Chapter 22
Kevin agonized over the situation as he was driven back to the house. He knew that if he told Deviane about the deal he had made with her father, she would be devastated. He considered keeping it a secret, but dismissed that idea. The one thing they both wanted was a totally honest relationship. There couldn't be secrets between them. He thought of ways he could phrase her father's treachery that might be easier for her to take, but Deviane was not stupid, she would quickly understand that her father was using her as a pawn in his political games. Finally, he decided there was nothing he could do but tell it exactly like it happened. If Deviane never spoke to her father again, it was his own fault. When he arrived at the residence, Deviane was waiting for him. She rushed to him as he got out of the car. They embraced.
"Boy, am I going to get greeted like this every time I come home?"
"Of course, I missed you."
"I've only been gone three hours."
"It seemed like a week."
Kevin smiled and pulled Deviane's lips to his. Kissing her was like being plugged into a two hundred and twenty volt socket. Kevin's knees weakened from the jolt.
"Hmmm. That was sweet," he said.
Deviane winked at him.
"Just wait, the best is yet to come."
"Why wait, I'm ready now."
"No, no. You can't have all the candy at once, you’ll get sick."
"I'll chance it."
"Yeah, I bet. Come on inside. I want to show you the pictures of my mother's wedding. It will give us some ideas for ours."
"Okay."
Kevin followed Deviane inside to the parlor, where she had three large photo albums out on a table. She sat and started turning the pages. Kevin stood behind her, looking over her shoulder.
"Wasn't my mother a beautiful bride?"
"Oh God, yes. It’s obvious where you got your beauty."
"Silly, I'm not as pretty as Mom."
"Bullshit! You're just as pretty, maybe prettier."
"Do you think so?"
"I know so."
"Hmm. Do you like the lavender dresses?"
"Yeah, they're okay."
"My mom was married in the Cathedral. Do you think we should do that too?"
"I thought you wanted to be married in the Botanical Gardens?"
"I do, but do you think it would be bad luck not to be married in the church?"
"Not as long as a priest marries us. It shouldn't matter."
"Wasn't Daddy a handsome groom?"
"That he was," Kevin said and then sat in the chair next to Deviane.
"Speaking of your father, I need to talk to you about something. It's not a pleasant topic."
Deviane looked at Kevin.
"What?"
"You know, sometimes honesty can be painful. I know we've pledged to be totally honest with each other, but there are some things that I think would be better left a secret. I'm asking you to let me have one secret. It would be better if you didn't know it."
"Kevin, what are you talking about?"
"There is something that I should tell you, but if you want my opinion, you'd be better off not to know it. Please give me permission not to tell you."
Deviane gave Kevin a hard stare.
"I don't know, Kevin. I would always wonder what your deep dark secret was. I don't know if that would be good. I've got quite a vivid imagination, you know. I'd think of a hundred possibilities. I would always feel sick inside wondering which one it was."
"You would never imagine this one. But, it's okay, I knew I'd have to tell you. I just didn't want to have to do it."
"What is it? Tell me."
"Your father almost sent me home to America today."
"What?"
"There was a prisoner, who he believed was a high ranking NDC official. He told me, if I didn't identify him as being at the warehouse before the assault, that he would ship me back to America and I would never see you again."
"No, Kevin. It's not true! You misunderstood him."
"There was no mistake, sweetheart. I'm sorry."
"Daddy wouldn't do such a thing. He loves me and he knows how much I love you. He wouldn't do something like that."
"I told you it would be better kept a secret."
"Kevin, this is a joke, right?"
"No! This isn't a joke, Deviane. I wouldn't kid about something like this."
Deviane began to cry.
"Why would he do such a horrible thing?"
"He's desperate, I guess. He says his government might not survive if he can't find someone to punish for the NDC's crimes against Trinidad."
Deviane wiped the tears from her eyes with her sleeve.
"You're still here. If what you say is true, why aren't you on your way to America? You couldn't have agreed to this scheme."
"I did refuse, but something unbelievable happened."
"He changed his mind, he came to his senses, right? God! You scared the crap out of me."
"No, I'm sorry, honey. When they showed me the so called high ranking NDC official, it turned out to be Obatala."
Deviane's mouth dropped.
"Oh God, no! Oh, Kevin, I can't believe this."
"I nearly died right on the spot."
"Did you tell Daddy who he was?"
"Yes, but he didn't care. This was the man he wanted me to falsely accuse of treason."
"So what did you do?"
"I said no, I wouldn't do it. I told him you would never stand for it either. So I told him to take me away and do whatever he had to do."
"You were really going to let him take you away without even saying goodbye?"
"What choice did I have? Obatala's life was at stake. At least, that's what I initially thought."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, as we were leaving I thought I should say goodbye to Obatala. Your father was gracious enough to grant me that last request. When I told Obatala what had happened, he said I should do what the Prime Minster wanted."
"What? He consented to being hanged for treason?"
"No, not exactly. One of the conditions of the arrangement was that your father would have to promise that Obatala wouldn't be executed. He would also have to guarantee the safety of Obatala's family. He wanted them to be sent to America, and given money to live on."
"I can't believe Obatala would agree to that. How could he just leave his family?"
