Two Faces 2Mask OffThe Final Reveal

by Valarie Deshazier

  “What do you mean you should know?”

  “Boy please, don’t even start, because you and I both know that once you get married the party days are over. Oh, but wait, it wasn’t for you though. You were still living it up with miss messy,” Mary said as she rolled her eyes.

  “Don’t start that. I thought we were past all that.”

  “We were until Miss Hot Ass wanted to show up,” Mary stated as she walked out of the room.

  “Where are you going?”

  “To mind my business and leave yours alone,” Mary said as she gave him the finger.

  “Really, we’re doing it like that?” Markel yelled out.

  Mary didn’t respond back, just disappeared around the corner. Markel just sat there wondering how things were going to play out. He knew if Shanna knew about Renee’s graduation, then it was safe to say that she knew about the wedding. He was really hoping that she wouldn’t attend. That was only wishful thinking on his part.

  * * * * * * * * * *

  “Did you see how she just ran up and went in on me?” Shanna asked Terrance.

  “Yeah, I was there and seen it all.”

  “Why the fuck didn’t you help me?”

  “The two of you were rolling on the floor and I wasn’t about to get down there with the two of you,” Terrance replied.

  Terrance wasn’t about to get in the middle of a cat fight. Not sure any man would jump in the middle of two women fighting. Every man looks forward to seeing that. All that was missing was some mud and for them to have on less clothes.

  “You could have at least got her off me,” Shanna spat.

  “I tried, but Markel came and knocked my ass off her. Look, do you think it’s a good idea for us to go to the wedding?” Terrance questioned.

  Another fight was not something Terrance was looking forward to. If he had it his way, they would be headed back to Miami and to hell with anything else.

  “Nothing, and I mean nothing, is going to stop me from seeing my baby walk down that aisle,” Shanna said as she walked into the bathroom and closed the door.

  “She’s really not your baby,” Terrance mumbled.

  “I heard that…and yes she is!” Shanna yelled from behind the bathroom door.

  “I forgot she has hearing like hound,” Terrance said to himself. Terrance was caught off guard when his phone rung and he saw it was Markel. Not sure as what would be his reason for calling, but Terrance answered anyway.

  They talked about keeping Shanna away from the wedding. Terrance tried to tell Markel that Shanna was hell bent on being there. It was nothing that either one of them could do to stop the madness that was about to go down. By the time they ended their call, the plan was in motion and all they could do was pray that it would work.

  “Who the hell were you talking to?” Shanna questioned as soon as she opened the bathroom door.

  “I wasn’t talking to anyone. You’re hearing shit,” Terrance replied. He had to remember that he was married to a woman that could hear if a grain of rice hit the floor. Terrance always wondered how in the hell did Shanna hear so damn well. She was like a hound dog or something.

  “No, I heard your ass on the phone, so who the fuck was you talking too?” Shanna demanded to know.

  “Look, I don’t know what your problem is, but if you don’t lower your tone and talk to me like you have some sense, I know something,” Terrance said with some base in his voice.

  “I’m just saying, I know you were talking to someone and I want to know who it was,” she said slowly. Shanna knew she was pushing it a little too much and she needed to slow it down.

  “Like I said…I wasn’t on the phone.”

  Shanna didn’t say anything else. She just gets in the bed and tried to cuddle up against Terrance, but he wasn’t having it. It was like Terrance didn’t even feel her there. After realizing that she wasn’t going to get anywhere, Shanna rolled over and went to sleep. She knew not to push it because it would only make Terrance mad and she didn’t want to deal with it. She also knew it was going to be a long day, so she needed all the rest that she could get.

  * * * * * * * * * *

  Renee’ was out with the girls at Club Block having a good time laughing, drinking and dancing. She was on top of the world. Her big day was in the morning, she was going to make sure she really enjoyed herself with the girls. Everything was going well until Blondie walked in. Off top, the mood changed.

  “Girl, don’t even worry about that bitch, because she doesn’t want any of this,” Renee’s soon to be sister in-law, Shay, said as she walked up to Renee’.

