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Authors: Sasha Campbell

BOOK: Consequences
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39
Trinette
Five months later
 
“Thank you
sooo
much, Ms. Brennan, and I'll see you in three weeks.” I hung up the phone and shouted at the top of my lungs as I went rushing down the steps. “Whoo-hoo! Mama . . . Mama, guess what?”
She was downstairs in the living room, changing Leona's diaper. “Chile . . . why are you shouting?”
“Because, Mama . . . St. Mary's Hospital just called . . . I got the job!” I was so excited I had to force myself to breathe. “Can you . . .” My voice trailed off when I spotted Leon standing in the living room. I knew he was coming to pick up Leona for the weekend, but I had no idea he had already arrived. If I had, I would have taken a few minutes to fix myself up.
It was unbelievable the way children change you. Ever since Leona was born, I had slowly been giving up the designer outfits and stilettos, and settled for anything easy to slip on and throw in the washing machine. Can you believe it? Ms. Netta wearing polyester? Yep, it's true. That little girl had changed me so much I can't remember life before her.
“Hey, Leon, I didn't know you were here.” I brushed a hand across my hair. I could no longer afford my $300 weaves and with a baby, who had time for all that maintenance? Instead, I was wearing my hair natural. And I loved it. Mama washed and braided my hair, and after a few days I'd take it down for a nice curly look. Low maintenance. And not to mention the style looked fabulous on me. Who would have ever guessed?
He smiled while I noticed how handsome he looked in navy slacks and a white polo shirt. “I thought I would beat the traffic and pick up Little Bit on my way home.”
“Well, she's almost ready. Let me go upstairs and put her in a clean dress.” Mama smiled and lifted her granddaughter into her arms. I dropped a kiss to my daughter's cheek; then she brushed past me and went upstairs. I don't know how I would have done it all these months without my mother. She has been true to her words and has done everything she could to make life perfect for Leona. Our relationship was stronger than ever before.
“So did I just hear you say you got a job?”
I nodded and in no way could contain my excitement. “Yes, finally! Lord knows I've been trying for months. I was offered a position as a social worker at St. Mary's Hospital.”
“That's wonderful. I'm happy for you.” He gave me that grin that had gotten more adorable. Like I said before, the goatee looked amazing on him. It gave him that distinguished look. It was all salt and pepper like the hair on his head was getting.
“I'm so excited to be finally getting back to work. Lord knows I was starting to wonder if I'd ever get another job.” I know I was ranting, but I felt nervous standing there talking to the man whose heart I once had under lock and key. Now he pulled all the strings. He was responsible for the house I lived in, the new Mercedes I drove, and all the money that made it possible for me to live comfortably.
Leon looked at me for a long, lingering moment. He'd been doing that a lot lately. I don't know if it's the hair or the extra pounds that I've been too exhausted to try and shed. He had that look again like he was trying to figure something out. I wanted so desperately to think that maybe he had noticed how much I had changed and even missed having me sharing his bed, but I refused to let myself think like that anymore. It only made our impending divorce that much more difficult. Our lawyers had finally ironed out all the terms and in a few weeks it would be official.
“I know you've been really trying to find another job, so I'm proud of you.”
After Jrue blackballed me, I had to hire an attorney who'd threatened to sue the college if he said one more unflattering thing about my character.
“Thank you.” Hearing that he was proud of me truly meant a lot. “How's work?” I asked, because men love when you ask them about their day.
“That's something I wanted to talk to you about.” He moved around the room and was starting to make me nervous. I went over to the couch and took a seat.
“Leon . . . what is it?” Lord, don't tell me this man was about to lose his job. I don't know how Leona and I would survive if he did. At least until I started working long enough to earn a living.
“I've got an emergency in Germany and I need to leave on Monday. I should be gone about ten days.”
I nodded. “No problem. You can just bring Leona back early on Sunday.”
He finally lowered onto the couch. Thank goodness, because he was making me dizzy.
“Since Little Bit came into my life you know the last thing in the world I want to do is leave town.” He laughed. “I don't know if I can be gone that long without seeing my little girl.”
I had a feeling where this conversation was going, but I was hoping that wasn't what he was about to say.
“You think it would be okay for her to fly thirteen hours?”
I knew it. What he needed to be asking was if I was going to allow my daughter to be away from me for that long. “I'm not sure.” I shifted on the couch. “Leon . . . listen . . . I know we have joint custody, but you're not the only one who needs to be with Leona. Even though I'm no longer breast-feeding, she still needs her mother. Besides, who's going to watch her while you work?”
“You are.”
