The Other Side

by Trice Hickman

  “I know how it is when you’re under the weather,” Maceo said in a comforting voice, “and you don’t feel like having company over, so trust me, I get it. But you don’t even have to see me. I’ll make you some homemade soup and then I’ll be on my way.”

  “You’re so sweet. Maceo, I don’t even know what to say.”

  “Say ‘yes, Maceo. You can cook for me,’” he said, raising the pitch of his voice to mimic hers.

  Tess could hear the smile in Maceo’s voice, and it made her smile, too, so she repeated his words. “Yes, Maceo. You can cook for me.”

  “That’s what I wanted to hear.”

  “I’ll call my cousin and let her know you’re outside.”

  After Tess called Bernadette’s cell and explained what was going on, she called Maceo back and gave him the go-ahead to ring the doorbell. Less than an hour later, Bernadette was bringing up food on a neatly prepared tray.

  “How’re you feeling?” Bernadette asked.

  “Like a knife is stabbing my stomach.”

  Bernadette placed the tray on the nightstand and handed Tess the bowl of soup. “Try to eat a little of this, it might help you feel better.”

  Tess looked at the bowl of soup. “Maceo is quite a man.”

  “That he is. And he looks so familiar,” Bernadette said. “Like I know him from somewhere.”

  “The restaurant?” Tess offered in a weak voice.

  “No, he never came out from the kitchen when Coop and I had lunch there.”

  “Well, Coop is his uncle, so maybe you’re seeing a family resemblance.”

  “No, he doesn’t look anything like Coop, but he still looks familiar. I’m not the best at remembering faces, but I’m almost certain that I’ve met him before.”

  “You’re that sure?”

  “Yes,” Bernadette said with conviction.

  “Well, I hope it wasn’t under any bad circumstances. Did he mention that you looked familiar?”

  “No, he didn’t. I don’t think it’s anything bad. But like I said, I believe I’ve seen him before.”

  “I hope not, because to me, he looks like the man I’ve been dreaming of.”

  Bernadette gave Tess a surprised look. “Girl, this is too much for me. You’re already sprung and so is he. I don’t know what you did to that man, but he’s clearly taken with you.”

  Tess wanted to smile but she couldn’t, and she could see that Bernadette’s eyes rang with worry once she focused in and saw the grimace etched on Tess’s face.

  “Do you want me to take you to the ER?” Bernadette asked.

  “No, I just need to lie here until the pain eases off.”

  “Like I said, I can call my doctor and get you scheduled for a visit.”

  “That’s nice of you, Bernadette. But I’ve been through this drill so many times that I know what to do, which is exactly what I’m doing now—taking meds and staying in bed until the pain subsides.”

  “I’m sorry you’re going through this, and that you missed your date with Maceo,” Bernadette said as she looked at the delicious bowl of soup and freshly baked bread that Maceo had prepared.

  “Me too. It seems like every time I think things are looking up, a cloud hovers over and rains on my head.”

  “Don’t say that, Tess. You have to look on the bright side of things. Even though you don’t feel well you have people to take care of you and a warm bed to lie in while you recover. And even though you weren’t able to go out with Maceo, the man still came by and made you food to eat so you can feel well enough to go out with him at another time. So smile and appreciate your blessings.”

  Tess knew that Bernadette was right, and instead of rolling her eyes at her cousin’s idealistic optimism, as she’d done yesterday morning, she embraced Bernadette’s words. “Thank you for saying that. I needed to hear it.”

  “Anytime.”

  Tess looked at her bowl of soup. “This smells and looks wonderful.”

  “That man is a genius in the kitchen. I didn’t even know I had the ingredients to make what he put together, but once he looked around and started pulling things from the refrigerator, cabinets, and pantry, he ended up with this.”

  Tess saw that the chicken noodle soup had been made with carrots, celery, and onions, along with freshly chopped herbs. Maceo had even baked what looked like a homemade dinner roll. “How in the word did he pull this together so fast?” Tess asked.

