Flaws and All

by Shana Burton

  Chapter 26

  “A true lady never kisses and tells.”

  —Sullivan Webb

  “Wow, Sullivan, you’re glowing!” noted Lawson over lunch the next day, poolside at Sullivan’s estate. “I guess ol’ Chuck hasn’t lost his touch.”

  Angel lowered her shades. “She does have that morning after look, doesn’t she?”

  Sullivan grinned and stretched out on the lounge chair next to Kina. “A true lady never kisses and tells.”

  “But a freak details it blow by blow!” jeered Reginell, laughing and slapping hands with Angel. “Go on and tell us what happened.”

  “Yeah, Sullivan, tell us which of the commandments you broke this time,” pushed Lawson, biting into a ring of pineapple.

  Sullivan pinned her hands behind her head. “I can’t. It’s personal.”

  “Personal gets checked at the door. You know that. Now, start talking.”

  Sullivan cleared her throat and sat upright in her chair. “Well . . . I cheated on Charles,” she revealed.

  Lawson nearly choked on her pineapple. “You did what?”

  Reginell leaned back and crossed her legs. “Umph. I always knew there was a straight-up ho underneath all them designer clothes and foreign weaves.”

  “It takes one to know one,” fired Sullivan.

  “Sully, I can’t believe you would do that to Charles,” said Kina.

  “Oh, I can believe it,” said Angel. “I just want to know with who.”

  Sullivan smirked. “Vaughn.”

  Lawson’s jaw fell. “The same Vaughn you said was rough around the edges?”

  “He’s not so bad.” Sullivan giggled. “Actually, he was quite good!”

  “It looks like Skankville just got a new resident,” muttered Angel.

  “Hold up, now,” cut in Reginell, raising her hand. “I’ve got to side with Sully on this one. Sometimes you need to switch it up some. Variety is the spice of life.”

  “Good. She can put that on a T-shirt. It’ll give her something constructive to do while she’s roasting in hell,” said Angel.

  “God knows my heart,” rationalized Sullivan.

  “You have one of those?” asked Reginell.

  “Look at you. You don’t even feel guilty, do you? No repentance, no remorse,” charged Lawson.

  Sullivan shook her head. “I can’t explain it. I do feel guilty, but it’s only because I feel bad about not feeling guilty at all. I feel . . . liberated, if you can believe that.”

  “Sullivan, even if Charles never finds out, God knows, and He was watching you in the very act,” scolded Kina.

  Sullivan poured a glass of juice. “Kina, that thought is disturbing on so many levels. Vaughn is so amazing, and I’m not just talking about the sex. He’s an artist, and he’s so intuitive and creative. He makes me feel more alive than I ever felt in my whole life. In the past three weeks that we’ve been spending time together, I haven’t had a single drink. I get love-drunk instead.”

  “Enjoy it now. It may be hard to feel alive once Charles finds out, because he’s going to kill both of you,” replied Lawson.

  Sullivan kicked back her heels. “I don’t even care if he finds out. I might even tell him myself. Maybe then he’ll finally divorce me.”

  “All right, be careful what you wish for,” prophesized Angel. “The Bible says that you shall have whatever you say. Life and death are in the power of the tongue.”

  Sullivan sighed. “Don’t even get me started on the power of Vaughn’s tongue.”

  “Sully, you’re nasty,” said Kina with a frown.

  “That’s not all she is,” reproved Lawson. “Sullivan, you’re an adulterer! I’ve seen you do some questionable things in your life, but this is outright wrong. Do you know what God says happens to people who are unfaithful in marriage? Don’t you know how seriously He takes the marriage covenant?”

  “Isn’t Charles just as wrong for putting me out there?” shot back Sullivan.

  Lawson rolled her eyes. “He hasn’t put you out yet. Just wait. As soon as he finds out about Vaughn, you can say good-bye to this house, this pool, and everything else his name is attached to.”

  Sullivan stood firm. “Charles knows what kind of woman I am—at least he should after ten years. I need passion, I need excitement. He chose to stop providing that a long time ago.”

