by Elbie Dee
We finally heard footsteps coming from the other end of the apartment after ten minutes of patiently waiting. I hadn’t seen for myself who was in the place, but I hoped it wasn’t one of the children. I never wished to meet them, and would probably flip the fuck out if I ever witnessed his interraction with them. Bradson was aware of my undesirement, so I calmed my beating heart once I was sure he wouldn’t put me in that type of situation.
“Didn’t I tell you to leave my family alone?” Bradson broke the ice once we both heard the footsteps enter the kitchen.
“That bitch doesn’t listen,” I replied to Bradson, before she got the chance to speak. What he didn’t know was that he was about to get his ass handed to him, too. I got anxious as the apartment filled with silence, and walked to join her in the kitchen. Her eyes were wide and her body shook uncontrollably. I smirked at her fear.
“Oh! You thought you were getting away with your little rant, didn’t you?” I asked as she stood quietly staring in my direction. My eyebrows raised and my smirk turned into a frown. My fists became balled up, but as I took the first step toward her I remembered my most recent plan.
She looked at me puzzled when I told her to turn the stove off and followed me into the living room. Her blushed cheeks began to simmer, and her trembling body released its tension before she did as I directed. Bradson sat still on the couch as we entered, and shot a confused look at me. He was expecting for me to beat her ass on sight, but he was unaware of the changed plan.
“Take a seat,” I demanded Merrisah, as I pointed in the direction of the empty seat next to Bradson. She did as I said, and Bradson moved a cushion away from her.
“Your lock screen has the same numbers included in this address, Bradson,” I began the intervention.
“So? What’s that supposed to mean? My kids live here, so it’s easier to remember,” he nonchalantly replied.
“And the woman you supposedly want to marry lives at 3817. Why didn’t you use my address?” I asked. He froze when he noticed I wasn’t going to accept any of his excuses. The night I introduced Bradson to Alynn, instead of going to his apartment he told me a hotel room would be kinkier. I was drunk, so of course I thought so too. With way too many red flags raised, I decided this would be the perfect time to unveil truths. By the end, I would decide if his lying ass would be worth beating the shit out of her.
“Merrisah. Since my man isn’t talking, you’re gonna have to,” I informed her, and she looked at me like a deer in headlights.
An hour and a half later and I was blown away by the information I gathered. My trust for Bradson was already limited based on what I knew, but never did I think he’d betray me in other ways. Just as he promised me, he told her they’d get married and buy a house together. He also offered her to go into business with him, which was the same words he used with me. They were in a relationship, at the same time him and I were building ours! He allowed us both to think we were the ones for him.
Slap! I whipped my hand across Bradson’s face as hard as I could.
“So you’re going to have two wives and two mortgages?” I asked, as I stared a shot of death into his eyes. The way Merrisah flinched alerted me that she probably thought I was coming for her next, but I wasn’t. He lied to the both of us.
“Fuck Brilese!” he yelled after jumping to two feet, and planted his stance in front of me. He apologized to the both of us, but tried making himself the victim. He said I was the reason he led himself to cheat in the first place. The nagging and bitching turned him away, and he confided in other women.
“I should have cheated back, right?” I shouted. “How would you like for another man to play in my pussy after all you put me through?” I concluded, leaving him without a word to say.
After asking Merrisah about how she got my address and phone number, she told me they shared a phone line with Verizon. She was hurt by his disappearance, and went looking for answers. With the line being in her name, it was easy for her to gather GPS history and call logs. Before we left, she called to take him off of her line. He didn’t oppose, and knew it was right for him to get his own line connected.
My heart almost overflowed with pain, but was oddly settled with relief. Since everything was out and Bradson didn’t have anything else to hide, we could start fresh. Merrisah complied with me, so I opted out of beating her ass; before walking out of the door, I told her if she didn’t leave me and my family alone then that would change. I didn’t have more to worry about. I knew where she lived, and she wouldn’t take the chance.
* * *
“Hey. We’re about, thirty-five minutes away,” I called Dezire after ten minutes of driving down the highway. “Will you have them ready to go?” I asked. I was eager to spend time with them since we didn’t have much time together before they went to her house.
“Okay I will,” she said. “By the way, Alynn knows they’re here,” she continued.
“I thought you two weren’t talking anymore,” I replied.
“No. I said we didn’t talk as much anymore. She called wanting to hang out and heard Karleiyah in the background,” she admitted. She probably did tell me in that manner, but I couldn’t remember.
“What did she say?” I asked. I needed to know every conversation my kids were involved in.
“She was pissed and told me to fuck off,” she stated. “I don’t care. You and I connect better as friends. High school is over and we’re in the real world. Alynn doesn’t get that yet,” she concluded.
After we hung the phone up with each other, I thought about Alynn showing at Merrisah’s. In her devious ass little mind, she was planning to do something. I didn’t know or care what she was doing, but the first time she came for me or my kids would be her last day breathing.
10
Dezire
“Mommy’s on her way,” I told Karleiyah who sat on my leather black couch next to me, after hanging up the phone with Brilese
“Yay!” she exclaimed. I watched her run to my room and inform her brother, Zriko. I listened to the footsteps scrambling around the room. They were happy to visit me, but they had an inseparable bond with Brilese since she was their mom.
