After Maceo had closed the restaurant and dimmed the lights, he’d joined Tess at the bar for dessert—warm brown butter pound cake and a glass of milk. Over the next two hours she’d learned that Maceo was five years younger than she was, and at thirty-five years old he’d been divorced for several years. His ex-wife and her twelve-year-old daughter now lived in his ex’s hometown of Los Angeles, California. Maceo and his ex had a permanently fractured, nonexistent relationship that had ended after fights, accusations, and a DNA test that revealed the daughter he’d raised from birth wasn’t really his, the result of his wife’s infidelity that had persisted throughout their troubled marriage. His emotional openness had touched Tess and made her even more attracted to him.
Tess had been flirting but she’d also been guarded at the start of their conversation because she’d been nervous and unfamiliar with the butterflies flickering around in her stomach, a sensation she’d only experienced during her book signings. But Maceo had given her that same feeling as he’d continued to share what she had seen and felt were honest and candid details about his life and the struggles he’d overcome. He hadn’t let the bitterness of a failed marriage turn him against the possibility of one day having a loving relationship. His vulnerability had given Tess the motivation to open up about her own romantic debacles, and in particular, her dysfunctional relationship with Antwan, and the fact that he’d been one of a long string of men who’d disappointed her.
Tess was in amazement by how easy it had been to tell Maceo about the deeply personal details of her life. She’d told him how she wanted to get married, have babies, and settle down into a traditional relationship, despite her over-the-top antics. She’d also admitted that after turning forty last week, she was more aware than ever that the hands on her biological clock were moving so quickly, she was afraid her time was running out. And to her surprise, Maceo had echoed that he also wanted children, especially because he’d been robbed of that opportunity by his cheating ex-wife.
As Tess continued to reminisce about last night she had to shake her head at life’s irony. She’d had to suffer a near breakdown and travel from the big city known for wind to an obscure town named after liquor to find someone who wanted exactly what she did. She was about to rise from her chair when a vehicle coming down the street caught her eye.
Tess peered out the window as the shiny black Cadillac Escalade came to a stop in front of the house, and she nearly fell out of her chair when she saw Coop step out of the vehicle and walk around to the passenger’s side. “What the hell?” Tess drew in a sharp breath of surprise. She’d figured that Bernadette had stayed out late, but she’d had no idea that her cousin hadn’t come home at all.
Tess watched closely as Coop slid his arm around Bernadette’s waist as they walked to the front door and entered the house. Tess jumped out of her chair and moved close to the door so she could hear what was being said downstairs. She knew she shouldn’t be spying on her cousin in her own house, but she wanted to know what was going on because this was completely out of character for Bernadette. Tess knew that her cousin had never been the type to sleep with a man on the first date, but she also knew that lately, many things had changed. Turning forty had made her go through changes, so she could only imagine what turning a half century had done to Bernadette’s psyche.
As Tess listened closely she heard the deep mumbles of Coop’s voice and the light giggles of Bernadette’s, then there was complete quiet. She knew the silence meant they were kissing. A few minutes later Tess heard the door close and Bernadette’s heels click across the hardwood floors, headed to her bedroom. “I know I need to mind my own business,” Tess said as she slipped on her bedroom shoes, “but I need to know what’s going on with my cousin.”
With the speed of a track and field athlete, Tess sprinted downstairs, startling Bernadette to the point that she jumped.
“You scared the heck out of me,” Bernadette said as she turned around and faced Tess. “Have you been waiting up for me?”
“No, I actually thought you were home. I got up a little while ago and was sitting at the window in my room, gathering my thoughts, when I saw you and Coop roll up.”
“Oh,” was all Bernadette said.
Tess could see that her cousin had bags under her eyes, most likely the result of sexing Coop all night.
Bernadette turned and began walking toward her bedroom. “I’m going to shower and get in bed because I barely got any sleep last night.”
“Do tell,” Tess teased as she followed on Bernadette’s heels.
“I don’t kiss and tell, and besides, I’m still mad at you.”
Tess could tell that Bernadette was joking because of the smile that spread across her face. “You know you love me, cuz. Now give me all the hot and dirty details, and don’t leave out a single thing.”
“You must think I’m crazy. Anything I tell you might end up in that book you’re writing, so my lips are sealed.”
“Under any other circumstances I would say you were right, but not this time.” Tess sat on the tufted velour bench at the foot of Bernadette’s bed as Bernadette walked toward her bathroom.
“I’m going to take a shower,” Bernadette said. “And if you’re still here when I get out . . . I might tell you about my evening.”
Ten minutes later, Bernadette emerged fresh from the shower, her skin scented with the delicate smell of L’Occitane bath products. Tess shook her head at the fact that her fashionable cousin bathed in upscale toiletries, yet she was wearing a red and black flannel nightgown.
“And don’t say a word about my granny gown,” Bernadette cautioned. “It’s warm, comfortable, and I like it.” She walked to her bed and slid under her damask comforter.
“Coop must’ve put something on you last night,” Tess teased.
“You talk too much.”
“But you know I’m right.”
“Oh, but you’re not, Ms. Know-It-All.”
