by Tina Martin
“Yeah, but why all of a sudden?” Kalina asked.
“Because I want something for myself. I want to feel like I’m accomplishing something. I want to have the ability to earn my own money and not have a sinking feeling that my man can do anything he wants to me and thinks I’m stuck because he’s taking care of me. When we married, I was supposed to be traveling with Everson. It was one of the reasons why he didn’t want me to work. But now I see the light. My eyes are open and I want something of my own.”
“I felt the same way when me and Barry were going through our rough patch,” Calista chimed in to say. “I know you’re supposed to be vulnerable in relationships, but the undercurrent running through our house was his thinking that he could do whatever he wanted because he was the breadwinner. They may not say it outright, but men who have stay-at-home wives tend to have this king of the castle attitude. Like, I take care of you so fall in line, woman.”
The women laughed.
“But wait, Cali,” Kalina said amused. “I’m about to destroy your theory. Bryson has the king of the castle attitude and I work outside of the home.”
“Okay, but that’s Bryson,” June said, tickled. “You can’t compare Bryson to Everson. Shoot…you can’t compare Bryson to Barry or Gary either. Am I right, Candy?”
“Yep,” Candice cosigned, patting her mouth with a napkin. “We all know Bryson is a gentle giant. And he’s older than Everson. More experienced. More old schoolish. More fatherly, ‘cause he thinks he’s my daddy for some odd reason…telling me who I can and cannot date. I have to remind him that I’m twenty-eight, and sometimes, that still doesn’t help.”
The women laughed again.
“But I know exactly what you mean, though, June,” Candice said. “I love, love, love my brothers, but I have to be objective this time. So, with that being said, looking at this from the standpoint of being single, I can see how easy it is to get caught up in a man because we want to please our spouse, but while doing so we’re not satisfied with our own individual lives because we’ve invested all of our time in him. I feel it’s important to have a life—to have purpose—and there’s nothing wrong with that. So, June, I say go for it!”
“I’ll drink to that,” June said merrily, taking a sip of her cocktail.
“But still, I’m wondering,” Candice said. “Exactly what is the status of you and Everson?”
June shrugged. “I’m not sure.” She took another bite of her hotdog.
“But you know if you want him back, right?” Candice asked further.
While chewing, June hid her mouth behind her hand and replied, “I honestly don’t know, and I probably wouldn’t know until we talk—until I feel like he’s being one-hundred percent honest with me.”
“You don’t think he has?” Calista asked.
“No, I don’t. I don’t want to hear half of the story. If he’s bold enough to run around with another woman behind my back, then he should be brave enough to look me in my eyes and tell me exactly what went down without acting like he has amnesia all of a sudden. And when he called himself confessing to me, I caught him in a lie and I just don’t feel like he’s ready to be truthful with me. So…” June shrugged. Left it off like that.
“When was the last time you spoke to him?” Kalina asked.
“I haven’t talked to him in a week and that’s by choice. He’s been making an effort. He’s called me every day this week. Usually in the mornings. I don’t answer—can’t bring myself to answer yet, but he leaves voicemails telling me he’s sorry. That he loves me. Misses me.” June took a sip of her cocktail and said, “Love sucks.”
The women chuckled softly.
June continued, “I love Everson. God knows I love that man. I don’t know if he slept with that woman or not, but I still love him, and it sucks.”
“You can’t beat yourself up because you love him,” Kalina said. “He’s your husband. You’re supposed to love him. That’s natural.”
June exhaled slowly. “Yeah, but is it natural to still love a man who’s cheated on you? Where is that in the marriage vows? When we got married, the minister didn’t say: I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now cheat on your wife.”
Calista tried not to laugh, she really did, but she couldn’t help herself. She chuckled so hard, it became contagious to the point that everyone else laughed, too. Even June got a good chuckle out of it and she was the one going through it.
Coming down off laughter, June said, “Seriously, though, y’all. That’s how I feel.”
“But he didn’t actually cheat on you, did he?” Candice asked.
“I guess that would depend on your definition of cheating. He said he didn’t sleep with her, but they were still together. Spending time together. Reminiscing and whatnot.”
“That’s not necessarily cheating,” Candice said. “Cheating is when your man actually sleeps with another woman…like my ex did.”
“No,” June said. “That’s called an affair.”
“I thought they were one and the same,” Calista said. “Care to clarify, Kalina?”
Kalina held up her index finger while she took a long sip of her drink. She placed the cup back on the table and said, “I needed a sip before taking a crack at this.” She cleared her throat and looked up at the curious eyes beaming back at her. “Okay. Cheating and having an affair is one and the same. It’s just a different way of saying that your man slept with another woman. With that being said, there is such a thing called emotional cheating where there’s no sex involved—just a deep connection with another person who’s not your spouse. I don’t know the ins and outs of what Everson did, and you know what—I don’t want to know because that should be between you and him, June, but from what I do know, I don’t think Everson falls into either of those categories. He made a mistake, yes. He hurt you, yes. We all know that. But by your own admission, you still love him, so why not try to make it work?”
