My Wife My Baby...And Him

by Shelia E. Bell

  Fancy sighed heavily before laying her head on her husband’s shoulder. “I hope you’re right.”

  “I am right. You’ll see. Listen, Fancy. What we did is done. There’s nothing we can do about it. Our sons will be fine. I believe God for that.”

  “I know, Hezekiah, but I’m still worried.”

  “Anyway, like I said, it will be hard for Pastor Graham, or anyone, to find out about our past. We are no longer Horace and Felicia McKellar. Those names, those people, are dead and gone. We have new lives and new names. God is giving us a second chance to live a life holy and acceptable to Him.”

  The phone rang and interrupted their conversation.

  “I’ll get it.” Fancy stood up and walked over to the table where the home phone rested on its base. “Hello. Ohhh, good evening, Pastor Graham. How are you?” Fancy nodded and smiled. “Yes, I’m blessed, blessed and highly favored. Here’s Hezekiah.”

  Fancy carried the phone over to where Hezekiah was seated and gave it to him.

  “Hello, Pastor Graham. How are you this evening?”

  “Hello, Pastor McCoy. I hope I’m not interrupting your family time. I won’t hold you but a minute.”

  “Oh, no problem. Me and Fancy were just relaxing, watching a little television. What’s on your mind?”

  Fancy stood in front of him, listening to his end of the conversation.

  Hezekiah listened as Stiles told him about the offer to move into him and Detria’s house. When they finished talking, Hezekiah popped off the sofa, grabbed Fancy in his arms, and started twirling her around.

  “Baby, I told you God has forgiven us. He is opening doors, baby!” Hezekiah laughed and kissed her all over her face.

  “What did he say?” she asked when Hezekiah finally released her.

  “He wants us, you and me,” Hezekiah pointed at Fancy then himself, “to move into their house. They’re closing on their new home in a few weeks. Pastor Graham is going before the trustees tomorrow to discuss turning the house they live in now to a pastor’s parsonage. We can live there rent-free, baby. Do you hear me, woman? Tell me that God ain’t got our back?”

  Fancy started dancing all around the room. “Thank you, Lord, thank you, thank you, thank you.” Fancy stopped, grinned and looked at Hezekiah. “Pastor McCoy, I think we better start packing.”

  “Sister Fancy McCoy, I couldn’t agree with you more.”

  Chapter 5

  “Advice is like castor oil, easy enough to give but dreadfully uneasy to take.” Josh Billings

  Brooke opened the door to her home and stepped aside to let Detria in. “Well, it’s about time my favorite sister came to visit.”

  “I’m your only sister,” Detria laughed as she held onto Audrey’s chubby fingers.

  “Hi, Audrey. How’s Auntie Brooke’s favorite niece in the entire world?” Brooke reached down to pick her up.

  “Ahhhh,” Audrey screamed and jerked out of Brooke’s reach.

  “Ughh, she makes me so mad when she acts like she’s so untouchable,” Detria complained and walked further into Brooke’s house.

  “Girl, don’t worry about that. She’s just being Audrey. She’s still a baby and little girls can be over-the-top dramatic sometimes.”

  “I wish I had boys instead, if this is the kind of attitude I have to deal with the rest of my life.”

  “You’ll be just fine, and so will Auntie Brooke’s gorgeous little niece. Isn’t that right, Audrey?”

  Audrey clung to Detria’s leg and didn’t say a word.

  “Where are John and the boys?”

  “I told John that I didn’t feel like cooking this evening, so they went to get pizza. They should be back anytime now. You and Audrey are just in time to join us. Come on, let’s go in the family room where we can sit down, relax, and talk.”

  “Thanks.” Detria sat in the chair and Audrey stood next to her, still clinging to her and acting like she didn’t want her aunt to touch her or say anything to her. Detria ignored her.

  “So, fill me in on what’s been going on in the life of my sister, the first lady.” Brooke sat down across from Detria on the wraparound sectional sofa. “I assume that all is going well at home?”

