NOTHING STAYS THE SAME

by Suzetta Perkins

  Why would Marvin put his suit underneath the cushions? Rachel wondered. Knowing that the answer wasn’t going to just materialize, she seized the jacket and pants and had just begun to probe when an overpowering smell made her head hurt. Sniff, sniff. She withdrew her nose quickly, the fragrance pulsating inside. It didn’t take a fool to know that the strong, sweet odor was that of some woman’s expensive perfume.

  In horror, Rachel threw the suit on the floor and stomped on it. “Did you think I wasn’t going to find out, Marvin?” Rachel screamed out loud. “Did you think you could hide your whore from me and I wouldn’t know? It was just an innocent lunch you said. You lying bastard.” She threw up her fists and screamed.

  Serena began to cry, pulling at a crazed Rachel’s leg. “Let go, Serena. Let go of Mommy.”

  Rachel moved Serena to the side and went around to Marvin’s desk. She went through his drawers, tossing things aside but not finding anything at all suspicious. With all her might, she shoved everything on top of the desk to the floor. Serena, scared of her mother’s bizarre behavior that she didn’t understand, began to wail.

  When Rachel was done, she sat in the middle of the floor, while Serena stood over her.

  “Mom...my, Mom...my, ahhh, ahhh, ahhh, Maaaa...my.”

  Rachel grabbed Serena and sat her on her lap. “Mommy’s sorry, baby. I don’t know what’s going on; Mommy doesn’t know what to do.” Huhhhh, huhhh, huhhh, huhhh, Rachel sighed as her chest heaved in and out. “Rock-a-bye baby in the tree top,” Rachel sang.

  Serena calmed down, her face wet with tears. She cried some more, but soon fell asleep in her mother’s arms.

  When Marvin returned home, the house felt tight as if it was held together by a giant rubber band, stretched to capacity and ready to burst any minute like a time bomb. This house that had held so much love for him now seemed to condemn him for being a failure to all that depended on him.

  There was no welcome mat standing at the door to greet him, but he was cool with that. Rachel was probably sulking somewhere in the house because he had spoken the truth about her behavior. There was no doubt in his mind that he loved her, but he needed space so that he could work out all the problems that had complicated his life, that had him making rash decisions, that had him bouncing off the walls, that made him want to take his own life and to hell with everyone else.

  Voices floated up from somewhere below. Marvin stopped and leaned over, to listen. It had to come from the television in his office since it was the only room downstairs besides the exercise room that had a TV in it. He started down the stairs just as the phone rang. Three rings, and he picked it up.

  “Hello, Thomas residence.”

  “Hey, Marv, this is Harold. How you doing, man? Got your letter yesterday.”

  Marvin let go of a sigh, grateful that Harold wasn’t calling to discuss his brush with death, something he wasn’t ready to discuss in detail with anyone. “I’m glad you called, and...glad you got the letter.”

  “It seemed urgent, so I thought I’d better call right away.”

  “Without beating around the bush, I should tell you the company is in serious trouble, but I don’t want to talk about it now. What is your schedule like tomorrow? Can you come to Atlanta?”

  “Yeah, Marv. Whatever you need. What time you want to meet?”

  “Let’s say ten-thirty. I’ve got to get in touch with Kenny Richmond; he needs to be there. At that time, I’ll explain all.”

  “I’ll be there, Marv.”

  “Harold, thanks, man. I hope we can bury our differences and move forward. I would like that very much, cuz.”

  There was a short pause. “I’ve waited for this day for awhile. While you’re on the phone, I want you to know that Denise and I are getting married.” Another pause. Harold continued when Marvin didn’t respond. “I’ll understand if you want to change your mind about meeting me. I just wanted to be up front since we’re moving forward with our lives.”

  “I’ll admit it took me back for a second, but I’m happy for you and Denise. I’m glad that you all have been able to work through the custody issue, although I never expected this outcome.”

  “It’s been hard on Danica. She loves both me and Denise. Shuttling back and forth between the two houses was taking a toll on all of us, and then Denise seemed to be hanging around whenever Danica was at my house. It was an easy conclusion, although we didn’t reach it overnight.”

