Mistress (12 page)

Maria moved out of my old house and got her own place. Nine hundred and fifty dollars a month does a checkbook good. The new tenants were working out fine so far. One missed payment and their asses will be out on the street the next day. I’d signed the paperwork stating my rules and regulations. Tonight, I threw her a housewarming party for one purpose. Friends and family would be buying the blender, George Foreman grill, and other kitchen and living room items that she needed. “When are you going to talk to Jarrad?” Charlotte asked, placing the cake back in its box.

“I’m supposed to see him tomorrow, but I’m not sure what I want to do. I’m not ready to deal with it. Out of sight of out of mind is much easier for me to deal with.”

“He probably wants to talk and get his stuff back. Besides, I’m tired of him blowing up my phone whining about you. If Bobby didn’t know any better, he would think I was stepping out on him.”

“I second that notion. Caller ID is the best invention,” Maria said, taking a bite out of a lime chip.

“Jarrad shouldn’t be calling either one of you. Men don’t think. Your loyalty lies with me, so why would he even think he can get answers out of you? You tell him what I want to say, or you tell him nothing at all.”

“That’s right.”

His shit was thrown in the dumpster, except for the cut-up pieces sprinkled over the lawn. Unfortunately, he was unable to pick up his things. Jarrad should’ve remembered the trash man was coming to collect the next day.

“It’s been three weeks, since I’ve uttered a word to him. I will let him say his piece, but in a neutral place where people are around, so I won’t get weak in the knees.”

“Why not your house?”

“That ass won’t be crossing my doorstep anytime soon.”

It was a warm April day. When I pulled up, children were running along the boardwalk. Couples, young and old, were holding hands. Others were bicycling. Some were catching waves in the salty ocean. The orange-red sun appeared to be melting down into the water. I loved this time of the day. Sunday was a day to relax and get a little of “me time.” I was a young chick, but I loved to listen to 92.3, the oldies-but-goodies station.

I was singing along to one of my favorite Billie Holiday songs when he caressed my shoulder. I looked down at my shoulder and then up at him.

“Hello?”

“May I have a seat?” Jarrad rubbed the back of his head. He looked as if he hadn’t slept in days. His eyes were bloodshot red, and he was in desperate need of a clean shave.

“I prefer you stand. I prefer that you don’t touch me. Thank you.”

“All right, have it your way. It’s not what you think. I apologize for the lies and deception. I messed up. I never meant to hurt you.”

“Don’t ever say that. Those are my father’s infamous words whenever he screws a new ho. Why didn’t you tell me? You wasted my time. I could have been with someone else.”

“Are you with someone else?”

“Do you go home to your wife?” Jarrad stood there speechless. “Yeah, that’s what I thought.”

“Listen, I don’t want to argue with you. Yes, I’m married, but getting separated.”

“I thought you were separated.”

“When you have children, it’s not as easy as you think to just pack up and leave.”

“Jarrad, you’re not leaving your children, you’re leaving her.”

“You’re not in my shoes, so you don’t know how I feel.”

He has a point,
I thought.

Jarrad continued, “I met Tina in high school. She became pregnant. I had to do the right thing. End of story.”

“You have two children with her. She’s given sixteen years to you. I’m not going to end up like her ever.” I crossed my arms.

“We got married too young. I didn’t know what I wanted until I met you in the candy store. My heart stopped when I saw you.”

“You really need to come up with new material. Is this the first time you’ve ever cheated on her?”

“Yes, I swear.”

Lying ass.
“You hurt me. We’re over. I don’t want you. End of story.”

“Tina and I are eventually getting divorced. I know I don’t deserve it, but please give me another chance to make things up to you. I’m in love with you. Here’s a copy of a lease that I just signed for an apartment in Baltimore. I want to be with you. It will take time, but I will regain your trust back.”

“I don’t know if I can do this,” I said weeping.

“We’ll build our relationship back together. Let’s take one day at a time.” He took my hand and motioned me to get out of the car.

“Don’t ever hurt me again. Do you hear me? Next time, I won’t let you off so easy.”

“There won’t be a next time,” he whispered, putting his arm around me.

