The Aftermath

by Anna J.

  My morning had been a hectic mess. I wasn’t at my desk for five minutes before my day started going wrong. I spilled scalding hot coffee on my shirt as soon as I walked in the office. Not only did I mess up my shirt, but the coffee spilled all over my presentation for a new client. My meeting was at eleven o’clock, so I had to run over to Today’s Man to get another shirt before the meeting started. Since I was over the limit on my credit card, I had to purchase the shirt with cash.

  Earlier I had told my assistant to have the projector set up and the outline of the presentation in front of every chair in the meeting room. When I walked in, nothing was done. Some days my job is a cake walk. Then there are days like this that make me want to jump off a damn bridge. It took forever to get the slide show set up, and if my luck wasn’t bad enough, the copier went down so I had no papers to pass out. It was a wonder Nabisco signed the contract at all. I kept assuring them that we were normally more organized, and that their account was in good hands.

  The Urban News Network would be shooting a commercial for a new line of fat free cookies they would be selling in the near future. My thing was, if you were supposed to be on a diet, why the hell were you eating cookies? Women—can’t live with them, can’t afford them after the breakup.

  After barely getting through my morning, I called my wife to see if she wanted to hook up for lunch. It’d been a little tense at home for the last two weeks, so I figured this would be a good icebreaker. A man could only go for so long without getting his dick wet, and I was lying next to some ass every night, yet lately I couldn’t seem to get none. Something had to give, and soon. I wouldn’t step out on her again, though. I’d learned my lesson from the shit I was going through with Monica, and how I almost got busted with those strippers, so I was cool on that note, but what was I supposed to do?

  When I called her office the first time, her secretary said she was in a meeting, so I opted to call back as opposed to leaving her a message. I wanted to talk to her personally. A half hour later I was connected to her, but she sounded like she had an attitude. I had my own shit going on, and I didn’t feel like all that, but I guess she was having a bad day too.

  “Hey, sweetheart, how’s your day going?” I asked extra cheerfully, trying to change her mood. Both of us didn’t need to be angry at the world.

  “I’ve had better mornings. What’s up with you?”

  “Nothing. I had a little time to spare so I was hoping we could meet up for a quick lunch. Maybe check out that new soul food spot that just opened up in University City.”

  “Which one? Tondalayah’s?”

  “Yeah, that’s the spot. I heard the food is banging, and the iced tea is off the chain.”

  “Your treat?”

  “Of course.”

  “I’m game.”

  “Cool. I’ll meet you outside your job at one thirty. Tell Trish you’re taking an extended lunch. I just landed the account with Nabisco, so we have a reason to celebrate.”

  After hanging up with her, I went to talk to my boss for a few, and he gave me the rest of the day off for pulling off getting the account in spite of the disasters from this morning. I made sure to call P.B.S.I., the temporary agency I worked with, so they could send me another assistant, and dismiss the one who was here. This was a major corporation, and we were making moves. I didn’t have time for what had happened earlier. If everything was set up earlier, I wouldn’t have had most of my morning problems to begin with.

  I straightened up my desk, took one last look at the photo of me, Jazz, and the kids, left the office, and made my way across town to meet my wife for lunch. Hopefully, the rest of my day would go smoother.

  Sheila

  Old Flames

  Early Monday morning, I was waiting outside the hospital for Monica. Initially, she told me the class started at four, but she called me back yesterday to let me know she would be taking the ten A.M. class instead. She pulled up ten minutes late in a cute, hot pink jumpsuit, her belly a bulge at the bottom. I said nothing to her as she took her time getting out the car and passing the valet her keys as if she wasn’t already late.

  All of the memories from the previous year flooded my mind as we took a quiet elevator ride up to the tenth floor of the building. Monica still looked the same, yet different. I could still see her devil’s horns, but her eyes looked like those of a scared child. I was sympathetic, but determined not to get caught up in her shit this time. Hell, she was carrying a married man’s child, and I wanted no part of the fiasco. If I was going to hell I’d like it to be for some shit I did, not because of someone else’s.