  “I know she don’t, but she can get it if she wants it,” Renee’ replied. The way Renee’ was feeling, anyone could get it.

  “Don’t let that slut bucket get to you. She isn’t worth the air she breathes,” Shay stated as she took her shot of Hennessy. The girls just continued with their fun. Nothing was going to stop them from making sure Renee’ has the night of her life.

  When one of Blondie friends chose to bump into Shay, everything changed. Not sure why in the hell did she do that, but all hell broke loose and there was no stopping it. It was wigs, tracks, braids and whatever else flying round in the club. They had to shut the club down, because it was so much going on. It didn’t stop anything, because they picked right back up once they got outside. Renee’ was never a big fighter, but she would dig in a bitch ass if she had to. Outside was just as bad as it was on the inside. Girls were getting thrown around from one side of the road to the other. Shay had one of the girls dragging her like she was a rag doll or something. Everyone was like roaches when the lights come on when the police showed up.

  Renee’ didn’t want to go home right away, because she didn’t want to explain what had happened to her parents, so she went to Shay’s apartment. Her apartment wasn’t that big, it was just a one bedroom, but it was just right for Shay.

  “Girl…she tried it,” Shay said as she unlocked the door and walked in.

  “Yes…she did, but it’s not over by a long shot. She’s going to have to see me,” Renee’ added as she walked in behind Shay.

  Renee’ was never the one to let things go easy. When she sets her mind to something, there is no changing it. So, when she said it’s not over, it’s not over.

  “Don’t let that hoe get to you. Hell, it’s your big day tomorrow. Well, in six hours.”

  “Yass…bitch in six hours I will be Mrs. Renee’ Sykes.”

  “My sister-in-law bitch,” Shay said as she high fived Renee’. They both laughed and fell backwards as they kicked their legs up high.

  “I just can’t get over that stank ass hoe Blondie,” Renee’ blurted out.

  “Girl bye, that hoe just mad because my brother doesn’t want her nasty ass, she’ll be alright,” Shay said.

  “She doesn’t have a choice but to be alright,” Renee’ added.

  “Why would my brother want half of a nickel when can have a whole dime?” Shay stated. “Get some rest, because I don’t need any reason for my tank head ass brother to feel some type of way if you showed up with bags under your eyes,” Shay joked as she threw a blanket at Renee’. They both said their prayers and went to sleep.

  Just to give you a little background on Blondie, Leon, and Renee’s history. See Leon used to date Blondie in their freshman year of college. They had their off and on again, bullshit, until their junior year, when Leon laid eyes on Renee’. Leon first noticed Renee’ walking out of the library when he was walking in. He did everything he could to get Renee’s attention, but nothing would work. After about two months of trying to get Renee’ to even look at him twice, he thought there was nothing left for him to do. So, he found out what dorm she lived in and chose to go knock on her room door.

  When Renee’s roommate, Nikki, opened the door, he took a deep breath and asked if Renee’ was there. When Renee’ came to the door she was looking at a tall mocha complexion young man, that had the sexiest brown eyes that she had ever seen. His body
was a well chiseled frame. When he would smile you could see the dimple in his left cheek. His voice was deep and sexy. He looked at her as if he was looking in her soul.

  Of course, on their first encounter, Renee’ was trying to understand why he was looking for her. How the hell did he know where she lived? What the fuck could he want, but mostly who the hell was he? After Leon answered all her questions, she allowed him to come in. They talked for what seemed to be four hours. They hit it off from the jump. Renee’ and Leon started hanging out and really getting to know each other. When Blondie got word of them being seen together, she started trouble with Renee’ and Leon. She did everything she could to break them up. Renee’ felt that there was no need to go down to Blondie’s level, so she never gave her the time of day. I know some people would say that they would have done this or that, but Renee’ was the bigger person. Renee’ did have to give Blondie a good beatdown after she busted out the windows of her car. It caused Blondie to back up a little, but she still tried to find ways to flirt with Leon. Nothing she did seemed to work.