“But I—” I stopped in midsentence. Did he just say what I thought he said?
He smiled. “I'd like for the two of you to come with me. That's if you aren't starting your job right away.”
My heart slammed against my chest. He wanted to spend ten days in Germany with Leona and me. “No, I don't start until after Memorial Day.”
Leon looked relieved. “Good, then how about it? Will you and Leona come with me?”
Did he know how long I'd been waiting for him to dangle me just one branch that said I had a chance of winning my husband back? I knew I was getting ahead of myself, but just an opportunity to spend some time with Leon was all I needed.
“That sounds nice,” I said, trying to sound nonchalant. “I always wanted to go to Germany.”
“Then it's settled.” He smiled and then had that look again that you give your mother when one day you look at her and realize she is starting to look old.
“What's wrong?”
He hesitated, then finally shook his head. “It's nothing.”
Oh, it was something that he wanted to say. But I guess I wouldn't find out what it was today.
Mama came down the stairs and Leon rose.
“The little angel is knocked out.” She lowered her into Leon's arms, then slid the diaper bag over his shoulder.
“All right, I better get going. You think you can have suitcases packed by Sunday evening?”
I nodded. “I'll be ready.”
Mama waited until he was out the door and loading Leona in her car seat before she asked, “You going somewhere?”
“Yep, I'm going to get my husband back.”
The divorce wasn't official yet, so there was plenty of time to prove to Leon that I had changed. This time when I get my husband back, I'm never letting him go again.
40
Nikki
There was a knock at the door. “Nikki, how long you gonna keep a brotha waiting?”
I turned the knob and stepped out of the bathroom and grinned up at Donovan's nervous face. “It's positive. Baby, I'm pregnant.” I held up the home pregnancy test for him to see.
“Whoo-hoo!” he shouted, then lifted me into his arms and spun me around the room a couple of times. “We're having another baby.”
“Yes, we are.” I started laughing and noticed that Aiden was dancing around happily like he knew what we were talking about. “Aiden, you're gonna have a little sister.”
“A lil' sister?” he repeated.
“Or a brother,” Donovan mentioned as he lowered me onto the floor and pressed his lips against mine.
I'm not going to lie. The last few months have been rough. Donovan came out of the coma with very little memory of what had happened, and to be honest, I was relieved. The less he remembered about that terrible evening he'd tried to terminate my life, the better. Since then he's been undergoing a great deal of therapy trying to get his head on right. The episodes had become less and less that life was almost the way it used to be. On occasion I still saw him staring off in space probably remembering Smitty and the other soldiers on his team who had lost their lives, but he's learning how to cope and I was glad. Because I just couldn't imagine a life without him.
“We better hurry up and get ready. The grand opening is in less than an hour,” Donovan said, then hurried into the bathroom to take a shower.
I stood there with a hand at my hip and shook my head. A Cut Above the Rest was reopening with a new vision. Tristan's vision. While Donovan was recovering, he had allowed Tristan to implement several of his ideas, and finally realized he was impressed. Tristan was just what that shop needed to finally expand the business. The two had since forged a business partnership and would be reopening with three hairstylists, as well as a boutique with purses, sunglasses, and other things women love to buy.
Of course, a couple of the barbers refused to work with Tristan and made a big scene before they quit, but it all worked out in the end. The newly renovated spot was chic and truly
a cut above the rest
. I think the shop was finally about to start showing some serious profits. I also believe Tristan has finally found his niche.
I handed Aiden his sippy cup, then kissed his little cheek.
“Thank you, Mommy,” he said with a handsome grin.
“You're welcome, sweetheart. Why don't you watch cartoons while Daddy and I get ready?” I suggested.
“Okay!” He jumped up onto my bed and took a seat while I reached for the remote and found the cartoon channel. While he watched SpongeBob, I stared over at Aiden and said another prayer of thanks.
Shortly after Jackie Smith was released from the hospital with a fractured arm, she had been taken into custody. Thank goodness the fire department had their net in place when she had jumped from the balcony. Jackie was still behind bars, awaiting trial for kidnapping and attempted murder.
I hurried over to my closet and retrieved a brand-new black pantsuit I had purchased at the mall over the weekend. Pregnant? I was giggling with excitement. I couldn't believe it. We weren't even trying to have another child, but I guess the stress of the last few months had finally taken a toll. It was truly a blessing, and maybe my unborn child was what we needed to bring us even closer together.
I had just slipped on a pair of slacks when I heard my cell phone ringing. I reached over and retrieved it from my purse, then glanced down at the number. It was my attorney.