  Marvin laughed. “Congratulations, cuz. I wish you all the best. See you at ten-thirty tomorrow morning.”

  “Gotcha. Give my best to Rachel.”

  “Will do.”

  Marvin hung up the phone and realized that he had not seen hide nor hair of Rachel. Maybe she was still upset with him for leaving the house. He hadn’t even gone to the office; he couldn’t face the place where he almost ended his life. He had driven to the bar where he had met Peaches, hoping that by chance she would be there so that he could talk some sense into her. He had nothing to give her, and he couldn’t risk his wife finding out about a tryst in which he hadn’t even been a willing participant.

  Marvin walked downstairs, the voices on the television getting louder. Where were Rachel and Serena? Puzzled, he turned at the end of the hallway and walked in his home office and froze. Shock turned to anger as his eyes scanned the disheveled room—files, important papers and documents, pictures, a desk lamp as well as his flat-screen monitor lay strewn on the floor. And then he saw it, understood the source of contention. What in the hell had Rachel been looking for in his office?

  “So your lying ass decided to come home,” Rachel said, coming out of his bathroom, startling him.

  “What in the hell is this and what were you looking for in my office? Where is Serena, Rachel?”

  She picked up his suit and shoved it in his face. “Smell it. Smells like you’ve been with a Harlem whore. You said you were just taking her to lunch because you felt bad for her because she was worried about her job. You sleep with her, too?”

  Marvin snatched the suit out of Rachel’s hands and threw it on the couch. He threw up his hands, his palms in Rachel’s face. “Are you finished, Rachel? I was not with Yvonne, for your information. Or anyone else for that matter,” he lied. “This is exactly what I mean when I say you fly off the handle without getting the facts first.”

  “So what are the facts, Marvin? Huh? Tell me why your suit is drenched in a woman’s perfume. Is that why you left the house and didn’t want me to tag along? Huh? And don’t lie to me. I’ve heard enough lies to last an eternity.”

  “Honestly, I don’t know how the perfume got on it.” Marvin looked away in thought. “I was so upset after leaving Cecil’s office.”

  “Who in the hell is Cecil? I don’t know any Cecil. Don’t make up things to confuse me.”

  “Cecil is my attorney, Rachel,” Marvin said harshly. “He’s an old friend who handles corporate takeovers. I went to see him about what I was going to do. That’s when I told him to sell my shares. I knew it was the biggest mistake of my life, but I didn’t know what else to do. So I...I went to a bar and got drunk.”

  “Do you really expect me to believe that since you don’t drink?”

  “Rachel, I’m about tired of you. I’m trying to explain this the best way I can. Now, if you’d shut up a minute, I’m going to try to finish this.”

  Rachel turned and walked toward the bathroom, stopped, turned around, and stood in front of Marvin with her hand on her hip. “I’m listening.”

  She excited him. Marvin loved Rachel more than she could imagine. Even in her anger, she was beautiful. Her figure was still together, and if he weren’t so mad at her, he’d scoop her up and make love to her right on the couch. In fact, it wasn’t a bad idea.

  “I’m listening,” Rachel said again.

  “You’re beautiful.”

  “And you’re a heathen.”

  Marvin laughed. “Rachel, I got sloppy drunk that night. I’m sure I passed out right at the b
ar. I swear a few hours later I woke up in my car, not knowing where I was and wishing I was at home with you and Serena. Hell, I’d just sold the company without telling Kenny, without telling anyone what I was doing. I sacrificed my family and the livelihood of all my employees.”

  Marvin reached for Rachel and took her arms and placed them around his waist. He circled her neck with his arms and laid his head on her shoulder. “It had nothing to do with you, baby. I just lost the faith.”

  Rachel held him tight until she finally pulled away. “Marvin, baby, you have to promise me that you won’t keep anything else from me. I’m stronger than you think. We went through some tough moments before we got married, but since then, our lives have been heaven sent. I want what we have now forever, Marvin. You owe me that. I wouldn’t mind having another child with you, if that’s what you want, but talk to me. I’m not a stranger.”

  Marvin hugged her tight, then pulled back so he could see her face. He brushed back her hair with his hands. “You’re right, baby. You are my soulmate, and I want what we have, too. I love you, Rachel, and always will. I just have to find a way to get out of the mess I’m in.”

