Ivy's Twisted Vine Redux

by Latrivia S. Nelson

  ***

  By noon, Grey had scurried off into the Saturday heat. He had warned her in advance that she wouldn’t see him the rest of the day. “Baby, I’m going to the golf course at three and dinner with one of my frat brothers at seven, not to mention that I have a hundred errands to run. So, if you need me, call me on my cell, otherwise I’ll call and check on you tonight and see you for church first thing in the morning,” he had said before he pecked her on her cheek and dashed out the door leaving her to her alone to make her own plans for once.

  Now all that she had to do was wait for Nicola to drop off the boys, which would be not later than three. After a long hot shower and rigorous body treatment, she stepped into a comfortable pair of Baby Phat jeans and a white t-shirt and a pair of comfortable wedge hill open toe sandals. Pulling her hair up into a ponytail, she stood in front of the mirror carefully placing on her Saturday face. Just enough blush on the cheeks to seem rosy and just enough gloss on the lips to seem full and defined.

  Taking a long look at herself, she admired how her body had changed since the pregnancy. Sure she had a small pouch now, but Grey seemed to find it irresistible. Overall her breasts were fuller, her hips were more curvaceous and her skin to was more resilient. Not the mention that her hair had grown two full inches in length.

  However past the looks and deep in her soul, Ivy felt lost. What had she given up to be a married mother? What opportunities had she just let slip out of her hand in rushing into love? Those thoughts were always on her mind, but her mother had assured her that no matter how old your were when you marry, those questions would come. “You just have to meet them with the right answer, which is entirely up to you,” Sadie had said trying to support her daughter.

  Still for Ivy certain parties were out now and coming home when she felt like it was out now. Dating was out now. Hanging out at her favorite nightspots was out now. “Damn,” she said looking deeper at herself in the mirror. What was in? Those thoughts had been previously crowded out of her mind when she was pregnant. She was more interested in finding out who the babies’ daddy was, and how she would make it through nine months of pregnancy and her senior year of college. Now that she had control of her body and life again, new issues were starting to come up and frequently. Maybe this was part of her change, and maybe this was what Grey had been going through the entire time?

  By three that afternoon, Ivy had done all of her chores and was sitting at the computer answering emails from her intern at the office. Every few minutes she would glance over at the clock to see what time it was in hopes that Nicola would not be too long in returning her sons. She has spent most of the day in the house and planned to get out before dusk for just a little while.

  Hearing the doorbell, she pulled away from her computer and put away her glasses. As usual her heart skipped a beat as she walked to the door. It was amazing how nervous she still was around Nicola after all that time. Taking a deep breath, she opened the door to see him with both hands full and two bags beside his feet.

  “These two are a handful,” he said passing her one of the boys.

  “You don’t have to tell me,” she said helping him inside.

  “Until they begin to walk, everywhere you go, you’re gonna have both hands and arms full,” he said thinking towards their future.

  “It’s not so bad. You just haven’t gotten used to it yet.”

  “And you have.”

  “You carried them in your arms for a couple of hours. I carried them in my stomach for nine months.”

  “Point taken.” As usual he watched her walk in front of him admiring her long and shapely body as he tried to remind himself of his plan to stay far, far away. “I’ve already fed them, and I think their ready for a nap.”

  “Okay,” Ivy said going to her bedroom. “So, how was your evening?” she asked unable to keep her curiosity to herself.

  “It was nice,” he said reminded of her jealousy the night before.

  “That’s good,” she said laying Madison in the baby bed.

  “And yours?” he asked laying Adamo in his bed.

  “Nice,” she said taking aback by his lack of interest in the their conversation. She paused for a moment and looked at him in his eyes. Had she really lost him?

  “Look, I’ve gotta go. I just wanted to drop them off on time so that I wouldn’t hold you up.” He looked at his watch and then down the corridor.

  “Thanks again,” she said bidding him a good evening.

  “Yeah. See you later,” he said starting out of the room awkwardly.

