“On a Sunday?” I questioned.
“I thought the same thing, but again, he’s new to the company, and they’re trying to break him in right, I guess,” she giggled.
“Nothing like a hardworking man,” Monica added.
“Just as long as he’s working,” Victor chimed in.
“Victor, will you quit!” Kellie nudged him.
“I’m just saying working weekends is the best excuse to cheat. And, Vivian, I’m not saying your husband is. I’m speaking from experience,” he expressed.
Vivian laughed as she picked up her wine and took a sip, but she paused when she noticed something across the room.
“Vivian, are you okay?”
Vivian
30
I know this man didn’t walk up in here with some other woman with him. He told me he had to work. Here I was laughing at what Victor said, and the truth in what he said smacked me in the face. I did think it was odd Sheldon had to go in on a Sunday but thought nothing of it since he never lied to me about anything. I guess there was a first time for everything, but I would have loved his lies not to play out in front of my new friends.
I stared in disbelief as Sheldon escorted some chestnut-complected woman with long, lustrous hair to a table for two. Her face was oval-shaped and flawlessly made up. Her body was slim and tone as she wore a light grey pantsuit which hugged her curves in all the right places. On her feet were what looked like Jimmy Choos. I surmised her up in one quick glance and before I knew it, I was standing to my feet.
“Vivian, what’s wrong?” I heard Monica ask.
I couldn’t say anything. All I wanted to know was who this woman was walking in with my husband. I left the table with the ladies calling out to me. I ignored them as I made my way to my husband who was smiling at some woman I didn’t know anything about. He didn’t seem like he was flirting with her, but still, the appearance of how this looked upset me.
When I approached, Sheldon and the woman were picking up their menu trying to figure out what they were going to order. When he saw me, his eyes became as big as saucers. The nervous expression on his face only added to me thinking he was up to no good.
“Hon . . . Honey. Hey, what are you doing here?” he asked fearfully.
Smiling dryly, I said, “I’m having lunch with my friends.”
I gestured toward the table I was sitting at, only to see them all looking in our direction. Sheldon smiled weakly at them before turning his attention back to me.
“Now, let me ask you what are you doing here? I thought you told me you had to work.”
“I am. I’m having a meeting,” he stammered.
Did he really think that short answer was going to suffice? There was no introducing me to the woman with whom he was having a meeting, and I thought this was odd. I’d met several people from his job, and this woman I hadn’t seen before. So, I decided to take matters into my own hands.
“And she is . . .?” I asked, looking at the docile woman.
“This is Nina Alexander. Nina, this is Vivian.”
With eyes narrowed, I looked at Sheldon with contempt, wondering why he introduced me by my name and not by my damn title. Even if he said my name, he could have at least said it in combination with the title of his wife. I kept smiling, trying to keep my temper under control. I could feel my face getting hot and decided to take a deep breath so I wouldn’t act a damn fool up in this establishment.
Being the bigger person, I held my hand out and shook Nina’s hand saying, “It’s nice to meet you.”
At that moment, the waitress Hailey approached the table asking, “Should I bring another chair over for you to join them?”
This bitch knew damn well I wouldn’t be joining them. I knew she asked this in order to be funny. I could tell by the smug expression on her face.
“That won’t be necessary. My husband is having a lunch meeting, and I thought I would come over and speak. Is something wrong with that?” I asked, scowling at the waitress.
She shifted uneasily, hopefully remembering the last time she came at me wrong. She should have learned from her previous experience with me. I was not the one she wanted to come for.
“Please, give them a few more minutes, okay?” I told the waitress, and she hastily walked away, leaving us to finish up our tête-à-tête.
I returned to talking with my husband and his companion. Sheldon looked at me perplexed, like he didn’t know what to say or how to act, and this was very unusual for him. Nothing shook my husband, but I guess I had that effect on him, after all.
“So, you work with Sheldon?” I asked.
Her eyes darted as she looked to him for answers.
“Yes, we work together,” she answered.
Lies, I thought as I glared at him, noticing his nervous energy which hadn’t ended.
“What do you do?”
“I’m the executive assistant to our boss,” she revealed.
“How nice. I wish Sheldon made it a point to tell me about you, but I guess it slipped his mind,” I said glowering at him.
An awkward silence fell upon us, and I broke it by speaking again.
“Well, I’m going to leave you two to get back to your ‘business.’ It was a pleasure meeting you,” I said, reaching out and shaking her hand again. “Sheldon.”
I beamed as I confidently walked away from their table. Little did they know I was struggling to maintain my composure. All I wanted to do was walk out of this place, but I knew if I did that, then it would have looked obvious that something was wrong, and I couldn’t have that, not after we’d just had a discussion about men cheating. So I returned to my place at the table, making sure to look unfazed. Of course, when I sat back down at the table, questions were being fired in my direction.
