“Perfect timing. Ladies, this is the friend and store associate I am speaking of Denise Gathers.”
Denise was a five-four slender built white woman with daunting blue eyes and sandy brown locks. If it weren’t for the maturity of her burgundy formal pantsuit, I wouldn’t have guessed her to be a day over thirty.
“Good evening everyone.” She said friendlily as she took the last remaining seat at the table.
I breathed a sigh of relief at the fact that another woman would be joining us instead.
“Hello...” Myla returned, obviously confused by the turn of events. “I’m Myla Reeves and this is my best-friend Ivory Carter. Roland, I wasn’t aware another female would be joining us tonight.”
Myla threw daggers at Denise with her eyes.
Despite how inadvertently popular Myla was with men, any female that was in the vicinity of a man she did sleep with, was sleeping with, or had plans to sleep with, was an immediate enemy.
“I didn’t think it would be a problem.” Roland shot back “And besides, I would hate to bring a homeboy with me and have Ivory thinking I was trying to set her up so soon, especially after what has happened in her life.”
“Myla you didn’t!” I exclaimed, upset with my friend for telling my tea.
“Aww chill out, Ro ain’t nobody.”
Roland looked in her direction as she flipped her dreads.
“If I didn’t tell him, I’m certain you would have slipped up and aired out your own dirty laundry.”
“I would have preferred it that way.” I replied smartly.
“Don’t take it to heart Ivory, Myla only told me the bare basics. Bottom line: If you were in my hands, I’d never let you down.”
“Says the man with a fiancé.” I spat, rolling my eyes.
Myla and Denise laughed at my quick comeback.
“Well, just as a disclaimer, you aren’t the only one dealing with a recent heartbreak.” Denise spoke as she waved the waiter over to our table. “I caught my husband cheating for the fourth time.”
Myla almost spit out her drink.
“The fourth fuckin time! Damn girl and you are still with his ass?”
I shook my head at how insensitive my best-friend was being about the topic.
“Yes, I am. But it’s more complicated than you think.” She replied, giving her order to the waiter who made his rounds to each one of us after.
“What’s complicated about “you cheated on me so I’m leaving you fucker!”
Myla used her middle finger for emphasis.
“Myla there are many things to consider following a separation or divorce.” I stated, crossing my legs from underneath the table. “Along with the emotional toll it has on both parties, there is the separation of assets which could take years to dig through. I wouldn’t expect you to know all of that because you’ve never been married.”
“Cheers to that!” Myla exclaimed, toasting to the air as she took a flask of champagne from an approaching waiter. “Regardless of what I was going through or what needed to be done, I couldn’t see myself staying with a scumbag who felt it was his right to cheat on me.”
Denise remained demure despite Myla’s strong opinions.
“It didn’t start that way. He was the love of my life at a point. Until we had busy careers and less time to spend with one another.”
In almost record time, the waiter came back to our table with the meals we had ordered. I could tell by the smell alone, that the seared tuna and mixed vegetables I had ordered was going to be delicious.
“Yada, yada, yada. Same story, different day. I’m sure Ivory here is very familiar with this topic seeing as she is a counselor and all.” Myla offered, picking at her sushi.
“Oh you are?” Roland snickered “I may have to use your expertise in a few years if things happen to go south.”
I took my first bite of food.
“Yes I am. It has been a passion of mine since I was a bright-eyed, bushy tailed freshman trying to figure out how I was gonna contribute to society.”
Everyone at the table laughed.
“On a more serious note, I’m sorry about what’s going on with you and your husband Denise. Have you tried relationship counseling?”
“I’ve tried everything.” She responded tiringly “I am to the point now where I wouldn’t mind the divorce, it’s just that the pre-nup I signed wouldn’t allot me a dime if I leave him without probable cause.”
Myla stopped her side chatter with Roland to insert her two-cents.
“I would NEVER sign a pre-nup. If a man loves me, he will be fine with splitting what we’ve earned as a unit because baby that’s like fuckin for free and a woman shouldn’t play herself like that.”
I gave my girl a side-eye.
“You do have probable cause don’t you? He has been cheating. You don’t have evidence to prove this?”
Denise winced.
“I didn’t really look at the pre-nup until I considered a divorce. Turns out, the only way I can leave with half of our assets is if I have visual proof of the infidelity.”
“And it specifically states this in the contract? Man, playa knew he was gonna be doing you dirty.”
Roland and Myla dapped each other up.
These two are birds of the same feather.
“Visual proof meaning…what?” I questioned, genuinely interested in the topic.
“Meaning I’d have to catch him in the act. Video, audio whatever as long as it’s recorded. Slick bastard is always two steps ahead of me though.”
I shook my head at the whole ordeal.
Maybe there was someone out there going through a situation worse than mine.
“Oh I bet he has a type. All men do, especially the cheating kind. An ex-boyfriend of mine and habitual cheater used to dog me with the same type of skinny white bitches.” Myla added, dabbing her mouth with a napkin. “Know his type and you’ll be able to catch his hand in the cookie jar.”
