Ivy's Twisted Vine Redux by Latrivia Nelson (books to read for beginners .TXT) 📕

“Yeah, Grandma liked everyone.” Emerald instantly jumped on Madison’s side.

“You don’t know that,” Sadie said snapping at Emerald. “Speaking of which, did you even meet that girl’s parents?”

“No. It wasn’t like I was marrying them.” Emerald sat the coffee cup down.

“You were marrying them,” Sadie said looking at Madison for support.

“It doesn’t matter now. She’s gone,” Emerald said more than ready to end the conversation. “The point is my keys are in her purse, and she’s headed to the airport. So, I need to borrow your car to go to Ivy’s house and give her these vitamins and pick up my spare keys.”

“Why would you leave your spare keys with Ivy?” Sadie was tired of being the only one that was talking. She was ready for Madison to jump in at any time.

“I just did,” Emerald walked over and kissed her on the cheek. Taking her keys off the table, he opened the door. “Bye nosy. I’ll be back in a little while. And thanks for your sympathy.”

“You don’t need sympathy. You need a job,” Sadie said in a matter of fact tone.

**

Finishing the last of her work for Professor Emanuel, Ivy sat at her laptop computer biting down on her number two pencil thinking about all the horrible things that could have happened to Nicola. It had been a week since he had gotten back into town yet, he hadn’t called her once. She thought that he had seemed nicer during their last conversation, but still he had not called once since the first night that he had arrived in Miami.

“Look, you have enough time to meet me and give me my keys,” Emerald said walking in and pecking Ivy on the cheek while on his cell phone with Kakeline. “You’re being stupid right now, and I just want to be the first to tell you.”

Ivy closed the door and smirked. Men sure had a way with words. Taking the bottle of vitamins that he handed her to the kitchen, she brought Emerald back one of her cookies she baked for Trina to cheer him up.

“Thank you,” Emerald said putting his phone away.

“What’s wrong with you two?”

“She left me. She’s going back home.”

“Oh no.” She rubbed Emerald’s back. “Are you really that sad?” Ivy knew her brother. His ego was the only thing that was really hurting.

“I’m pissed.” Looking around, he didn’t see any signs of Trina. “Where’s your, girl?”

“At work. She just left about ten minutes ago.” An idea hit her and she threw up her hands. Grabbing the cordless phone, she turned to Emerald.

“Will you do me a favor?”

“What?” He was far from being in the mood for favors.

“Call the precinct and ask for Nicola. He won’t answer his cell phone or home phone, and they know my voice from me calling so much.”

“Why are you stalking him? Shouldn’t it be the other way around?”

“It should.” Ivy whined like a schoolgirl. “But I’m really worried, and I don’t’ care how it looks. Now, will you call him or not?” She pleaded.

“All right. What’s the number?” Emerald sighed. At least someone was making an effort in their relationship. Kakeline sure wasn’t.

“5-5-5, um, 9-2-0-1.” She bit her lip anxiously.

“Yes, is Lieutenant Nicola Agosto available?” Emerald shook his head at Ivy as she clasped her hands together. “Oh.” Listening. “Well, this is Emerald Winters. I’m a friend.” Listening. “Alright, will do. Thanks.” Hanging up the phone, he touched Ivy’s shoulder. “They said that he doesn’t want to talk to anyone with the last name Winters or Henderson.”

Ivy’s eyes bucked and her mouth fell. “What?”

“I’m just kidding,” Emerald laughed. “I needed that. You should really see the look on your face for a woman who barely cares. They said that he was still on leave. He’s probably at home, Ivy. Just call him there.” Handing her the phone, he sat down the couch and grabbed the remote. “You don’t mind if I crash here for a while do you?”

“No, I don’t care.” Ivy said grabbing her keys. “I’m tired of calling. Something could be wrong.” She tapped her foot impatiently. “I’ll be back.”

“Where are you going?” He already knew.

“Don’t tell anyone.” Grabbing her cell phone and purse, Ivy dashed out the front door.

**

Ivy had only been to Nicola’s place once over eight months ago in the dark. So, she struggled through the luxury neighborhood looking for a black Cadillac Escalade in hopes of finding him. Nearly ready to give up, she turned down a somewhat familiar street where she saw his truck. Pulling into his driveway, she turned off her car and sat contemplating what her next move would be. What if she knocked on the door and another woman opened it? What would she say? Hello. I’m his baby’s mother possibly. The thought nearly made her want to pull out of the driveway and hightail it back to Cordova, but it was too late now.

Opening the door to her car, Ivy took a deep breath and turned off her cell phone. There would be no interruptions if she could help it. As she walked up his driveway to his front door another thought came to mind. What if Caesar’s men had come back to finish the job? What if they were in there right now with a gun to his head? What if he had committed suicide and all that was left was a rotting carcass and a foul smelling house? No. She shook off her vivid imagination.

Ivy rang the doorbell and looked around the quiet cove as two children sat playing in their front yard several homes down. When there was no answer she rang the doorbell a second time and looked over at his Escalade again. God only knew why she tested the door to see if it was unlocked, but never the less it was, and she let herself inside hoping that Nicola wouldn’t mind too much.

Closing the door behind her, Ivy was met by a cluttered living