Loose Ends (4 page)
Authors: Electa Rome Parks
“Well, I called earlier, around two, and you didn’t answer. The phone rang about eight times and the answering machine wasn’t on. You never picked up. Where were you?”
“I was probably in the shower and just didn’t hear the phone ringing. Baby, I have steak, well-done just like you love it. Baked potatoes with sour cream and chives, a garden salad, all your favorites. Hurry home before it gets cold,” I said to change the subject.
“Sounds good,” he said absently. “Did I get any phone calls?”
“No, none, baby.”
“Damn. Okay, I’m on my way. I’ll be there in about twenty minutes if this traffic isn’t too bad. But rush-hour traffic being horrible is always something you can count on in Atlanta.”
“I’m starting to realize that.”
“I have a really good feeling about this meeting I just left. The loan officer, Mr. Petty, was pretty cool. I think I may get the small-business loan after all. Listen, go ahead and fix my plate; I’m starving. And change into something sexy for me.”
“Okay, I’ll see you soon. Bye.” I placed the phone back on the hook and hurried into the bathroom to take a quick shower, rub my body all over with Bath & Body Works’ Lavender Flowers cream, and put on my hot-red lingerie that Brice loves to see me in. It wouldn’t stay on long past dinner. I know my husband.
After I dressed and quickly gave myself the once-over in front of the floor-length mirror, I quickly brushed my thick hair, pulled it into a French knot and finished setting the dinner table with red candles to give a romantic, intimate setting. Brice still hadn’t arrived home yet and the steaks needed a few more minutes to cook, so I sat on our black leather sofa to wait and think.
I truly hated to lie to my husband, but sometimes it was necessary to keep the peace. Mother always told me that a man doesn’t have to know everything. Keep some secrets. Today I went to check out a help-wanted ad I had seen in the classified section of the
Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
I loved to dance, and a boys-and-girls club near Midtown was looking for dance instructors to teach modern dance in an after-school program they offered. The pay wasn’t that great, but at least it involved dancing. I had to start somewhere. Unfortunately I was too late, because the position had already been filled.
It’s probably for the best. Brice doesn’t want me to work anyway, which is fine with me. I’m happy being a traditional wife. As long as I can pamper myself with manicures, pedicures, and salon appointments every other week, I’m fine.
We have been in Atlanta for a little over three months now. It’s different, in a good way, living in Atlanta, because I have never lived in the South before. I am originally from Philadelphia, although I’ve traveled all over the world with my family. My mother is back in Philly and my older brother, Miles, lives out in California with his second wife, Vanessa, and new daughter, Taylor.
Hotlanta, however, is home for Brice. When he had gotten an honorable discharge from the marines, he was excited about being near his aging parents, Vivica and Robert, and they were pleased to have him nearby again. I looked forward to the opportunity to get to know them better, especially his mother, Vivica. Whenever we talked, she was always so nice to me. She welcomed me into the fold with open arms and a big smile.
Yeah, Brice is definitely in his element. If things go as planned, he’ll start a small security-consulting business soon. Yes, things are going well for us. We can’t complain; I can’t complain. Brice is good to me. Most of the time. I pretty much receive anything I ask for as long as I please him.
It didn’t take long to discover that to make Brice happy I had to do what he wanted me to do: stroke his ego, prepare him good meals and act like a whore in bed. In return I received a man who loved me, protected me, made me feel like a woman and gave me a good, secure life. I think that’s an even trade. So no, I can’t complain most of the time.
The only glitch in moving to Atlanta is this Christian person. Why is there always a glitch? I never really heard the entire story from start to finish. Brice is so secretive about it, and I don’t push him for info. But from what I could piece together, Brice and Christian were like brothers years ago until Brice got a messy divorce from Mia, and Christian ended up marrying Mia. What kind of woman marries her ex-husband’s best friend? That’s too close to being incestuous. Anyway, there was a lot of in-between that I missed.
And now Brice wants Christian—and Mia—back in his life, our lives. I’m not too thrilled about that, but Brice usually gets what Brice wants. I know he misses Christian because he’s always talking about the good old days, but Mia comes with Christian. You can’t get one without the other. Mia and Christian are a package deal.
Mia. I don’t know how I feel about her. Jealous, perhaps. I’ve seen photos of Mia and she’s a beautiful woman. I’m keeping it real. She is. I could never understand why Brice had never destroyed his pictures of her; after all, they’re divorced. Why hold on to those memories? But it doesn’t matter; I have him now. He’s in my bed every night.
I remember once when we had just started dating, back in Germany, I spent the night for the first time with Brice. In the early-morning hours, after we had made love twice and fallen fast asleep, a sleepy Brice reached out for me, pulled me close and called me Mia. It upset me, but I never mentioned it to him. It was only later that I discovered, much to my dismay, that Mia is his ex-wife. No, I am definitely not looking forward to this little reunion.
Mia
I believe that you can keep going long after you can’t.
—Author Unknown
As Christian hoisted Lyric up onto his shoulder and reached for my hand, we walked out of Zoo Atlanta tired but happy. Lyric was exhausted as well. She had been excited about seeing the new panda bears. She had pointed at the various animals, played, and eaten enough popcorn and ice cream for two. I knew she would sleep peacefully throughout the night. Lyric looked so cute in her little blue-and-white capri pant set with her hair in two long braids.
