What We Learned Along the Way (33 page)

The two of them spent the rest of the ride
home in a familiar silence. They hadn’t even been married a full
year yet, but it was already safe to say they were out of their
honeymoon phase. They were still happy and didn’t argue all that
much, but it just wasn’t the same. They didn’t laugh like they used
to, didn’t go out as often, didn’t do as much with Harlem like they
used to. They were slowly growing apart, but no one else knew, and
no one wanted to. Everyone assumed that a couple as rich and
beautiful as Aliya and Langston had no choice but to be happy. They
were the hope for more average couples.

“Girl, don’t tell me you and Langston are
fighting. If you two can’t stay together, no one can,” they’d say.
She’d reassure them that things were going great, that they weren’t
having problems, that their happy home wasn’t rapidly changing. She
wished it was true.

“Hey, El, it’s your baby sis. You know mama’s
retirement party is coming up. I don’t know what to get her.
Anyway, give me a call—”

“Hello, hello,” Aliya said as she rushed to
pick up the phone before Nikki hung up.

“Aliya? Girl, I was just about to hang
up.”

“Yeah, I’m sorry about that. I was cleaning
the bathroom and didn’t hear the phone ringing. So what’s up?”

“Cleaning the bathroom? As much money as
y’all have, you know you need to get a maid. Wouldn’t catch me in
no bathroom. But anyway, I didn’t really want nothing. I was just
calling El to see what he’s up to. See if maybe he had some ideas
for a good gift for mama’s party.”

“That’s right. Your mom is retiring. I can’t
believe she worked at that school for 30 years.”

“Yeah, you know mama loves the kids. She’s
serious about uplifting the people through education.” Aliya
thought back to the first time she met Langston’s mother.

“My sister,” Ms. Ashanti said as she walked
into the room with her arms outstretched, “I’m digging that fro.”
Aliya knew Langston’s mother was into natural African beauty, so
she decided to wear her hair in a big curly afro that day. Aliya
was surprised that Ms. Ashanti actually looked like she had
imagined. She was a tall and thin woman with salt and pepper locs
that stretched down her back, a few of them nearly reaching her
behind. She wore a long dashiki dress that looked like it would
have been all the rage back in ’69. She looked like someone that
probably hung out with Huey Newton and the Panthers.

“Well, tell El I called,” Nikki said as she
started to hang up.

“Wait, uh, you got a minute? I need a little
advice.”

“Oh sure, girl. What’s going on?”

“It’s me and Langston,” Aliya said with a big
sigh.

“Yep, just as I suspected. Tell me what’s
going on, because I watch Dr. Phil and Oprah every day, so I know
the deal.” Usually, Aliya wouldn’t have an important conversation
with someone who based their advice on day time television shows,
but she was desperate.

“I don’t know what happened. It’s like I lost
my spark. I don’t know what he wants anymore.”

“He probably wants you to take off some of
those clothes. When I first met you, you were hot. Now you walk
around in those big old babayas all the time. My brother may be a
gentleman, but he’s still a man.” At times, Nikki’s frankness was
refreshing. This was not one of those times.

“That’s abaya,” Aliya corrected her. “And I’m
a married woman now. I can’t dress like I used to.”

“Well, you better do something. Now, don’t
take this the wrong way, because you know I love you, but you need
to loosen up. When was the last time you went out?”

“I go out all the time. Me and Harlem just
went to the grocery store yesterday. They had a sale on grapefruit,
and you know how Langston likes his grapefruit. But, I couldn’t
remember if he likes red or white, so I just got a couple of both.
And he better eat them too, because you know last time they went
bad and I then I had to—”

“Wow. You’re worse than I thought,” Nikki
said, cutting her off. “You need to get out. How about you come
kick it with me and my girls this weekend?”

“I don’t know. I was supposed to be taking
Harlem to a birthday party this weekend.”

Girl, don’t worry about that. Harlem will get
to her party. I’m not taking no for an answer. I’ll pick you up at
8 pm tomorrow.” Nikki hung up before Aliya could answer.

“Where are you going?” Langston asked the
next day when he noticed her getting dressed. “Harlem’s party isn’t
until tomorrow.”

“You know, I do have a life. Harlem’s
birthday party isn’t the only place I have to go. I’m going out
with Nikki.”