“Actually, I do. Believe it or not, he loves dark-skin exotic looking women. Kind of like you Ivory.”
I stopped my meal completely to look her dead in the face.
“Your man’s got that jungle fever!” Roland said jokingly.
“That would be the case if I was married to a white man.” Denise smirked, using a knife to cut up her roasted chicken. “If I could just catch him in the act with a woman like you, I would get the money I deserve and wouldn’t mind passing out a chunk of the change to my partner in crime.”
I played with my food to avoid an impending answer.
“Shit, if she won’t do it. I will.” Myla blurted to the amusement of the group.
“Hell, I’d do it if I wasn’t straight.” Roland commented.
I refused to allow them to impose their opinions on me.
“He has millions.” Denise added as if to raise the stakes of her argument.
By this time, the waiter had collected our empty plates and placed our tabs at the center of the table.
“No, I don’t think that would be a job for me.” I said, halfheartedly “You need the bad girl type and that’s definitely not who I am. I’m a counselor and a mother.”
“Exactly, beautiful and smart. With your level of knowledge regarding relationships and how men work, he wouldn’t know what hit him. Anyway, just a thought.”
I quickly changed the subject and immediately regretted the reservations I had about going out with Myla. Through conversation, I had learned that her friend Roland James was not only a successful entrepreneur, but the friend of Monae Reese, author of the book From Demure to Destiny that inspired me to continue to chase my dreams of becoming a counselor and certified marriage and family therapist.
Who would have thought!
After a few more minutes of additional chit-chat, we paid the tab, left the table and made our way back to the first floor and to the exit of the club. Once we did and I attempted open the door, I was greeted by an all too familiar face.
“Ivory? Well i
sn’t this an interesting place to bump into one another.”
I knew those devious hazel eyes like I knew the back of my hand.
It was my husband Pierce.
CHAPTER 3
“Pierce” I said dryly.
I could feel the fury in me rising but did my best to contain myself around Myla’s friends. Even in the heat of anger, I couldn’t deny how handsome he was. Pierce was dressed in a snazzy blue and black floral button up and black slacks.
“Don’t treat me like a stranger. Introduce me.” He insisted.
“You are a stranger, judging by the way you misled me for all these years. What you did to me really hurt you know that.”
I could see Myla’s eyes widen as she grasped my hand to lead me away from the potential conflict.
I didn’t budge.
I knew I should have stayed my ass at home.
“You don’t seem too hurt to me, you’re out at the club with friends.”
Pierce winked his hazel eye, which only made me even more pissed.
“Hello everyone I’m Pierce Carter, Ivory’s husband.”
He reached out to shake the hands of Roland and Denise.
“C’mon Ivory, lets go.”
Myla tugged at my arm even harder this time but I continued.
“Ex-husband.” I corrected, snatching my hand away from Myla’s. “Congratulations again on the new baby.”
I smiled to myself after realizing how petty I sounded.
“Speaking of babies, where is our son? I hope you don’t plan on leaving him at home while you party your responsibilities away.”
“Excuse me!” I bellowed.
He was the last person on earth who could judge anyone.
“Actually, she was meeting us here to discuss potential business.” Roland interjected, shaking Pierce’s awaiting hand. “I’m Roland James and this is Denise Gathers.”
My eyes widened for a brief moment, unaware of where Roland’s white lie would lead.
“Business? For counseling? At a night club? I find that hard to believe.”
“Well believe it.” Denise added. “Not that it’s any of your personal business but I am requesting the services of Mrs. Carter to help alleviate the feelings I have from my marital issues.”
Pierce looked at each one of us and chuckled.
“I’m sorry to hear that. I’m sure after the divorce is said and done. My wife will be more than equip to help you with your issues.”
“Now Pierce is that really necessary?” Myla scolded, shaking her head.
“Respect is given when it is earned.”
Pierce turned his gaze toward me.
“After all, you are still my wife whether you like it or not.”
“Ex-wife!” I shouted once more as he walked past us and into the club.
“Maybe you do know a thing or two about what I’m going through.” Denise added as we continued to walk across the parking lot.
“Oh trust me, she definitely does.” Myla said, looking at me and shaking her head. “Don’t give him the benefit of making you angry Ivory, you still had a good time right?”
“Of course.” I confidently replied “Almost seven years of training has prepared me for this.”
“As pompous as he was, you will definitely need it.” Denise said, grabbing her purse. “Hmm reminds me so much of my husband.”
She reached in Versace clutch, stepped up close, and whispered in my ear.
“I meant what I said at the table earlier, call me if you want that chunk of change.”
“It was such a pleasure meeting you tonight as well.” I replied, hugging her to mask our conversation.
Roland gave each of us a hug and we went our separate ways.
“Thank you.” I told Myla as we got in the car.
“Your welcome. Sorry about the run in with your man, promise I didn’t tell him we were coming here.”
I giggled and reclined my seat.
“Ehh, you might be triflin but not that triflin.”
“I’ve never been triflin Ivory, wrong friend.”
