by Carl Weber
“Hey, how about we go in the room and I give you one of my patented massages?”
“Sure,” she smiled, raising her eyebrows a few times. “But first I’d like to propose a toast.” She filled our glasses with champagne.
“So, what are we toasting?” I lifted my glass. So did she.
“Your divorce. We’re toasting your divorce. Thank God it’s finally over.” She sounded as if this was the happiest moment of her life. She even tried to clink glasses, but I pulled mine back. She didn’t realize it, but she’d offended me. And all of a sudden her presumptuousness reminded me that Lisa and I might still be together if she hadn’t busted in that night, talkin’about how she was pregnant.
“What the hell do you mean, we’re toasting my divorce?” I rolled my eyes and sucked my teeth. The entire day’s misery began to creep back into my mind again. “Do you actually think I wanted to get divorced?” I took my napkin off my lap and threw it on the table. I don’t think she liked my attitude or my tone because her smile became a frown right away.
“Look, don’t act all stink with me because she divorced your ass. Not after I spent all day cooking your ass ox tails and spending all my money on this outfit and candles. You would want to act grateful.” She was heated, and so was I. We were definitely not on the same page.
“You know what, Val? I think you should leave.” I got up and walked into the bedroom with her hot on my tail.
“What the fuck is wrong with you, Kyle? I would think you’d be relieved to finally get rid of that bitch.” I turned around in a fury.
“I love that bitch, Val! Okay? Do you understand? I love her!” I picked up her clothes and handed them to her.
“Yeah, I understand perfectly. You go to the black bitch when you want some pussy, but it’s the white bitch you wanna go home to. That’s fucked up, Kyle!”
“You got it all wrong, Val. It’s not about what color she is. It’s about the woman I love. The woman who had my three kids. If you can’t understand that, I don’t know what to tell you. Now can I have my key back?” She threw the key at me.
“You’re going to regret this, Kyle.” She slid into her jeans. “I swear on my dead grandmother you’re gonna regret this!”
“You know what? I already do, Val.” I started to blow out the candles around the room.
“You think I’m playin’, don’t you? Aw’ight, mothafucker. When I get finished, you’re gonna regret ever fucking with me.” She slipped on her shoes and stomped out.
When I finished blowing out all the candles and straightened up my place a bit, I sat on the couch trying to relax. All the weight of the divorce and the shit that just went down with Val was torturing me. I’m not gonna lie. I felt bad about how I had treated Val. She was the kind of woman any man would want. It wasn’t her fault that I was still in love with Lisa. I should have been man enough to ask her to leave when I first got home, instead of letting my stomach and my hormones get in the way. I was about to pick up the phone and call her with an apology when I heard a car alarm go off. A car alarm that sounded just like mine. I jumped up from the sofa and looked out the window. Yep, it was my car all right. The horn was beeping and the lights were flashing, but more importantly Val was standing next to it and she was holding something shiny in her hand. Whatever it was, she used it to stab my front tire. I watched that tire die right before my eyes and my anger erupted. I almost ripped the window off the track trying to open it.
“Get the fuck away from my car before I kill your ass!” I couldn’t believe what she was doing. And would you believe she had the nerve to look at me and smile as she made her way to the rear tire? I closed my eyes when I saw her hand go up in the air.
“Fuck this shit,” I yelled, as I grabbed my keys and ran out the door. I decided against the elevator and bolted down the staircase, hoping to stop her before she killed my remaining tires. If she was smart, she’d be gone before I got down there. I wasn’t the type to hit a woman, but if I got outside and she was there, I was not gonna be responsible for my actions. When I raced outside and saw my car, I couldn’t see Val but I could hear the loud hiss of one of my tires being punctured.
“I swear to God! I’m gonna kill you, Val!”
She must not have thought I’d get downstairs so fast ’cause she popped her head around the side of the truck and let out a scream before taking off down the street. About two seconds later I was on her tail. We must’ve run down Highland Avenue two or three blocks before I was close enough to catch her. And she must’ve sensed I was right on her heels because she put on a burst of speed as she zigzagged across the street without looking. Unfortunately for her she was headed right into the middle of the street and a car.
