by Sammie Ward
Imani was the result of the affair. An only child. She’d never met her father, and didn’t even know his name. Lele refused to say anything about him. Her mother never married, remaining bitter and lonely. Imani was determined to avoid the same pitfall. She wanted a successful marriage, children, and career. And she wanted it with Garrett.
She tried once again to reach Garrett. Still no answer. She glanced at her watch. It was 8 p.m. Where could he be? Was he with the woman in the photo? She tried to push the thought away.
Opening her Gucci purse, she fished around for her address book. Finding Garrett’s parents’ address, she decided it was time to pay her man a visit.
* * *
Brian’s truck traveled a safe distance behind Tamara’s vehicle. He was sure he wasn’t detected. He was determined to find out what went wrong in the marriage and fix it.
A few minutes later, Tamara pulled into an upscale, quiet-looking residential area. She parked in front of a red brick home. He decided to wait until she exited the automobile before approaching her. He didn’t want her to scare her.
“Tamara,” he said.
She looked like a deer caught in the headlights. “Brian? What are you doing here?” She looked around as if looking for someone. “You’re following me?”
He ignored the question. “We need to talk. You just can’t walk out of the marriage without giving me a good reason, without telling me what I’ve done or how I can fix it.”
“Brian, I’ve said all I’m going to say about it.”
Brian’s voice rose an octave. “That’s it? After all that we’ve been through together, that’s all you have to say?”
“Brian, we grew apart. It happens in marriages. Especially the way our marriage came about.”
“What are you saying? You never loved me?”
“No, I’m not saying that.”
“Then what are you saying?” he asked.
Tamara glanced toward the house. Nina had taken Taj to McDonald’s while she met with Garrett, and she didn’t know if they were back home. Both could now be listening to their conversation. The front lawn wasn’t the place for this discussion.
Brian’s gaze followed hers to the house. “Whose house is this?” he asked.
“That’s none of your business,” Tamara answered.
“Is he inside?” he said, racing toward the front door. “Why doesn’t he come out and face me like a man?” He began knocking on the door. “You think you can sleep with my wife, steal my family? Come on out,” he yelled, frantically ringing the doorbell.
“Stop it, Brian,” Tamara screamed. “You’re causing a scene. The neighbors will hear you.”
“Let them hear! They need to know they’re living next door to an adulterer, a wife stealer, a homewrecker!” He was screaming at the top of his lungs. “Come on out and face me!”
Tamara didn’t know what to do. She knew Brian would be upset. He deserved to be. She had to get him to leave. She didn’t want to involve Nina at the moment, and she didn’t want Taj to see his father like this.
“Think about Taj,” Tamara pleaded. “You don’t want him to see you like this.”
“Were you thinking about Taj when you left?” Brian retorted. “Who knows how he’s taking this.”
“I am thinking about Taj. Look, Brian,” she began to say when she looked over his shoulder and saw a police cruiser with flashing lights pull up in front of the house.
Brian’s gaze followed hers. He turned back to face her with a look that cut her deep. “Your man called the cops on me? That shows you how much of a bitch he is. I’ll leave peacefully. But this isn’t over.” He threw his hands up and walked away.
* * *
The following afternoon, Trinity was sitting in her classroom when Principal Fisk dropped by. Her next class was due to begin in a moment. It was her last class for the day.
“Good afternoon, Miss Blake.”
“Hello, Principal Fisk.”
“I know your class is about to start, so I will be brief.”
Trinity hesitated. She hoped Principal Fisk wasn’t about to tell her she was being laid off or her hours had been cut. She couldn’t afford to work part-time. “Is something wrong?”
“Not at all.” Principal Fisk smiled at her. “Things couldn’t be better. I ran into Garrett Martindale last night. His parents and I are good friends.”
Trinity’s heart dropped into her stomach. She could sense where the conversation was headed.
“I spoke to him about speaking at the school,” Principal Fisk continued. “He says he will be more than happy to do it.”
