My Best Friend

by Ancelli

  “I’ll tell you what the truth is. You’re my wife, and this is our baby. From now on, no more mention of it. The only one we have to tell the truth to is Angel. No one else.”

  She leaned in and said, “I love you. I have some good news.”

  “What?”

  “I wanted to wait until I knew it was definite, but I’m going to be working from home two days a week. The other days I will be in the office.” She looked up. “That means I will have more time with Angel.”

  He smiled. “How did you pull that off?

  “I have my ways. I came up with a proposition, and Samantha accepted. I start to work next week so we have to get a babysitter for Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays.”

  “Ok,” he answered. “I’m happy one of us can be with her more.”

  They enjoyed their food.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Jason and Kay interviewed many women for the babysitting position. The ladies Jason liked, Kay didn’t, and the ones Kay liked, he didn’t. At last they selected a young lady named Susan in her early twenties. She was still putting herself through college. She was tall and skinny with blonde hair, blue eyes, very attractive woman. Her resume was good. She’d worked at a pre-school the year before, and she’d had other nanny jobs. She gave out a good vibe.

  It was time for Kay to go back to work. Jason and Kay got ready for work and waited for the babysitter to come by. The doorbell rang, and Jason answered, “Good morning Susan, come on in.”

  “Good morning to you too.” She passed by him, rubbing her breast on his hand.

  He thought, is she flirting with me? He moved away, feeling uncomfortable, and called, “Kay, Susan’s here.”

  Kay came down the hallway with Angel in her arms. She told Susan, “Her bottles are already made. If you need anything, all of our numbers are on the refrigerator.” She bent down and kissed Angel.

  Jason grabbed is briefcase and handed Kay hers and said goodbye to Angel. When he looked up, Susan was staring at him, smiling. He grabbed Kay’s hand and headed out the door. He walked her to her car, kissed her, “See you tonight.”

  She looked up and said, “I don’t want to leave her.”

  He bent down and kissed her again. “She’ll be fine.” She started her car.

  “Bye, see you later.” He got in his car, started it and drove off.

  ***

  The day seemed like it would never end for her. She had called the house about twenty times checking up on Angel. When she called Susan, she told Kay that Jason had called too. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust her, but it was Angel’s first time away from her. I’ll be back home with her tomorrow, she thought. Her phone rang, and she answered. “Good afternoon, this is Mrs. Anderson. How can I help you?”

  “Hi, doll eyes, I know a couple of ways you can help me,” Jason said giggling.

  She was silent for a moment and started laughing. “You’re so crazy.”

  He laughed too. “Sweetie, I’m just calling to let you know, I’ll be late tonight. I have some research to do.”

  “Ok, I’m leaving a bit early. I miss Angel.”

  “I knew you wouldn’t last long,” he said.

  “Whatever. I know you’ve been calling too.” They both laughed.

  “Sweetie, I have to go. One of my clients just arrived, I love you.”

  “I love you too. See you tonight.”

  ***

  Two weeks later, Kay got out of her car and almost ran up to the door. She opened the door and went in, closing the door behind her. Debbie was there, holding Angel. “Hi, Mrs. Anderson, what are you doing here?”

  “I’m visiting my granddaughter,” she answered. “I hope you don’t mind.”

  “Oh no,” Kay answered. “I was just surprised to see you. I thought Susan would be here. Where is she?”

  Debbie turned to sit on the couch, and said, “I told her to leave.” She looked at Kay. “I can take care of her, Kay. I know you don’t want to impose, but it’s something I want to do. You or Jason can bring her in the mornings and pick her up.”

  “Are you sure, Mrs. Anderson? I know you have a life,” Kay said.

  “You don’t have to call me Mrs. Anderson. I’m Debbie or Mom to you, and I’m sure. I’ll just take her with me to my social affairs. I’ll get to show her off. Just think about it.”

  “I will,” Kay responded.

  Kay sat down. Debbie started telling Kay how lonely she felt in that big house by herself. Debbie told her that Kimberly called crying, saying that she couldn’t believe he’d married Kay and asking why she’d permitted it. She said she heard Kimberly out and hung up. They talked about how wonderful it was to be a mother and how Debbie regretted not having more kids. Kay told Debbie that she’d raised a wonderful man.

  The door opened, and Jason walked in. When he saw his mom and Kay in the living room, he said, “What a surprise! My three favorite girls” and smiled. He walked over to his mom and gave her and Angel a kiss, sat next to Kay and kissed her neck. “So, what were you girls talking about?”

  “You,” Kay answered.

  “What about me?” he asked.

  “How wonderful you are and how blessed I am,” she said.

  He looked at Kay. “You’re the wonderful one. You’re the best thing that ever happened to me, even with your attitude.” He turned and kissed her. “Mom, where’s your car?”

  “My car is in the shop, and my friend Patty is coming to get me any minute now.” She kissed Angel on her forehead and turned to look at Jason. “Son, you were blessed the day this amazing woman walked into your life. You guys made me so happy when you gave me this little gift right here.” Her cell phone rang, and she answered it. “I’ll be right out.” She got up, handed the baby to Kay, kissed them, and said, “Bye, Kay, please think about what I told you.” She headed towards the door.

