Ex-Terminator Life After Marriage (23 page)

“How is the hardest-working woman in Atlanta doing?” Kenny asked.

“Much better now that I’ve heard your voice.”

“I just got back in town, and you were my first stop.”

“I’m flattered.”

“Don’t be flattered, Sylvia. I really mean it. I’ve been thinking a lot about you, us, lately and to quote my boss, it is affecting my work.”

“I certainly don’t want to be the reason you don’t get that great big bonus at the end of the year.”

“Not a chance. Look, why don’t I take you out to lunch tomorrow? As much as I’d love to see you tonight, I have to work on a presentation that I have to give tomorrow morning.”

“Kenny, I wish you had called earlier. We’re having an Ex-Files luncheon tomorrow. Marvin’s ex-wife, Denise, has breast cancer, and we’re getting together to see how we can help her out.”

“I thought Marvin was with Rachel.”

“I’ll tell you the sordid story later.”

“I won’t say I’m not disappointed, but that’s a good enough reason for not meeting me for lunch. Sylvia, I need to see you.”

“What about dinner and a movie tomorrow night?”

“I have a better suggestion. Why don’t you take the afternoon off and I pick you up after lunch? There is something I need your opinion on, but I need you to take a ride with me.”

“Any hints? You seem so secretive.”

“I’ll say this: It’s one of my new inventions.”

“Inventions? You amaze me, Kenny Richmond.”

“We’ve got a date?”

“I’m sure I can work it out.”

“See you tomorrow. And food for thought, your opinion matters.”

Sylvia hung up the phone for the second time in a matter of minutes. A satisfying smile crossed her face and stayed there like a permanent fixture. Yes, Kenny Richmond was running rampant through her veins. Adonis who?

“From Times Square in New York, it’s
Good Morning America
with Diane Sawyer and Robin Roberts.”

Ashley looked up as the door that led from the garage into the house opened. Sweat poured from William’s face. He blew air through his fingers, and offered a smile.

“I’m making breakfast for you this morning.”

“This is the Ashley I fell in love with—so full of love and devotion.”

Ashley smiled, but did not say a word.

“I’m going to take a quick shower, and I’ll be back. I hope you’re wearing my favorite outfit for our special day—you know, the navy blazer with your cream-colored blouse and slacks.”

“Just for you, William.”

“I’m not sure why your attitude has suddenly changed, but I’m happy. Our baby will be happy.”

Ashley managed another smile. She adjusted her robe and went to the stove to turn down the heat under the pot. She picked up the large wooden spoon and stirred the oatmeal carefully, making sure it was free of lumps. She took some sugar and cinnamon and poured the mixture into the cereal. She stirred a minute longer; then, satisfied, she turned the stove down to very low and left the room. Oatmeal was one of William’s favorite breakfast foods.

Taking off her robe, Ashley reached for the navy blazer that hung in her spacious closet. She put the blazer on and admired herself in the floor-length mirror. Ashley noted that the water was still running as she passed the master bath on her way back into the kitchen.

Ashley poured herself a cup of coffee, took a seat at the table and waited. The oatmeal was simmering on low and every few minutes she would jump up and stir it with a wooden spoon, making sure that it retained its smooth texture just as William liked it.

A noise made Ashley look up. William was making his way back into the kitchen. She rose from her chair and pulled two slices of wheat bread from the bread box and put them into the toaster. She stirred the oatmeal once more.

“Are you ready for our big day?” William asked, smiling as he entered the kitchen.

“Sure,” Ashley said noncommittal. “How about some breakfast? I fixed your favorite—oatmeal—just the way you like it. Your toast should be coming up any minute.”

William watched Ashley get up at the sound of the toaster releasing twin pieces of hot bread.

“You shouldn’t have gone to all the trouble, but I appreciate you doing so.”

“It was nothing. I thought it would be the perfect beginning to our day.”

“So you have accepted our getting married again.”

“You left me no choice.”

“Well, I’m glad you came to your senses. And by the way, I apologize for the way I acted with your friend. You won’t be needing her anymore.”

“Ready for your oatmeal? Your toast is buttered and the jam is on the table.”

“Joining me?”

“Just toast and coffee.”

Ashley stood and moved to the stove. She picked up the bowl she had set out on the counter. She stirred the oatmeal one more time before emptying the contents of the pot into the bowl.