  “I’m still asking myself that question. I watched him in amazement. I had forgotten that I had fast-acting yeast in the pantry, and I certainly didn’t know you could make homemade rolls that quickly.”

  “I don’t even know what fast-acting yeast is, but I’m glad you had it on hand.” Tess laughed and then moaned in pain again.

  “I don’t know what it’s like dealing with fibroids and endometriosis,” Bernadette said, “but menopause is right around the corner for me. My days of dealing with a monthly period will soon be replaced with hot flashes, night sweats, and weight gain,” she said and then paused. “But like you said the other day, I’ll miss the fact that it means the end of any hopes of having a child. I know that at this stage in my life, I simply don’t have the patience for diapers and sippy cups, or homework and carpools. But if I’d known ten years ago what I know now, I would’ve had a child, with or without a husband.”

  “Really?”

  Bernadette took Tess’s hand into hers. “Yes, it’s my one regret. But when I look at you . . . you still have a shot. And despite your current condition, like you said, there’s always the possibility that anything can happen, and if you can’t have a child biologically you can adopt. You can still have your happily-ever-after.”

  Tess wanted to cry because despite Bernadette’s positive words, deep down she knew that her window of opportunity had likely closed.

  Chapter 21

  ARIZONA

  Four Months Later

  The last few months had raced by so fast that Arizona had barely been able to keep up with the whirlwind of activities and emotions around her. With a steady and growing list of clients, her days were busier than ever. Between the demands of her bourgeoning business, raising her precocious young son, and trying not to feel overwhelmed by her mounting concerns about marrying Chris, most days she felt as though she was holding on by a prayer. If it hadn’t been for the incredible bond she’d formed with Bernadette and Tess, Arizona wasn’t sure how she would have managed it all.

  Ever since that cold February night a little over four months ago when they’d had their girls’ night in at Bernadette’s house, the three women had been inseparable. They got together once a week for lunch and once a month for what had become their girls’ night in, rotating between Arizona’s and Bernadette’s houses. In between those get-togethers they conference called each other regularly, offering support, advice, and a listening ear. And because Bernadette and Tess were in new relationships and Arizona was in limbo about hers, they all appreciated having someone to talk and vent their problems to if they needed.

  Arizona was more thankful for her friends than she could put into words because Bernadette and Tess were her sounding boards for clarity and stability, and they offered different perspectives laced with wisdom and experience. Arizona didn’t know if it was because Bernadette and Tess were older, or because they were from different parts of the country, or because they were just wired differently, but they were able to give her better advice and insights than friends who’d known her all their lives, and unlike those very friends, neither Bernadette nor Tess allowed their romantic relationships to steal time away from their sisterhood. Arizona knew that life was a balancing act and between work, family, and everyday living, it was a challenge to fit in anything extra. Ever since Solomon had been born, and most of her girlfriends had started families of their own, her girls’ fun time had been practically nonexistent. But now she was happy that things had changed.

  Arizona was also happy for her two friends because they were involved i
n loving relationships that had ironically begun around the same time. She thought it was a twist of fate or maybe even divine order that two cousins were dating an uncle and nephew, and they often joked that the four were in a family affair. Bernadette and Coop were like an old married couple even though they’d only been dating four months. And Tess and Maceo were like love-struck teenagers who’d just discovered they had libidos. Watching her friends’ happiness unfold made Arizona look at her own relationship with Chris and continue to question whether she should marry him.

  Over the last few months she and Chris had gone back to practicing celibacy, which Arizona saw as a blessing and a curse, and in each instance it was for reasons that she knew were detrimental to having a healthy marriage. She felt it was a blessing that she didn’t have to engage in unfulfilling sex with her fiancé, but the curse was that abstaining would only prolong the fact that Chris was in bad need of practice, and he had a lot of learning to do. Either way, Arizona had a sense of doom, and she knew that wasn’t the feeling a woman who was getting married should have.