“Hey, Katherine. Do we finally have a court date?” I was ready for the Jackie episode to be over.
“No, not yet, but that's not why I'm calling.”
Something in her voice made me suddenly stop. “What . . . what's going on?” I was almost afraid to ask.
There was a long pause before she finally said the words I wasn't prepared to hear. “I just received notice from the parole board. Kenyon Monroe was released last week.”
I collapsed onto the bed. No way. There was no way she was correct. There had to be some kind of mistake. “But he's supposed to be in there at
least
another year.”
“It appears he was released for good behavior.”
I didn't hear anything else she had to say at that point and when I finally ended the call and put my phone back inside my purse, I was shaking. What did this mean for me and my future? What if Kenyon turned up and started demanding a paternity test?
That will never happen.
By the time Donovan had stepped out of the shower, I had pulled myself somewhat together. I shifted on the bed and took a deep breath, then turned and faced him. “Baby . . . there's something I need to tell you . . .”
A READING GROUP GUIDE
CONSEQUENCES
Sasha Campbell
ABOUT THIS GUIDE
 
The questions that follow are included to enhance your
group's reading of this book.
1.
Should Nikki have been honest in the first place with her husband about the affair she'd had with Kenyon?
2.
Was Trinette truly in love with Jrue Jarmon?
3.
If you were Nikki, would you have stuck it out with Donovan after he came home from the war a different man? Would you have waited so long to ask for help from his unit?
4.
Trinette had no idea which man was the father of her child. Who did you think was the father of her unborn child? Should Trinette have gone through with the abortion?
5.
Do you think Trinette deserved everything that happened to her?
6.
If you were Nikki, would you have forgiven your husband for trying to kill you?
7.
Do you think Leon is going to forgive Trinette and take her back again?
8.
How do you think Donovan will react to Kenyon being released?
9.
Now that he's released, do you believe Kenyon will start stalking Nikki again?
10.
Now that Kenyon has planted the seed, is there a chance that Aiden really
is
his son and maybe Nikki just isn't ready to admit it?
11.
With all decisions there are consequences. Who made the bigger mistake: Nikki or Trinette?
Meet Nikki and Trinette for the first time in
 
Confessions
 
In stores now!
1
Nikki
“It's ten o'clock and you're listening to Nikki Truth, the host of the most talked about radio show in the Midwest,
Truth Hurts
. As my listeners know, I don't believe in holding your hand. If you want my advice, then you better have the balls to accept the truth . . . even if it hurts. Caller, you're on the air.”
“Hi, Ms. Nikki. My name is Kimberly.”
Obviously, Kimberly had been listening to my show, because everyone knows if I'm not referred to as
Ms. Nikki,
I have straight attitude. “Hello, Kimberly. What can I do for you?”
“I've got a little bit of a problem.”
I leaned forward on my seat, ready to hear what crazy drama was about to unfold. “I'm all ears.”
“Well, Ms. Nikki, I've been married to my husband for thirteen years, but for the last year our relationship has grown distant. I tried talking to him about it, even suggested maybe we get counseling, but he refused, saying nothing was wrong with our marriage. But I knew something wasn't right, because we haven't had sex in four months.”
“Yep, that would do it. So what did you do?” I asked while adjusting my microphone.
“Well, something told me my husband was messing around.”
“Something like what?”
“Like locking his cell phone, coming home at all hours of the night.”
“Hmmm, those are definitely some signs.”
“Well, yesterday I waited for him to get off work and followed him to this house. When I knocked on the door, guess who answered?”
“I hope for your sake it was a woman and not a man,” I said with slight laughter, trying to make light of the situation.
“Oh, it was definitely a female. He came up behind her in his underwear. I confronted him. He screamed at me and acted like we've been separated for years instead of still living in the same house!”
“Okay, wait a minute. The brotha tried to pretend the two of you weren't even together?”
“Oh, yeah, and I went off!”
“Good for you, Kimberly.”
“I finally asked him to choose, and he told me on her front porch in holey draws and a dingy wifebeater, he was in love with the other woman.”
“Ouch! Girlfriend, say it ain't so.”
Kimberly breathed heavily into the phone.
“Yep, I'm afraid it's true. I was devastated. I got back in my car and drove home.”
“Daaayum, girl! I wouldn't wish that kind of drama on anyone. So tell me, what did you do when he got home?”
There was a noticeable pause.
“Nothing.”
“Nothing?” This female was stuck on stupid.
“Ms. Nikki, that's the problem. I love my husband and I'm willing to do whatever I can to save our marriage. That's why I called. Because I need someone out there to tell me what I need to do to bring him back to me.”