“Ashley, we are going to be a happy family.”

Ashley looked at William with a forlorn look on her face. “I hope so, William. Now eat your oatmeal before it gets cold. Would you like a cup of coffee?”

“No, maybe some orange juice.”

Quietly, Ashley moved to the refrigerator and pulled out a pitcher of juice. She got a glass, poured it full and set it down next to the bowl of oatmeal.

“Umm, this oatmeal is good,” William said.

“Just the way you like it,” Ashley replied.

“You ought to…”

“I ought to what?” Ashley asked.

“Ash, I don’t feel so good. I can’t…I can…I can’t…catch my…”

“You can’t catch…what?”

“Call nine-one-one…”

William fell forward into his bowl of oatmeal. Ashley sat still and watched as he gasped for breath. She picked up a paper napkin out of its holder and wiped her mouth, then stood up and took her near empty cup of coffee and threw the remnants in the sink.

Ashley walked past William. He seemed to be resting comfortably—slumped over in his seat, his face covered in oatmeal. She left the room and returned with her purse, car keys and an overnight bag. Setting the alarm, she took one more look at William and walked into the garage. She whistled as she got into her car. It was going to be a good day.

O
vercast skies threatened rain. Ugly and dirty clouds quickly emerged from nowhere and blanketed the morning sunshine. When the light turned green, Sylvia walked briskly across the street and into the restaurant, happy that the slight drizzle had not turned into a downpour.

Sylvia was shown her seat and waited for the others to arrive. Two minutes later, Rachel appeared, offering sister hugs to Sylvia. They ordered water with lemon and sipped until, Mona showed up—alone.

“Where is everyone?” Mona asked, taking off her coat and giving Sylvia and Rachel a hug. “I was hoping everyone would be on time because I have to leave in a couple of hours.”

“They’ll be here,” Sylvia offered. “Girl, we are not going to let you miss your plane.”

“Look at Ms. Diva,” Rachel piped in. “Going to New Orleans with her man.”

“I’m going to share something with just the two of you,” Mona said. “I am so nervous. I would never admit that to anyone, but all of a sudden I’ve got these nervous jitters. Michael is going to pick me up and I want to be calm when he gets here.”

“I can’t believe that the incomparable Mona Baptiste is nervous about anything,” Rachel said. “Miss I’ve Got It All Together is having taking-my-man-home-to-meet-the-folks jitters.”

“I shouldn’t have told you,” Mona marked.

“Just messin’ with you, girl. Right, Sylvia?”

“Rachel, you’re doing all the talking.”

The trio stopped when an excited Claudette followed by Tyrone headed their way. Claudette waved a piece of paper in the air and danced her way to the table.

“What do you have in your hand, Claudette?” Sylvia asked.

“God is good,” Claudette said.

“He sure is,” Tyrone echoed.

“Well, tell us before you split in two from grinning so hard,” Mona pleaded.

Claudette closed her eyes and kissed the piece of paper. She sat down next to Mona and held Tyrone’s hand.

“Is Marvin coming?” Claudette asked looking at Rachel.

“Yes, he should be here any minute.”

“Well, I’ll wait until Marvin arrives to share our good news.”

“Ahhh,” Mona quipped. “You got us all excited. You’re acting just like someone who’s just given a baby a sucker and you take it back as soon as they put it in their mouth because you just realized that it wasn’t good for them.”

“Here comes Marvin now,” Rachel said.

Marvin has eyes only for Rachel,
Sylvia thought. He moved so easily and stopped next to Rachel, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek before sitting down. Rachel blushed. They seemed happy.

“Now are you going to tell us what you’re bursting at the seams to tell us?” Mona asked.

“Who’s missing?” Claudette stalled.

“Ashley. She’s probably on her way to the Justice of the Peace,” Mona said.

“I let her down,” Claudette said.

“So did I,” Sylvia interjected. “I was so busy this morning, I forgot to check to see if she made it to work.”

“Anika won’t be able to make it,” Rachel said. “She had several clients this afternoon, and she really needs the money.”

“Well, drum roll, please,” Claudette shouted while Tyrone banged the table.

