Book Store Rule

by Jones, Janice

  As she sat at her desk now, a thought occurred to her. What if the two of them had actually broken up? What if they mutually and amicably realized the distance was too much for either of them to handle? What if he was now a single man, free and clear to date her and make her his one and only?

  “Yes!” she exclaimed softly, but out loud to herself. Just then her desk phone rang. She had to pull herself together and put on her professional persona and get back to work.

  “King David’s Christian Tabernacle, Pastor Abraham’s office. Katrina speaking,” she recited as she answered the call.

  “Hey, girl,” Maleeka sang into the phone. “What you doing?”

  “I’m at work, Maleeka. What do you think I’m doing?” Katrina replied humorously.

  “I think you are thinking about David Mathis like you are always doing.” Maleeka laughed at herself while both of them knew she was only half joking.

  Katrina was just about to tell Maleeka how right she was when Maleeka spoke again.

  “Kat, I called to tell you something. I have already shared this with my cousin Tammy. I felt I should share it with you too since you are my best friend. Yesterday I asked Darrin to move in with me,” Maleeka said with a false calmness.

  “You did what?” Katrina’s response was genuinely calm, but she was still shocked.

  Maleeka went on to explain why she did what she did. Generally, Katrina never judged Maleeka and Darrin’s relationship. She was so unlike her cousin Tammy. Where Tammy felt it was her job to protect Maleeka from herself when it came to Darrin, Katrina’s job had always been to just love Maleeka through all the problems in her relationship. Maleeka hoped Katrina’s persona would hold up under the gravity of what she had just told her.

  “Wow, Maleeka! Are you sure it’s going to work?”

  “I really do think so, Kat, but only time will tell. The truth of the matter is he hasn’t even given me an answer yet. He’s supposed to call me sometime today.”

  Katrina thought about the movie again. Tyler Perry and Gabrielle Union lived together while they were engaged, but that did not end as either of them thought it would. Katrina considered sharing that information with Maleeka, but decided against it. She did not want to seem like she was judging her best friend. In all the time Maleeka and Darrin had been together, the only time Katrina ever advised Maleeka on her relationship was when she found out Darrin had been sneaking around and seeing someone else behind Maleeka’s back. Back then she told Maleeka she should get rid of Darrin and find someone else. Maleeka instead got engaged to Darrin. From then on out, she decided she would stay out of her relationship until Maleeka needed her for whatever reason.

  “Well, I’m not sure if this is sacrilegious or not, me praying for your living in sin to work out, but I will be praying that things turn out the way you want them to, Mal. I love you and no matter what, I never want to see you hurt.”

  “I appreciate that, Kat. You are the bestest best friend.”

  The line went silent for a minute. Katrina knew it was because Maleeka was having one of her mushy moments. She started to break the silence by telling her all about her date with David last night. But again, just as she started to open her mouth, Pastor Abraham buzzed her on the intercom.

  “Katrina, can you come into my office for a moment? I need you to help me sort through this credit card bill and put in the correct account numbers for this reconciliation.”

  “I will be there in just a second, Pastor,” she replied to her boss. To her friend she said, “Mal, I’ve got to go, but I have some news of my own I want to share. Can you meet me for lunch at La Canasta at twelve thirty?”

  “Of course, but give me a hint about your news.”

  “Nope. You will have to wait till I see you.” Katrina hung up the phone before Maleeka had a chance to start begging and whining. She then headed in to Pastor Abraham’s office.

  Maleeka stared at her phone, unable to believe Katrina left her hanging like that. While she was looking at the phone cross-eyed, it rang again. She assumed it was Katrina calling back to apologize for being so rude; however, the caller ID showed another friend’s number.

  “Hey, Aujanae. I haven’t heard from you in a while. What’s up?”

  “Hi, Maleeka. Uh, girl. I just need a little girl time. What are you doing today?”

  “Well, I’m actually just pulling into the parking lot at work. What do you need, Aujanae? You sound stressed.”