Trinity could hear the excitement in her voice. “When is he scheduled to speak?” She moved some folders around on her desk to calm her nerves.
“We are going to arrange everything for Friday.”
Trinity swallowed the lump in her throat. “I’m glad everything worked out.”
Principal Fisk clasped her hands together. “So am I.” Loud teenagers began to file into the classroom. “We will talk about it later.”
Fifty minutes later, the class ended. Trinity was packing to leave when Leigh came through the door.
“Principal Fisk just told me Garrett Martindale is going to be here on Friday,” she said.
“Yeah. She told me.” Trinity let out a soft breath.
“Will you tell me what is going on?” Leigh waved her arms in the air. “Don’t give me that ‘we are just friends’ stuff. I’m don’t buy it. At one time you wanted Garrett to speak to the students. Suddenly you didn’t. I feel left out.”
Trinity filled Leigh in on everything that transpired between her and Garrett. She rolled her eyes at the thought of Darius showing up. “Can you believe him? Just out of the blue. Now he’s talking about marriage.”
“You still love Darius.”
“That’s not the point. When Garrett arrives on Friday, I will be courteous, but that’s it.”
“So you’re through with both of them?” Leigh asked sarcastically.
Trinity sat down. She didn’t want to be in a relationship. “Yes, I’m through with both of them.”
“Good. Take the time. Step back and figure out what’s going on with you.”
Trinity closed her eyes. “That is exactly what I plan to do. Both of them are getting on my nerves.”
They spoke a few minutes more. The door opened and Leigh’s husband, Jake, waltzed into the room. Trinity couldn’t help but think that she would love to have a husband and children one day.
“Hello, Jake,” Trinity spoke.
“Hey, girl,” Jake said, then leaned down and kissed his wife. “Hey, baby. Ready to go?”
“We’re headed over to Home Depot. Jake is finally going to get around to painting the extra bedroom.”
“Sounds like fun,” Trinity said.
Jake made a face. He didn’t look excited about the job. “Can’t wait.”
“Oh, c’mon.” Leigh playfully hit him on the arm. She refocused on Trinity. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
* * *
Hours later, Trinity laid across her bed, staring up at the ceiling. Her emotions were still reeling from seeing the man she spent the last year trying to get over. Who did he think he was? Darius was in for a surprise if he thought she’d take him back. Emotionally, she was stronger. She wasn’t going to be a doormat for Darius or Garrett. She wanted to forget the anger and the isolation she felt when the relationship ended.
In the beginning, Darius was the center of her life. He used to send cards, bring flowers and candy, and leave messages on her machine. She remembered when they first met. He was visiting from Virginia Beach, Virginia. His aunt Dorothea had invited him to church.
Darius loved to come to Washington, D.C., for the diverse nightlight. He was a person who loved to be on the go. He had a reputation with the women. He never came alone, and often had a different one on his arm each week. The women were attractive, but they didn’t appear to be much of a mental challenge to Darius.<
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Trinity often thought about what attracted her to Darius. They had nothing in common. He was a little short for her taste. His complexion was lighter than she liked. He was Republican. She was a Democrat. Darius thought he knew everything about everything, which led to many stimulating debates.
When Darius’s job transferred him to the D.C. area, he moved in with his aunt until he found a place of his own. He still enjoyed the nightclubs, but attended church every Sunday to keep his aunt off his back.
After four months of living with relatives, Darius found a two-bedroom condominium in Woodbridge, Maryland, and invited her to his housewarming. She reluctantly agreed.
The day of the party arrived. Trinity decided to bring a plant. She didn’t want the gift to be personal.
At four o’clock, she rang the doorbell. Darius answered the door. Dressed in a Virginia Tech sweatshirt, jeans, and Timberland boots, he looked handsome. She tried to push aside the images running through her mind, but it was difficult. It was as if she were seeing him for the first time. Nervous, she ran a hand over her sundress.
“Hi, Trinity.” Darius seemed genuinely happy to see her.