“So, I’m supposed to forgive him so he can see me as weak? Like he won? Like he knows I’ll take him back after he’s disrespected me?”
Calista shook her head. “You forgive for yourself and your own well-being.”
“And I doubt if he’ll see you as weak,” Candice added. “I mean, look at you—you’re not down in the dumps, falling apart over here.”
“Not at the moment, but I was. I was a mess.”
“But you’re not anymore,” Candice told her. “You’re strong, June. You’re dealing with it and in the process, you found a new perspective on life and a possible new job…”
“Yep, and you poured your heart and soul into these hotdogs, girl,” Calista said.
June smiled, appreciating the support she had in her sister-in-laws. “I just wish I didn’t love him so much,” June said. “It would make this decision a lot easier.”
“No, be glad you love him the way you do,” Kalina said. “That love is what’s going to make your decision easier.”
“Wow. I didn’t think about it that way,” June said.
“And that, my friends, is why she’s a relationship blogger,” Candice said. “The girl knows her stuff.”
Kalina was all smiles.
And June zoned out, reflecting on how it would feel to be in the same room with Everson again. This time, she would take Kalina’s advice and think about the love she still had for Everson to help guide her decision-making.
Chapter 23
Bryson got beers for the fellas before Colton dealt cards.
“Anybody heard from Everson?” Garrison asked, pushing away from the table to secure Junior into his car seat. He was sleeping soundly after just finishing a bottle. “I tried to call him last night. Got his voicemail.”
“I talked to him earlier in the week,” Bryson said. “He went to Atlanta.”
“Oh…to see about the boy,” Barringer commented.
“Yep.”
“That’s baffling that a woman would do that, you know…like men can’t be close to their children
, or wouldn’t want to know them,” Colton said.
“I hope he figures it all out,” Barringer said.
“Me, too,” Bryson added. “Hey, Colton, do you know if Rex is coming over tonight?”
“He said he was.” Colton glanced at his watch. “Maybe he took another shift. I don’t know.”
Rexford walked in as soon as Colton had finished making his statement.
Barringer smirked. “Speak of the devil.”
“What’s up, fellas?” Rexford asked.
“We were wondering if you were going to make an appearance,” Bryson said.
“Well, here I am. I’m not staying, though.”
Rexford took a seat, glancing around the table. “Where’s Everson?”
“He’s not coming tonight, and judging by the last interaction you two had, I’m glad he’s not,” Colton said.
“Man, I’m not worried about all that,” Rexford said, not wanting to drag out last week’s beef. It was over and done with as far as he was concerned. “I just asked where he was.”
“Everson is in Atlanta,” Bryson said.
“Atlanta?” Confusion flushed Rexford’s face. “Don’t tell me he went because of that boy.”
“Yeah,” Bryson answered. “He’s going to do a DNA test, too.”
Rexford shook his head. “He probably won’t take a call from me, but somebody needs to tell him to come home, like ASAP.”
“Why’s that?” Barringer asked, sitting up tall in his chair after sensing something was wrong by Rexford’s tone.
“Because that boy ain’t his,” Rexford told them.
“What are you talking about, Rex?” Colton asked. “You saw the picture just like we did.”
“Yeah, I saw the picture. Still, I decided to check into this Eliana Simmons woman.”
“And? What did you find out?” Garrison asked.
“You’re not going to believe this, but shortly after Jaxson was born, Eliana tested another man who she thought was the father. That man is the father. I saw the test. It was a slam dunk.”
“Wait,” Colton said. “If she knows Everson isn’t the father, why would she intentionally mislead him to thinking that he was?”
“Because the boy’s real father is locked up. He’s been in and out of jail until he finally landed a bid in prison. His wrap sheet is five miles long. And guess what else?”
Eyebrows raised, Barringer said, “There’s more?”
“Yes. The guy looks so much like Everson it’s uncanny. Apparently, since Eliana couldn’t have Everson, the psycho-broad settled for a look-a-like, even though ol’ boy was mentally unstable.”
“Rex, are you sure about all of this?” Bryson asked.
“Yeah, I’m sure. I’m 99.99999999 percent sure. That night Everson punched me in the face, I started digging into it.”
Garrison’s brow lifted. “You started looking into all of this after the scuffle you got into with Ev?”
“Yeah,” Rexford said. “I did. I figured I owed him that much. He was trying to be serious and I joked around too much. That was my bad. But I was listening, too, as evident by what I found out about his so-called ex-high school girlfriend. Now, who’s going to tell him all of this?”
“You’re the one who conducted an investigation,” Bryson said. “He needs to hear it from you, Rex. Call him. He’s supposed to be getting a DNA test while he’s there.”
“This is insane,” Garrison said. “This woman got him there in Atlanta with her and he’s supposed to be taking a DNA test for a child that she knows ain’t his?”
Barringer frowned. “She lured him there intentionally, and if she’s that fixated with Everson, he could be in danger.”
“Barry’s right,” Bryson said. “Hey, call him right now, Rex. I’ll send him a 911 text and tell him to pick up your call.”
Rexford stood up, took out his cell phone and said, “I’m on it,” as he headed for the door.