  It was clear to Arizona that she and Chris needed help, so she suggested seeing a clinical therapist who had come highly recommended by one of Arizona’s clients. She’d been ecstatic when Chris had agreed to attend their first session a little over two months ago.

  But Chris had called the morning of their session and told Arizona that something had come up at work and he needed to reschedule for another time. Arizona had been frustrated and disappointed, but she’d still remained hopeful because Chris had told her how much he loved her, wanted to please her, and would do whatever it took to make sure their marriage started off right. However, he had canceled the next two sessions, using the same excuse about work, and it had left Arizona feeling as though she was hanging at the end of her rope.

  Feeling torn about what she should do had caused Arizona to fall behind on her wedding plans, and now with just two weeks left before the big day, she was meeting with her event coordinator and her assistant to finalize the plans. She was on her way to the St. Hamilton to meet Brittany and Sharon of B. Vaughn Events, so they could quickly get back on track with Arizona’s neglected plans. Initially, Arizona had thought it was a big plus that the wedding would take place at Chris’s hotel because it would save them tons of money and they would be able to customize their wedding to their liking without a lot of red tape. But now she didn’t care one way or the other because her biggest concern was what would happen after she said “I do.”

  Arizona took a deep breath and walked into the hotel restaurant to meet her wedding coordinators. She tried to paint on a happy face when she saw the two women smiling at her as she approached the table. After they exchanged pleasantries, Brittany got down to business.

  “As I mentioned in my emails, texts, and phone calls, because I hadn’t heard from you I took the liberty of securing most of the vendors and services we’d talked about a few months ago,” Brittany said. “But now we’re down to the wire, and with just two weeks to go I need your final okay, as well as payment for a few of the services.”

  Arizona felt terrible about not following up with Brittany because the young woman was always pleasant, professional, and on her game. “I apologize for being MIA.” Arizona looked at Brittany and Sharon as she continued to speak. “I’ve had a lot going on in my life with my new business and adjusting to a lot of change. Plus, Chris and I . . .” Arizona stopped herself short of finishing her sentence, which was that she and Chris might not make it down the aisle.

  Sharon smiled at Arizona. “It’s normal for brides to feel overwhelmed, and that’s what we’re here for,” she said with confidence. “Even though we’re a little behind, Brittany and I will make sure that your big day will be organized and beautiful.”

  Arizona knew that Sharon was a methodical woman who was adept at handling crises to minimize stress at events, which was one of the reasons Arizona had been excited to hire the duo to handle her and Chris’s wedding. But now, she felt underwhelmed, and as much as she tried to hide her anxiety, her body language revealed the truth. “Thanks,” was the only word Arizona could say.

  “Sharon is right,” Brittany reiterated. “We’ve got it handled. The only thing you need to concentrate on is how much fun you and Chris are going to have on your honeymoon night,” she said with a smile and a wink.

  Arizona wasn’t a person prone to tears, but the thought of her honeymoon night made her cry as if she’d just received bad news.

  “Oh my,” Brittany said with alarm. She scooted her chair close and gently placed her hand on Arizona’s shoulder. “It’s going to be just fine. Sharon and I understand the kind of pressure you feel, and like she said, that’s what we’re here for.”

  Arizona glanced at Brittany and Sharon through tears and wished she could tell them that planning the wedding wasn’t causing her stress, it was what she was going to have to deal with after the wedding that had her upset.

  Sharon placed a glass of water in front of Arizona. “Drink this,” she said calmly.

  “I’m sorry,” Arizona choked out in between sobs. “I don’t usually cry, but lately my emotions have been all over the place.”

  Brittany nodded. “We know, dear. But like I said, just focus on life as Mrs. Pendleton.”