  “Stressed is probably a really good word. But I don’t really want to talk about it in detail. I just need to get out of this house and perhaps stop thinking about things for a while. I was hoping we could meet for lunch today or something. My treat.”

  “Um, I actually just made a lunch date with Katrina. I’m sure she won’t mind you coming along with us, though. And each of us can pay for our own meals.”

  “Okay. That sounds good. Like I said, I just need to be in the company of some girlfriends. I would love to join you guys. Where and what time are you hooking up?”

  “We are meeting at the Mexican restaurant, La Canasta, near downtown at twelve thirty.”

  “Sounds good. I will see you ladies there. And don’t worry about it. It will still be my treat. Since my husband enjoys working so hard to make the money, I will enjoy spending some of it on my friends,” Aujanae said spitefully.

  Maleeka took Aujanae’s response and tone of voice to mean that her troubles were in her marriage, but she would not push. Aujanae said she did not want to talk about it, and she would respect her wishes.

  “Great. Thanks on behalf of both of us. We will see you at twelve thirty.”

  “What do you mean we won’t be able to see each tonight? We always see each on Mondays because of your Sunday rule.” April was livid and indignant.

  William called April in his car through his Bluetooth on his ride into work.

  “Well, if I remember correctly, we were not together last Monday because one of us had an attitude and refused to take the other’s call,” William replied a little loudly and very sarcastically.

  “Don’t be a smarty pants, William, and don’t take that tone with me. Why can’t we see each other tonight?” April was positive she knew the answer to that question, but she wanted to hear him say it aloud.

  William was silent for several seconds. He was unsure if he should tell April about Aujanae becoming suspicious. Something inside told him that April would somehow find a way to use that information against him.

  “Look, April, I was away from my son yesterday. I don’t like the idea of doing that to him two nights in a row.” He decided using his son was safer than being completely honest about his wife’s distress.

  “William, that is crap and you know it. The boy is only fourteen months old. I remember because he is the same age as our relationship. He doesn’t understand the concept of time and days yet. It’s your wife, isn’t it? Aujanae is tripping, isn’t she?”

  William should have known April was smarter than he had given her credit for a moment ago. “Listen, April, she is a little upset. I was able to appease her this morning about taking off and leaving her yesterday and then coming home so late last night, but I need to go home tonight to keep things on an even keel. We can resume our regular schedule next week, and I will see you on Wednesday as usual. I need you to understand and be okay with this.” William tried to sound stern and not pleading. He knew he needed to take back some of the power in this thing with April.

  “No! I will not understand and be okay with this, William. I am tired. Do you hear me? I am tired of playing second to your wife. I thought we had a breakthrough last night. I thought you understood that I need you, William. I thought . . .” April paused as her voice began to crack. “I thought you and I were on the same page.”

  William heard the tears in April’s voice and his resolve weakened. He was so torn at that moment. He remained silent.

  “How about I make this easy for you, William? Why don’t you go home to your wife ton
ight and stay home? I can’t do this anymore. I love you. I want to be the one who looks forward to you spending your entire day with me on Sundays and coming home from work to me on other days. I want it all from you. I refuse to continue to settle for less. So how about I eradicate you completely from my life? I can go back to who I used to be when it came to men, with no risk of heartbreak on my part, and you can go back to being Aujanae’s faithful husband.”

  April had willed herself not to cry so that she could give her speech. When she was done talking, she let the pain pour from her heart through the tears from her eyes. She cried loudly as she continued to hold the phone, wanting badly to hang up, but not as prepared as she made out in her oration to break the connection from William.

  William felt like crying himself, but knew tears would not solve anything for him right now. He guessed the easiest thing to do would be to do as April suggested and just end this thing right now with her, leaving while it was her choice. The easy was far more difficult than it sounded in reality. He warred in his head as his eyes stayed on the road. Trying to maintain focus under these trying circumstances was as difficult as everything else he had going on at the moment. Then he had an idea.