  Jason walked his mother to the door; he turned. “What was that about?”

  “She wants to babysit Angel. I told her I would think about it.”

  “What’s there to think about? She wants to take care of her granddaughter. What’s so bad about that?”

  “Nothing, It’s just that...”

  Before she could finish her sentence he said. “She loves you like a daughter, and we said we would never bring that subject up again.” He raised his eyebrow.

  “What about Susan?”

  “I’ll fire her; I didn’t like her.”

  She looked at him a little surprised. “Why didn’t you tell me that’s how you felt?”

  “Because you liked her, but I felt uneasy around her. She was always staring at me and flirting. I felt like she didn’t respect you.”

  “You never said anything.” She got up and put Angel in her bassinet. She was getting upset. “She was coming on to you but you didn’t feel the need to tell me?”

  “Kay, I didn’t think I should tell you because it was harmless. I only have eyes for you.”

  “Jason, if I’d had known she was attracted to you, I wouldn’t have hired her.” She walked into the kitchen and started serving the food his mother had cooked.

  “Kay, I’m sorry. I should’ve told you that I was uncomfortable around her.”

  She turned and said, “You should’ve.”

  They sat at the table and started eating, while talking about work and what they were going to do about Angel.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Jason pulled into his parents’ driveway, got out his car, walked to the front door, and knocked. His mom answered. “She’s been waiting for you.” He walked over, and she began to smile and giggle when she saw him. Angel was now nine month old. Her curly black hair was down to her shoulders, and her eyes were still hazel.

  “How’s daddy’s little girl?” he said, and Angel said, “Da Da.” He picked her up and kissed her cheeks. Da da wa
s her first word. He turned and asked his mom, “How was she today? She’s been a little fussy. We think she’s teething.”

  “She was a great baby, like always.”

  “I’ll see you tomorrow, Mom.” He kissed her and walked out the door. He drove to their house, singing “Mary Had a Little Lamb” to Angel while she giggled in her seat. They pulled into their driveway and got out, he got Angel and entered the house. She fell asleep, and he placed her in her crib. He took a shower, and went into the living room to watch some TV.

  There was a knock on the door, and he got up to open it. He looked through the peephole, and it was Kimberly on the other side. What now? He opened the door and asked, “What do you want, Kimberly?”

  She was wearing a low-cut shirt showing her cleavage and a tight mini skirt. She looked at him and said, “Well, since you’re no longer with that woman, I thought we could continue where we left off.” She tried to kiss him, but he stepped back before she could.

  “What the hell are you talking about, Kimberly? I don’t know what games you’re playing, but I’m in love with my wife. We are not over.”

  She took a few steps closer to him. “Oh, I thought you guys were through because I saw your wife at the mall kissing some black man. Sorry I’m the one who had to tell you your wife is a slut.”

  Jason looked at her angrily. “Don’t ever come here again.” He moved back and slammed the door in her face.

  ***

  Kay was on her way home. How was she going to tell Jason what happened at the mall without him losing it? During lunch, Kay went to the mall to buy Angel new outfits for church because she was out growing the ones she had. She went into Macy’s, Gap for Kids, Children’s Place, Carter’s, and Oshkosh. She got some outfits and shoes. She had a lot of bags in her hands. She’d wanted to get something for Jason so she entered Ralph Lauren to get him one of the polo shirts he liked. When she was about to enter, she saw Tommy and turned around, but it was too late. He saw her and was headed her way, he yelled, “Kay, hold up!” She kept walking until he grabbed her hand and stopped her.

  She turned to him. “Don’t touch me.”

  He looked her over from head to toe, and said, “You still look good. I’ve missed you.” He started to touch her arm with his fingers.

  She pulled his hand off her. “I said, do not touch me. Move out of my way.” She went to leave, but he got in her way.

  “Kay, how about you come over for old time’s sake? I’ll make you remember what you’ve been missing.” He leaned in to kiss her, and she slapped him. He looked at her with angrily but didn’t do anything because people were looking.

  “Are you crazy? I don’t miss you or anything you offered. My husband satisfies me in every way possible, and it will benefit you if you don’t talk to me again.” She turned to walk away.

  He yelled, “So bitch, you think your white husband and bastard kid are better than me now?”

  She turned back around. “I don’t think they are; I know they are, and don’t you ever call my baby a bastard. I was married when she was born, and my white husband is more of a man than you’ll ever be.” She turned her head and walked off.

  He yelled at her, “Fuck you bitch!”

  She ignored him, kept smiling and started singing “Best Thing I Never Had” Beyoncé, thinking to herself, thank God he’s not my baby’s daddy.

  ***

  She made it home. She had called Jason earlier in the day and told him she would be late. It was now seven-ten. When she got out of her car, she grabbed her bags and walked up to the house. She noticed the house was dark. She put the key in the door and pushed the door open. She placed the bags down and turned on the lights. When she turned around, Jason was sitting on the couch. She looked at him and asked, “What were you doing sitting alone in the dark?”

  He looked at her with no expression on his face. “Waiting for you.”

