’ll need my plane ready to go in 30 minutes. Edwina is finally in labor. We’re heading to Wilmington.” 

(9 months later) 

Senator Cannon Keen bounced the curly haired bundle joy on his knee, as Edwina and Matthew looked on smiling from the kitchen window. 

“Can you believe the way our family has come together?” Edwina asked. 

“Nope, but I love it.” Governor Marcellus Marlowe remarked. 

“The legacy for this family is secure. There were a ton of smoke and mirrors, but Lena and that damned Mafietta had it all worked out. Whether you two know it or not, you are in an arranged marriage.” 

“What do you mean, Dad?” 

“Don’t you think we knew you couldn’t swim, Edwina?” 

She smiled as she softly punched her father-in-law in the chest. 

“Don’t you remember how the teacher just knew you’d need help and just happened to have Matthew on stand-by for swimming lessons?” 

Edwina turned smiling to her husband, “So you knew about this too?” she asked. 

“No, but I did,” Cannon added, as he and the baby came in from the back porch. 

Lena walked over and took the baby from Cannon to feed him. 

“You guys are something else. Who thinks of this kind of thing? There had to be a ton of moving pieces.” Edwina added as she tried to hide her disbelief.

“There were,” Cannon replied, “There were even times when I thought Tesha would put two and two together, but she was too blinded by money to see anything else.” 

“You don’t know what it means to finally know my father,” Edwina began to cry. 

Cannon walked over to his daughter as Lena, Marcellus, and Matthew looked on. 

“You have no idea what it means to finally meet you. Thanks for allowing me in your life after all this time.” 

“Okay, okay. Enough of all this sappy shit, we have to decide which of these properties to use for this assisted living facility,” Marcellus responded, trying to move the group back to their reason for meeting. 

Then, Senator Cannon Keen and Governor Marcellus Marlowe sat down with their family to plan the opening of their new facility called Legacy. 

“Dad,” Matthew asked, “Why did you choose the name Legacy for this endeavor?” 

“I did this because it’s all for you and Jr. I want to know that you are set and that his children and their children are set as well.” 

“Exactly, we are building a Legacy.  And as long as you keep that in mind, this family will be secure.” Cannon added

“What about Tesha and James?” Edwina asked. 

“I’m sure they’ll think of something else and come back in a few years.  Things are never in black and white when you’re building a Legacy.” 

.  . .to be continued