  I was almost positive it was James’s baby, but with Monica, you just never knew. I still needed to talk to my sister about the shit that went down with her husband, Hill, and Monica, but I hadn’t found the time or the nerve. Hill was a cool dude and all, but there was always something sneaky about him that I didn’t particularly care for. Now I knew why.

  During the class, I helped Monica learn her breathing exercises, but I wasn’t committing anything to memory because I would not be there to help her deliver. Lamaze class was one thing, but childbirth was another. We went through the motions of counting breathing repetitions, but on the real, all of that shit went out the window when it came time to push. That was the number one reason why I only had one child. The shit hurt like hell. I guarantee if men had to carry children and give birth, we’d be an endangered species.

  After class, Monica invited me to brunch at Ton-dalayah’s, a new soul food restaurant that opened up a while back in University City. I kept planning in my mind to get down there, but I never got around to it. I was really ready to go home and chill since Monica fixed it so I had a paid day off.

  “Sure, I’ll go, but you’re driving.”

  During the ride over my heart was beating a mile a minute. It’d been a long time since I’d been this close to Monica, and I wasn’t sure if I liked the feelings I was having. She turned my life completely upside down in less than a year, but my pussy was throbbing like everything was cool between us. I kept telling myself not to fall for her, but my body was betraying me. Just thinking about the things her mouth could do had me spent.

  We chatted about various things on the way over, avoiding the obvious. I damn sure wasn’t going to be the one to bring it up. My sister warned me this morning about helping her, but I was just trying to pay my debt so I could move on. She cursed me something horrible when I told her where I was going.

  “You’re doing what? Ain’t that the bitch who had you caught up in that married couple’s shit just a few months ago?” She was hot with me, and spared no feelings or expletives as she took my son out my arms and began removing his jacket from his body. My sister was ready to beat Monica’s ass not too long ago, so I understood her anger, but I was not in the mood to explain. I mean, I had a good job at the law firm. Yes, I have a better job now, but Monica put me through so much stress in the past that the fact we even talk is a miracle.

  “Yeah, but I owe her, Tiffany. Yeah, she had me in some crazy shit, but if it weren’t for her I wouldn’t have gotten the job down at the courthouse. She made it possible for me to provide for Devon.”

  “No, bitch, your job skills made it possible to provide for your son. She’s fucking the judge. That’s how she got close to him. She’s a fuckin’ slut. Ho Rider number one and shit, and ya ass is about to be following close behind her.”

  “Tiff, it ain’t that serious.”

  “It is that serious, Sheila. Ain’t this bitch killin’ people and shit? You go right on ahead, but don’t dial my number when the block is hot. If anything happens to my nephew, that’s your ass. Don’t take it as a threat, because that ass whipping is promised. Put ya check on it.”

  My sister’s words echoed in my head non-stop, but I figured Monica had to have calmed down at least a little bit now that she was pregnant. Her stomach was definitely showing her pregnancy, so I didn’t think she’d be making too much noise, but then again, wi
th Monica you never knew.

  We pulled up to the restaurant twenty minutes later, and the smells from the kitchen had my mouth watering. I had neglected breakfast because I was in a rush to meet Monica and get it over with, but the growling noise in my stomach gave away my hunger to everyone in the place.

  Tondalayah’s was a nice spot. The whole place looked inviting, even from the outside. There were about ten tables in the dining area, and the entire restaurant was candlelit. On the walls there were black and white photos of great music legends from the past and present, including a poster-sized picture of Aja and Fatin, the voices behind the talented Kindred the Family Soul.

  The walls were mauve with a fuchsia, hunter green, and white floral border around the top. The candleholders were made of mauve and hunter green crystal resting on top of gold plates to hold the tea light candles. The wait staff was extremely friendly—the women dressed in black tops and skirts, and the men in black shirts and slacks. I just loved the ambiance in the place. After seating us and filling our glasses with mixed fruit iced tea, the waitress took our order and we were served hot, buttered biscuits.

