NOTHING STAYS THE SAME

by Suzetta Perkins

He pulled Rachel to him and hugged her tight. “God is so good, Rachel. That was Earl from the bar I went to the evening I met Peaches. He told me he spoke with the police about Peaches. Peaches killed her husband. Just think, it could have been you.”

  “I know. Peaches told me she killed her husband,” Rachel said. “Let’s not be sad because I have a feeling that Peaches is going to be in jail for a long time.”

  “I agree. How about joining the others to celebrate our new president-to-be. I can feel it, Rach.”

  “Let’s go.”

  “You guys got quiet fast,” Marvin said, returning to the family room.

  “We’re eating Mona’s good food,” Trina said with a mouth full of jambalaya. “You better get some before it’s all gone.”

  “I’m gonna do that,” Marvin said with a smile on his face. “I also have some good news.”

  Everyone turned their faces away from the television to listen to Marvin. He told them about Earl going to the police with the information about Peaches. It was a joyous time.

  With all bellies full, the women helped Mona clean up Rachel’s kitchen so they could sit together in peace and watch the election returns. The men were having their own private debate about the two-and-a-half-year presidential race while the ladies recapped moments from the last year. Then there was silence as each person became engrossed in their own private thoughts as they watched Obama’s electoral votes climb the leader board.

  “Mona, darling, we’re going to have to get ready to go. It’s just about eleven o’clock, and I’m on-call tomorrow. I need to get some rest.”

  “Okay, babe. Let’s watch the news at the top of the hour.” Michael sighed and stayed seated.

  The top-of-the-hour news came on. The newscaster announced that the West Coast precincts had just closed. Everyone in the room sat up straight. Barack Obama has just been elected the forty-fourth President of the United States.

  “Oh my God,” Sylvia said, jumping from her seat. “Hallelujah!”

  “Yes,” Cecil and Trina screamed together, giving each other the Obama and Michelle fist bump.

  “My president,” Claudette said. “President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. That has a wonderful ring to it.”

  “I’m on my way to Washington, D.C.,” Mona said. “I’m going to be front and center at the inauguration. I’m going to be able to see the whites of Barack’s eyes when he takes the oath. I might even help Michelle hold the Bible.”

  “When’s the last time you held a Bible?” Rachel asked, soliciting laughs all around the room.

  “That’s our cue to leave,” Michael said. “It’s been real, people. This was a great day. And to Marv and Kenny, congratulations! And Cecil, keep handling your business.”

  “Got that, man,” Cecil said.

  “Sylvia, you ready to go home and celebrate?” Kenny said. “Maya has little Kenny and Serena.”

  “My king, I think we can do that,” Sylvia said, doing a victory dance. “Me, you, Barack and Michelle.”

  “Kinky,” Tyrone said.

  “What do you know about kinky?” Claudette asked. “Only thing kinky about you are those knots on your head.”

  “That’s wrong, sister. I’ve got some moves left. I say we try them out, but we’ll let Barack and Michelle watch.”

  “You guys are so crazy,” Marvin said, holding Rachel around the waist. “You must be drunk from Mona’s food or those Hurricanes. We love you guys! Thanks for celebrating this historic day with us—in more ways than one.”

  “We love you all too,” everyone said at the same time.

  “Marvin, I’ll give you a call later in the week to discuss the Peaches thing. I think this is going to be straightforward and simple, especially since Rachel’s off the hook for shooting that psycho.”

  “Sounds like a plan, Trina. Good night.”

  After all their friends had left and had made it safely to their cars, Rachel and Marvin cuddled up on one of the sofas in the family room. “We’re going to make our own music, Mrs. Thomas, just you and I. No Barack, Michelle, Sylvia, Kenny, Mona, Michael, Claudette, T, Trina, or Cecil. Just you and me, baby.”

  “This night couldn’t have turned out any better, Marvin. We’re going to be alright. You’ve got the company back and Peaches is in police custody. I wished that Harold, Denise, and Ashley were here to celebrate with us. I thought that was a wonderful suggestion Claudette made about the defense fund.”

  “You’re absolutely right about everything. And we’ve got a new president—President Barack Obama, first African American to hold the office. That’s awesome. Speaking of Harold and Denise, the wedding invitation came in the mail today. They’re getting married on December thirty-first; we’ll be there to help them celebrate. I’m glad that Harold and I have mended our fences. It’s like having my brother back by my side.”

  “Me too. So are you ready for our private celebration, Mr. Thomas?”