“Tonight? I was hoping we could have a
special night. Enjoy each others’ company,” Langston said as he
grabbed his wife and pulled her down onto the bed.

“Stop, Langston. You’re going to wrinkle my
outfit.” She tried to pull away, but he didn’t let go.

“Come on, baby. Stay home with your man, your
king, your African warrior.” He planted playful kisses on her neck
as he spoke. “I promise you won’t regret it.” His long,
freshly-washed locs slid down her shirt and tickled her. They
smelled like the mango-coconut body wash sample that came in the
mail. She’d have to remember to pick some of that up.

“Langston, I have to go. I’m hanging with the
girls tonight.” He released her from his grip and watched as she
stood up and quickly smoothed the wrinkles from her clothes.

“I didn’t know you actually owned regular
clothes anymore. You look nice,” he said with a soft sadness in his
eyes. Aliya didn’t notice.

“I still had a few things left. Too bad I got
rid of all my heels. That would kick this outfit up a notch.” The
flats she wore with her shirt dress and skinny jeans didn’t exactly
match, but it would have to do. “I wonder if I have time to run out
and get some.” She stared off at nothing as she thought for a
second. “No, I don’t have time. I’ll just have to make due,” Aliya
said, checking her makeup one last time.

“Aliya,” Langston said as he watched her
primp from the bed. Her phone rang before she could answer him.

“Oh hey, Nikki. I’ll be right out.” Then she
turned her attention back to Langston. “Were you saying something,
hun?”

“Never mind. Have a nice night.”

“Okay, I’m off,” she said excitedly. It had
been so long since she had gone out with friends. “Don’t wait
up!”

“I won’t,” Langston said under his breath. “I
guess I won’t be needing these.” He pulled the two play tickets out
of his pocket and inspected them: Back by popular demand. “A Love
Story.” One night only.

“No point in letting them go to waste.” He
called his mother and asked if she’d come over to babysit Harlem.
She showed up 20 minutes later.

“Where’s Aliya? I know you’re not going by
yourself,” his mother said in disbelief.

“She’s out with Nikki,” he said while putting
on a pair of socks. He got frustrated when he saw that the left one
had a hole in it. He pulled it off so quickly that the hole ripped
even bigger. “Damn it.”

“What’s wrong, son? His mother looked
concerned.

“Nothing, mama.”

“Langston, I’m your mother. I know you better
than you know yourself. You’re not going to sit here and tell me
nothing’s wrong when I’m looking right at you. Now, why is your
wife out with Nikki and your about to go to some girly play by
yourself?” She sat on the sofa with her huge bag full of ungraded
papers. “Talk to mama.”

“Just drop it, mama, okay? I’m really not in
the mood. I’ll be back by midnight,” he said before walking out the
front door. “She can get dressed and go out with my sister, but she
can’t do that for me,” he said angrily to himself as he drove. He
pulled up to the theater and saw the long line wrapping around the
building.
Great. If I didn’t pay so much for these tickets, I
would turn around and go home.

He hopped on the end of the line, and was
happily surprised at how quickly it moved. From his estimation, it
wouldn’t be any longer than fifteen minutes until he was
inside.

“It’s amazing we keep running into each other
like this,” a woman said from behind him. He turned around to find
a smiling She’tay.

“Hey, how’s it going?” he said in a
lackluster voice.

“What’s wrong? You sound sad.”

“No, I’m fine. Just a little tired.” He
mustered up a pathetic smile.

“Maybe this play will help you relax. I heard
it’s really good,” she said excitedly.

“Let’s hope so.” Just as the two of them
approached the ticket booth, a voice came over the loud
speaker.

“We are sorry to announce that tickets are
now sold out. If you didn’t purchase a ticket in advance, you will
not be admitted into the show. Sorry for any inconvenience.” A loud
groan came over the crowd as many upset people left the line and
slowly walked back to their cars.

“Are you serious?” She’tay said aloud. “I
can’t believe this. I came all the way across town to see this
play! I even took off work.” She let out a sigh. “Well, it was nice
seeing you.” She turned to get out of line.

“You don’t have to go.” Langston pulled the
extra ticket out of his pocket.

“You have an extra ticket?”

“It’s yours if you want it.”

“Really? Oh, thank you, Langston.” She gave
him a huge hug and jumped back in line. He was frozen for a second.
He hadn’t been hugged by another woman in a long time.