  “Everything is cool, but why did you ask me that?”

  “Because, I haven’t talked to you that much lately, and I can count the times you’ve been over here in the past few months.”

  “Girl, please. That works both ways. You’re the one that’s always on the go.”

  “You got that right. Between the boys and John, and working a full time job, it seems like I rarely get a chance to sit back and chill.”

  “Yeah, tell me about it. I talked to Mom and Dad the other day. Momma said she was thinking about cooking a big dinner next weekend. She said she asked John if he would put some meat on the grill.”

  “I know, but I told her she doesn’t need to be doing all that cooking. She’s still not in the best of health.”

  “You know our mother. She wants to do the things she enjoys doing as often as she can and for as long as she can. Cooking just happens to be one of those things; you know that. So, like me and you agreed, we are not going to discourage her or slow her down.”

  “I know that, but still, she needs to be careful. If she stands up in that kitchen cooking, the days following she’s going to be complaining about how much pain she’s in. Her lupus can flare up at any time. You know that.”

  “Yeah, that’s true.”

  Audrey tugged on Detria’s arm until Detria picked her up and placed her on her lap. “If you get up here, you’re going to have to sit still. You could be in the floor playing, but you have to act all babyfied with your Aunt Brooke. You ought to be ashamed of yourself.”

  “Leave that child alone. She’ll warm up in a few minutes. You know how kids are. Anyway, let’s hear it.”

  “Hear what?”

  “Girl, you know I know you. Something’s on your mind. You didn’t just come over here for nothing. I can see it in your face and hear it in your voice. So tell me, what is it?”

  Detria looked down at Audrey, picked her up, and stood her on the floor. Audrey poked out her lips, a warning to Detria that she was about to start her signature give me what I want and give me what I want right now cry. “Don’t you even th—?”

  “Hold up. That sounds like John and the boys. Don’t forget what we were talking about. Audrey can hang with the boys and eat some pizza. You and me can eat outside on the porch.”

  “That sounds good, but it’s nothing that serious that I have to keep it all hush-hush.”

  “Detria, hey. What’s up sister-in-law?” John said as he walked into the open area family room. He walked over to where Detria sat, leaned over, and gave her an around the shoulder, one-armed hug. The side of her face rested almost squarely against the side of his waist. “Long time no see. Where have you been hiding?” John smiled, as he stood upright and stepped back so they could see each other face to face.

  “I haven’t been hiding. Just busy. I’m learning more each day that motherhood is not an easy thing, and then there’s the church. It goes without saying, there’s always something going on around there. Anyway, enough of that. How are you?”

  “I’m good. Hi, Audrey,” John said with a smile on his face and a slightly raised happy tone.

  Detria was mortified when Audrey started wiggling and grinning at John like she’d just seen her daddy. “I can’t believe this. Look at her, Brooke.”

  “She likes men. What can you say?” Brooke’s head slightly bobbled as she laughed.

  “Don’t hate. It’s obvious my little niece has good taste.” John’s laughter connected with Brooke’s, while Detria looked at the both of them.

  “Since she likes you so much, you can entertain her.” Detria laughed this time.

  “No problem. Hey, where’s Stiles?”

  “Where else? At church,” replied Detria.

  “I heard that. Well, me, the boys, and my sweet little nie
ce here are going to go have a little fun.” He swooped Audrey up in his arms and she yelped in joy. “Come on, let’s go eat some pizza.” He paused then stole a two-second glance at Brooke.

  “Yeah, come on, Detria,” Brooke said. “John, me and Detria are going to eat our pizza in the sunroom.”

  “I heard that,” he replied and walked out of the family room, up the hall and into the kitchen with Detria and Brooke in tow.

  “Jayce…Jayden,” Brooke called for her seven and nine year old sons as she walked into the kitchen.

  Jayden looked up first, followed by Jayce. They were already munching on cheese breadsticks.

  “Hey, Mama,” Jayden said as Brooke entered the kitchen.