  “Regardless of what Charles does or doesn’t do, you still have vows and a covenant to keep,” admonished Kina. “Now, I’ll be the first to admit that things are not always perfect between E’Bell and me, but I would never cheat on him. God takes a special offense to sins against your own body.”

  “That includes gluttony too,” retorted Sullivan. Kina pushed her plate away.

  “If nothing else, Sullivan, you saw what infidelity did to my marriage to Duke. Why would you want to put Charles or yourself through that?” asked Angel.

  Sullivan sat up and griped, “I thought this was supposed to be my sister circle! I tell you something in confidence, and you blast me for it. What kind of friends do that?”

  “We’re still your friends, but as your friends, we have to tell you when you’ve screwed up,” said Lawson.

  “And you have screwed up,” stressed Angel. “You have to end it with Vaughn now! You need to stay as far away from him as possible before anyone gets hurt.”

  “Sully, what you did was foul even by my standards,” weighed in Reginell.

  “You said you understood,” objected Sullivan. “You said variety is the spice of life.”

  “Yeah, but that was before I thought about how wrong it was to do that to Charles. He’s a decent man, and you didn’t even have the good sense to cheat up.”

  “Don’t you recognize the tricks of the enemy when you see them, Sully? The devil knows the best way to the church is to attack the leaders and their families. You need to get on your knees and start repenting right now!” beseeched Kina.

  “Might as well,” agreed Reginell. “She’s been on her knees for everything else.”

  “Obviously, I won’t be going to Sullivan for marital advice,” said Lawson.

  “Oh, did you and Garrett finally set a date?” asked Kina.

  “We’re working on it. At least I have something to wear for the occasion.”

  “You got the dress?” exclaimed Angel.

  Lawson nodded. “I bought it a couple of weeks back.”

  “You should’ve called me,” whined Sullivan. “I would’ve gone with you.”

  “You were probably sinning that day. I didn’t have to shop alone, though. Mark went with me.”

  “And you’re talking about me?” mused Sullivan.

  “Who takes their baby’s daddy wedding dress shopping?” raised Angel. “Is this a part of the ‘something old, something new’ tradition that I don’t know about?”

  “It’s not like that,” said Lawson. “Mark and I are friends . . . sort of.”

  “Uh-oh, I smell trouble,” said Reginell.

  “There’s no trouble brewing,”—Lawson avoided eye contact—“aside from him trying to kiss me.”

  “Did he try, or did he succeed?” asked Kina.

  “He tried,” Lawson stressed. “I told him I’m one hundred percent committed to Garrett.”

  “And are you?” pressed Reginell.

  “Yes! Who do I look like—Sully?”

  Sullivan refreshed her glass. “Not even on your best day.”

  Kina scooped up a handful of pralines. “Now that the two of you are friends, have you thought anymore about telling him the truth about Namon?”

  Lawson shook her head. “I’m invoking the ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy.”

  Angel’s phone rang. She glanced at the phone number registering on the screen and decided to ignore the call. “I’m not in the mood to deal with those two today!”

  “I take it that’s Duke’s wife calling,” inferred Lawson.

  “I haven’t been able to force myself to talk to them yet.”
<
br />   “Angel, every day that you go on ignoring them, Theresa gets worse. Do you really want that on your conscience?” asked Kina.

  “You at least owe them a response,” said Lawson. “If you’re not going back, let them know.”

  Reginell yawned.

  “Are we boring you, little sister?”

  “No more than usual. I’m just sleepy.”

  “I keep telling you that you’re working too hard,” cautioned Kina.

  “Reggie, sleep deprivation is a real thing. It causes memory lapses, slows down your reflexes and your thought process,” forewarned Angel. “You need to take better care of yourself.”

  “I’ll be able to get all the sleep I need now that I’m getting my own place,” Reginell announced.

  Lawson looked up. “Reggie, are you moving out?”