  At first we looked around the restaurant, avoiding eye contact. I glanced her way a few times when she wasn’t looking, and I had to say that pregnancy brought out the best in her. She appeared to be glowing from the inside out, and it looked like her hair had grown a lot in the last couple of months. My coochie was talking to me again, but I wasn’t having it. After the James and Jasmine drama, I knew I could never get that deep in someone else’s issues again.

  Before the moment could get any more awkward, our food was served and we began eating. She talked a little about a mural she was painting in what would be the baby’s room, and invited me to come see it. I just looked at her like she was crazy. I didn’t give a damn if Noah was building a new ark on top of her house and we had to go there to avoid the flood. I’d be a drowned bitch before I stepped into that house again. Ain’t no way I was going over there, come hell or high water.

  Our conversation was improving, and we were really enjoying ourselves until Monica practically jumped out of her seat, sprinted across the restaurant, and ended up in another woman’s arms. Was I jealous? Not really, but when I saw her reaction I felt something. They exchanged words, and a few minutes later they started walking toward the table. The woman looked familiar, but I couldn’t remember where I had seen her face. Monica was all smiles like she had just hit the damn Powerball. I mustered up a weak smile as they got closer to the table, but I was feeling sick to my stomach at the sight before me.

  “Sheila, this is Tanya Walker, a good friend of mine. Tanya, this is Sheila, one of my many associates.”

  My face almost cracked and fell on the floor at Monica’s introduction, but I got my shit together real quick and reached out to shake Tanya’s hand. Her face frowned up a little when Monica said they were friends, but I let it pass, not really knowing the meaning behind it.

  “Nice to meet you, Tanya.”

  “Thank you so much. I hope you’re enjoying your meal.”

  “Oh, I am. It’s delicious.”

  Monica rudely pulled Tanya to the side and they continued to converse while I attempted to finish my meal. Not sure what made me glance out the window, I nearly spit my food across the table when I saw James helping Jasmine out the car. I crossed my fingers and tried to cross my toes, hoping to every god on the planet that they were not coming here. All hope went out the door when James opened it and the couple walked inside.

  I watched Monica’s face for a reaction. At that same moment Tanya walked away. It then hit me where I knew Tanya from. I remembered seeing her face on the front of the newspaper when all that shit went down with her husband being killed. I couldn’t really remember the story at that second, but I made a mental note to research it when I got home.

  In the meantime, Monica, Jazz, and James were stuck on stupid, standing there staring at each other. I got up to go to the bathroom in an effort to avoid any unnecessary chaos. On my way to the back of the restaurant I was stopped by Tanya in the walkway by the kitchen.

  “Let me talk to you for a second.”

  I said nothing. I just followed her into the storage room so we could talk. I was nervous because I didn’t know what she was going to do. I didn’t remember seeing Monica’s name in the article, but I was assuming they were once lovers.

  “How long have you known Monica?” she asked as if she had a big secret.

  “About a year or so. Why?”

  “Honey, you are walking around with trouble, you hear me? Run while you can.”

  For some reason I trusted Tanya at the moment, and figured if we both put our heads together maybe we could get Monica’s ass back. I wasn’t sure what role Monica played in Tanya having to serve time, but I was sure it was all her fault. I’d also been sitting on the tape I’d taken from Monica’s for a couple of months, and I needed to share what I knew with someone. Maybe she could help me out.

  “Listen, is there a way we could meet up after business hours? I have a feeling we need to talk,” I said.

  “Here’s my home, cell, and restaurant number. Contact me as soon as you can. This is serious.” Tanya scribbled her info on the top page of her receipt book. I folded the paper and stuck it in my back pocket, careful to stick it all the way down so I wouldn’t lose the number. Some serious shit was about to pop off. I could feel it.

  I pretended I was drying my hands on my jeans when I walked out to the front. Jazz and James were seated at a table, and Monica was standing by the door waiting for me. Our food had been put into carryout containers, and our tea in sports bottles. I was hesitant to walk past Jazz and James, but I had no choice. It was the only way out the restaurant.

