Imitation of Wife

by La Jill Hunt

  “No, sir, my mother does not cook anything at all. The only thing she knows how to make is an order for takeout.” Tank shook his head.

  “Sounds a lot like my mom.” Jordan laughed. “She was an expert on pairing wine with food, but couldn’t cook a meal at all.”

  It was the first time Sylvia had heard Jordan share a pleasant memory about her mother. Usually, she would clam up whenever Randi’s name was brought up, so hearing her laugh about this was a pleasant surprise.

  “Listen, I was excited when I found out Aunt Connie was staying with us because I knew the meals were going to be popping,” Peyton added.

  “Whoa, whoa, whoa, don’t act like I can’t cook.” Sylvia pretended to be appalled at her daughter’s confession. “Garry, tell them.”

  Garry looked down at his empty plate and reached for the pan of macaroni and cheese. “I mean, you can, babe. But I gotta admit, I was a little excited too.”

  “Lemme get a little more of that, Mr. B, before you scoop it all up.” Tank held his plate out.

  Laugher erupted around the table. Aunt Connie smiled. “Well, as pleased as I am to hear that you all enjoy my cooking, I’m gonna need all of y’all to leave room for dessert.”

  “Don’t worry, I’ll have room,” Tank told her.

  “I’ll clear the table,” Peyton offered, picking up the now-empty macaroni pan.

  “No, you have a dinner guest. I got it.” Jordan reached to take the pan from her.

  “You sure?” Peyton looked shocked.

  “Girl, give me the pan.” Jordan sighed. “It’s fine.”

  “Thank you, Jordan.” Garry smiled and nodded his approval, then turned his attention to Tank. “So, Decision Day is almost here. Are you excited?”

  “Daddy.” Peyton’s tone matched the warning look she gave her father.

  “What? I didn’t ask what his decision was, Peyton,” Garry explained with an innocent shrug. “I just asked if he was excited. I know he can’t tell me what school he’s picked, or can you?”

  “Dad!” Peyton gasped.

  “It’s okay, Peyton.” Tank laughed. “To be honest, I’m still deciding. But I am excited about going to college. You both went to Mission College, right? That’s where my dad went too. He didn’t finish, but he still loves that school.”

  “Yeah, both of them did, and so did my aunt Janelle.” Peyton spoke before anyone else did. Sylvia gave Garry a look to let him know this was dangerous territory they were entering with this conversation.

  “That’s dope. When my dad talks about it, he gets this look in his eye and his face lights up as if he’s talking about paradise or something.”

  “As he should.” Garry nodded. “I had some of the best days of my life at Mission College, and that’s where I met the love of my life.”

  “The two of them used to turn up together in college. I think that’s why they’re so strict,” Peyton said sarcastically.

  “Peach cobbler, pound cake, and vanilla ice cream,” Aunt Connie announced as she and Jordan returned to the dining room with dessert. They enjoyed dessert while listening to Garry’s and Sylvia’s stories of Mission College and other tales of their teenage antics, pledging their respective fraternities and sororities, and the lifelong friendships they’d made. Afterward, they all went back into the den and laughed and talked some more until it was time for Tank to leave.

  “Thank you guys for this,” Tank said. “It was amazing, and I’m just grateful.”

  “Well, I’m sure Aunt Connie would be willing to cook for you again,” Sylvia told him.

  “I would love that, but honestly, it was more than the food, Mrs. Blackwell.” He looked around the room.

  “What do you mean?” Garry asked.

  “I know this sounds crazy, but tonight, I felt like, well, family. I don’t get to feel like this, so it was cool.” For a second, it looked as if the young man was gonna cry, and Sylvia couldn’t help but pull him into an embrace.

  “Well, Tank, you are family, so you are welcome.” Sylvia sighed. After she released him, Aunt Connie hugged him just as hard.

  “Can’t wait to have you over again.” Garry nodded as he shook Tank’s hand.

  “Can Tank and I hang out for a little while?” Peyton asked her father. All eyes turned to Garry as they waited for his answer.

