A Man's Appetite (4 page)

                            “No, Jimmy! It is not okay”, replied Rhonda.

“Yes, Jimmy. You have guests at the table, so that wouldn’t be polite”, laughed Marla.

Stanley finally returned to the table.

              “Is everything okay”, asked Diane.

“Yes. I just would hold off on going to the bathroom for a while.”

Everyone burst out in laughter.

“Well, we have the half bath down this hall available”, confirmed Michael.

              “Marla, I have a question”

                            “Yes, Jimmy?”

              “What was the reason for having three meats?”

                            “What do you mean”, asked Marla.

              “I’m saying. A normal meal consists of one meat and two sides. Usually, a vegetable and a starch.”

                            “More than one meat gives you options. It doesn’t mean you have to eat all three”, informed Marla.

              “Well, I wish you would’ve said something”, said Jimmy as if to blame Marla for overeating.

                            “Next time, let Rhonda fix your plate.”

              “Next time, write a note forewarning us.”

As the sun began to set, the men headed for the sectional couch, in the living room to watch the late baseball game. Every man got comfortable in their spot and scarcely talked about baseball as the game played. At the same time, Marla and the ladies remained at the dining table to “talk”. Marla and Diane made eye contact, rose from the table, and headed for the kitchen. They returned with wine glasses and two new bottles of chardonnay. Marla popped the cork and the scent of chardonnay filled the area.

              “What a way to end a meal”, said Stephanie.

Diane arranged the glasses as Marla began to pour. After their second glass, the ladies continued their conversation.

              “Is it just me or does it seem as if the man does majority of the eating, but little of the cleaning”, asked Rhonda.

                            “Little of the cleaning, little of the cooking, little of the laundry”, confirmed Angie.

“Little of everything”, they all shouted.

“Girl, I’ve been married for a long time. All I can say is they hit and miss”, said Marla.

                            “Don’t worry. I already let Tony know he will have to step it up”, confirmed Angie.

“Tony?”

                            “I know. I’m saying too much.”

“You want some water?”

                            “Might as well give me some more wine. I’ve let one of the cats out the bag. It’s too late now.”

Everyone began to laugh.

“So, you and Tony are an item”, asked Marla.

                            “Girl, he just new ‘meat’.”

“Oh. Excuse me.”

              “She said, new meat”, laughed Diane.

                            “I have a rule in my office”, said Angie as she takes another gulp of wine.

                            “I get first dibs.”

Everyone stared in amazement.

              “I need some water”, said Stephanie.

Moments Later….

Marla entered the family room, where almost every man had went off to sleep on the sectional, as Michael struggled to stay awake. Marla walked over to Michael.

“Alright everybody, time to go”, yelled Marla, startling the men that were asleep.

Marla and Michael walked over to the door to say goodbye to everyone as they left.

“Did your stomach relieve some pressure, Jimmy”, asked Marla.

              “Yes. I think I can go another round.”

“Not tonight.”

Jimmy smiled as Rhonda pushed him out the door. Marla and Michael continued to watch as cars started up and headlights shined. After every vehicle departed, Michael closed the door and took a deep breath. Michael kissed Marla on the forehead.

              “Tired”, asked Michael.

“Get a fork.”

              “I understand. I feel the same way.”

7:38AM

Ms. Loins walked into the Evans’ home, holding Michael Junior by the hand. She closed the door and sat her purse and keys on the table.

“Is mom here”, Junior asked Ms. Loins.

              “Yes. She’s probably still asleep dear.”

Junior took off running towards his parents’ bedroom.

              “Junior let her sleep dear.”

Junior never looked back. Ms. Loins shook her head and prepared to get the house in order. Junior rushed towards Marla’s side of the bed. He grabbed onto the comforter to pull himself up onto the bed. As he made it to the top, his left knee rested on Marla, waking her up. Marla managed to open one of her eyes as she struggled to focus on who was on top of her.

“Junior?”

              “I’m here, mom.”

“Yes, baby.”

              “It’s birthday, mom.”

“Oh. You are so right. Happy birthday, baby. How old are you?”

Junior proudly held up three fingers, on one hand.

“That’s right. And, what is that?”

              “Three.”

“Yes. How did you get here?”

              “Loins.”

“Well, let momma get up, so she can say hello to Ms. Loins.”

Junior jumped off the bed, as Marla got from under the sheets, had a long stretch, and put on her robe. They both walked into the family room, holding each other’s hand. Ms. Loins was busy cleaning off the end tables.

“Good morning, Ms. Loins.”

              “Good Morning. Looks like you all had a good time.”

“Very much. As a matter of fact, we had a lot of food left over and you are more than welcome to have some.”

              “Thank you. Will do.”

“Is my baby hungry”, asked Marla, while looking down at Junior.

Junior nodded in agreement. They both turned around and headed for the kitchen, while still holding hands.

              “Oh. Mrs. Evans?”

“Yes?”

              “You or someone drop this note in the couch”, said Ms. Loins as she handed her the folded paper.

“Ok. Thank you.”

Confused, Marla unfolded the paper to see what was on it. “If you are able to get away, Call Me!” with a heart at the end.

“You said you found it in this couch”, asked Marla, pointing at the sectional.

              “Yes, ma’am.”

“Where at, in the couch?”

              “It was like in the crack, between the seat and the back.”

“Yes, but what part of the sectional.”

              “Gosh, I don’t know. Maybe the middle.”

                            “Mom, no food”, asked Junior.

“Ok, baby.”

Marla continued toward the kitchen, distraught. She reached for the box of cereal and filled Junior’s bowl.

              “Mom, no milk?”