  Walking out the front door, Nicola felt the nervousness inside of him disappear. His plan was still unfolding and without error. He had discovered his mistake with Ivy and intended to fix it immediately. He had revealed himself early in their relationship and left himself vulnerable the entire pregnancy, which was why he was so uneasy around her now. He felt like she could read him like a book, because he had allowed himself to become absolutely predictable. He wasn’t a bad boy anymore. She had changed that with those children. Hell, sometimes I have to check to see if I still have balls, he thought inwardly. But all of that was about to change. It was time to live and open up to the world again. The past was finally behind him and he was ready to shed his old skin.

  Chapter Thirty: Famiglia

  Chapter 30

  FAMIGLIA

  “Welcome to Memphis,” Nicola said hugging his mother as they walked through the security checkpoint of the airport.

  With an undeniable anticipation, he greeted his family with hugs and kisses. This was the first time that they had come as a family with Santo to see him the entire time that he had lived in Memphis. While it promised to be exciting, he knew that it would also be interesting considering that Ivy was getting married at the end of the week.

  “Let’s get your baggage and get you guys out of this stuffy airport,” Nicola said leading his family to the baggage claim area.

  “You have to show us around Memphis, this time, Nicola. Last time, we were here for only a couple of days and the most we saw was Graceland from the street in passing. This time we’re here for a couple of weeks. We want to visit Beale Street, grab some barbeque, visit some museums and the whole nine,” Adamo said following behind his son.

  “Sure thing, pop. Hey, Santo, where’s the wife?”

  “At home. She said she didn’t want to tag along this time.” Santo was glad that he had time to himself to enjoy the southern hospitality he had heard so much about in Memphis.

  “More time for us to do the male thing.” Nicola got on the escalator in front of his family.

  “Where are my grandsons?” Liz asked impatiently.

  “With their other grandparents. Ivy’s gone to make some last minute changes to her wedding gown with her bridesmaids.” Nicola wanted very much to sound unconcerned with Ivy and her whereabouts but his mother could see through the facade.

  “So, she’s going to marry the other gentleman?” Liz was very disappointed.

  “Ma, it’s what we all want.” Nicola gripped the rail with aggravation. “Ivy and I are just friends. We have an ongoing relationship, because we have children together. Past that, she’s in love with Grey, and I’m in love with life.”

  It was a harsh statement to make, but inside, Nicola needed to hear himself say it. Ivy was in love with Grey, and he was out of the equation. Reality gave him strength to push on and live on without looking back or asking what if. Plus, there was Madison and Adam to think of. Grey had given him no trouble about seeing his children as much as he wanted as long as he stayed away from Ivy. For now, that was a very good reason to stay away.

  “We made reservations at the Peabody Hotel,” his father said looking at his watch. “We had better get there and check in first before we go to dinner.”

  “Yeah, I was just about to remind you guys,” Santo said looking at his watch as well.

  “You weren’t planning on staying at the Peabody too?” Nicola asked Santo.


  “Yeah, I didn’t want to impose on you.” Santo read his brothers eyes. Could that be freedom?

  “It would be no imposition. You’re more than welcomed to come and stay with me anytime.” Nicola invited happily.

  “What about your company? I wouldn’t want to get in the way.” Santo knew about his brother’s promiscuous ways.

  “My guests are few and far in between now and then only with an appointment. Come on, it’ll be fun.”

  “Sure, why not.” Yes! Santo thought to himself. Girls! Girls! Girls!

  “Well, why didn’t you invite your father and I to stay,” Liz asked meddling with her son as she slid on her Armani glasses.

  “Because, I figured you two would want a little quality time together.” Nicola winked at his father.

  “Please, your father and I spend quality time no matter where we are,” Liz scoffed.

  “It’s what keeps the magic in the marriage,” his father said nudging Santo.

  “Honestly, pop, we don’t want to know,” Santo said shaking off the thought of his parents having sex. “The things people tell their kids.”