“Val, Goddammit! Look where you’re going!” I screamed.
She wasn’t paying me no mind, and I realized her only chance was for me to stop her. Thank God I was able to grab hold of her blouse and throw her to the ground before she entered the street again. But her blessing was my curse as my momentum took me right into the middle of the street and into the path of the car. I slipped and fell and only had a few seconds to get out of the way. I was scared like shit as I tried to scramble to my feet. Unfortunately, when I finally got up, there was loose gravel on the road and I slipped and fell to the ground again. This time I knew I wasn’t going to make it and braced myself for the impact as I heard Val’s scream. I don’t remember being hit, but I do remember Lisa and the girls flashing through my mind right before everything went dark ...
44
Tracy
I was in the rest room of the Lobster Inn on City Island admiring my new engagement ring. I was so happy, my smile stretched from ear to ear. Jay had just proposed over dinner and I’d slipped into the rest room when we finished eating to fix my makeup. I must have cried a river of tears I was so overjoyed at his proposal. Not just because he asked me to marry him but also because this finally proved that he loved me. I’d really been having my doubts about us lately, especially since he kept calling me by his wife’s name. I hadn’t pointed it out to him but he’d been doing it more and more lately. My friend Tia practically had me convinced I should leave him and move in with her, but I was trying to stick it out for the baby’s sake. Besides, I was in love with the guy.
“Mmm, mmm, mmm. Girrrrrrl, who was he?” a pretty brown-skinned woman sighed as she walked into the rest room. She went into a stall and closed the door while her friend, a supercurvy light-skinned woman with a cheap weave stood in front of the mirror next to me. “Girl, that man was so fine he looked like a chocolate god. And the way he smiled at us with those dimples. Lord, he made me wanna feel his rhythm in my thighs. Why ain’t you introduce me, Keyshawn?”
The woman beside me sucked her teeth and her words made me drop my purse. “Please, Renee. Trust me, you do not want no introduction to Jay Crawford.” She barely glanced at me as the contents of my purse scattered across the tile floor.
“Jay? That’s the brother you used to talk to when I was livin’ in Atlanta? The one who used to send you flowers all the time and took you to that fancy hotel on the beach?”
“Mmm-hmm, that’s him.” She twisted her lips as she teased her weave in the mirror.
I felt a little queasy all of a sudden. She had to be talking about the Beach Comber Hotel in Bayville, the one Jay had sworn up and down he’d only been to with me. I picked up my purse and rushed to put everything back in it. Jay was about to get a piece of my mind. I can’t believe he would lie about something like that.
“I thought you said he was ugly.” Her friend flushed the toilet and came out of the stall to wash her hands. “Girl, he is not ugly. That man is fine.”
“He may be cute, but he sure as hell is a dog. And when was the last time you saw a pretty dog?” They both laughed. “Besides, Renee, that fool’s married.”
“I don’t know, Keyshawn. Fine as he is, I think I could deal with him being married.” I lifted an eyebrow and glanced at her out the corner of my eye. Not if
he’s married to me, bitch, I thought. But I kept my mouth shut and my ears opened.
“Hmmph, think I wasn’t dealing with it? As good as that dick was, I didn’t give a shit about his marriage. It was the VD I had a problem with. That fool gave me gonorrhea.” She faced her girlfriend, head bobbing as she spoke.
I gasped and dropped my purse again. They both turned to me with evil glares. I smiled like a fool as I picked up my belongings for the second time.
“Forget her.” Renee waved her hand and got back to the subject. “You mean to tell me that fine-ass nigga out there burnt you?”
“Like a Yule log,” Keyshawn said matter-of-factly as she applied her lip gloss.
“Damn, now that’s fucked up.” Renee shook her head.
“No, I’ll tell you what’s fucked up. That bastard had the nerve to accuse me of givin’ the shit to him.”
“Well, did you?” I couldn’t help it. I had to interrupt their conversation. They were talking about my man and I know he ain’t give no one VD.
“Hell no! I ain’t give him shit.”
“Well, how can you be sure? How many guys was you fuckin’?” She was about to answer me, until I guess she came to her senses. Her long, red fingernail was waving in my face.