  To her surprise, Garry looked over at Sylvia and said, “If your mother doesn’t have a problem with you guys going out for a while, then I don’t.”

  It was a simple response, but it meant so much more, and Sylvia nodded. “Be home before eleven. You’re still under punishment, remember?”

  “Thanks, Mom,” Peyton exclaimed, throwing her arms around both of her parents, then heading out the door with Tank behind her.

  “Well, that was real nice.” Aunt Connie commented, “He’s a nice fella.”

  “He really is,” Sylvia agreed.

  “He’s cool. He and Peyton make a cute couple,” Jordan commented, surprising everyone.

  “You think so?” Garry asked.

  “Yeah, and I get what he was saying. Tonight was kinda dope. It really did feel like family,” Jordan told them. “Thanks from me too, for everything.”

  Sylvia was unable to hold back the tears she’d been fighting since the hug she shared with Tank moments earlier. She pulled Jordan into her arms, and within seconds, Aunt Connie joined, and Garry. As she stood in the midst of the group hug, she felt that there may be hope for her family after all.

  Chapter 29

  Tricia

  “I’m sorry to keep you waiting, Mrs. King. My last client went over their time,” Dr. Guyser said when he walked into his office.

  Tricia was smiling at something on her phone, which she was holding. She glanced up as she put it into her purse. “It’s okay, I understand.”

  From the look on his face, Dr. Guyser was surprised by her response. After taking a seat at his desk, he said, “Well, you seem to be in a good mood today.”

  Tricia’s head tilted. “Good mood?”

  “Yeah, your voice is pleasant, and you’re smiling,” Dr. Guyser pointed out. “I take it things have gotten better since our last session.”

  “A little,” Tricia told him. It had been two weeks since her last appointment.

  “So, did you start taking the meds I prescribed? Are they helping?”

  “No,” Tricia said. “I told you I didn’t want to take them.”

  The antidepressants he’d prescribed on the day of her first appointment were still in the glove compartment of her car. She had no intention of taking them no matter how much he claimed they’d help. The blood pressure and anxiety medicine she took was enough, but she drew the line at what her mother referred to as “drugs for crazy people.” She wasn’t that damn depressed.

  “That’s your choice, and I still think you should reconsider. But you seem to be better,” Dr. Guyser told her. “I’m sure this is a pretty exciting time for you all. Your son is choosing what school he’s attending soon, right?”

  “Actually, today is Decision Day. I have to go straight to the school when I leave here for his announcement.” Tricia sighed.

  “And are you going to be okay with that? I know being in crowds at Tank’s events are bothersome for you.” Dr. Guyser leaned forward.

  “I’m actually okay. It shouldn’t take that long. He’ll just pick a hat off the table and take a pic, then we can leave. Well, I can. His dad does the press stuff,” Tricia told him. The fact that she wasn’t anxious about attending Tank’s Decision Day announcement was surprising even to her. Maybe Dr. Guyser was right. She was in a great mood.

  “Have things improved at home between you and Titus? How is the communication between the two of you? Your son’s basketball season is over, right? So the two of them should be spending a little more time at home.”

  “Yes, basketball season is done, thank God. They’re not gone as much, but Tank is still in training and conditioning. He still needs to be in top shape to play colleg
e ball.” Tricia repeated the words she heard Titus say on some news interview after Tank’s All-American Game. Even though the season was over and her family was home a bit more, things between her and her husband hadn’t improved, but they hadn’t gotten worse either. As far as she could tell, they were back to normal. “We haven’t argued, if that’s what you’re asking. We haven’t had a fight since the day we were in here, so that’s a good thing.”

  “Good. And how’s the sexual relationship? Are we still utilizing the calendar, or are you working on spontaneity, which we talked about last time?”

  Instead of answering, Tricia cleared her throat. She couldn’t remember the last time she and Titus even had sex. She really wasn’t able to work on her sexual spontaneity because not only had he stopped badgering her to have sex, most nights, he barely slept in their bedroom. Her husband had been more distant than usual. Between his job and everything their son now had going on with his newfound fame, prom, graduation, and college Decision Day, Tricia decided to allow him some space. Besides, she had a distraction of her own occupying her time, so she wasn’t concerned.