  “April, why don’t you call in sick to work? I’m about to do the same. We can spend the day together.” He almost said “and I can get home in time to make Aujanae happy,” but he did not think April wanted to hear about his wife right now. “We can talk about us when I get there.”

  It only took April a moment to decide. “I’ll make the call now. I’ll be here waiting when you get here.” She hung up the phone.

  William allowed his phone to disconnect from April. He then gave the voice command to dial his job.

  “USA Bank. This is Analeisa. How can I help you?”

  “Hi, Analeisa. This is William Rucker. Is Dale available?” Dale Rollins was his boss.

  “No, William. He’s on a conference call with some folks on the East Coast.”

  “I see. Do me a favor, please. Tell him that I’m not feeling well and I’m going to take the day off.”

  “I’m sorry to hear you’re under the weather. I’ll pray for you to feel better, and I will give the message to Mr. Rollins as soon as he’s off the call.”

  “Thank you, Analeisa, on both parts.” William hung up, jumped off the freeway at the next exit, and detoured his car to head to April’s house.

  Chapter Nine

  Katrina arrived at the restaurant first and sat waiting in the small lobby for Maleeka to show up. When she saw Aujanae walk through the door she was pleasantly surprised.

  “Aujanae.” Katrina stood and waived Aujanae in her direction.

  “Hi, Katrina.” The two friends embraced then sat back down together.

  “Do you eat here often? I’ve never seen you here before, and Maleeka and I come here at least once a week. We love the food here.”

  “Oh,” Aujanae said, a little embarrassed. “Obviously Maleeka didn’t tell you that I would be joining you two this afternoon. I hope it’s not a problem.”

  Katrina was again surprised and again not unpleasantly so. Although she wanted to tell Maleeka all about the evening she shared with David, she did not think it was anything she could not share in front of Aujanae. But then again, David and Aujanae’s husband, William, were cousins. She was sure Aujanae had met and knew all about David’s relationship with Toriyana. Perhaps she should reconsider saying anything about it during lunch.

  “No, it is not a problem at all. It is really good to see you,” Katrina stated a little shakily. She hoped Aujanae did not notice or take her sudden apprehension the wrong way.

  “Thank you, Katrina,” Aujanae said as she hugged Katrina again.

  Aujanae was so bogged down with her own issues she did not notice a thing. She was just happy Katrina and Maleeka welcomed her in her opportunity to get away from the house for a while. She took Billy, Jr. to her mother’s house, promising to pick him up in a few hours. She thought she would do some shopping for herself after lunch when the two ladies returned to work, again taking more advantage of spending the money William enjoyed spending so much time making.

  Maleeka walked in the door seconds later, giving the two ladies hellos and hugs. The trio was then seated immediately. The waitress took their beverage orders of Coca Colas all around and left to get them prepared. Maleeka and Aujanae sat on one side of the table, sharing a booth. Katrina sat on the other side alone.

  “So, what have you been up to lately, Aujanae, besides looking fabulous? I see and talk to this chick all the time, so I pretty much know all of her business already,” Maleeka said, pointing at Katrina once they were seated.

  “You look marvelous yourself, Maleeka. Thank you so much again for letting me tag along with you two for lunch,” Aujanae answered. “I saw you both in church yesterday, but I didn’t have a chance to make my way over to say anything to either of you. It is always so crowded in the sanctuary after service. Billy usually just rallies me and B.J. out right after the benediction.”

  “How are William and that cute little son of yours doing?” Katrina asked politely.

  “B.J. is great. He’s so smart. He amazes me with something new every day.” Aujanae beamed as she spoke about her child. “Billy is good.” This time her expression changed drastically and both women noticed.

  Maleeka quickly changed the subject in hopes of changing the vibe as well.

  “So, Katrina, what had you so perky when I spoke to you this morning? Girl, your voice was all sing-song and whatnot. What’s the news you wanted to share? I know it has to be good judging by the way you were talking.”