“Never?” I teased “What about the time you slept with my Man Crush Monday?”
“Aww Gavin? That was a long time ago and you were too shy to talk to him so I did.”
“I asked you to talk to him for me. Not fuck him.”
This incident was a clear indication that we had grown past something that challenged our friendship years ago.
“So anyway, what was THAT about?”
Myla cheesed and motioned towards my purse.
“What is THAT” I innocently responded.
“You know what I mean.” Myla answered confidently “Unless Miss Denise is a lezbo, she gave you her number to call you about her offer.”
I grinned and pulled out the card.
“And how did you see all of that?”
“Baby I know how to peep out a little “hand work”. We used to run that game back in the day.“
Myla snatched the card from me and put it to her nose to sniff.
“Girl, what are you doing?”
“That’s Doir bitch! Ol girl aint bluffin about the coins. Are you gonna do it?”
I snatched the card from her hand and placed it back in my purse.
“I just took it out of common courtesy.” I confessed as we approached my home. “And I doubt she was serious.”
“Mm I don’t know. You know what they say, if a person jokes about the same thing more than twice it’s not for games.”
I opened the door and stepped out of her car.
“Game or not, I’m not with all of that.”
After Myla’ and I took some pics and said our goodbyes, I headed up the sidewalk to the front door of my house. Halfway there, I felt something peculiar come over me. Once the house was in closer view, I noticed my bedroom light.
“Hmmm. That’s odd, I don't remember leaving my light on.”
I approached my front door with caution and reached to turn the knob.
“Wait, why is my door unlocked?”
I could sense my anxiety rising.
When I pushed the door back and looked, there was no one inside. Not only was there no one inside but NOTHING either.
Everything in my home was stolen from my existence.
“Who would do this to me?”
Tears began to flow from my eyes as I tried to think back. I had no enemies and confidentiality was a golden rule between my clients and me.
The answer to the question popped in my head.
Pierce.
“What a fucking asshole.” I spat running upstairs to check my closets. “He could have at least left me my clothes.”
Angry and defeated, I sat in the middle of my empty bedroom floor and thought about what to do. Pierce owned everything in the house because it was all bought for me. The rugs, chairs, tables, TV’s, clothes and all. Here I was thinking he was being sweet and it all amounted to being a product of marital leverage.
It was at my lowest moment that I found my strength.
“You will not get the best of me. No man will AGAIN.” I growled, dialing numbers on my phone.
It rang.
“Hello?” The voice spoke.
I hesitated, considered hanging up but deciding to do the alternative.
“Denise, this is Ivory. Hope I'm still in your thoughts.”
I was officially a woman scored.
CHAPTER 4
“Mommy, are we there yet? Mommy, Mommy, Mommy!”
I loved Junior to death but his inquisitiveness could be a bit much sometimes. Even for a five-year-old.
“Almost baby, remember what I told you. Patience is a…”
I trailed off to let him complete the saying.
“Virtue” He finished, showing off his snaggletooth smile in the backseat.
Two days after contacting Denise and getting a brief overview of what she needed from me, I decided it was best to meet her in person to work out the details. I really wished I could leave Juni
or with Myla but I knew my kid missed me and that she needed a break from the trials and tribulations of auntie-hood.
I pulled my 2016 white Toyota Camry to the parking lot of Wholesale for Sale and gave myself and my son the once over. After I gave him the mommy stamp of approval, I took him out the car and held his hand as we walked across the street to the entrance.
“Mommy, are there squirrels in here?”
“What?” I asked surprisingly “Why would there be squirrels in here?”
He ran over to the front door and held it for me.
“You said this place was for health nuts right? So if squirrels eat nuts then they would be here.”
“It’s a saying Junior, don’t ask me why but it is.”
I giggled at his naivety as we ogled at the endless isles of merchandise.
The bustle of the store and incandescent employee energy made me want to get healthy and I wasn’t even out of shape! Six rows of cashiers lined the front with a large sign that sat beside the last register, leading the way to the supervisor’s office.
I knelt down to meet my son in the eye.
“Lets play a game Junior.”
His eyes lit up as I continued.
“It’s called don’t touch. If you don’t touch anything in here, Mommy will buy you an ice cream cone.”
“A chocolate ice cream cone?” Junior repeated.
“Any kind you want baby.”
“Yay!”
We walked past the six registers and down the corridor to the supervisor’s office. Before I could knock, it swung open with an eager Denise on the opposite end.
“Ivory, just in time. Please come in.”
I grabbed Junior tightly by the hand and led him inside.
Denise closed the door behind her and sashayed her way back to the desk.
“Is this your little one?” She asked as she adjusted herself in the chair.
“Yes, it is. His name is…”
“Pierce Lexington Carter the second” My baby said proudly, taking a seat on my lap.
Denise grinned and reached in her desk to give him a snack.
Junior grabbed the treat out of her hand and quickly returned to his seat.
“Such a cutie.” Denise commented as he chewed on a granola bar. “Looks so much like that father of his.”
Jaded: The First Cut is the Deepest Page 2