  The thought made Arizona burst into more tears. She knew Brittany and Sharon were at a loss, given the confused looks on their faces. And as if they could read her mind, Brittany spoke up. “We’ll do whatever you want us to do. You run the show and you have the power to decide the next step.”

  Sharon agreed by nodding. “Go home and relax and we’ll check on you tomorrow.”

  Later that evening during a three-way call with Bernadette and Tess, Arizona told her friends about her disastrous meeting with her wedding coordinators. “I know Brittany and Sharon probably thought I was a crazy woman.”

  “No,” Tess said, “They see shit like that all the time and they probably knew what was up.”

  Bernadette jumped in. “Anytime a woman cries at the thought of her honeymoon or the mention of life with her new husband, it’s a sign that something’s wrong.”

  “You’re right,” Arizona said with sadness in her voice. “What am I thinking? I can’t possibly marry Chris if the thought of it makes me this unhappy and full of anxiety.”

  Bernadette let out a sigh. “It’s normal to feel nervous, because you’re getting ready to make one of the biggest decisions of your life. But the reason you’re having doubts is a serious one. You need to talk with Chris and lay everything on the line, Arizona. And I mean everything.”

  “Yeah,” Tess interjected. “Because once you say ‘I do,’ there’s no turning back.”

  Arizona knew her friends were right. After her and Chris’s big confrontation a couple months ago they hadn’t talked about the sexual elephant in the room, and Arizona feared that Chris had put it out of his mind and didn’t think it was a big deal because he carried on as normal. Meanwhile, she was living day to day with the heavy weight of second thoughts. “He’s coming over in an hour and I’m gonna have a long talk with him.”

  “Good,” Tess said. “You can’t keep tiptoeing around his little dick because it’s not gonna get any bigger, but your problems will.”

  Bernadette sighed heavily. “Tactful Tess has a point.”

  “Damn right I do,” Tess echoed.

  Arizona felt that her friends wanted to say, “Girl, don’t do it,” but they didn’t want to make the decision for her. She didn’t think Bernadette or Tess would marry Chris if they were standing in her shoes. Bernadette had said that Coop was the best lover she’d ever had and that he took his time making sure that she was satisfied each and every time they made love. Arizona knew that Bernadette was telling the truth because Coop’s reputation for being a good lover had been verified by one of Arizona’s mother’s friends back in the day when Coop used to get around. And from what Tess had said, good lovemaking was in the family genes, because Maceo had blown
Tess’s mind so much that she was in the process of relocating to Bourbon next month.

  Arizona had been careful not to put her friends on the spot, but she was coming down to the wire and she needed help. “I want you two to be honest with me,” Arizona said before clearing her throat. “If you were in my shoes, would you marry Chris?”

  The line was silent.

  “Bernadette . . . Tess . . . please, I need your advice,” Arizona nearly begged.

  Finally, Tess spoke up. “No, I wouldn’t.”

  “Tess!” Bernadette hissed. “We agreed that this decision would be Arizona’s alone, and we would give advice, not a verdict.”

  “Listen, the girl needs help. She asked and I told her the honest truth. Now, what would you do, Bernadette? Would you marry Coop if he had a small penis and didn’t know how to go down on you or please you in any way?”

  “Sex isn’t the most important part of a marriage.”

  “Says someone who’s gettin’ her back blown out every night,” Tess shot back. “Let Coop start falling off and see how you’ll feel then.”

  Bernadette sucked her teeth. “Pleasure can be achieved in other ways.”

  “But that’s the problem.” Arizona jumped in. “I don’t get pleasure from anything he does, physically or otherwise. I used to love just sitting, talking, and cuddling with Chris. Now he irritates the stuffing out of me, and the thought of him touching me makes my head hurt.”

  “I’ve said it before and it bears repeating,” Bernadette said, “I still believe that sex isn’t everything in a relationship, but according to what you just said it means a great deal to you, and your future with Chris is going to be filled with problems if you don’t confront this head-on.”