  “Past ready. I love you, Rachel.”

  “I love you, too, Marvin.”

  The phone rang. “Who’s calling this late?” Rachel asked.

  CHAPTER SIXTY-TWO

  Marvin got up and walked to the kitchen and retrieved his cell phone. He didn’t recognize the number but answered anyway.

  “Hello,” Marvin said, a little annoyed.

  “Yes, Mr. Thomas, this is Captain Jeffries with the state trooper’s office. I was just informed by the Georgia State police that Peaches Franklin has just escaped.”

  “Escaped. How in the hell did that happen? Wasn’t she under lock and key? I don’t believe this.”

  “She complained of severe pain in her wounded arm and was taken to the hospital for treatment. This woman is a slick one. She saw an opportunity to slip out of the examining room and unfortunately the officer who was on guard outside the room was talking and had his back turned to the door. He will be reprimanded. Unmarked cars have already been dispatched to your area, but I wanted you to know so you would be on your guard. I’ll keep you informed on any updates we receive in this matter. Know that we have heightened our search for Miz Franklin, and we hope to have her back in custody before too long.”

  “I don’t know if that’s reassuring at all, but thank you for letting us know.” Marvin shut the lid to his cell phone.

  When he returned to the living room, the pep had gone out of Marvin’s step. “What’s wrong?” Rachel asked. “Who was that on the phone?”

  Marvin looked at Rachel. “We’ve got to wait just a little longer.”

  “For what, Marvin?” Marvin was quiet. “Wait for what? Now you’re scaring me.”

  “Peaches was taken to the hospital and she escaped.”

  “She did what? How in the world, Marvin, how in the world could that have possibly happened? What kind of police officers do we have running the force?”

  “Peaches is clever. The police hope to have her back in custody soon. They have our house under surveillance, but know that I’m in no way leaving you alone until Peaches is caught. I can’t believe that bitch had the nerve to interrupt our celebration.”

  “We can still have our celebration, baby. I don’t think Peaches has enough nerve to mess with me again. I put the fear of God in her. You should have seen her eyes when she realized I had the gun instead of her. But I’ve got something for her just in case.”

  “What are you talking about, Rachel? You’re not talking about a gun.”

  “I’m not? Just let Miz Peaches step on my property again. It won’t be her arm next time. I’ll aim straight for her heart. I’ve got a little something, something to protect myself in the event that girlfriend ever tries to raise up on me again.”

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Suzetta Perkins is the author of Behind the Veil; A Love So Deep; EX-Terminator, Life After Marriage; Déjà Vu, and a contributing author of My Soul to His Spirit. A native of Oakland, California, Suzetta resides in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Suzetta is the co-founder and president of the Sistahs Book Club a
nd Secretary of the University at Fayetteville State University. She is a member of New Visions Writing Group in Raleigh, North Carolina, and a mentor for aspiring writers. Visit www.suzettaperkins.com, www.myspace.com/authorsue, www.facebook.com/suzetta.perkins, and email nubianqe2@aol.com.

  READER’S DISCUSSION GUIDE

  1) The opening scene is the window that allows you to see what is about to transpire in Marvin Thomas’ life. You can feel something is amiss; you can feel the tension. What’s so heavy on Marvin’s mind that he needs to see an old friend?

  2) Who is Marvin’s business partner?

  3) Some secrets can be catastrophic if exposed. Marvin Thomas had two secrets. What were they and whom did they impact before and after they were exposed?

  4) As Marvin Thomas’ life began to spiral out of control, it impacted members of his family first. What happened while Rachel was out on a spending spree?

  5) Do you feel Rachel overreacted?

  6) When Marvin was at his wit’s end, he finds himself at a local bar. What was strange about him going to the bar? Who did he meet and what happened?

  7) As a result of Marvin’s indiscretion, what did Peaches tell him he had to do?

  8) To what length does Peaches send Marvin messages about paying up or else?

  9) What did Rachel receive from Peaches and what were the contents? How would you have handled the information Rachel received?

  10) Which two characters mended a broken friendship? How did the one character come to the aid of the other? What was the cause of their broken friendship?

  11) What did Sylvia, Mona, and Claudette do to try and salvage Rachel’s marriage?

  12) What did Ashley do to try and help save Thomas and Richmond Tecktronics? Why?

  13) What historic event in our history did Marvin, Rachel, Sylvia, Kenny, Mona, Michael, Claudette, T, Cecil, and Trina witness on television?