  ***

  After lunch, Nicola dropped his parents back off at the hotel to get some rest and took his brother to his place to settle in for his stay. As usual they had hundreds of things to talk about including Nicola’s new love interest, Rachel. He didn’t have pictures of her yet, but he had arranged for her to meet Santo later in the week. It occurred to Nicola as he pulled up in front of his home that his brother had never seen where he lived and had no idea of how he lived, so it was up to him to give the right first impression. For once, he felt inferior. His brother lived in a mansion in South Beach and here he was comfortable in a three-bedroom condo with barely enough room for him and his new sons. Opening the door, he took a deep breath and smiled. Grin and bare it, he thought to himself.

  “Welcome to casa de Agosto,” Nicola said turning off his alarm. “I’ll show you around, and then you can make yourself comfortable in the guest bedroom.”

  “Sure.” Santo put down his bags. “Well, it looks nice from what I’ve seen so far.”

  “Please, this is a bachelor’s pad and probably the wash room of your house.”

  “Like you couldn’t have the same,” he said half grinning. “You still have an interest in marketing?”

  “No. I follow it from time to time through Ad week magazine and some other stuff, but mostly I’m too caught up in criminal justice.”

  “And you didn’t get a degree in criminal justice?”

  “Nope. I guess at one point, I really thought that I would return home, even after I had told pop that my place was here.”

  “Well, he still thinks that your place is in Miami, but he respects what you do here. For that matter, we all do.”

  “Yeah, well, enough about me. Come on; let me give you a tour so I can wrap up being the thoughtful host.” Although it gratified Nicola to here such distinct approval from his brother it made him feel a little uncomfortable to have the spotlight shining on him.

  “So what does a single man like yourself do on a Saturday night?” Santo asked hinting to his brother that he hadn’t planned on being pint up his entire stay.

  “Um, there are a few clubs I frequent. Then, there is the Peabody place, which is great to catch a movie and Beale street of course. We can to the Tacky Jack’s Taco Shack on Poplar. If you like martinis, we can go downtown to Swig. It’s really what you want to do man?”

  “What about gentlemen’s clubs? Even in Miami, they talk about this place here called the Black Tie.” Santo licked his lips. “I’m here to have a good time. I don’t give a damn about movies and dance clubs.”

  “Yeah it’s famous worldwide. I go there too from time to time.” Nicola didn’t want to lead on about the Black Tie being his second residency.

  “Well, let’s go tonight. I feel like shelling out a couple of dollars to see a few nice young women get extremely friendly.” Santo rubbed his hands together. Girls! Girls! Girls!

  “What time is it?” Nicola asked looking down at his watch.

  “Almost five. Why?”

  “I’ve got to call and make reservations for us.”

  “You mean you have to have reservations to go to a strip club.”

  “The strip club in Memphis, man. Every Saturday night it’s packed to capacity.”

  “Damn, are the women that fine?”

  “Well, let’s just say that your first experience at the Black Tie will definitely be like no other.”

  “Good, I can’t wait. You just don’t know how long it’s been since I had a little extra-curricular activity in my life.”

  “You mean you came all the way to Memphis to have a fling. Hell, you could have gotten that in Miami.” Nicola laughed and grabbed his brother’s bag to show him his bedroom. “Wait. Scratch that last statement. You can only get Memphis women in Memphis.”

  ***

  Grey sat quietly across from Ivy watching her enjoy her dinner at their favorite little hangout, Side Street Grill. Sitting out in the open air, they both enjoyed the breeze and company of other professionals having cocktails and smoking cigars. Inside a great band was playing and a few people frolicked happily on the dance floor.

  Ivy had made plans to spend the evening with Grey after she was fitted for her dress with her bridesmaids and Trina, but he had made plans to be alone. It was a clear, hot Saturday night and he still had the urge to be with his friends and enjoy a good weekend of carefree fun. However, the closer they got to the wedding, the less time he had to himself, which pissed him off more than Ivy would ever know.

  “Why aren’t you saying anything?” Ivy asked trying to talk over the band.

  “I don’t know. I just don’t have anything to say.” He looked away visibly annoyed.