When I look at her, I see a miniature, female version of Christian. The two of them together always make my heart feel warm and bubbly inside. It still amazes me that Christian and I produced such a beautiful, adorable child. We made the short trek up the hill to our car in comfortable silence. Since the zoo was closing, the parking lot was quickly emptying, with families heading home on this beautiful spring day.
I studied Christian out the corner of my eye. I love him so much that it’s scary. After Brice, I never imagined I could love again or give myself to a man so completely. Christian changed all that for me. He is the sort of man that women dream of . . . From his ripped stomach, toned from hours of boxing, running and weight lifting, to his goatee and sexy eyes, I adore him. He is such a strong, patient and forgiving man. Christian needs those traits to deal with me and, unfortunately, I realize that.
The last few weeks have been difficult for both of us, to say the least. I can’t believe that Christian would ask me
again
to meet with Brice. When he had brought it up weeks earlier, I thought he fully understood my feelings. Since he evidently hadn’t, I made life hell for him.
again
to meet with Brice. When he had brought it up weeks earlier, I thought he fully understood my feelings. Since he evidently hadn’t, I made life hell for him.
I gave one-word answers to his questions, I wouldn’t iniate a conversation with him and I wouldn’t let him touch me in bed. I didn’t say no, but I would just lie there like a stone. During his kisses on the neck and light caresses, I would just lie there with my legs closed. He got the hint. Christian, throughout it all, remained patient and understanding with me. Sometimes, like now, I feel as if I don’t deserve him in my life.
I had almost made my decision about meeting Brice. After a strained few days with Christian and after talking it over with Mama, I felt I was ready to make a final decision. Maybe they were all right and I was wrong. Maybe it was time to put final closure on the past once and for all. Closure is something I never reached with Brice. After leaving him, I never set eyes on Brice again. I didn’t want anything from him. I just needed peace of mind. Mama and my attorney handled Brice and our divorce. I signed the documents, relished my freedom and tried to get my life back on track. Maybe I should have talked with Brice and asked him why before moving on with my life. At the time I didn’t trust myself with him. He had a way of getting me to do things I didn’t want to do. I think it’s called manipulation.
If Christian and I met with Brice—for what purpose I don’t know—maybe the nightmares would stop. Who knows? And as Mama pointed out, Christian lost someone who was like a brother to him, so he has been grieving as well.
We made it to the car and Christian managed to get Lyric settled in her booster seat without waking her. We were ready to go home.
“You haven’t said two words since we left the zoo. I thought you enjoyed yourself today.” Christian looked at me as he held the door open for me to get in.
“I’m fine, baby. I just have a lot on my mind. Lyric really enjoyed herself today. She’ll definitely sleep through the night.”
By now Christian had gotten in on the driver’s side and was checking the rearview mirror and getting ready to back out. I reached over to gently touch his shoulder. “Boo, wait for a minute. We need to talk,” I said seriously. “I know the last few weeks haven’t been easy for you, because I’ve acted like the bitch from hell. I apologize. I’m selfish and I’m working on that, but I’ve been thinking, and—”
Christian interrupted me with, “You don’t have to—”
“No, wait, let me finish. Let’s meet with Brice and his wife and see what he has to say. I’m sure it will be the usual BS, but I know you have missed him all these years and want to see him. I just want you to know that I’m doing this for you, Boo.”
With that, Christian leaned over, and took my face between his hands so that he was looking directly into my eyes.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m scared, but sure,” I answered with a slight tremble to my voice.
“Good, that’s my girl. Don’t worry; I’ll be right there by your side. I got your back, baby,” he said as he gave me a serious kiss that I felt down to my toes.
Christian
The storm has passed for now! Mia always keeps me guessing. We’ve been married for almost four years and she still keeps me on my toes. I had talked with Mia’s mom, who treats me like a son, about this situation, and I still didn’t know what decision Mia would reach. Either way, I wasn’t going to force the meeting on her. I was pleasantly surprised with her announcement when we were leaving Zoo Atlanta.
What I didn’t tell Mia was that Brice and I had met a week ago for drinks at MVP’s off of Memorial Drive. I knew her feelings for him and figured what she didn’t know couldn’t hurt her.
I arrived first at MVP’s and was sitting at the bar nursing a cold beer when Brice, who was running a few minutes late, made an appearance. I knew the moment he walked through the door, because I noticed a few women looking in his direction, checking him out from head to toe. Once Brice spotted me sitting at the crowded bar, he strolled confidently in my direction. Just as he entered my space, I set my beer on the countertop and stood to greet him. We were face-to-face, eye-to-eye for the first time in years. Brice stared, I looked back, and then we both broke into huge smiles.
“Christian, man, it’s good to see you. It’s been a long time. How’ve you been?” he asked, his strong handshake turning into an emotional embrace.
“I can’t complain. Life is good; I’m happy.”
“Yeah, you look good; you look well taken care of,” Brice said as he stared at me.
“Same to you, man.”
Still standing, we stood man-to-man for a few more minutes with those grins on our faces.
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