  Finding out that Leon and Renee’ were getting married took Blondie to a place unknown. There was nothing she wasn’t going to do to stop Renee’ and Leon’s wedding. It was about to be an all-out war. Blondie had one last chance to stop the wedding. She didn’t know what she was going to do, but whatever it was, it had to be as soon as possible.

  3

  “What are you doing?”

  “I’m trying to get ready, that’s what I’m doing.”

  “You need to hurry your ass up. It doesn’t make any sense how long it takes you to get dressed.”

  “You can’t rush beauty, so just shut up so I can finish.”

  “Terry, if you don’t hurry your ass up…I will leave you.”

  “Anthony now you and I both know you don’t have the balls to leave me,” Terry replied, very calmly.

  “Try me and see,” Anthony shot back.

  Terry stepped out of the bathroom and just gave Anthony the look of death. It was like he dared him to leave without him.

  “Bae, will you hurry up please?” Anthony pleaded.

  Anthony knew not to go there with Terry. It would have been a losing battle and he knew it. The one thing that pissed Anthony off about Terry was the same one thing that he loved about him. He hated that it took Terry four hours to get dressed, but when it was all over it would be worth the wait, because to Anthony, Terry was the sexiest man alive. Terry was truly a man, but a woman at the same time. I know this is their story not mine.

  “I’m coming just let me finish my hair,” Terry said while rolling his eyes in the mirror.

  After another ten minutes, Terry walked out of the bathroom wearing a nice two-piece, navy-blue, tight fitted suit, with a light blue shirt and no tie, with the top two buttons undone. His hair was laid, that gay motherfucker’s hair was on motherfucking point. It was like he was about to go on a photo shoot or something. Anyway, Anthony had on a dark grey suit with a light grey shirt and a dark grey tie. Anthony has a bald head and all there is to say about that is, it wasn’t too shiny, but shiny at the same time.

  It was a good thing that they arrived in Quincy the night before, because there would be no way they would have made it to the wedding on time. When they pulled up to the house, there were people still coming and going around back to be seated. Oh yeah, the wedding was taking place at Leon’s family’s house that sat on sixty-five acres. Yes, Leon came from a very wealthy family. Anyway, once Terry and Anthony got out of their car, they walked around back and saw the most beautiful wedding setup ever in the history of Quincy. There was an oak wood raised platform for the bride to walk down. There were a hundred oak cherry wood chairs on each side with white and blue cushions on each. They had blue with a touch of white reefs on the altar and at the start of the aisle.

  After everyone was seated, that’s when they heard Profit Jones, singing “Lifetime”. Renee’ walked down the aisle, escorted by her father Markel; her dress was flawless. It was a pure white ball gown, off-the-shoulder, hand-made flower, sleeveless long satin dress. I couldn’t see her feet so I don’t know what type of heels she had on. She was all smiles until she saw that Shanna was there and of all people, Blondie. Markel just tapped her on the arm in a way to let her know everything was going to be okay. She was finally about to be Mrs. Renee’ Sykes. “Once I say I do…Blondie’s ass belongs to me,” Renee’ said to herself.

  Once she reached the altar the man of God asked, “Who gives this woman to this man?” Renee’ looked over and Markel and Mary were standing side by side and said, “We do,” in unison. Leon was in a navy-blue suit that had specs of white flakes in it with an off-white shirt and navy-blue tie. On his feet were some white gator shoes that had just a touch of blue flakes. The boy was clean with his low fade and boyish looks.

  Of course, Janet’s nosey ass was there with her boy toy. There was no way she was going to miss this wedding. Keisha was in attendance with her new husband, Shelton McLean, and her two-year-old daughter, Jada. After all the “I do’s” were over, everyone headed to the clubhouse that was right off from the main house. Yes, those motherfuckers were loaded. They even wanted Renee’ to sign a prenuptial, but Leon wasn’t having that. Renee’ wasn’t going to sign it anyway, so it all worked out. Anyway, when everyone reached the clubhouse, there was a DJ off in the corner, the dance floor was a nice size. There were tables going around the room that seemed to be forming a bee-hive, with white tablecloths on every other table that didn’t have a blue tablecloth. They also had white and blue roses on the table as well. It had to be over two hundred people there. The bride and groom danced their first dance to the sounds of, “After All Is Said and Done” by Beyoncé & Marc Nelson. They looked so cute and happy, but all of that came to an end real fast.