  “Well you’re acting like something is wrong,” she said recalling his attitude all evening.

  Grey rolled his eyes and looked down at watch before he replied. “Well, it’s not.” He knew that his response would hurl Ivy into a fit and it would only be minutes before they were forced into a heated argument.

  “Bullshit,” Ivy said wiping her mouth with her napkin and throwing it in her lap. “If you didn’t want to be with me tonight, then you could have just said so.”

  “Look, I don’t want to argue with you okay.” But in actuality, he did. He wanted her to get so upset that they would be forced to leave the restaurant. Maybe then he could convince her that she was just being emotional and after all of their needless arguing she should just go home. Then he could make it to the Black Tie before they canceled his reservations.

  “You’re so predictable,” Ivy said waving her hand at the waiter.

  “I beg your pardon,” he said looking a little confused.

  “Don’t ‘I beg your pardon’ me,” she said as the waiter approached.

  “Can I help you, maim,” the waiter said cordially.

  “Yes, I’d like the check now, please,” Ivy said demandingly.

  “Yes, maim” the waiter said looking at Grey. “Right away.”

  “What are you doing, Ivy” Grey asked while Ivy looked through her purse.

  “I’m making this a little less painful for us.”

  “What do you mean?” Grey’s frown crinkled his eyebrows.

  “Do you have other plans, Grey?” Ivy squinted at him, wiggling her nose.

  “What?”

  “Other plans? Have you made other plans with someone else for tonight?” She was tired of playing games with him and intended to end this little charade immediately.

  “Well honestly, yes. But they are for much later. They won’t affect us.” His words fumbled out, as he was unprepared for her sudden outburst.

  “You’re right, because our time just ended. Next time, you should try just being honest instead of pouting like a little girl.” She threw a twenty on the table.

  “Look, we don’t have to….”

  “Save it,” Ivy said throwing her h
and up in his face.

  “Well at least let me give you a ride home,” he said uncrossing his legs.

  “I’m not going home.” Ivy watched him mouth drop in shock, which made her feel on top of the world. A woman that was predictable was expendable. “If you need me, I’ll be on Beale with my friends. So you can go on and do whatever you had originally planned to do without disrupting my life.” She waved him off, pushed her seat back and waltzed off leaving him alone.

  Without looking back once, Ivy disappeared in the parking lot across the street. And for a moment, Grey was seriously taken aback. Had he just witnessed a transformation in the woman he was about to blindly marry? Had she really just saw clear through all of his relentless bullshit? For a moment, he wanted to run after her and apologize, but he knew this game. It was just feed her ego. Instead, he paid the check and headed in the opposite direction confused and a little intimidated, but ultimately glad that he would still be able to go out as planned.

  ***

  Beale Street was packed to capacity with crowds of people screaming, singing, dancing and drinking. It had often been referred to as a little French Quarter with the jazz, blues, rock and R & B music floating out of the clubs on to the sidewalks. It was the only place in Memphis where color, creed, religion and sex didn’t matter. Everyone came together under a drunken haze to let loose and have fun enjoying the world’s best barbeque and city’s best entertainment. Police officers on horses patrolled the area, and religious fanatics protested on the corners with their signs and bullhorns. Drunken women fell over off the side of the street exposing their bare bottoms. Thugs hung out on the east of Beale Street and Preps hung out on the western end. Visitors intermingled between both groups taking pictures and buying roses off of vendors.

  Taking in the sights, Ivy inhaled the smoke of the freshly cooked meat and sounds of the world that she had left behind nearly a year ago to transform herself into a mother and soon-to-be wife. Walking freely through the crowds in her black silk strapless dress and black strap up sandals, she drew attention as she held on tightly to her cocktail purse. With her hair swinging freely down her back and her face made up, she almost felt out of place with masses in jeans and t-shirts. But she was determined to have a good time. Walking up pass the line of people waiting to get into one of the more poplar clubs on Beale, Club 152, Ivy hugged the bouncer and proceeded in with a V.I.P stamp.