  Katrina had kind of hoped Maleeka did not bring up that subject while they were at lunch, but not saying something now would make Aujanae know she was the reason she had decided not to talk, since she was not originally invited to lunch. Katrina considered telling a little white lie, but nothing would come to mind. She then remembered Maleeka’s opinion on her dating David. She figured if Aujanae did have something negative to say, it would be two against one. She just hoped it did not turn into something too unpleasant. Besides, she was anxious to share her great news with her best friend.

  “Okay, I’ll tell you since you won’t stop badgering me about it,” Katrina said in jest. “It happened. It finally happened,” she said, grinning as she paused for dramatic effect.

  “Girl, if you don’t stop sitting over there with that goofy grin on your face and tell us what happened . . .” Maleeka said only half teasing.

  Katrina finished her news. “Yesterday after church I went to the movies and then to dinner with David Mathis.” Saying it out loud made Katrina feel as if she were reliving it all over again. She did a little dance in her seat then covered her face with her hands, acting like a teenager who just shared the news of her first date.

  If there were ever polar opposite reactions, the two women sitting at the table with Katrina were perfect examples of it. Maleeka was grinning and beaming as hard as Katrina, while Aujanae stared at Katrina as if she said she had gone on a date with her husband.

  “Oh my goodness, Katrina. No wonder you are so excited. Girl, I am so happy for you I could just bust. Now give me all the gritty details. Don’t leave a single—”

  Maleeka stopped her raving as she noticed the panicked look on Katrina’s face. As she stared at her, she realized Katrina was staring at the horrifically pained and shocked look on Aujanae’s face.

  Katrina looked panicked because she thought Aujanae might not be as understanding as Maleeka about her going out with David, but she never imagined it would upset her to this degree. Now she was wishing she had just conjured up some lie. Aujanae looked like she was ready to kill her.

  “What’s wrong, Aujanae?” Maleeka asked, very concerned.

  Just then the waitress returned with their sodas and asked if they were ready to order. Maleeka and Katrina always ordered the same thing whenever they ate there, so they had no need to look at the menu. And with the
look on Aujanae’s face, both Katrina and Maleeka were sure food was the last thing on her mind. Even the waitress looked a little skittish now.

  “Uh, why don’t I give you all a couple more minutes and I’ll come back.” She quickly left the table.

  “What time did your date with David end last night?” Aujanae demanded of Katrina in the most unfriendly voice either of the other ladies had ever heard.

  They both thought the question to be strange under the circumstances, but Katrina did not hesitate to answer.

  “David dropped me off at my car at between eight and eight thirty,” she said hesitantly.

  “Aujanae, sweetie, what is wrong with you, really?” Maleeka was frightened for her friend. Her facial expression looked almost demonic. She knew all of that anger and pain had not come simply because Katrina announced she went out with David Mathis.

  Aujanae ignored Maleeka as if she had not even heard her. In her state, she probably had not. She directed her statement to Katrina again.

  “And you said you went directly from church, right?” Her voice was still as dreadful as before.

  “Yes.” Katrina was also frightened now.

  The waitress reappeared cautiously. “Are you ladies ready to order?”

  Maleeka took up the charge of ordering for everyone. Maleeka would have the chicken chimichanga. Katrina would have the taco plate. She decided to order the taco plate for Aujanae as well. It was hard to go wrong with tacos, though Maleeka was sure Aujanae would not touch a morsel of her food.

  When the waitress left their table with their order, it seemed as if she had taken Aujanae’s soul with her. She now sat at the table staring at nothing with a look of nothingness as well. Gone was the anger. Gone was the original joy she brought with her to the restaurant. She now just looked empty—empty and lost.

  Maleeka scooted over just a bit in the booth she shared with Aujanae. She started off cautiously by first lifting Aujanae’s hand and rubbing it softly. When Aujanae did not protest, she got bolder and put her arms around her to embrace her.