  Her lips met his, and they enjoyed an intimate kiss. Marvin looked at the couch, but felt it wasn’t the right moment to make love to his wife. He kissed her again, just glad to be able to hold her in his arms and gather strength from her. Relaxed, Rachel let her emotions flow as she joined him in another passionate kiss.

  “Mommy, Daddy, why are you kissing?”

  Marvin and Rachel turned around and laughed at Serena, who had finally awaken and had come to find her mommy.

  “Why don’t I run and get some Chinese takeout, unless you want to go with me?” Marvin asked.

  “We’ll wait until you come back,” Rachel said. “I love you, Marvin.”

  “I love you, Daddy.”

  “I love you both.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  “Hey, Claudette, this is Sylvia.”

  “Good morning, Mrs. Richmond,” Claudette teased.

  “Girl, cut that out. You know my first name; use it.”

  They both laughed. “What time are we rolling out to see Ashley?” Sylvia asked.

  “I’m waiting for Mona to pick me up now. She had to wait for her nanny to get to the house to watch Michael Jr. Reagan is in preschool, and Reebe is going to pick her up for me.”

  “So, you’re not taking Reagan to see her mother?”

  “Sylvia, I’m Reagan’s mother. Remember, I adopted her.”

  “Ouch. I didn’t mean any harm by that, Claudette. It’s just that Ashley is the child’s biological mother, and I just thought that...”

  “That’s what you get for thinking. No, I thought this should be a time that just us girls meet with Ashley. It’s going to be a shock for her to see you for the first time in how long?”

  “I know, Claudette. I feel ashamed. If that’s how you want me to feel, you’ve succeeded in making me feel that way.”

  “Look, Mona is blowing her horn. We’ll see you in a half-hour, Sylvia. What about Rachel? Did she change her mind?”

  “Rachel is next on my list. She seemed distant and non-talkative. Go, we’ll talk when I see you.”

  “Okay, girl. Be ready.”

  Ashley lay daydreaming on her small cot in her three-by-five cell. She looked forward to her visit with Claudette. Claudette would fill her in on all the goings-on in and around Atlanta, especially about the group she adored but that had now estranged themselves from her. It had not been her intention to kill William at first. He kept boxing her in until she couldn’t take it any longer. She would have remarried him in a heartbeat if his love for her would have been real, but all he really wanted was the unborn baby she was carrying, because his mistress lost hers. Ashley hoped Claudette would bring Reagan even though it was a school day.

  “Lewis,” the guard called, “your visitors are here.”

  “Visitors? I’m expecting only one visitor,” Ashley responded.

  “Well, tell that to the bunch who’s waiting in the room to see you.”

  Shock registered on her face and surprise in her eyes when Ashley walked into the reception room bound in ankle and wrist cuffs and saw Claudette accompanied by Mona and Sylvia. Speechless, she looked from one to the other, wondering what had prompted this sudden visit. It must have had something to do with Marvin, she thought, but Rachel was missing. They hadn’t set foot in the prison in over two years.

  “Oh, oh, my God,” Ashley said, putting her hands to her mouth upon seeing her old friends. Claudette stood back and smiled.

  “Hey, Ashley,” Sylvia said, walking toward her with her arms outstretched. Sylvia hugged her while Ashley gave Sylvia a kiss on the cheek. “It’s so good to see you. I know it’s been a while, and I feel terrible for not coming. But I’m here now to try and make it up to you.”

  Ashley managed a smile.

  “Yeah,” Mona interrupted, giving Ashley a hug and a cheek-to-cheek kiss. “I feel bad, too. Claudette practically threatened us...” Sylvia gave Mona a swift kick in the leg. “Ouch.”

  Claudette laughed. “Hey, girl, how you doing?” Ashley and Claudette exchanged hugs and kisses. “You look good in those blonde cornrows.”

  Ashley smiled. “How am I doing? Well, I think I’ve read every book in the library, the food is still horrible, haven’t made many friends but I don’t want to—I’d say I’m doing quite well.”

  That seemed to put everyone at ease. They laughed. “Well, as I was saying,” Mona continued, ignoring Claudette and Sylvia’s stares, “we just knew we were past due and needed to give you some love.”