  “Hi, Mama,” Jayce said next.

  “Hi, boys,” said Detria.

  They both looked at Detria. “Hi,” they practically said in unison, and not with much enthusiasm, but their faces lit up when they saw their little cousin, Audrey. John walked over to the kitchen table. He pulled out a chair and sat down, placing Audrey on his lap. Three large pizza boxes lined the oblong table that seated eight.

  Brooke fixed John and Audrey’s food and instructed the boys to start off with one slice of pizza each. “If you eat that, you can get some more.” She went to the stainless steel refrigerator, opened it, and took out several bottles of water. “You want a bottled water, Detria?”

  “Yeah, I’ll have one. Thanks.”

  “Okay.” Brooke brought six bottled waters to the table. “Now that that’s done, let’s eat. I’ll let y’all have a few slices of the supreme pizza and take the rest of it for me and Detria.”

  John shrugged like he could care less. He broke off some pizza and gave it to Audrey. She quickly reached for it and stuffed it into her mouth.

  “She acts like she’s in heaven.” Detria grinned.

  “Yeah, so while she’s enjoying herself, let’s go do the same. Remember to get your water,” Brooke said as she turned and walked out of the kitchen.

  ***

  “So what’s up with you and Stiles?” Brooke asked while they devoured their pizza.

  “You know my problem with Stiles. I’ve told you a thousand and one times. He’s just selfish, plain selfish.”

  “What didn’t he tell you this time?” She stopped chewing for a second to look at her sister.

  “See, you know how he is too. He acts like I don’t need to know anything that happens at that church. Do you know as of a week ago, this past Sunday, we have an official associate pastor? He gets paid, Brooke. He’s on staff. Can you believe it? But, do you think that husband of mine told me?”

  “How did you find out?”

  Detria took a swallow of water before she proceeded. “From him.”

  “But you said—”

  “I know what I said, but what I meant to say is he was just talking and then he just up and casually mentions it.” Detria slapped the table and both of their bottled waters shook. “I didn’t go off like I should have, but you know I wanted to go back to Egypt on that man.”

  Brooke burst out laughing.

  At first Detria looked at Brooke like she wanted to jump across the table, but in less than a second, she was laughing too.

  “It’s not funny, Brooke.”

  “I wasn’t laughing at the way he told you, I was laughing at what you said about how you should have gone off on him. But you do have a point. As the first lady, you should know what’s going on at the church, to some extent. But to defend Stiles, I have to say that he did tell you. And it’s not like he waited forever to do it. If you want your marriage to work, and I mean really work, you have to stop sweating over little stuff that really doesn’t matter.”

  “Brooke…I need someone to talk to.” Detria looked at her sister then dropped her head.

  “Talk to? About what?”

  “Me.”

  Brooke returned Detria’s stare with a serious glare of her own. “I’m your sister. You know you can tell me anything. What’s going on?”

  “I don’t need you judging me.”

  “I said you can talk to me. Now what is it?”

  “I’m having an affair.” Detria suddenly looked away and then back over her shoulder like she wanted to make certain no one had come in and overheard what she was saying.

  “What? Are you serious? With who?”

  “I don’t think that matters, plus I don’t think you would know him anyway.”

  “Detria, tell me. Who is he? Are you in love with him?” Brooke got up, went over to where Detria sat, and took a seat next to her.

  Detria sucked in her breath, then started talking again. “His name is Skip. He’s the building engineer and a deacon at Holy Rock, and no, I’m not in love with him. At least I don’t think I am.”

  “How long has this been going on?”

  “You’re not going to like the answer to that question.”

  “How long, Detria?” Brooke didn’t relent.

  “Over a year.”

  “What! Over a year? So is this why you and Stiles have been having problems?”

  “No. Stiles has no idea that I’m involved with Skip. Anyway, I plan on breaking it off.”

  “You plan on it? When are you going to do it?”

  Detria shrugged. “Soon.”