We walked on the boardwalk for what seemed to be a few moments. Before we knew it, the stars were shining bright, and the temperature dropped. Goose bumps were popping up on my arms and legs. Jarrad placed his jacket around me. We found a secluded spot and made love, give-it-to-me-all-night-good lovin’, that is. I didn’t care who was looking or if the police caught us. I loved Jarrad with all my heart and wanted desperately to make the relationship work. Plus, he licked my pussy so good, making me shiver in pleasure every time.

As I watched the stars come out, I began to wonder if this was my crossroads to get out of this relationship. Would Jarrad go ahead and get the divorce, or would he just string me along for a ride and hurt me over and over again? Not knowing was killing me.

As I strolled into the living room, I saw Pop rummaging through his pocket and a Trojan condom wrapper fell out. I walk away each time I catch him on the phone whispering or notice a collar with a speck of lipstick on it that isn’t my mother’s. He gave me a look of guilt.

Over the years, I’d learned to turn the other cheek, hoping he would change his ways before Ma got fed up. Ma begged me to be over at the house seven p.m. to enjoy an evening with the parents of Jason’s girlfriend, Brenda. I liked Brenda, the rare times I saw her. She was a sweet girl, with a face that looked so familiar.

Ma was cooking up a storm. Right now, I couldn’t take any kinds of odors, due to a sensitive nose. Last week, I’d found out I was pregnant. I had no excuse, especially since I was in medicine to specialize in obstetrics and gynecology. The only soul I told was Jarrad.

On top of feeling nauseated, I was scared and tired. Worst of all, my breasts itched like crazy and felt like they weighed a ton of bricks. I wasn’t ready to be responsible for another human being for the next eighteen to twenty years.

Jason was dragging me by the hand, not to embarrass him. I knew my brother. He really liked this girl and talked about her all the time. Jason even dragged me out a couple of times to pick out gifts for her.

“Boy, get off of me. I won’t do anything to embarrass your manhood,” I teased him, skipping to the door.

“You have skeletons in your closet too. I’ll tell Ma.”

“Try me. Your
Black Tail
magazines and the Playboy Channel will come out of your closet. You’re dealing with a pro. Don’t fuck with me. Remember, I don’t live here, but you do.”

“All right, all right.” He adjusted his tie.

“Relax. You’ll be fine. It’s dinner, not a job interview.”

Fifteen minutes later, the doorbell rang. I opened the door to have Connie Maddox staring in my face. She had aged a bit, but I never forgot those high cheekbones or the Diamond fragrance she wore.

Her whorish incident came gushing back to my mind, once Ma came to the door.
Why can’t I just slam the door in her face? If I let her stay, we can all have a group discussion about what happened that Sunday day at Serenity Baptist Church.

“Hi, please come on in. Let me take your jackets,” Ma said.

I wasn’t saying anything. Yet.

“Would you like anything to drink Mr. and Mrs. Hodges? How about you Brenda? Dinner is waiting on us hot out of the oven,” Pop offered, a stupid look on his face. He knew Ma and I were good for remembering faces.

The church ho got married.
I looked for her wedding ring on her left hand to make sure. After the incident, Ms. Maddox had stopped coming to the church altogether.
I probably embarrassed her.
I smiled to myself. “Yes. May I have a glass of water?” Mrs. Hodges cleared her throat. “My throat is dry.”

“Follow me into the dining room,” I said, eyeing her down. My distorted facial expression made her realize that I remembered too.

“Alex, can you help me in the kitchen, please?” Ma suggested.

“Sure.”

Ma turned around to make sure no one was in earshot. “Don’t ruin this for Jason. He really likes Brenda. No, I don’t care for her mother either. What she did was a long time ago. I put the fear of God in her sixteen years ago, which still lingers in her mind.”

“I’ll do my best,” I said, placing the rolls in a basket.

Ma and I brought out the entrée and its sides and filled everyone’s glass with water or tea.

“Robert, the blessing, please.” Ma took her seat and placed the cloth napkin across her lap.

“Father, let us give thanks for this meal, bless the hands that prepared it, and let us have a wonderful fellowship with the Hodges and their lovely daughter. Amen.”

“What’s for dinner?” Jason asked, picking up the tossed salad.