* * *
Everson had planned on getting up early, but not this early.
Not 1:00 a.m., early.
But since he forgot to turn his ringer off (and he could beat himself up for that now), that’s what happened. He was up, fumbling around in the dark, inadvertently knocking over a paper cup half filled with water. He quickly snatched his phone from the nightstand before the water could get to it and looked at the display. He rubbed his eyes to make sure he was seeing clearly, then looked at his phone a second time. The caller was Rexford.
“Rexford?” He frowned. “Why is he calling me?”
The ringing stopped before he could answer. That’s when he saw the text message from Bryson:
Ev, 911. Rex is going to call you. Answer the phone. Call me right after you talk to him.
Everson frowned. “What the—?”
And then his phone rang again. It was Rexford calling. Again.
“Do you know what time it is?” Everson answered.
“Yep. I just left Bryson’s house. He told me to call you.”
“Yeah, I saw his 911 text. What is this about?”
“I have something to discuss with you.”
“Wait…June’s okay, isn’t she?”
“Yes. June’s fine. This isn’t about June.”
“Listen, Rex, if this has something to do with the other night, I’m over it. I’m not a chick. I don’t hold grudges, man. I hit you, you hit me…”
Rexford smirked. “No, it’s not about that, which by the way I apologize for. I pushed you too far. That’s my bad.”
Everson yawned. “So, why are you calling me at one o’clock in the morning?”
“It’s about Jaxson.”
“Jaxson? What about him?”
“I don’t know how to say this, so I’m just going to blurt it out—he’s not yours.”
“Excuse me?”
“Everson, that boy is not your son.”
Everson’s chest tightened. “You are unbelievable, man. You still think this is a game?”
“I’m dead serious. The boy isn’t yours. I thought I’d call you before you went to that lab and got the surprise of your life. He ain’t yours.”
“And how do you know he isn’t mine? What proof do you have?”
“I saw a DNA test Eliana requested with another man. His name is DeMarcus Sherwood. He’s locked up—maybe that was her motive for making you believe that you were the father. The boy’s real father is in prison. And another thing…DeMarcus looks like you. He looks like he could be related to the Blackstone family. He’s not, but he looks like he could be. Maybe that’s why Jaxson looks so much like you. I just figured I’d let you know that he’s not your son, in advance, so you’re not blindsided when you go for testing. I doubt if Eliana would let it get that far anyway – to the DNA testing, I mean. I don’t know what her agenda is, but she’s playing you.”
Everson thought quietly to himself for a moment. He remembered how weird Eliana was behaving yesterday when he mentioned he’d come by to pick up Jaxson for the DNA test. She didn’t want that. Said they would meet him at the facility and not once did she ask for the location. How was she going to meet him if she had no idea where he was going? Even when he texted her the address, she seemed blasé about the whole thing – sort of like a person who didn’t care about the test or what the results might be. Like a person who was going to be a no-show. And then there was the comment that Jaxson made about him being locked up. Now, the picture was becoming clearer.
“Rex, are you sure about this?”
“Yeah. I saw it with my own eyes.”
“And how is it that you were able to obtain this information?”
“I can’t tell you that, man.”
Everson inhaled deeply. “Well, thanks for the information. I—I can’t even process this right now.”
“I know, but hey, at least now you know what you’re dealing with. Look—I gotta go but call Bryson. I think he wanted to talk to you.”
“Yeah. Okay.”
“And be careful, ma
n. People are crazy these days.”
“Thanks for looking out, Rex.”
“No problem. Maybe one day, you’ll return the favor.”
“I would be glad to.”
Everson immediately called Bryson when he was off the line with Rexford.
“Did you talk to Rex?” Bryson answered.
“Yeah. He told me everything.”
“When were you scheduled for testing?”
“Ten o’clock.”
“Today?”
“Yep.”
Bryson sighed. “I know you’re probably still processing this, but when you go by her house tomorrow—”
“Go by her house? I have no need to go by her house! Not after this.”
“But you have to let her know that you know what she did. Go by, talk to her as calmly as you can. I know that’ll prove to be difficult, but you have to do it. Put an end to the craziness and get back to Wilmington to take care of the more urgent matter of saving you marriage.”
“You’re right. You were right to start with. I should’ve stayed and focused June. Instead, I’m here, chasing after rights for a child that isn’t mine.”
“Don’t beat yourself up. Be glad he ain’t yours at this point. That’s one less thing you’ll have to worry about, especially when it comes to June.”
“Right.”
“Get some rest, man. You’re going to need it.”
“I suppose. Thanks for everything, Bryson.”
“You’re welcome.”
Everson placed the phone on the nightstand and sighed heavily. The nerve of Eliana…and he knew what her motive was for doing this – she wanted him back. And then, the man she dated – DeMarcus Sherwood – looked like him? Was she really that obsessed?
Chapter 24
Eliana’s car was still in the driveway which caught Everson by surprise. After learning she was lying to him about Jaxson, he thought for sure she’d try to make a run for it. Why would she agree to DNA testing if she already knew he wasn’t Jaxson’s father?