Anytime Brilese needed a temporary sitter, I was the only person she asked. I’ve always been passionate about interacting with children and she knew I never minded watching them. Zirko and Karleiyah became my niece and nephew by bond. They had my heart, and I would do anything for them.
When Karleiyah left me on the couch alone, I began to reflect on my growth. At only twenty one years old, I transitioned from a girl to a woman after I hired Brilese at The Hilton. She became the perfect example of thriving even when all else fails. She’s patient, ambitious, and will not tolerate disrespect from anyone. Little did she know, she was the perfect example of the woman I dreamed to be.
During the time I was tight with Alynn, I had fun. High school days were the best days, but our friendship should have been left there. We shared our deepest secrets, and comforted one another during our teenage break ups. When she enrolled in college, I was proud of her. After finding out she was failing because of all the parties and one night stands, I got disappointed in her. If I wanted myself to grow, I had to distance myself from the poor example she set.
“LeLe won’t let me play the PlayStation,” Zirko tattled, snapping me from my daze as he ran into the living room.
“We’re about to leave Zirko!” Karleiyah yelled from my bedroom.
“Not yet!” I yelled back to Karleiyah as I pushed myself from the couch. She took her role as the big sister serious and loved the feeling of power. “He can play until Mommy gets here,” I concluded after walking with Zirko into my room.
I stood above Karleiyah with my hands on my hips, as she stared up at me with a smirk. She was aware of Brilese informing me of her diva ways. Her mother told her it was okay to look after her brother, but to obtain from acting like a parent. I smiled after she laid her head on the bed, and noticed Zirko sitting on the floo
r returning to his Transformers game.
I walked back into the living after they were settled, and returned to my spot on the couch. After I picked my phone up to look at my notifications, I wish I wouldn’t have. Threats and victimizing texts were coming in one after another from Alynn. The words she used had gotten so disturbing, that I was forced to block her from calling me.
Knock! Knock!
Without asking who was on the other side of my door, I got up and released the chain from the latch. As expected, it was Brilese… with Bradson standing behind her. She never allowed me to get the chance to meet him up close since telling me about the situation that happened with Alynn. Without having a desire to meet him to begin with, I agreed. By her bringing him to my home, I knew she had grown to trust me with everything.
“Mommy!” Karleiyah screamed, while running to Brilese with Zirko following behind.
“Hi babies!” Brilese said, as she lowered her arms to greet them. “Alright, go back and play. Give Mommy and Dezzie a few minutes to talk,” she instructed, before their tiny bodies ran back into my bedroom with all smiles.
“Bradson,” he introduced himself after he closed the door behind him, and before he reached his hand out for a shake.
“Dezire,” I replied. All bullshit to the side, he seemed like a gentleman. From the stories I heard, he was everything else but a true man; he was labeled as a scumbag, but that was probably coming from Brilese’s pain. Since she was giving him another chance, I was happy to accept his greeting.
All three of us took a seat at my tall dining room table, as Brilese and I began discussing Alynn. Bradson quietly listened as we ranted. She informed me that her and Bradson paid Merrisah a visit, which is why she needed a sitter. She said Alynn was pulling into the apartment as they were leaving, and I couldn’t help her come up with a conclusion as to why. She had always been the jealous type, but taking action was never in her character.
Bradson formed a look of guilt on his face as he listened until we ended our conversation. He probably thought I’d judge him, but since he wasn’t my concern… I didn’t care. Before the family of four walked out of my front door, I assured her that I’d keep my eyes on Alynn as much as I could. Even though I blocked her number, I still kept in contact from time to time with some of our mutual friends from high school. If anything, I’d find something out before Brilese did.
* * *
Chirp! Chirp!
The sounds of birds singing brought music to my ears as I sat on the wooden bench at the picnic area of my apartment complex. I was off of work, and the weather was beautiful at eight in the morning; sixty degrees, with a light breeze and sunlight. I sipped my coffee mug and began to read, The Power of Positive Thinking, by Norman Vincent Peale. My day off of work was off to a great start.
“What the hell?” I asked myself aloud. “Aren’t you supposed to be in Charlotte?” I asked after Alynn walked down the hill to join me.
“I was, but you blocked my fucking number!” she yelled, after taking a seat on the other end of the picnic table. She slammed her palms onto the wood which caused her hands to become red in color.
“I’m not gonna deal with your bullshit, Alynn!” I screamed. I was never the controversial type, so my actions put a shocked look to her face. She should have known about the strength in my bones beneath my melanin skin.
“Not once have you blocked my number,” she said, after lowering her tone. “Now that you and Brilese are practically family, you don’t know me anymore?” she asked.
“I don’t know you anymore because you’ve changed!” I stated. “You look a hot mess, all you do is spread your legs open, and you’ve turned into a hateful, grimy bitch!” I said, harshfully and honestly.
“I don’t know what to do anymore, Dez,” she cried, after folding her arms on top of the table before burying her face. Many years went by with us being together, and I never saw her this broken.