“Hi to you, too,” Trinity said and smiled. “Looks like the housewarming is going well.” Darius followed her gaze and saw his guests mingling happily.
“Just a few family and friends.” He stepped aside, allowing her to come inside. “Come on in. Can I get you something? Wine? Soda? Juice?”
“Soda is fine,” Trinity said, looking around at stacks of boxes. “Still getting settled?”
He ran a hand over his head. “Yeah, slow getting started,” Darius said as he surveyed the work he’d been putting off for a week. “Maybe you can come by and give me a hand.”
Trinity didn’t respond. She trailed him into the kitchen. She had an opportunity to admire him from behind. He looked good in jeans. They fit his nice, firm butt perfectly. Not too loose, not too tight, but just right.
“I hope you don’t mind a paper cup.” He reached inside the cabinet and handed her a blue Dixie cup. His biceps bulged as he moved. “I haven’t unpacked the glasses.”
Trinity couldn’t help but imagine how she’d feel if he embraced her in those arms. “A paper cup is fine.”
He poured Sprite in the cup and handed it to her. “Here you go, beautiful.”
Trinity rolled her eyes. ‘You say that to all the ladies.”
“Only when it’s true.” Trinity didn’t miss the sparkle in his eyes.
“Well, it won’t work here.” Trinity turned to leave. Darius halted her with a hand. She looked at him like he’d lost his mind. “Excuse you.”
Darius reluctantly removed his hand. He was grateful for the opportunity to touch her. “Trinity, why won’t you go out with me?” He smiled at her and watched her take a sip. He never knew watching someone drink could be so sexy.
“And become one of many? I don’t think so, Darius. I want to be a man’s one and only.”
“It won’t be like that, Trinity.”
She took another sip. “How do I know that?”
“It’s just something about you that’s different. Special. I don’t know what it is, but I’m dying to find out.”
Trinity blushed. She really wanted to go out with Darius. But she didn’t trust him as far as she could throw him. “I don’t trust you, Darius.”
His brother, Roger, entered the kitchen. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know anyone was in here.”
Before Trinity could speak, Darius spoke up. “Trinity won’t go out with me.” He faced Trinity. “She doesn’t trust me.”
Roger shrugged. “I can’t blame her.” He did an about-face, exiting as quickly as he came in.
Trinity pointed at Roger. “He knows you.”
Darius waved Roger’s comment off. “He doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Go out with me and judge for yourself. I’m looking for a good woman. You’re looking for a good man. We are looking for the same thing.”
“Good line.” Trinity had to give him a few cool points for that one.
Darius shook his head. “You are hard to convince.”
“Exactly. I need convincing.”
“Okay.” He paused for a minute to take in her beauty. Trinity’s eyes skidded away, but she could feel warmth course through her body.
Looking at her, Darius believed she was the perfect woman and he longed to be with her. Trinity was the complete opposite of what he was attracted to in a woman, yet he couldn’t get her out of his mind.
He reached into his back pants pocket and removed his wallet. Grabbing a pen from the counter, he wrote his cell number on the back of his card. “Call me. Give me a chance to change your mind.”
* * *
Several weeks after the party, Trinity called Darius and invited him to a stage play. She didn’t know if he was into theater, but she was a huge fan, and, whenever a show was in town, she attended. She nervously glanced at Darius’s business card while she waited for him to answer the phone. After five rings, she expected his voice mail to pick up, but he answered.
“Hello?” He sounded irritated.
“Did I call at a bad time?”
Darius looked at the young lady sitting next to him. He and Roger were on a double date at an Italian restaurant.
“Uh, no. Wassup?” Darius slid out of the booth and excused himself. “I’ll be right back,” he mouthed to Tasha.
“Where are you going?” Tasha leaned back in the chair and pouted. She couldn’t believe he was going to run off like that.
Darius knew how it must look, talking to another woman while on a date, but he really wanted to talk to Trinity. He was excited that she’d finally called. “I’ll just be a minute.”