I shook my head and glanced through the glass at my producer, Tristan, who was shaking his head as well. There are some women out there who allow a man to get away with just about anything.
“Kimberly, honey, obviously you don't know anything about respecting yourself, 'cause if you did, instead of calling me, you would be packing his shit and burning it in the nearest Dumpster. Why in the world would you want a man who obviously doesn't want you?”
“He's the father of my kids.”
Don't you know she had the nerve to sound defensive?
“And that's supposed to make it right? Men can only get away with what women allow them to. He disrespected and played you in front of another woman. That's more than enough reason to dump his sorry ass.” Tristan was going to have to do a whole lot of bleeping tonight.
“Hold up, Nikki. I love him, and I don't appreciate you talking negatively about my husband!”
“Excuse me, but it's
Ms.
Nikki to you, and if you love him that much, then why you even call my show? Next caller.” I ended the call. Damn! I hate to say it, but women like her deserve what they get.
“Hi, Ms. Nikki. My name is Tasha, and my family thinks I need to leave my man.”
Oh, Lord, not another. “Why is that?”
“Well . . . uh . . . a couple of weeks ago we were at my cousin Boo-Man's birthday party, and one thing led to another and my man hit me. I know he didn't mean it, and he swears he won't do it again. ”
It must be something in the air, because that night everybody was acting cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs. “Let me tell you something, Tasha. Any woman who takes a man back after he hits her, all she's doing is telling him it's okay to do it again.”
“But he's going to counseling!”
“Good, he needs to. And what you need to do is find a man who respects you.”
“He can't help it. His father used to abuse him.”
“And that makes it right? Girlfriend, you have to respect yourself first before you can expect a man to show you respect.”
“I know, but I've prayed on it and God wants me to take him back. I'm certain of it.”
“Nooo, the Lord helps those who help themselves. If you go back to a man that hits you, that means you don't feel worthy of a man who won't.”
“I believe everyone deserves a chance to change!”
What was up with these defensive women? “True, but are you willing to risk your life on it? What if he really hurts you next time?”
“That ain't gonna happen, I'm certain of this. He's been trying real hard to work on our relationship. In fact, last week he asked me to marry him and I accepted. So there's no way I'm letting my family or anyone else stand in the way. I just wanted to go on the air and say that, 'cause I know my cousins Alizé and Lingerie listen to yo show. ”
“If you're adamant about staying with him, then all I can do is wish you the best of luck. In the meantime, do me a favor . . . take some boxing classes.” I ended the call, and the phone lines lit up with callers anxious to put in their two cents. “This is Nikki and you're on the air.”
“Tasha, you are pathetic. I would have taken a frying pan to his head!”
I had to laugh at that one. “I know that's right, girl.”
“Trust and believe, I used to date a man who hit me. I used to think it was my fault. That maybe if I did things the way he asked me to instead of the way I wanted, maybe he would love me more and stop hitting me. But you can't change people like that. The more I tried to make him happy, the angrier he got and the beatings got worse until one day he hit me in front of my son.”
“What!” I cried, adding dramatic effect. “Girlfriend, what did you do?”
“Ms. Nikki, something in me snapped. I picked up my son's baseball bat and I swung and knocked that fool hard in the arm, then I kept on swinging. I had him running out the door in his draws screaming murder!”
“Good for you.” I laughed, trying to lighten the mood. “I like to hear about a woman standing up for herself.”
“Humph! I might be a big girl, but I know I deserve better.”
“Yes, you do. Next caller.”
“Ms. Nikki, this is Petra, and I'm calling in response to the call you got from Kimberly. Yep, that was me she was talking about. I'm the other woman, and as far as her husband is concerned, I'm the only woman in his life. Kimberly, get it in your head, daddy ain't coming home!”
Click.
“Oops, there you have it! Kimberly, dear, if that don't give you a reality check, then I don't know what will.” I noticed Tristan waving his arms in the air. As soon as he had my attention, he signaled for me to take line two. “Caller, you're on the air.”
“Hello, Ms. Nikki.”
I groaned inwardly the second I recognized the voice. If it had belonged to anyone else, I would have considered the sound sexy and soothing. Instead, I was on the line with Mr. Loser.
I looked through the glass at Tristan, who was cracking up laughing, and stuck up my middle finger high enough for him to see it. “Caller, please introduce yourself,” I said as if I didn't already know.
“Ms. Nikki, you hurt my feelings. I just knew you would never forget my voice.”
I rolled my eyes. “Sorry, Charlie, but I hear hundreds of voices every week. I can't remember just one.”