  “It’s time, don’t you think? I mean, you and Garrett will be getting married soon, and you’re going to want the place to yourselves. And I know that Namon is tired of fighting me for the bathroom. I’m twenty-one now. I’m old enough to strike out on my own.”

  “Can you afford to do that?” asked Kina.

  “Are you kidding?” spat Lawson. “She’s making so much money that we find bundles of cash stashed around her room all the time.”

  “Have you been going through my stuff?” Reginell rolled her eyes. “Now I know it’s time to move out.”

  “No, but if you don’t want me going in your room, stop leaving all the dishes in there; then I won’t have to go in there searching for them.”

  Kina stopped chewing. “Have you found an apartment somewhere?”

  Reginell nodded. “I’m signing a lease at The Links.”

  “The Links? I can’t even afford to stay there!” exclaimed Sullivan,

  Lawson spoke softly. “Honey, isn’t that a little out of your price range?”

  “I’m making good money now, Lawson.”

  “You must be making great money,” added Kina.

  Sullivan scratched her head and asked, “Exactly what do you do at this insurance company? My cousin James works out there, too, and he’s never even heard of you.”

  “I’m in customer service,” boasted Reginell.

  “So is he, but he’s still living with his mama. What are you doing that he isn’t?”

  “Working my butt off, that’s what!”

  “Well, give him some tips. According to him, y’all barely make minimum wage.”

  “I will. I need to start making some new friends while I’m at it,” hinted Reginell.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” Lawson wanted to know.

  “It means that I need to start hanging out with people who think like me and won’t try to be all up in my business every five minutes. All you people do is sit around and gossip. Get a life!” snapped Reginell then flashed a wad of cash. “I believe this ought to be enough to prove that you all can stop worrying about what I can and can’t afford.”

  “Who does she think she’s talking to?” asked Sullivan in a raised voice.

  Reginell pointed her finger and replied, “I’m talking to you and every other meddling person at this table. Lawson, I’ll be out by the end of the week.”

  “Dang, Reggie, my period’s on too, but you don’t see me biting everybody’s head off!” cried Angel.

  “Whatever. I’ve wasted enough time with you females as it is. Later.” Reginell snatched up her purse and jacket and stomped out.

  Kina watched as Reginell rudely brushed up against Sullivan on the way out. “What’s her problem?”

  “It’s gon’ be me if she doesn’t watch it!” called Sullivan loud enough for Reginell to hear.

  “I don’t know what’s going on with her,” said Lawson. “But I know my sister, and when she starts acting like this, it means one of two things. Either she’s hiding something, or she’s in trouble. Knowing Reginell, it’s both.”

  Chapter 27

  “Your death will only mean there’s one less whore in the world.”

  —Angel King

  The following Monday was Angel’s first scheduled visit with Theresa since finding out her real identity. She dreaded seeing either Theresa or Duke again, but she had agreed to return and was determined to uphold her word.

  “You came back!” exclaimed Theresa when she opened the door to Angel.

  “I told you I would when I called yesterday,” Angel replied coldly and walked in without being invited to do so.

  Theresa didn’t seem to mind. “Duke and I are so happy you changed your mind.”

  Angel pursed her lips together. “I suppose I should ask how you’re feeling.”

  “The past couple of days were a little rough without you, but we managed. Please sit down. Would you like something to drink?”

  Angel noticed that Theresa had prepared tea. “A glass of water would be nice,” she requested to be contrary. Angel could tell that Theresa was tired, but she hobbled into the kitchen just the same to fetch Angel some water. “Do you have anything to eat?” Angel asked when Theresa returned. “I haven’t had a bite all day.”

  “What would you like?”

  “Do you have any fruit?”

  Theresa smiled. “Coming right up.” She came back with an apple.

  “Thank you.” Angel bit into the apple. “Do you mind getting me a napkin?”

  Theresa, in no way perturbed, left to get Angel a napkin. “Anything else?” she asked after fulfilling Angel’s request.

  “I’m good for now,” replied Angel. “On second thought, I would like a little more ice for my water if it’s no trouble. It’s not quite as cold as I like it to be.”