  CLAP…CLAP…CLAP

  “Now isn’t that sweet, the beauty and the beast,” Blondie blurted out causing everyone to turn around and look at her.

  “Oh shit…it’s about to get real in this bitch,” Janet said as she turned her chair to get a good look at what was about to happen.

  “Baby, don’t say that,” her boy toy said.

  “Why do you think I am here,” Janet replied.

  “I thought to be supportive to your friend, Mary’s daughter,” he answered.

  “Look Baldwin, support is not what it is. Yes, it was nice to see Renee’ get married, but I knew it was going to be some drama and I wasn’t going to miss it for the world. Now be quiet so I can hear everything,” Janet informed him. All he could do was shake his head.

  “What the fuck are you doing here?” Renee’ snapped.

  “What…I hope you didn’t think I was going to miss the chance of watching my baby daddy get married,” Blondie responded with a smirk on her face.

  “What the fuck are you talking about?” Renee’ questioned.

  “Leon knows, don’t you Leon,” Blondie said looking at Leon smiling.

  Renee’ and everyone else looked at Leon to see what he had to say. Renee’ let go of Leon’s arm and stepped back from him. The look on Renee’s face was a look of ‘nigga I will fuck you up right now if you say the wrong motherfucking thing’.

  Leon didn’t say anything at first, just looked around like he was hoping someone would help him out. When he finally locked eyes with Renee’, he was sweating and nervous. He didn’t know what to say or do.

  “So, is what she’s saying true?” Renee’ asked looking at Leon in hopes that what Blondie said was a lie.

  Leon was just standing there. He opened his mouth to say something, but he couldn’t get anything out. It was like he couldn’t get his words to form.

  “Speak up Leon, and tell me what the fuck is going on,” Renee’ demanded.

  “Yeah Leon, speak up, we can’t hear you,” Blondie repeated.

  Before Leon could say anything, Renee slapped the dog shit out of him. It sounded so loud that you would have thought it had thundered. She hit Leon so hard that he a
lmost had to take a seat. He didn’t know if he needed to kneel or lay down.

  “I can’t believe this shit, and on my wedding day. I’m done!” Renee’ shouted as she walked off from Leon and out of the clubhouse.

  “Son, is this true?” Leon’s mother asked.

  Still Leon didn’t say anything, he just dropped his head in shame. The clubhouse was so damn quiet that you could hear the heartbeat of a rat.

  “Say something boy!” Leon’s daddy yelled.

  There was nothing that he could have said. Leon was caught in a trap that he didn’t know how to get out of. That was not the wedding that anyone had in mind.

  “I have to go find Renee’,” Leon finally said as he ran off in search of Renee’.

  Everyone started having their own little conversations on the side.

  “I knew it was going to be some shit,” Janet told Baldwin. Baldwin just shook his head.

  “I can’t believe this shit!” Mary yelled out for everyone to hear, which caused all eyes to turn her way.

  “Calm down Mary. Don’t get yourself all worked up,” Markel said.

  “I’m already worked up. Didn’t you just see my baby run out of here like a bat out of hell?” Mary asked.

  “Yes, I did,” Markel replied.

  “This is just too damn much right now,” Mary said throwing up here hands.

  As you can guess, the party was over. Everyone slowly started to leave. Before everyone could get out of the door, something else broke loose.

  “I can’t believe this happened on my baby’s wedding day,” Shanna stated in ear range of Mary.

  “Your baby!!! Your baby!!! Bitch if you don’t get the fuck out of here with that shit, I promise you those will be the last words you speak,” Mary turned and said to Shanna.

  Everyone stopped in their tracks just to see what was about to happen.

  “I’m not here to fight with you, even though I owe you an ass whooping,” Shanna replied with a smug look or her face.

  Markel and Terrance just looked at each other hoping that this was not going to be round two from the day before. They both stood there ready to grab their wives just in case Mary and Shanna wanted to take off at each other.