  “Tricia?” Dr. Guyser said softly.

  “No, no changes in the bedroom,” she finally said. “Not yet.”

  “Well, what do you think has brought about this change of attitude?”

  “So, remember you suggested I open up and become a little more social?” Tricia asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Well, I did. I started a friendship, and I’m really enjoying it.”

  “Really? That’s great to hear, Tricia. I told you being open and not so closed off to others would be beneficial.” He nodded.

  “Yeah, it’s nice having someone to talk and laugh with. We have a lot in common, and it’s like our conversation just flows.” Tricia smiled. “It’s like, refreshing. I know that sounds cliched, but that’s the only way to describe it.”

  “And is this friend one of your coworkers? A neighbor?”

  “No, he doesn’t live in the area.” Tricia laughed.

  Dr. Guyser frowned slightly. “He?”

  “Yes, my new friend is a he. His name is Everett. We actually met when he tried to recruit Tank for Burke University, but Tank wasn’t interested.”

  “He’s a coach?” Dr. Guyser asked.

  “No, he’s actually the president of the black alumni association for Burke. He’s really cool.”

  “And you talk to him frequently?”

  “We talk quite a bit.” Tricia thought about the number of calls and texts she’d exchanged over the past couple of weeks. Since having dinner, she and Everett Matthews had become quite close. They talked daily, and she enjoyed their conversations, which could be about anything from current events to the latest episode of Downton Abbey, which they both watched. It felt good to discuss something other than basketball or sports. Everett was smart, and he took the time to explain things to her if she didn’t understand. She hadn’t seen him since the last time he was in town, and she looked forward to him visiting soon. They’d already planned a coffee date, and he promised to bring her more Burke swag: blue, of course.

  “Tricia, are these conversations more in-depth than the ones you have with Titus?”

  “I mean, yeah, Everett is easier for me to talk to, and he’s way funnier.”

  Dr. Guyser stood and walked around to the front of the desk. “Tricia, are you developing feelings for this man?”

  Tricia gasped as she stared at him, shocked at his question. “What? Why would you ask me that?”

  “It’s a valid question. Are you attracted to him?”

  “I told you he’s my friend.”

  “You’re evading the questions. Is your friend single?” Dr. Guyser continued.

  “I don’t know what you’re getting at, Dr. Guyser, but you’re wrong. First of all, he doesn’t even live here, and you’re making it sound like he’s out here seducing me and trying to get me into bed, which he’s not. We’re just friends. It’s not some sordid affair.” Tricia’s face became hot, and had her complexion been shades lighter, she was sure she’d be blushing. “You are the one who told me to get a friend, and now that I met one, you’re insinuating that it’s something else.”

  “That’s not what I’m doing at all. I’m just making sure you’re not going down a slippery slope of being intimate with someone outside of your marriage.”

  “Intimate? Did you hear anything I said? We hardly see one another, and I’ve never had sex with him. He’s a nice guy, that’s all.” Tricia shook her head and reached for her purse. As far as she was concerned, this session was over, and she was going to have to think long and hard before deciding to come back.

  “Tricia, calm down, there’s no need for you to become so defensive. Just listen to what I’m trying to tell you, please.” Dr. Guyser’s voice was calm as he pleaded with her.

  Tricia hesitated, then said, “What?”

  “Intimacy and sex are two different things. You’re sitting here telling me how you’re having detailed conversations with this man—”

  “We aren’t having phone sex.”

  “Let me finish. Again, this isn’t about sex. Sex is the physical act of intercourse.”

  “Which we’ve never had.”

  “Understood. But intimacy is something much deeper. It’s having an emotional connection with someone. It’s developed through talking and laughter and something as simple as a ‘thinking about you’ text from someone you’re close to,” Dr. Guyser said. “It’s holding hands, a lingering hug, something simple and affectionate.”