“Oh.”

              “Mom, no spoon?”

“Oh. Sorry, baby.”

After handing Junior a spoon, Marla went to her bedroom to retrieve her cell phone. She quietly entered, attempting to not wake Michael. She unhooked her phone from its charger and crept back out. She decided to go out on the patio. Before going to the patio, she stopped and checked on Junior. Junior was still having his way with the cereal. She slid open the patio door and a sudden rush of morning breeze hit her ankles, causing her to hold her robe tighter as she sat down to text Diane.

[Marla: Di]

Time goes by….

[Marla: Di!!!]

              [Diane: U send me another text n I’m burning ya house down!]

[Marla: Shutup! You need to be up, cleanin or sumthin]

              [Diane: What do u want?]

[Marla: Loins found a msg on a piece of paper in the couch. I think it’s from a woman]

              [Diane: U shot mike???]

[Marla: Stop playing. I don’t know who it’s for. Everybody was on the couch]

Time goes by….

[Marla: What u think?]

Almost an half of hour goes by and Diane walks onto the patio, where Marla is sitting.

“Di. I thought you went back off to sleep.”

              “Let me see the paper”, demanded Diane.

“I’m worried it might be for Michael.”

              “It doesn’t have a name.”

“Duh, I know.”

              “That means it can be from anybody. If anything it’s for that young freak.”

“Tony?”

              “Yes.”

“Well, we’ll see. I’m going to confront him on Monday, so we can clear the air.”

All of a sudden, Michael walked onto the patio. Diane quickly crumbled the paper and threw it in her purse.

                            “Everything alright out here”, asked Michael.

“Yes. Good”, said Marla, startled.

              “How’s everything on the job, Michael”, asked Diane.

                            “Just fine. Why you ask?”

“Di, you need to go home and check on your kids”, Marla interrupted.

              “Ok”, replied Diane, never taking her eyes off Michael.

                            “Did I miss something?”

Diane left the patio, walking closely to Michael as she walked by trying to get a scent.

                            “Everything okay”, Michael asked Marla.

“Time of the month.”

                            “Oh.”

The afternoon passed by and Marla and Michael were prepared for Junior’s birthday party. They pulled up to Joey’s Big Wheel, with Junior in tow. Joey’s Big Wheel was packed as usual. For some years, Joey’s Big Wheel has been the hot spot for children’s birthdays. With limited places for kids to play and celebrate birthdays, it was easy for Joey’s to become a staple for children. Outside was the logo of a toddler, wearing the trademark jean overalls and red ball cap while pushing a huge wheel. When they entered, kids were frantically running around with no concern for who was around them. Along with the wild jungle atmosphere, there was a mixture of kids crying and yelling. As they approached Junior’s designated table, Michael noticed a few toddlers from their old neighborhood with their parents, along with Diane and her family, Rhonda, Stephanie, and Angie.

              “Wow. Hi, everybody”, said Michael.

                            “Hi”, they all said at once.

              “You ladies must be making this a weekend thing?”

                            “Something like that”, replied Diane.

“Michael, honey you’re asking too many questions. Set those gifts down and check on the pizzas…. Hello, everyone.”

Once Michael walked away, Marla went around hugging everyone attending Junior’s party. Junior had already disappeared to play with the other kids. Marla eventually made it over to Diane to have a seat. Angie, who was sitting across from Marla and Diane, leaned forward.

              “So, what’s going on”, whispered Angie.

“A little too much”, said Marla.

“Ok, crew. About 5 more minutes and the pizzas will be ready”, said Michael as he walked toward the party.

                                          “So, you haven’t told them”, asked Diane.

“No. That’s why we’re all here.”

                                          “Well, we need to sit somewhere else.”

Marla scanned the room and noticed a table, two tables behind them, which was vacant.

“Let’s go to the table, right there.”

All the women rose up from the table and walked over to the vacant table, close by.

              “What’s wrong”, asked Stanley.

                            “Just girl talk”, replied Diane.

Michael leaned over to Stanley.

“Man, those women have been acting funny, ever since this morning.”

              “Well, you know women.”

“Yeah, they told me it was that time of the month. But, it seems like that time comes around every week.”

              “Who you telling?”

They both burst out in laughter. The ladies look back at Michael and Stanley as they sit down at the vacant table.

              “Girl, I just don’t know”, said Diane.

“Just make sure all your senses are alert”, responded Marla.

                            “Hold on a second. What’s going on”, asked Stephanie.

“Well, I don’t know if you and Angie remember what we saw when we entered the family room.”

                                          “What did Jimmy do this time”, asked Rhonda.

“Well, I’m not saying its Jimmy.”

              “Actually, we don’t know who it is.”

                                          “Somebody spilt something”, asked Angie.

“No… My housekeeper was going through the family room, cleaning…. Next thing I know, she hands me a folded note that was in the couch.”

Diane started digging in her purse.

“I open the note and it says something about call me later love.”

Diane found the crumbled paper and handed it to Stephanie. Stephanie started reading to herself as Angie looked over her shoulder, “If you are able to get away, Call Me!” Stephanie tossed the paper on the table, looked straight ahead, and stared off into space.

                                          “Ain’t this about something”, said Angie.

Junior showed up, standing next to Marla.

“Mom.”

Marla jumped in her chair, not knowing someone was next to her.

              “Yes, baby?”

“I need coins to play.”

              “Ask your daddy. He’ll get them for you.”

Junior rushed over to Michael, as the ladies gathered in a circle.

                                          “This is why I’m single. A man ain’t no good”, said Angie.

“Well, the question is still in the air”, said Marla.