“Baked chicken,” Ma told him.

“Mrs. Hodges would you care for a breast?” I asked, the plate of chicken in my hand.

“No. Two legs will be fine.” She squealed as she knocked over her glass of tea with lemon.

I liked getting down in the bedroom and had a healthy sex drive. After the abortion, I was advised to wait two weeks and have a checkup before having sex.

Unfortunately, Jarrad held out two more weeks because he wanted my insides to be intact. If I found out he was getting it on with his soon-to-be ex-wife it would’ve been over for good.

I went online and gained insightful information about divorces in the state of Virginia. Tina could be entitled to at least half of Jarrad’s small fortune. Sixteen years was a long time. I wondered,
Did Jarrad consult a lawyer yet
? Four days earlier, I’d asked him if he filed papers for separation. He informed me that he had to wait ninety days, according to his lawyer. Jarrad must’ve thought I was stupid. He should never underestimate Alexis Gibbs. He was playing this role where he was acting clueless about divorce, but I knew he was fully aware of what was going on. Tired of him hiding behind his words, I wanted to see some action.

“Where’s my dinner?” Jarrad joked, throwing his keys on the counter.

I was letting him hold the new key for now, but things were going to turn ugly if he acted up. Besides, the security code wasn’t up for negotiation.

“Greet me the same way I greet you. Vegetable lasagna is in the oven. I already made the salad. You can help by cutting up the French bread and spreading butter on the slices.” I playfully hit him in the chest.

“You know who run things around here.”

“Don’t get kicked in your face. You better shut up, or you’ll be telling the people on your payroll, ‘Man down, man down, help. She beat me!’ My emotions are on a rollercoaster. I’m horny. Words of advice—You better ride the fuck wave until it collapses on shore. Now drop those pants and give me every bit of forty-five minutes.” I pinned him to the kitchen wall.

“Talkin’ dirty. Hmm . . . I’m horny all ready,” he whispered, unbuckling his pants, revealing the bulging penis coming straight for my G-spot.

Charlotte, it’s beautiful.” I held her hand with the four-carat cathedral cut diamond.

“Thank you. I love it,” she said, raising one eyebrow, “and worked hard for it.”

“Maria should be here any minute.”

“Hey, girls. Sorry I’m late. Three of my waiters called in sick, so yours truly was working my ass off for two-dollar tips. It will feel good to be waited on for a change,” Maria proclaimed. She took a look at the menu.

“I’m so glad we can finally get together,” I said.

This reservation was called in two weeks ago. Enalem is the latest hot spot for the seven cities surrounding Hampton Roads.

“What’s been going on?”

“Ah, another test, another day. The hospital couldn’t get any crazier. I cut back my hours.”

“I will personally kick your ass if you even think about quitting medical school.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. I’m just frustrated.”

“You’ve come too far.”

“Please, let’s change the subject.” I rolled my eyes. “Have you two set a date?”

“Some time next spring. I haven’t decided on my colors yet. Who needs a matron of honor, when I have two maids of honor ready and willing to walk down the aisle of matrimony with me?” She held both of our hands.

“How did he propose to you?”

“Bobby told me to meet him at the zoo. While we were looking at the butterfly exhibit, he told me to look up in the air at a rare butterfly. Instead of a butterfly, a small airplane flew over us with a sign—Charlotte, will you marry me? Then I looked down to find Bobby down on one knee, ring in his hand and eagerly waiting for my answer.”

“Ahh, that’s so romantic.”

“I would have never guessed he would have asked me this soon because we only spoke about it a few times.”

“One of your dreams is to be a mother. Are you going to stop teaching once you’re married?” I asked.

“I love my little kindergartners. We’ll see how things go. Bobby is steadily moving up the corporate ladder at his job with incentives and raises along the way. Plus, he went to college with the boss’s son. Anyway, Mom hired a wedding planner. She already started to stress me out because she doesn’t want Dad inviting his girlfriend to the wedding. I just want this ceremony to run smoothly without a whole lot of complications. Otherwise, I told Bobby I don’t mind getting married at the justice of the peace.”

Maria and I were speechless.

Lately, I hadn’t even thought about marriage because my nose was stuck up books.