“You better be. It better not be another woman,” Tasha called after him.
“Darius, I can call back later if you’re busy.”
“Beautiful, don’t you dare hang up. It’s wonderful to hear your voice. I’m glad you called. What took you so long?” He strolled to the front of the restaurant to hear her better. He was smiling at everyone that passed him.
“I’m glad I called.” Now that Darius was on the other end of the line, she was losing her nerves. She never asked a man out before. She took a deep breath. “Listen, Darius,” she began. “Do you like stage plays?” Her heart rate sped up.
“I have never been to one. Why do you ask?” A young lady passed him, giving him the once-over. She smiled, and he winked in response.
“I have two tickets for ‘Love is Twisted.’ It’s an African-American live production. I was wondering if you would like to go.”
Darius wasn’t into stage plays. He had trouble sitting through a movie without falling asleep. But if it would get him close to Trinity, he’d suffer through it. “I have seen it advertised on television. It looks like it’s going to be a good show. I’d love to go.”
Trinity released the breath she was holding. “Great. I have tickets for the Friday night show. It’s begins at eight o’clock.”
Darius didn’t hesitate. “I’ll pick you up around seven fifteen.”
“I’ll be ready.”
Friday night came before she knew it. Trinity was excited and happy that Darius had accepted her invitation.
Before Darius’s arrival, Trinity couldn’t decide on what to wear. She changed clothes several times but finally decided on a black belted Lurex shirt, a Jacquard pencil skirt, and black Alba shoes. Her hair fell gently on her shoulders. She wore very light makeup. She added a pair of diamond stud earrings and a silver bracelet. While she waited for Darius, she looked over her next teaching assignment.
Darius knocked on the door promptly at seven-fifteen. When she opened it, Darius gave her the once-over in approval. He smiled. “You look beautiful.” He leaned down, kissing her on the cheek. Then, from behind his back, he presented her with a bouquet of red roses.
“Thank you, Darius. They are lovely.” Trinity was pleasantly surprised.
“I hoped you would
like them.” He smiled again. “May I come in?”
“I’m sorry, come on in. I’ll only be a minute. I just need to put these in some water. Sit. Make yourself at home.”
Trinity disappeared in one of the back rooms, offering Darius a chance to look around. The living room carpet was Kungsvik sand. The couches and the furniture were Rephult dark brown in color. There were paintings by Gauguin and Van Gogh hanging on the wall. A fireplace faced him. On the mantel were photos of Trinity at different stages of her life.
“I’m ready.” Trinity had her light wrap in her hand.
Darius took it from her and helped her into it. Steering her by the elbow, he led her outside to his vehicle. He opened the door of the blue BMW for her. She was impressed.
The trip to Constitution Hall was filled with nonstop conversation. They arrived a few minutes before the curtain opened. The play was so moving. The ending caused her eyes to mist. Afterward they went to dinner. While they dined they got to know each other better. When Darius dropped her off, he walked her to the door. Trinity was surprised he didn’t ask to come in. Instead, he kissed her on the cheek and promised to call her the following day.
That night when she went to bed, she thought perhaps she was wrong about Darius. He didn’t appear to be a ladies’ man. He was thoughtful and respectful. She realized it was their first date, but the evening went well. She had a good time and hoped to see him again.
* * *
Darius called as promised, and for their second date, he invited her to his thirtieth birthday party. It was held at his aunt’s house. The weather for the outdoor celebration was perfect. The day consisted of a clear blue sky, hot sun, and a gentle breeze to cool the flesh. After the festivities the plan was to end the night at a club. Trinity didn’t often go to clubs, but was looking forward to spending time with Darius.
Trinity arrived at the party and was later joined by other guests in the large backyard. For a couple of hours the sound of loud music and adults laughing, joking, and dancing filled the air.
Trinity had just settled down in a lawn chair under a chair. She leaned her head back and closed her eyes, her upturned face soaking in the sunlight. “Enjoying yourself?”