  Tricia thought about the random “hey, you” texts Everett would send her that made her smile. She enjoyed them, but they didn’t automatically make her want to have sex with him. They were just friends. He was the one person who made her feel like hearing about her day mattered. They hadn’t crossed any lines, and she didn’t plan on crossing any. But now it sounded as if Dr. Guyser was about to tell her that she shouldn’t talk to him anymore.

  “We’re just cool, that’s it. Men and women can be just friends, you know. It happens all the time. We’re not having an affair.”

  “It does, and you’re right. But if you’re not careful, you’ll end up in an emotional affair with this guy, and that can be worse than a physical one. And if one of your goals is to eventually improve your marriage, then you need to avoid any potential outside distractions and work on your intimacy with your husband if it’s not there.”

  Tricia stood up and picked up her purse. “I’m not gonna stop being friends with Everett.”

  “Does Titus know about your new friend? Because if it’s as innocent as you say it is, then you shouldn’t have a problem telling him all about it, right?”

  Tricia opened her mouth but decided not to justify his question with an answer. Instead, she walked out of the small office, slamming the door behind her.

  * * *

  The parking lot of Tank’s high school was jam-packed by the time Tricia arrived. She sat in her SUV for a few moments. The anxiety she bragged about not having earlier was now in full effect, especially after her session with Dr. Guyser. She was a grown woman and capable of maintaining a platonic friendship with a male. His suggesting otherwise was the main reason Tricia left his office without making her next appointment. There was no point in coming back. She was done. The whole reason behind going to therapy was to have Titus admit to being in love with her, and that hadn’t happened. Hell, he hadn’t even been back. The only help Dr. Guyser gave was showing that she needed a friendship in her life, and now that she’d found it, he acted as if it was a problem. It wasn’t making a difference in her marriage anyway, which was the reason she’d started seeing him in the first place.

  Her phone vibrated and notified her that a text was waiting to be read. She tried to resist the urge to open it, but then opened it anyway.

  Good luck and congrats again, Mom. Remember to breathe deeply, and don’t focus on the crowd. Tell Tank it’s not too late to throw Burke in t
he running.

  The message was just what she needed, as usual. She replied with a smiley face before turning the phone off, smiling as she took a deep breath and walked inside. Titus and Tank were on stage, along with a few other players who were also announcing their decision and their parents. Tricia made her way to the front, and the coach waved for her to join them.

  “Glad you could make it,” Titus told her.

  “This is important,” Tricia told him, then looked over at Tank. “You ready?”

  “Yep.” He nodded.

  The ceremony began, and as the coach made his remarks at the podium, Titus, Tricia, and the other parents moved to the side while they waited their turn. She spotted Peyton and her parents in the crowd. Two other players went before Tank, both of whom selected top-tier schools, but neither had the Ivy League or NCAA choices that Tank did.

  “Which one did he choose?” Tricia whispered to Titus while they set three hats on the table in front of Tank.

  “I don’t know. He said I’d find out when everyone else did.” Titus shrugged. “Probably Duke.”

  Duke was also one of the schools Everett felt that Tank would choose. If he did, Tricia smiled at the thought of having to tell him he was right. He would no doubt enjoy that phone call. She frowned as she thought about what Dr. Guyser said. She looked at Titus, who seemed nervous. Tank cleared his throat in the microphone, and a hush fell over the crowd.

  “I’d like to thank everyone for being here. It’s been an incredible four years playing here and an outstanding season. I want to thank Coach Darby for everything and my teammates for always having my back. I couldn’t do it without any of y’all. I also want to thank my parents, especially my dad.” Tank’s voice cracked, and he looked over at his father.

  Titus dabbed at the corner of his eye, and in that moment, Tricia saw one of the cameras pointed at them. Thinking there was a chance that her sisters were watching and this could be an opportunity to show just how united she and her husband were, she mustered an awkward smile and reached over to take Titus’s hand. Instead of holding hers, Titus flinched and shifted slightly in the opposite direction. If she did go back to Dr. Guyser, at least she could say she attempted to work on intimacy but was rejected. Her attention turned back to her son, anticipating what he was going to say about her.