  “Thanks, Mona,” Ashley said, a little overcome with emotion. “I really do appreciate you all coming to see me.”

  “I like your jewelry, Ash.” It took Mona to bring attention to the obvious.

  “If I could,” Ashley began, “I’d give these bracelets to you, Mona. But you wouldn’t want them—too constricting.” No one laughed. Ashley turned toward Claudette. “I see Reagan isn’t with you.”

  “No,” Claudette began. “We wanted this day to be time spent with you and us.”

  Ashley smiled. “It was just that I was hoping to see her smiling face. Give her a kiss for me.”

  “I will,” Claudette said.

  “Well, tell me how you all have been. By the way, where is Rachel?” Ashley passed her eyes over Claudette, Sylvia, and Mona, wondering who would be the first to break the news about Marvin.

  “Rachel is a little under the weather,” Sylvia said, not wanting to get into any discussion about Marvin.

  “Oh, I’m disappointed that she’s not here. Give her my love.”

  Everyone sat at the table wondering who was going to speak first, wondering what they were going to say. Thump, thump, thump went Sylvia’s fingers as she drummed them on the table.

  “Okay, ladies, you’ve got to lighten up,” Ashley said, standing up to stretch. “I’m the one behind bars. You look like you’re going to the guillotine. You should see yourselves; you’re depressing to look at.”

  “You are so funny, Ashley,” Sylvia said. “Yeah, what’s wrong with y’all?”

  “Girl, please,” Mona cut in. “I know Miss Saddity from the City ain’t trying to act like she’s not having trouble finding things to say. Look, we love you, Ashley. You’re our girl, even though you’re locked up in this joint. Couldn’t your father pull some strings or call in some favors for you?”

  “This sounds like the old group,” Ashley admitted. “Mona, if it was that simple, I would have been out of here a long time ago. But I killed a man. They said it was premeditated murder, cold and calculated. Even if Daddy could pull some strings, William’s sisters were going to see to it that this rich white girl wasn’t getting out no time soon.”

  “Whoa,” Mona said. “Now that’s deep.”

  “Why don’t we change the subject?” Claudette begged. “Ashley wants to know what you two have been up to.”

&nb
sp; “You know what I’d like to know?” Ashley asked.

  “What, girl?” Sylvia asked with a smile on her face.

  “What happened to Marvin? Since you turkeys got here, I’ve been waiting to see who was going to tell me first—that is, since Rachel isn’t here to tell me herself.”

  There was a moment of silence, then a sigh from one of the ladies, then quiet again. “Marvin is under a lot of stress, Ash,” Sylvia began.

  “Give me the abbreviated version; I read the news,” Ashley said with humor written on her face.

  “I guess she told you, Sylvia,” Mona quipped, then let out a holler.

  “Alright, alright, alright,” Sylvia said. “To tell you the truth, we don’t know the whole story either. Kenny told me that Marvin sold his shares in the company—all fifty-two of them, which means Marvin no longer owns the company and Kenny may not have a job. You know my baby was some kind of freaking mad.”

  “Now you’re talking,” Ashley said.

  “You think this is funny?” Sylvia jumped up from her seat. “I’m not telling you this to provide you some kind of entertainment you’ve been missing. Girl, this translates to my livelihood, my family’s livelihood. Kenny worked too hard for this company to see it all go down the drain.” Sylvia stopped. The tears began to flow, and she covered her eyes and let it go. What she was feeling had finally come out. She was afraid.

  “Enough of this,” Claudette said.

  “Do they have some tissue in here?” Mona asked. “Sylvia’s got bubbles coming out of her nose.”

  All of sudden, Sylvia began to laugh. “It takes Mona to take a serious moment and twist it around into being something funny.” Everybody laughed.

  “Whew,” Ashley said. “I hoped that got me off the hook.”

  “No,” Sylvia said. “Come here, girl.” Sylvia hugged Ashley. “We miss you. It was starting to feel like the Ex-Files up in here. In a weird sort of way, our group is still together. We formed a bond that is too deep to tear apart. Look, we’re still here supporting one another, and Ash, we’re going to do better about coming to visit you, but we do hope you get out soon.”