“Who the hell are you, and why are you all up in my business?”
“Come on, Keyshawn. Let’s go. She’s pregnant.” Her friend pulled her a few steps away from me.
“I know. But she needs to mind her business. She don’t even know me like that. What’s up with you, anyway? You mess with Jay or somethin’?”
“No, I don’t mess with him. I’m engaged to him.” I flashed my ring and she examined me from head to toe, shaking her head.
“Damn, girl. He gave you one of those cheap-ass rings too? I guess some things never change.” She shook her head again. “Do yourself a favor. Before you go runnin’ around tellin’ people you’re engaged to Jay Crawford, make sure that he’s divorced. ’Cause believe me, his wife ain’t never gonna let him go.”
“Come on, Keyshawn, leave her alone. The girl’s pregnant. You gonna mess around and make her go into labor.” Renee tried to pull her to the door.
“Let me go, Renee.” She pulled herself free and took a step toward me. “All I’m tryin’ to do is give her the same advice I wish someone had given me.”
“Oh yeah, and what’s that?” I asked sarcastically. This sister was obviously just jealous because I was with Jay now. All that shit about VD was probably just to cover up the fact that my man dumped her ass.
“Stay as far away from Jay Crawford as you can get. If you don’t, you’re the one who’s gonna need an AIDS test. With me he was just passing on clap, but as many women as he messes with, I’m sure he’s moved on to bigger and better things. Take it from me, honey. Every time you sleep with him, you’re taking your life in your hands.”
Her words hit me like a ton of bricks. Could she really be talking about the same man who had just proposed to me thirty minutes ago? What if Jay really had given her gonorrhea? And what if he was really sleeping with other women? Nah, this bitch was lying. It couldn’t be true. Jay wouldn’t do that to me.
“He’s not like that.” I glared at her. “And I don’t appreciate you talking ’bout him like that. He probably never even messed with your stupid ass.”
“You calling me a liar?” She took a step forward and I took a step back. Damn, if I wasn’t pregnant, I’d be putting my foot right in her ass.
“Come on, Keyshawn, don’t do this. I keep tellin’ you she’s pregnant.” Renee was pleading now.
“I ain’t gonna touch her, but I don’t like no one calling me a liar, ’specially some young, stupid bitch.”
“Well, I don’t like no one lying on my man, so we even.” Pregnant or not, I had a real attitude now. This wench was getting on my last nerve.
“Oh, yeah?” she laughed. “Why don’t we go ask him if I’m lying?”
“Why don’t we?” I headed for the door, eager for Jay to put this bitch in her place. By the time I got to where Jay was sitting in the lobby, I was about three strides ahead of Keyshawn and Renee.
“Ready to go?” he smiled.
“Do you know her?” I pointed at Keyshawn and his smile disappeared.
“Yeah, Jay. Do you know me?” She stood right next to me with hands on her hips, a wicked grin on her face. Jay didn’t say a word. He just glared.
“Jay, I asked you a question. Do you—”
“Yeah, I know her,” he stopped me. “Why? What’d she say?” His eyes never left hers.
“I told her you ain’t shit, nigga. That’s what I told her.” Keyshawn poked her finger in Jay’s chest.
“Yeah, well, it takes a nigga to know a nigga, Keyshawn.” He stood up and reached for my hand. “Come on, baby, let’s go. It’s starting to smell around here.”
I pulled my hand back.
“No, Jay. I wanna know if you gave her gonorrhea.” Jay’s eyes got huge. He looked at me, then Keyshawn, then back at me.
“She told you that shit?” he asked slowly.
I nodded.
“And you believed her?”
“Just answer my question, Jay,” I demanded. I was still hoping he was gonna put this bitch in her place when the truth about them came out. He gave me this stupid look, then exploded.
“Hell, no! I ain’t give her shit. I told you there were gonna be girls like her trying to fuck our shit up. She’s just another player hater, mad that she can’t get none.”
“Can’t get none? What the fuck would I want from you? The last time you gave me something, it took two shots to get rid of it!” Keyshawn was screaming, out of control, and the entire restaurant lobby was now staring at us.