  Theresa picked up Angel’s glass. “It’s no trouble at all.”

  Angel’s flesh reveled in watching Theresa march back and forth to her demands. Serves her right, thought Angel.

  “Here you go,” Theresa said and handed Angel the glass. Theresa lowered her body onto the couch, holding her back. “I’ve got to take a minute and rest these old bones. That walk to the kitchen isn’t as short as it used to be.”

  “Are you in pain?” inquired Angel.

  “A little. Mostly tired, though.”

  Angel filled a syringe. “I have something I think might help. Give me your arm.”

  Theresa pushed up the sleeves on her housecoat. “Be gentle. I hate needles.”

  “I’ll try.” Angel jabbed the needle into Theresa’s arm. She yelped in pain. “I’m sorry. Did I hurt you?”

  Theresa shook her arm to relieve some of the pain. “No more than you intended to.”

  “Excuse me?”

  Theresa chuckled. “Come on, Angel. Do you really think I’m that stupid?” Theresa smiled. “Don’t you know I was expecting this?”

  “Expecting what?”

  “I knew you wouldn’t be able to resist sticking it to me—literally, it seems. I can’t even say I blame you. I just hope you’ll go easy on me under the circumstances.”

  “I’m a professional,” stated Angel. “I would never use a personal vendetta to endanger any of my patients, including the ones with no moral compass.”

  “Relax, all right? I’m not going to turn you in to the Medical Review Board. I just want you to know that I understand. I know why you’re angry with me, why you would love nothing more than to see me suffer right now.”

  Angel’s defenses immediately flared. “If you think this is about you and Duke—”

  “Of course it’s about me and Duke! In your mind, I’m the slut who stole your husband and the reason your baby died. Why wouldn’t you enjoy a little comeuppance?”

  “Don’t try to analyze me,” snarled Angel. “You don’t even know me well enough to make an attempt. You don’t know anything about me aside from whatever lies Duke may have told you to get you into bed.”

  “I know that you loved him and that you wanted his baby more than anything in the world. I know that he hurt you. We both did.”

  “Were you worried about hurting me when you started s
leeping with my husband?” inquired Angel condescendingly.

  Theresa shook her head. “I won’t lie, I wasn’t. I knew he was married, but I wanted him and didn’t care. After a while, neither did he.”

  Angel could feel her anger rising. “You’re a disgrace to women everywhere. You’re nothing but a common whore.”

  “Back then, I probably was,” conceded Theresa. “I was wild. I partied all the time, lived for pleasure. I hurt a lot of people with all of my selfish choices, and your name is at the top of that list, which is why I wanted your forgiveness.”

  “Forgive you?” cried Angel. Her emotions took over. “It’s all I can do to stand here and look at you! Do you have any idea what you and that son-of-a-gun did to me? I nearly lost my mind! I actually tried to kill myself and had to be put in a mental facility. If Kina hadn’t found me when she did, I’d be dead right now. I haven’t even had a serious relationship since my marriage to Duke ended nine years ago. Now you want to come here all contrite and telling me you understand? You know just where you can go with that, Theresa!”

  Theresa folded her hands together and calmly asked, “Are you finished?”

  “No!” shrieked Angel. “Let me tell you this: we were happy. We were committed to one another. Duke and I were best friends, soul mates! We fell in love the first second we laid eyes on each other, and you slithered in like the demonic serpent you are and destroyed all that. You knew he was married. You knew he had a wife at home, but you didn’t care. You seduced my husband and got pregnant—no doubt on purpose. You sank your claws in him and held on until you got him in your house and in your bed.”

  “And Duke isn’t to blame for any of this?”

  “Of course I blame him! I blame him much more than I blame you because he was the one married to me. He was the one who made vows to me and came home and made love to me every night after hitting the sheets with you. Just the thought of his touching you the same way he touched me makes me sick to my stomach. At least he had the decency to walk away and leave me alone. You, on the other hand, deliberately set out to find me and to use me to clear your own filthy conscience.”