Tess kicked off her fuzzy slippers and climbed atop the bed, sitting cross-legged as she stared at Bernadette. “Cuz, you better give me the details before I start making them up in my head.”
Even though Bernadette was clearly tired, she sprang to life as she told Tess about her romantic evening with Coop. From the moment he picked her up, to the fancy restaurant they’d both been glad to leave, to the Italian hole in the wall with great food, to the incredible time they had at Southern Comfort, to the meaningful conversations they’d shared until they fell asleep in each other’s arms just a few hours ago, and finally, the romantic kiss he’d planted on her lips when he’d dropped her off.
“I know you’re not a lovey-dovey kind of person, and you don’t believe in soul-mate connections, but Tess, as crazy as it sounds, I believe I’ve found my soul mate.”
Before last night, Tess would have agreed with Bernadette’s assessment of her dismal outlook on relationships and life in general. But today it was as if she was looking at everything with a new pair of eyes, and she was beginning to understand why Bernadette had made a 180-degree transformation.
“No, cousin, I don’t think it’s crazy at all, and I’m so, so happy for you. I haven’t seen you smile like this in what seems like forever.” Tess looked into Bernadette’s eyes and leaned forward. “I’m sorry for the way I’ve been acting. Everything you told me about myself was true. I’ve been unhappy and bitter for so long that it’s become a way of life, but I know it’s not healthy and it’s not right. I admire the change you’ve made and I want to get to where you are, Bernadette.”
Bernadette looked at Tess with surprise. “I hear the words coming out of your mouth but it’s hard to believe.” She tilted her head in wonder. “What caused your change of heart?”
Tess blushed. “I met someone.”
Bernadette sat up in bed. “What? Who? When and where?”
Tess laughed. “I went out to get something to eat and, Bernadette, I truly got a treat! Girl, this man is so sexy it’s a shame, and he’s a gentlem
an, plus he can cook his ass off.”
“Wait a minute.” Bernadette blinked hard. “I’m gone for one night and you meet a man who’s cooking for you?”
“I know, right!”
“Who is he?”
“His name is Maceo and . . .”
Bernadette’s hands flew to her mouth. “The manager of Sue’s Brown Bag?”
“Yes, you know him?”
“Girl, he’s Coop’s nephew!”
Tess looked startled. She quickly replayed their long conversation that covered music, food, love, literature, and their families, but she couldn’t recall Maceo mentioning that Coop was his uncle, especially since Coop seemed to be a big deal in town. But as she thought harder, something that Maceo had said suddenly rang a bell. “Oh my goodness, it makes complete sense now.”
“What makes sense?” Bernadette asked, eagerness filling her eyes.
“Maceo and I were talking about relationships, and how hard it is to find love once you reach a certain age. He said that his uncle recently met someone and he told Maceo that he was in love for the first time in his life. His uncle was Coop, and Coop had to be talking about you.”
Bernadette fell back onto her pillow with a happy grin on her face. “This is surreal.”
“See, if I wrote this in a book, readers would say it was too far-fetched. But let me tell you, I’ve come to learn that real life is far more outrageous than anything I could write in a book.”
“This is unbelievable,” Bernadette said. “What are the odds?”
“I’ve always heard that everybody knows everybody in small towns, but this takes things to another level.”
“So . . . Maceo said that Coop told him he’s in love?”
“Yep. That’s what he said.”
Tess could see that Bernadette was processing everything in her analytical mind. In Bernadette’s world, things were black or white with no in-between shades of gray because it was easier for her to deal with situations that didn’t involve ambiguity.
“Bernadette, don’t overanalyze this and drive yourself crazy trying to figure things out, or run that man off. Just enjoy the feeling and see where it takes you.”
Bernadette blinked hard. “You’ll have to bear with me if I stare, because I can’t believe I’m hearing these words come out of your mouth. What in the world did you and Maceo do last night?”
“I understand your skepticism because it’s the same way I felt last week when I talked to you over the phone, and then once I got here I honestly thought that you were going through some kind of midlife breakdown.”
Bernadette laughed. “If I wasn’t already on this journey I’d think the same thing about you.”
“It’s amazing how life can change once you start thinking differently.”
Bernadette nodded. “Tell me about you and Maceo.”
For the next hour, Tess delighted in recounting her evening with Maceo that had lasted until the wee hours of the morning. She could see that Bernadette was tired, but she kept going because her cousin was hanging on every word she was saying.
“Do you two have plans to go out anytime soon?” Bernadette asked.
“He’s picking me up this afternoon for lunch and then we’re going to catch an early movie. Sundays and Mondays are the only days he takes off from the restaurant, and even then he checks in on things.”
“Coop told me that he’s a really hard worker.”
“What else did Coop tell you? And, girl, don’t hold back anything.”
Bernadette propped her head on her hand as she spoke. “Not much. Just that he was very close to his mother, and he’d had a hard time when she passed away a few years ago.” Bernadette paused and then remembered something. “It’s coming back to me now. Coop said that his nephew’s life revolved around the restaurant because after losing his mother and then divorcing his wife, he’d shut down. I remember thinking, wow, that’s how I’d been living my life.”