“I ain’t give you shit, you fuckin’ project ho!” Jay took a step toward her. I could see the muscles in his neck start to bulge and I was afraid he was going to hit her. I reached out and grabbed his hand.
“Come on, baby. Fuck her. I believe you.”
“You one stupid bitch. Can’t you see I’m trying to help you? He’s gonna dog you just like he done everyone else.” She was breathing heavy, and she had this wild look in her eyes. Damn, she was really tryin’ to convince me of her story. She musta really wanted Jay back or something.
“No, I can’t see shit you trying to do for me but break up my engagement. You jealous heifer.” I smiled and flashed my ring near her face. “And I swear if you call me a stupid bitch again, pregnant or not, I‘ma kick your fuckin’ ass. Come on, baby, let’s get the hell out of here.” I strode toward the exit, pulling Jay’s hand.
We spent most of the ride home holding hands in total silence, me staring at my engagement ring, Jay entranced in his own thoughts. After that scene, I guess neither one of us had the strength to even deal with it. Truth is, I was grateful for the chance to sort out some of my emotions.
“You like it?” He pointed to my ring as he parked in front of our apartment.
“I love it.”
“I love you.” He smiled and then just as quickly changed the subject. “Look, I’m gonna go get some beer. When I get back, we can celebrate our engagement the right way.” He winked and let his eyes roam over my body.
“We got beer in the house,” I pouted. I was still a little shook up, and I just wanted him to come inside and hold me.
“I know, but I want a Heineken. Kyle, Wil, and Allen can have that Budweiser tomorrow when we move.”
“Oh, all right,” I sighed. But can you go to Carvel for me? I been craving Carvel.” I figured if he was gonna be out, I might as well take advantage of it. He’d be back soon enough to take care of me.
“Sure. What you want?”
“Get me a strawberry sundae with extra hot fudge. And don’t forget the nuts and whipped cream.”
He looked at me and made a face. “Okay. If that’s what you want.”
“And can you leave me your cell phone? I wanna call my mom.”
“You gonna tell her we’re e
ngaged?”
“Uh-huh, that’s why I’m callin’ her.”
“Good,” he smiled, handing me the phone as I stepped out of the car. “You make sure you tell your ma how big that rock is.” I nodded and he pulled off.
I watched his car drive away wondering about his sudden need to go out to buy beer. What a time for him to be so eager to leave, and why didn’t he just drive there before coming home? I’d never had any doubts about him messing with anyone other than Kenya, but now I wasn’t so sure. I’d have to be blind not to notice how women seemed to always be looking at him. Some of them looked like they wanted to eat him for dessert. God, what if I was just one of his many girls? Keyshawn sure made it sound that way, and so had that woman at the funeral. I looked at the ring on my finger and tried to smile. Jay wouldn’t give me a diamond like that unless he really meant it, would he? I wished I really believed that.
I wasn’t going to get any answers standing outside in the night air so I headed into the house to call my mom. I hadn’t talked to her in so long, and I was feeling like I really needed her now. We’d been more like sisters than mother and daughter until Jay moved me to this roach motel out here in Jersey. I hadn’t spoken to her since the day me, her, Jay, and Daddy went to brunch and she announced that I was pregnant. I was so mad at her, I didn’t think I would ever forgive her for that. But now she was the only person I wanted to talk to.
I maneuvered through all the boxes we’d packed up to move. They were scattered all over the living room. Somehow I found some empty space and sat down on the sofa. I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply before I dialed the number to my parents’ house. I was praying my father wouldn’t answer.
“Hello?” My eyes filled with tears when I heard my mom’s voice.
“Mom?” I whispered.
“Tracy? Is that you, baby?” She sounded like she was going to cry, too.
“Yeah, Mom, it’s me.” I took a breath. “How you been, Mom?”
“I’m all right, Tracy. But I been worried about you. Is everything all right with the baby? You’re going to the doctor like you’re supposed to, aren’t you?” It felt good to hear my mother’s concern. I hadn’t realized just how much I missed that feeling of security I always had with my parents. Why hadn’t I noticed that it was missing with Jay?