He chuckled. “
It's me . . . Junior
.”
“Hellooo, Junior!” I said, trying to sound excited to hear from him. This man was like nails on a chalkboard—annoying as hell. “Long time no hear. What's it been, a month, maybe two?”
“It's been one month, two weeks, and three days, to be exact.”
“Oh, boy! I take it your newest relationship didn't work out either.”
He sighed.
“No, and I don't understand it because she was perfect. I really thought she was the one.”
“If my memory serves me right, as far as you're concerned, they're all ‘the one.' ” Junior had gone through so many relationships it was pathetic. Nothing ever worked and it was always the woman's fault. He was what the show
The Biggest Loser
should really be about. He would have no problem winning, because he was definitely a big, fat loser.
“No, this woman was crazy.”
Listen to him tell it, they all were. “Come on, Junior. Tell me what happened, even if the truth hurts.”
“What's there to say? I loved her, still do, and part of me wished she'd come back to me. I just don't understand why she ended it. I was there for her, giving her everything she needed and then some, but she had the nerve to say she needed some space.”
I stuck my finger down my throat. Men like Junior were sickening. “Maybe you were smothering her.”
“Nope. As soon as she said she needed room, I gave it to her. I guess I just loved her too much.”
“Ugh! You're turning me off. Come on, Junior. A woman likes excitement and a little mystery.”
“I gave her excitement! I bought her roses, surprised her with a massage. I cut her grass, washed her clothes.”
I cut him off. “Like I said, all that catering is a turnoff. That seems to be a pattern of yours.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean you can't keep a woman! I know the truth hurts, but if anyone's gonna be honest with you, it's Ms. Nikki.”
He laughed. It was a soft, eerie sound.
“That's what I love most about you
.
”
Just like everyone else. “Junior, you call every month to tell me how you've gotten dumped. At some point you have to realize they can't all be crazy. Maybe it's time you started looking at yourself.”
“
I'm a nice man
.”
“Didn't you get the memo? Nice guys finish last. As sad as it may sound, women don't want a man who wears his heart on his sleeve.”
“I don't understand that. Women are always talking about how they want a good man, yet when they get a man who isn't trying to take their money or drive their car, they don't want him.”
I sighed dramatically. “You're right, and it's a damn shame. However, we do know what we don't want, and that's a clingy man.”
“I'm not smothering.”
“Gotta be. You've been dumped five times in the last six months.”
There was a noticeable pause.
“Wow! You've been keeping track. You obviously care more than I imagined.”
“Nah, don't get the shit twisted. I just got a good memory and you, my friend, are unforgettable.”
“I'll take that as a compliment.”
“Why? I wouldn't. True, there are some women out there who appreciate a good man who's also needy. Unfortunately, me and the hundred females I know don't. However, I'm gonna let the listeners be the judge. Let's see if there is one female listening tonight who'd go out with you. In fact, I'm gonna open up the phone lines and see if we can possibly make a love connection. This is Nikki Truth with
Truth Hurts,
and for any listeners who are just tuning in, I'm on the phone with Junior. Junior, say hello to the listeners.”
“Hello.”
I almost laughed at the way he tried to sound like Barry White somebody. “Junior is one of my faithful listeners. He is also a
good
man, who is unlucky with love. If there are any single women out there looking for a
special
kind of man, give me a call, because I'm about to hook you up.” I couldn't help emphasizing
special,
because Junior was definitely a head case.
“I-I prefer picking my own women,”
he sputtered. I guess he was uncomfortable with me trying to help him out.
“Maybe that's the problem. You might be picking the wrong type, but I'm gonna hook you up.”
“Damn, Ms. Nikki,”
he began with a chuckle. It was obvious I was making him nervous.
“I respect your advice, but why you always have to be so hard? In fact, why you gotta put a brotha on the spot?”
“Hey, I'm just telling it like I see it. In the meantime, keep your head up and take my advice for a change.” I depressed the button, then took a few more calls and read several e-mails, but no one phoned in interested in going out with Mr. Loser. Not that I was the least bit surprised. By midnight my head was hurting and I was anxious to wrap up the show. “This is Nikki Truth at Hot 97 WJPC, ending another evening. When things get tough, remember the truth will set you free. Until next time.” I leaned back in my chair as I took off the headset. By the time I placed it on the table, the sound of Jennifer Hudson was bellowing over the air. Tristan always knew what song to play at the end of each show. Sitting back in my chair, I had to smile. Tonight had been another fulfilling night. My producer came running over to my desk.

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