Tess and Bernadette sat in silence as they each thought about how their lives were changing at record speed.
Bernadette laid her head back on her pillow. “Love is powerful.”
* * *
A few hours later, Tess was fresh from the shower, standing in front of the bathroom sink as she applied her makeup. Maceo would be there to pick her up in another hour, and Tess could hardly wait. Once she put the finishing touches of mascara on her lashes, she walked to the closet to select what she was going to wear. “I think he’ll like this,” she said as she reached for her brown turtleneck sweater dress. The cut of the garment complemented her shapely frame and disguised her bloated belly. She was about to slip it on when a jarring pain gripped her stomach with the sharpness of a knife. The throbbing was so intense that all Tess could do was double over in pain.
She dropped her sweater dress to the floor and limped over to her bed. Her face became hot and her skin grew clammy to the touch as beads of sweat erupted like a volcano. Her head was pounding as though someone was jackhammering bricks against her scalp. “These fucking fibroids and endometriosis,” Tess mumbled through clenched teeth. The intensity of her pain had made her sweat just a minute ago, but now she was shivering as though someone had opened the window and let the thirty-degree air ease into the room. She could tell right away that this bout was going to be bad.
Tess crawled under the thick comforter and rocked back and forth, grimacing in pain. “Why now?” she nearly cried.
She pulled the comforter up to her neck as a tear rolled down her cheek, and once again, she thought about her bleak prospects for having a baby. Even though she lived a nonconventional lifestyle, there were certain things she was very traditional about, and family was one. As she’d shared with Bernadette during her first night in town, she wanted to get married, have children, and build a family. But with each stab of pain she knew the inevitable was coming.
A few minutes later, Tess managed to crawl out of bed and slough herself over to the bathroom where she had placed her medicine inside the sink drawer. She put a pill in her mouth and then cupped her hands under the running water from the faucet as she swallowed the painkiller. By the time she made it back into bed she was out of breath, feeling as though she’d just jogged around the block.
“Out of all the times for a flare-up, why now?” Tess moaned. She reached for her phone on the nightstand and saw that she had fifteen minutes before Maceo was supposed to be there, and because he had to drive from across town in the Bottoms, he was probably already on his way. Tess knew that as badly as she wanted to go out on a date, there was no way she was in any condition to go to lunch, much less a movie. She didn’t want to cancel, but she also didn’t want Maceo to see her in her current state, which was a mess. When she’d caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror after taking her medicine, she could only shake her head at the fact that her neatly applied foundation and concealer looked blotchy, her lipstick had faded, and her expertly applied mascara had smudged so badly that she looked as though she had raccoon eyes.
Reluctantly, Tess dialed Maceo’s number, and he picked up on the first ring.
“Hello, beautiful,” Maceo said with a smile in his voice. “You must have spies watching me because I just turned onto your cousin’s street. I’ll see you in about two minutes.”
“Oh, Maceo, I’m so sorry,” Tess said, barely able to talk.
“Tess, what’s wrong?”
“I don’t feel well.”
“Are you coming down with something?”
Tess didn’t know how to tell him that her fibroids and endometriosis were playing kickball in her stomach, and she was losing the match. So instead of getting into the complicated business of her reproductive system, she told him something that she thought sounded better. “Yes, I think I am. It hit me all of a sudden and I can barely get out of bed.”
“A couple customers were sick last week, so there’s definitely something going around.”
“I feel awful,” Tess moaned. That part of her story wasn’t a li
e.
“I’m so sorry you’re under the weather, Tess. Is there anything I can do?”
Tess wanted to tell him that he could slide under the sheets with her and hold her until her pain went away, but instead she simply said, “No, I guess it just has to run its course.”
“Do you have a fever?”
“No, I don’t think so.”
“Okay, good. You need to drink plenty of fluids. Do you have soup and crackers or anything to eat? You know you have to starve a fever and feed a cold, right?”
If Tess’s stomach hadn’t been hurting so badly she would have laughed at Maceo’s old-fashioned saying, but all she could do was grit her teeth and nod as though he could see her on the other end of the phone. “I’m not sure what Bernadette has in her kitchen,” Tess answered, “and right now I don’t feel well enough to even go downstairs to see.”
“You sound like you’re in pain.”
“If only you knew.”
“Wow, this doesn’t sound good. Do you think you need to see a doctor?”
“No, like I said, it probably needs to just run its course.” Tess paused. “I was looking forward to having lunch and spending time with you, but I need to ask for a rain check.”
“Listen, I know this is gonna sound crazy, but let me feed you.”
“What?”
“You need to eat, regardless of whether we go out or you stay in, and since I’m already here I can make you something if your cousin won’t mind me in her kitchen.”
Tess tried to smile, but a sharp pain stole it from her lips. Maceo was truly a Southern gentleman, and the fact that he wanted to take care of her touched her in a way that temporarily dulled the ache coursing through her body. She’d barely been able to get Antwan to get take-out for her, let alone offer to cook her a meal, especially when she was in need.
The Other Side Page 23