“You’re welcome,” he said as the two of them
walked into the beautifully decorated theater. She’tay looked
around and took everything in. She felt like a young girl at her
first dinosaur exhibit, in awe of the size and beauty.

“I can’t believe I’m here. I’ve loved plays
ever since I was little, but my mother could never afford to take
me. I remember trying to save up so I could make the trip on the
bus. One time I almost had enough, but I ended up having to pay the
light and gas bills.” The look on her face changed. It was softer,
somewhat sad. “I’m here now, though. I’m here.” She clinched the
ticket in her hand, barely wanting to give it to the usher.

“Front row!” She’tay marveled. “I thought I
was going to have to be in the nosebleed section. Now I’m sitting
in the front row, and with you, of all people. What a night!”

“Yea,” said Langston. All he could think
about was Aliya and how she was not sitting next to him.

The play was actually better than he
expected. It helped him get his mind off of Aliya.

“Langston, this has been so nice,” She’tay
said after the show. “You have to let me make it up to you. Let me
take you out for coffee. I know the perfect place, and it’s not
that far from here. What do you say?” She gave him a convincing
smile.

“Thanks for the offer, but that won’t be
necessary. I need to be getting home.”

“Aww, come on. It’s just coffee. That’s all.
Don’t make me beg.” He looked at his watch. It was 11:15 pm.

“I guess I have a little time. One cup of
coffee won’t hurt.”

“Wonderful. You can follow me in your car.”
In ten minutes, they arrived at small but swanky coffee shop called
Joe. “They have the best coffee here. Starbucks has nothing on this
place. My favorite is the Caribbean mocha,” She’tay said as she got
in line. “What will you have? My treat.”

Langston looked at the never-ending list of
possibilities. “So many choice. I’m not sure what I want.”

“Don’t worry about it,” She’tay said with a
wave of her hand. She ordered two Caribbean mochas and a blueberry
muffin.

“So, you said you took off work. Where do you
work?” Langston asked after they sat down.

“The Lucky Kitty,” she said after a bite of
her muffin. Langston fidgeted in his chair. He felt awkward. He
didn’t know what to say.

She’tay laughed. “I’m kidding. I don’t work
at the Lucky Kitty, or any other strip club, not anymore. I’m a
nursing assistant at Grant’s Nursing Home. I work the overnight
shift on the weekends.”

“Oh, okay. That sounds a lot better.”

“It is,” she confirmed.

Just as Langston promised, he was home by
midnight, 11:58 pm to be exact. He found his mother sleep on one
end of the sofa, Harlem at the other. They looked so cute that he
wished he had a camera.

“Mama, I’m home,” he said as he gently shook
her awake. “It’s late. Why don’t you stay over?”

“Sounds good to me,” she managed in a sleepy
voice. While Ms. Ashanti went up to one of the guest rooms,
Langston carried Harlem to bed.

“Baby, is that you?” Aliya was standing in
the doorway watching him tuck Harlem in. The moonlight showed the
silhouette of her night gown.

“No, it’s a robber,” Langston said in a flat
voice.

“Where have you been? I got home about 45
minutes ago.”

“I went out. I’m tired. We can talk about it
tomorrow.” He squeezed past her and went into the bedroom.

“I can’t believe they’re really going through
with this divorce. I figured they would have worked it out by now.”
Jaime was devastated. Joseph sat on the sofa near his wife and put
his arm around her.

“You never know. My parents were on the verge
of divorce about ten years ago. Somehow they worked it out, though.
Now, they’re happier than they’ve ever been.” Jaime thought of
Joseph’s parents, always smiling at each other and holding
hands.

“No, it’s too late. My mother said my father
is moving out next week. He found an apartment downtown. My father
hates downtown. At least he’s letting her keep the house. What are
the people at the mosque going to say? And Aunt Iman? I don’t know
if there’s ever been a divorce in my family. They’re going to have
a field day with this.”

“Why are you so concerned with what other
people think? The only thing that matters is that your parents are
doing okay. How is your mom taking all this?”

“I don’t know. She says she’s okay, but she
can’t be. How can she? My parents got married when they were 19
years old. 34 years of marriage over, all because of me.” She began
to cry. “They were doing fine until I ruined everything.”