* * *
“Alynn,” I said, after placing my hand on top of her arm. “I watched you go through things in life, but you’ve never been impacted like this,” I continued.
“It’s too confusing to explain,” she sighed, after lifting her head and replying.
“I’m here for you. You can tell me anything” I assured her. She sniffled her nose and wiped her eyes clean to pull herself together.
“I think I’m in love with her,” she confessed. That was the last I expected.
“What!” I exclaimed. “You’ve never been into girls before! What the hell is going on now?” I dramatically asked.
“Please don’t judge me,” she said. She was obviously embarrassed from the limp her body formed.
“I’m not judging. I’m just confused as hell!” I honestly replied.
“I’m confused too,” she agreed with me. “It feels almost like I’m obsessed with her,” she confessed, which explained why she let herself go. She didn’t know how to handle being without Brilese. She was heartbroken by the fact that Brilese chose Bradson, and not her.
I was nervous for her. Mental health issues were approaching her by the day. I don’t think even she knew about the damper she was beginning to place on everyone around her. She had fallen madly in love with Brilese out of intrigue for her; not because she was into women. It scared me to think of anyone getting hurt out of the sadness of her heart. Normally, she wouldn’t hurt a soul… but she had become far from her normal and could be capable of anything.
Before saying my goodbyes to Alynn, I promised not to tell Brilese. She didn’t want her to look at things differently, and told me she’d seeked help on her own. As I walked up the first flight of stairs to get into my apartment, I had a feeling that wasn’t the case. I opened my apartment door, and plopped down on my couch once I locked up. I sat contemplating on breaking my promise with Alynn.
“It’s a nice day at The Hilton. How may I direct your call,” Sandy from the operator’s desk answered the phone. From the bad feeling I had, there wasn’t a way I could keep the secret from Brilese.
“Hey. It’s Dezire. Is Brilese on break?” I asked, as my heart beat from my chest.
“Oh, hey! No,she came back about twenty minutes ago. I’ll transfer you,” Sandy said before transferring the call.
As I listened to the announcements, the thought of hanging up came to mind. I didn’t know how she would take it. I didn’t need her confronting Alynn and having the trust broken between her and I. Just as I released the phone from my ear to press the end button, Brilese answered the phone.
“Thank you for choosing Hilton. This is Brilese and I’ll be happy to help you,” she introduced herself. She sounded good as hell! It was the first time I got to witness a professional call from her, and I was proud she was one of my employees. “Hello,” she continued, before I realized I hadn’t said a word.
“Hey! It’s Dez,” I informed her.
“Oh hey! What’s up? Is everything okay?” she asked. Since I never called her at work, she knew something was up which led to her concerned tone.
“I have to tell you something, but you have to promise not to tell a soul!” I demanded as my voice shivered.
“Okay?” she questioned and waited for me to reply.
“Well, Alynn looked like shit when she visited me today,” I said.
“She’s not mad at you anymore?” she asked since she was aware that the day prior, I was getting cursed out from her.
“She was at first, but then broke down,” I stated. “To make things short since you’re working, she’s insanely in love with you,” I hurried to say.
“What!” she sounded shocked as she screamed through the phone.
“I know, but I think it could be dangerous. Please be careful,” I warned, before getting off of the phone with her.
11
Bradson
“When are you and Mommy getting married?” Karleiyah asked in the middle of the Toy Story Four movie… as Brilese was in the shower after dinner.
“When the ti
me is right. Now mind your business,” I chuckled. She continued watching the movie, but her question stayed with me.
Brilese and I have been through more than some couples go through in a ten year time span, and she remained strong through it all. After Merrisah’s dumb ass confessed the truth to Brilese, I knew we were going to be done for good. I was surprised when I was proven wrong. Instead, our bond began to grow tighter. She accepted me through all of my faults, and marrying her didn’t sound like a bad idea.
“Alright. I’m out of the shower so you guys know what that means,” Brilese said, after walking into the living room in a nightgown with a towel wrapped around her head.
“Ugh,” both of the kids let out a pout, but got up and did as they were told.
“Babe,” I said, stopping her from her tracks as she headed toward the room.
“Yes?” she asked.
“Come here for a second,” I demanded. She twisted her body around and sat down on the microfiber couch next to me. I took my left arm from resting on top of the cushion, and placed my arm around her shoulder. I hugged her tightly, and kissed her forehead.
“Is this all you wanted?” she asked.
“No, I love you. I want to know why you’ve been so quiet tonight,” I said. She wasn’t acting like her normal self, and I had to make sure it didn’t have anything to do with me.
“Just worried,” she confessed in a low tone, and looked her eyes away from me. “Dezire told me that Alynn said she’s obsessed with me,” she stated, which explained the way Alynn was acting. I told her not to worry, and sent her on her way to bed. Alynn wasn’t about to do shit to my family if she had any sense, but I understood the concern Brilese had. The bitch looked bad, which was the opposite of how she was when the two first became friends.
“Let’s make love tonight,” I said after I joined her in bed. I placed my hand on her thigh once I was under the covers, and began to massage upward until I reached her pussy.