Claudette stood up. “Claudette’s House of Styles is about to be reborn. I am holding before you an insurance check in the amount of $150,000. And the judge threw out the arson charge on Kwame. They said it was an accident, and the only thing he’ll have to do is forty hours of community service.”

“What?” Mona screamed.

Tears streamed down Claudette’s face and Tyrone stood and squeezed her. Everyone clapped and wiped tears from their eyes.

“God is so good,” Claudette managed to say between sobs. Marvin hugged her tight.

“You deserve it, Claudette, and however I can assist you and Tyrone, I’m here.”

“Here, here,” everyone shouted.

Heads began to turn in the restaurant. Instead of nasty looks, smiles were pasted on the patrons’ faces almost as if they were privy to Claudette’s wonderful announcement.

“I can’t thank my Ex-File family enough for all of your support during one of the worst times in my life,” Claudette said. “If you all hadn’t been there, I don’t know what I would have done. Not only have I been blessed with the means to rebuild my shop, but God has restored my family.”

She hugged Tyrone around the waist. “My baby, my rock. I love you, Tyrone. Although it was a tragic moment that brought you back into my life, I thank God that it happened.”

Tyrone choked on his words. “I love you, too, Claudette. I don’t want to live another day without you.”

The entire table was wet with tears. Hugs were the order of the day, while the waitress waited patiently off to the side to take their orders.

“One more thing,” Claudette began. “Because of your support, lunch is on me today.”

“Now that’s what I’m talking about,” Mona crowed. “This day is going to be perfect.”

“We hope you have a great time in New Orleans with your man, Mona,” Sylvia said.

“I plan to.” Mona looked up and saw Claudette smiling in her direction. Mona lowered her eyes when Claudette gave her a “your secret is safe with me” wink.

“Well, let’s order,” Marvin said. “I’m famished.”

“Yes, I’ve…”

“Got to get to the airport on time,” Sylvia, Rachel and Claudette said in unison. Laughter followed.

The waitress took everyone’s orders and Sylvia began to discuss how the group would assist Denise. In the middle of Sylvia’s discussion, heads began to turn as Ashley approached the group.

“What did I miss,” Ashley asked, as she sat in the empty seat next to Sylvia.

“Did you do it?” Sylvia asked.

“You mean get married?”

“Yes, that’s what we mean,” Claudette said a little agitated.

“Don’t be ’shamed,” Mona interjected, taking a sip of water. “You aren’t the first person who remarried their ex. Look on the bright side. You don’t have to go through that dating game again. You already know what you got.”

“I didn’t get married,” Ashley said in a rather stoic voice.

“Are you all right?” Claudette asked. “You don’t seem yourself. You should be celebrating!”

“I got up this morning, told William I was through and was not going to marry him and walked out of the door. That was a celebration. I hope the offer to stay with someone tonight is still open because I walked out with nothing but the clothes on my back and my overnight bag.”

Eyes shifted around the table from one to another. Something very strange was going on with Ashley. She didn’t even seem real—talking out of the side of her mouth and pretending that her decision to leave William was like making a decision to buy either regular or decaf.

“Good for you!!!” Sylvia finally said.

“Let’s make a toast to Ashley’s liberation,” Rachel said, lifting her glass of water.

“To Ashley’s liberation,” everyone said in unison.

Ashley lifted her glass as if it was weighted with sand. She looked at her friends celebrating her liberation when in truth her freedom was coming to an end. She pushed back the tears that threatened to expose her and tried to make the best of a moment she would forever capture in time.

Ashley jumped when Marvin touched her shoulders. She set her glass down on the table and picked up a napkin to catch the tears she was unable to control.

Marvin said, “I know it was a hard decision to make, Ashley, but leaving William for good is probably for the best. We will be here for you.”

“You know you don’t have to ask about a place to stay, Ash,” Sylvia said and then remembered that Kenny was coming by to pick her up. “We’ll work out the details later.”

“I’m fine…I just get so emotional sometimes and can’t think straight. Just a few months ago, I had to sit through a court proceeding and the judge told me my marriage was dissolved. It felt like death.” Ashley cried into the napkin. “It is really dissolved this time.”

Claudette got up and hugged Ashley. “Ashley, sweetheart, I’ll still be available to go with you to your doctor’s appointments…and for whatever else you need.”

“Thank you all for being there for me. I do appreciate it. Let’s order. I’m hungry.”