  “Look, I’m sorry, Sis. I love you, but I have to tell you what’s right. And cheating on your husband is wrong. You’re dead wrong. What if somebody finds out? For goodness sakes, Detria, you’re the first lady. Why would you even do something like this?”

  Detria stood up suddenly, folded her arms, and rolled her eyes. “You act like Stiles is Mr. Perfect. You have no idea how difficult that man can be. He’s selfish, self-centered, and all he thinks about is that dang church and his precious little daughter.”

  “You sound like a fool, Detria. You act like you’re jealous of your own child. As for the church, you knew he had a commitment to the church and to his ministry. If you thought you weren’t going to be able to deal with that, then you shouldn’t have married the man.”

  “So, it’s okay for him to threaten me and to raise his hand at me?” Detria’s voice escalated an octave. “What do you have to say about that?”

  “You have never said a word about Stiles being violent toward you. Not ever. Has he hit you?”

  “No, he hasn’t hit me, but he’s acted like he wanted to, and on more than one occasion too. Sometimes I get scared of him because I don’t know what he’ll do.”

  This time Brooke stood up. She paced for a few seconds around the sunroom then turned toward Detria. “You are not the kind of woman who will let a man push her around, so I’m not falling for that crap. I’ve never known you to be afraid of anybody.”

  “Look, I need to go. I have to get home. I see there’s no use in talking to you. I should have known better. You’re Little Miss Perfect. Perfect marriage. Perfect children. Perfect everything. You’re so blinded by the fact that Stiles is a preacher that you don’t want to hear anything else.”

  “You are really something else, Detria. You’re sitting up here in my house telling me that you’re sleeping with another man, and you want to call me names? Girl, please. Don’t try to justify your actions. You better get it together, and you better do it real soon, before all of this hits the fan.”

  Detria huffed, got up, and then waltzed out of the sunroom. “John,” she called and walked through the house to go get Audrey.

  John came out of the kitchen holding Audrey by her hand. “You getting ready to leave already?”

  “Yeah, I have a couple of more stops to make. Come on here, Audrey.”

  Audrey held on to John’s leg when Detria reached for her.

  “Nooo,” she screamed.

  Jayce appeared from the kitchen. “Can she spend the night with us?”

  “Yeah, can she?” Jayden asked when he walked up.

  “No, sweeties, not today. Maybe another time. Come on, Audrey. I’m not playing with you!” Detria reached out to her da
ughter again, and again Audrey pulled back and started screaming.

  “Noooo!”

  “Why don’t you just let her stay,” said Brooke, standing behind Detria. “I’ll drop her off later this evening, or bring her home tomorrow.”

  “She doesn’t have enough pull-ups.”

  “That’s no problem. I’ll run up the street and get a package. Does she have a change of clothes in her backpack?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Then she’ll be fine. You go on and handle your business,” Brooke told her.

  Detria looked at her daughter and then without another word, she turned and walked toward the front door.

  Brooke followed. “You can have an attitude all you want, but right is right and wrong is wrong. And you are wrong, and you know it,” she said softly so John wouldn’t hear her. “You need to end it, and you need to do it today. You’re going down a dangerous path, Sis. I don’t want to see you get hurt, your family destroyed, and your marriage fail.”

  Detria stood silently at the door. Tears welled in her eyes. “I know. You’re right; it’s just that it’s hard. I feel torn. I care about my husband; and I think I love him. But Skip, well he makes me feel special, like he cares about me and nobody else, just me.”

  “End it. Today,” Brooke said adamantly. “He knows you’re a married woman, so what does that say about him. Is he married too?”

  “No.”

  “What does that tell you? Wake up, Detria. You’re just a booty call to him.”

  “Let me go. I have to clear my head, do some thinking.”

  “Well, don’t worry about Audrey; she’ll be fine over here. You just pray, and ask God to give you the strength to do what’s right. I love you, Sis.”

  Brooke hugged Detria. Detria returned the embrace.