  She had a bad feeling. “Why? Is Angel Ok?”

  “The baby’s ok. Are we ok?”

  “Yes, we’re ok. Where is this coming from, Jason? You’re scaring me. You’ve never looked at me that way before. Tell me what’s going on?”

  He just sat looking at her. “You tell me, Kay. What else do I have to do to make you happy? I’m out of options.” He paused. “Are you leaving me?”

  She was very confused. “What are you talking about, Jason? I’m happy. I’ve never been happier in my life. What would make you think that I’m leaving you? You and Angel are everything to me.”

  He got up and walked over to her with the same expression on his face. “Why were you kissing Tommy?” His voice was getting louder.

  She yelled, “What? I wasn’t kissing Tommy. How could you think I would do that to you?”

  He asked in an angry tone, “Did you or didn’t you see him today at the mall?”

  “Yes, but it’s not what you think, Jason.”

  He screamed. “Shit!”

  “Jason, it’s not what you think. I went shopping for some things for Angel. He was there, and he talked to me, but I swear I didn’t kiss him.” She started crying. “He tried to kiss me, but I slapped him, Jason, look at me.” She went to touch him, but he pulled away. He had never pulled away from her before.

  “Don’t touch me.” A tear ran down his face. “It took Kimberly to come to our house and tell me. You should’ve picked up the damn phone and called me as soon as that asshole approached you.”

  “Jason, I didn’t want you to lose your head. I was coming home to tell you and what the fuck is Kimberly doing telling you lies? He didn’t kiss me. I didn’t let him.”

  “Did you tell him?” He asked.

  “Did I tell him what?” She looked at him and knew what he was talking about. “I can’t believe you think I would do that. You’re my family. He is nothing to me.” She got closer to him, and he backed away.

  “I believe you didn’t kiss him, but I’m fucking mad you didn’t tell me. She came here, Kay, to our house to tell me something you should’ve told me. I might have jumped to the wrong conclusion but put yourself in my shoes. You never come home late.”

  She got angry. “Ok, so what you’re telling me is that every time you come home late it means that you’re out cheating on me? I trust you. I would never jump to conclusions. I would’ve asked you first, but I see you think the worst of me. I thought you knew me better than that.”

  He picked up his keys. “I thought I knew you better too.” He opened the door and left.

  She stared at the closed door as she heard him pulling off. What just happened? She thought. That fucking bitch. She got what she wanted. Tears rolled down her face, and she wiped them off. She picked up the phone and called Jason’s cell. It went straight to voice mail. She left a message “Jason, I love you, don’t ever doubt that. Before anything you are my best friend. You know me, please come back home.”

  She hung up and went to check on Angel. She was sleeping peacefully. She entered her room and started taking off her clothes and jumped into the shower. After her shower she got dressed and got ready for bed. She knew she wouldn’t be able to sleep if he wasn’t next to her.

  He drove around for about an hour and finally listened to her message. He felt the same but was not going to call her because he was still angry. He drove up to his parents’ driveway, got out of the car, and made his way to the door; he rang the doorbell and his father opened. “Hi, son, come in. Something wrong.”

  “Where’s Mom?”

  “She’s not here. You can talk freely.”

  They walked into his father’s study and sat down. He told his father what had happened, and his father said, “Son, what you did was wrong. You accused her without giving her a chance to explain.”

  Jason gasped, “Dad, why didn’t she just tell me when it happened? She would’ve called me about anything else.”

  “Son, do
you remember what you did last time? You almost killed him. I believe she didn’t tell you over the phone because she was afraid of what you would do. That’s why she was going to tell you when she got home. Kimberly did exactly what she set out to do. I bet she saw Kay slap him, but she ran to you to see if you knew.”

  “Dad, I might have handled the situation wrong, and knowing her, she’ll be up waiting for me thinking I went and got myself in trouble. Dad, I love her so much that the thought of losing her drove me crazy.”

  “You need to go home and tell her that. You need to stop listening to people’s negativity when it comes to your marriage. Go home and tell that daughter-in-law of mine why you acted like a complete jerk and ask her for forgiveness.” They walked out of his father’s study, and his father walked him to the front door.

  He turned and hugged his father. “Thank you, Dad.”

  “You’re welcome son. Anytime.” He walked down to his car, got in, and prayed that Kay would forgive him.

  ***

  It was eleven when he pulled into their driveway. He got out, opened the door, and walked into the house. The light in the bedroom was still on. He passed their room and went to look in on Angel. She was sound asleep with her blanket wrapped around her finger. He bent down and kissed her. “I love you.” He turned off the music and made his way to the bedroom. When he entered, he looked at her. He could tell she had been crying. He walked over and hugged her. He expected her to push him away, but instead, she pulled him in closer.

  He whispered, “Kay, I’m so sorry. I’m sorry I made you cry.” He pulled away, wiped the tears from her beautiful face, and looked into her eyes. “Kay, I’m sorry, let me explain. When Kimberly came over and told me what happened, I didn’t want to believe her, but the thought of losing you was too much for me to bear. I do trust you. I just had a lapse in judgment. Please forgive me.”