"He knew that, because he was Ray's brother, he would probably go to prison anyway, whether I testified or not. This way he could be sure his family would be safe and protected. I promised him you and I would keep an eye out for them in America."
"How can I ever look my father in the face again after this? I thought he loved me. Now I know I'm just a piece of property, a possession that he'll sell to the highest bidder. Take me home with you to America. We'll get married in Texas."
"I knew you would say that, but what about your mother? She’ll die if you don't get married here in Trinidad."
"We can't have it here; the wedding will be nothing more than a political event. It will just be part of my father's games. I want our wedding to be about us, about truth and honesty, not deceit and treachery. My mother can come to our wedding in Texas."
"It won't be the same. She'll be humiliated. I love your mother and I hate for this to happen to her, just because of your father. Besides, if you disown your father, what would keep him from hanging Obatala? Once I testify, there would be nothing to stop him. Only his love for you will insure he honors his commitment."
"I'm not so sure he loves me anymore."
"I think he does. He's just under a lot of pressure and is not thinking clearly. In his mind, he's doing what's best for you and the family, as well as Trinidad."
"He's doing what's best for himself."
"Maybe, but I don't think we have a choice."
"Damn it! I hate when someone else controls my life!"
"Why don't we get away from here awhile? I'd li
ke to go home before the trial. My parents have been worried sick, besides they haven't met you yet. I want you to meet all of my family and friends."
"Oh, that would be fun," Deviane replied. "We'd have three weeks before the trial."
"That's plenty of time. We can check out some colleges while we’re in the United States too."
"That's a good idea."
"You know what?" Kevin said. "We should take Obatala's family with us. That way we can make sure they get out of Trinidad."
"That makes sense. We can help them get settled before we come back for the trial."
"Exactly. I'll go call Cetawayo and see if we can go over to her place and talk to her."
"Okay, I'll go change and put on some make-up."
"You don't need make-up. You're beautiful just the way you are."
"Yes, I do. I won't be long."
Kevin called the Prime Minister and told him he was going to see Cetawayo, to advise her of the deal. He agreed, but didn't like the idea of them going to her home, as it would be too dangerous. He suggested dinner that evening at Michael's, in their private dining room. He said he would make all the arrangements. Kevin agreed and advised Deviane when she came down from her room.
Kevin and Deviane were driven to Michael's that evening. When they arrived, they were taken to a table where Cetawayo was already seated. Although she tried to hide it, it was obvious she had been crying a lot. Her eyes were bloodshot and she looked like she hadn't slept in days. She got up when she saw Kevin and they embraced.
"Cetawayo, it's so good to see you again. This is Deviane, the Prime Minister's daughter, and soon to be my wife."
"Oh," Cetawayo said coolly.
"Deviane had no part in this, believe me."
"I'm so sorry about your husband, Cetawayo," Deviane said. "He’s a wonderful man who saved my life. I’ll be forever indebted to him."
"Then why don't you get your father to let him go?"
Kevin took a deep breath.
"Okay, let's sit down and talk about this. I know this is difficult."
Cetawayo and Deviane didn't move.
"Come on. Sit down," Kevin said and gestured toward the table. "We'll talk about this while we eat."
Deviane walked over to the table and sat down. Cetawayo reluctantly followed her. Kevin sat down last.
"This is what Obatala wants, Cetawayo. He knows that there is no escape for him, because he is Ray's brother. He's made a deal with me and the Prime Minister. You and the kids are to go to America and live. The Prime Minister is going to give you two hundred thousand dollars so that you'll have plenty of money to live on until you can get settled."
"Is two hundred thousand dollars the price of his life?"
"No, the Prime Minister has promised he won't be executed. He'll just go to prison for a while. A long while I'm afraid, but at least he won't die. This way, you and the kids will be safe. Deviane and I will be living in America, so we'll be there for you if you need us."
"But, if I'm in America, the children and I won't be able to visit Obatala."
"I know, but you won't be safe here. Obatala's going to take the NDC down. He's going to testify against everyone involved. It's going to get pretty ugly."
"Oh God, this isn't fair. Obatala had nothing to do with the NDC. He hated it!"
"Exactly, and now he has a chance to destroy it."
Tears flooded from Cetawayo's eyes. Deviane went to her and tried to console her.
"Your kids will like America. They'll be happy there. I know they'll miss their father, but it would be more painful for them if they were here and had to read all the nasty lies about him in the newspaper, and hear them talk about him on television."
"This is our home. We love Trinidad."
"I know, but I hear America is a wonderful place,” Deviane said. “Your children will be better off there."
"When would we leave?"
"Soon. Kevin and I will be going to Texas to meet his family. We'll take you with us."
"What about school, and my job?"
"We'll find a job for you in America, and the schools there are good."
"I don't know if I can leave Obatala."
"He wants you to leave. He'll be worried sick about you if you stay," Kevin said.
"This is terrible. Why did this have to happen?"
"I don't know, but you've got to come with us," Deviane pleaded. "If not for yourself, think of your children."
"All right. If it's what Obatala wants me to do."
"It is. I'll arrange for you to see him before we leave," Kevin said.
"Yes, please. I need to see him. I'm so worried about him."
"You will, you'll see him soon,” I promise.”