  As I walked, I kept my eyes on Monica, avoiding eye contact with Jazz and James. I was going to walk by without a word, but I couldn’t. In my mind I felt I owed Jasmine an apology, and now would be the perfect time, just in case the opportunity never presented itself again.

  “Jasmine, I don’t want to interrupt your meal, but I just have one thing to say.” I was an emotional mess at this point. I literally had to blink back tears as I stared into Jasmine’s angry face. I knew I had to make amends somehow.

  Jasmine’s entire face scrunched up like she had smelled something foul. Monica, I’m sure, was boring a damn hole in the side of my head, but I had to get it out. James just sat there and looked straight ahead, his hands tensing up into tight fists on the tabletop.

  “Sheila, what can you say? The damage is done.”

  “I know, and I just wanted you to know that I never meant to hurt you. I’m sorry for all the confusion I caused.”

  “Listen,” James said abruptly. His eyes appeared to be shooting red flames, and it was clear he was trying to keep his composure. “My wife is pregnant and doesn’t need any extra stress. What’s done is done. Let’s not keep reliving the past.”

  My mouth dropped. I was at a complete loss for words. Jasmine was pregnant? Who would’ve guessed that? I turned to see the look on Monica’s face, but all I heard was the chime on the door as I saw her wobble quickly across the street. I apologized once more and rushed out the door, barely making it to Monica’s car.

  Monica said nothing the entire ride, and I offered her no condolences. All I could do was hope that Jazz would hear me out one day. I knew I should let it go, but I just couldn’t. I was indecisive about what I would do to get back at Monica, but I knew once I got a chance to talk to Tanya everything would be cool.

  Monica dropped me off at my car in a huff, barely letting me get out of the car and close the door before she pulled off. I had a plan forming in my head, and I couldn’t wait to get back to the restaurant. I had to beg my sister to watch my son a little while longer. Finally, she agreed to an extra hundred dollars and a platter from Tondalayah’s as payment for watching my son.

  Before I left the house I grabbed the tape I took from Monica’s, stuffed it in my bag, and made a beeline to
the other side of town. I had some business to take care of that couldn’t wait until the end of the day.

  Sheila

  Stolen Secrets

  Ipulled up to the restaurant about an hour later, my heart beating wildly. I had to count to ten and get my head together before I could get out of my car. Some serious shit was about to go down, and I had to be on point if it was going to go down right. When I walked into the restaurant James and Jazz were gone. That alleviated some of the stress. Tanya saw me when I walked in. I took a seat at the closest table before I ended up stretched out on the floor from an anxiety attack.

  “Tanya,” I said to her between breaths. I was really trying to keep my composure but it was killing me. “I know you said to come after closing hours, but I couldn’t wait that long. Is there a way we can go somewhere now to talk? I don’t think I can make it until the end of the day.”

  “Sure. I was just saying to my mate that I couldn’t wait that long either. Let me just get my stuff from the back and we can roll out. Smitty can handle everything here for the rest of the day.”

  I sat there attempting to get my head straight. I noticed that Tanya said her ‘mate,’ and I was curious to see if it would be another woman. A few minutes later she walked out with a beautiful woman next to her.

  This woman resembled Monica in so many ways it was scary. They had similar looks, and although their faces weren’t exactly the same, they could have easily been cousins. Her style of dress and the way she wore her hair was nearly identical to Monica’s. If I hadn’t just left Monica not too long ago, you couldn’t have told me she wasn’t standing before me. The only thing missing was the pregnant belly.

  “Sheila, this is my soul mate, Shaneka. Baby, this is Sheila, the woman I told you about earlier.”

  “Nice to meet you,” we said in unison, causing a slight smile to spread across our faces. That definitely relieved some of the tension between us. I was grateful. For the first time I felt like I was doing the right thing, and I couldn’t wait to get started.