“Vivian, are you okay?” Monica asked, looking at me suspiciously.
Smiling weakly, I said, “Yes, I’m fine.”
“Aw, hell, this bitch is about to explode,” Sonya surmised.
“Sonya, I’ve told you about calling women bitches,” Monica chastised.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that,” she said, looking at me sincerely.
“I didn’t take it that way,” I told her.
“But Sonya’s right. Vivian, girl, you look five shades lighter. All the blood has drained from your face,” Victor added.
“I promise you I’m fine,” I lied.
Victor looked at me sideways as he picked up his drink and took a sip.
“Who is that?” Kellie asked.
“That’s my husband. And before you ask, the woman with him is his coworker,” I answered, noticing each of them were raring to ask me who the woman was.
“Vivian, if you don’t mind me saying, your husband is fine as hell,” Sonya complimented.
I smiled knowing he was, which was why I had an issue seeing him with another woman. I honestly felt threatened in a sense this woman could take my husband away from me. Losing him to someone else was my biggest fear. I always wondered why he was with me anyway. I was plus size. I hated thinking being a bodacious woman was a bad thing, because in my heart, I knew it wasn’t. I tried to accept there was nothing wrong with me, but it was an uphill battle. Now that this woman, who I thought was perfect, was with my husband, I could see why he would be interested in her and easily fall out of love with me.
“Vivian, I know I shouldn’t be looking at your husband like that, but Sonya ain’t never lied. Your husband is scrumptious,” Victor added.
“Please don’t think we’re coming for your husband like that, because we are not,” Sonya said.
“I know. At least you tell me to my face and are not disrespectful with it.”
“I can see why this waitress was hitting on him,” Victor said. “You are a lucky woman.”
“And don’t look now, but he’s coming over here,” Kellie added.
Instantly, everyone at the table turned their attention to him as he approached our table. None of their eyes left him u
ntil he was standing by my side.
“Hello, ladies and gentleman,” Sheldon greeted.
Everyone spoke in unison as Sheldon turned his full attention to me.
“Babe, can I talk to you for a minute?”
“Sure, but let me introduce you first.”
I did making a point to tell everyone this was my husband. I hoped Sheldon caught it but wasn’t sure he did. Reaching out for me, I took my husband’s hand and followed him to the area where the restrooms were. They were tucked in a corner away from patrons. We were out of eyesight and earshot of everyone, giving us a moment of privacy to speak to one another.
“Babe, I’m sorry.”
“Sorry for what?” I asked ignorantly as I crossed my arms and looked at him menacingly.
“It’s clear I said or did something to upset you.”
“Did you?” I asked curtly.
“Look, I don’t like to see you mad.”
“Then you should have thought about that before you walked up in here with another woman,” I shot back.
“Vivian—”
“Do you really think I believe you work with that woman?”
He dropped his gaze as I continued.
“I can’t believe you lied to me like that.”
Right then, a Caucasian man walked up wanting to enter the men’s restroom, which I was standing in front of. I moved out of his pathway, allowing him to enter before we spoke again.
“Look, now is not the time, nor the place. We can talk about this when we get home.”
Sheldon stared bleakly at me while I eyed him sternly.
“Baby, I am sorry.”
“Okay,” I answered snappily. “And by the way, I invited my friends over to our home after lunch. But that shouldn’t be a problem with you since you are working.”
He closed his eyes wearily as I walked past him to go back to the table. Sheldon coming over should have meant something to me, but right now, it didn’t. I still couldn’t get over the fact of how he lied and introduced me. It may be small to him, but to me, it was a huge problem, taking our relationship in the wrong direction. Nothing made a woman feel more loved than a man announcing his wife or woman to people, but Sheldon didn’t do that. It was obvious he was embarrassed by me. One thing was for sure . . . I was going to find out what was going on, and I prayed my suspicions weren’t right, because that would mean the end to our marriage.
Monica
31
Vivian’s house was absolutely beautiful. I’m not going to lie, I didn’t expect her to live in a house this nice. She was very stylish, but this home was far beyond what I’d dreamed for myself. I was happy her house was taking my mind off what I was about to do. Now that it was getting closer to me telling my friends everything, my nerves were shaken. I couldn’t figure out, after all this time, why I was choosing now to spill the tea on my life. Maybe it was my testimony today. Maybe I wasn’t only speaking to the hypocrites in the church, I was also speaking to myself.
“Sis, I know I asked to stay with you for a while, but I’m getting ready to leave you and make Vivian my new sister, honey,” Victor said standing by the fireplace in the living room. “I mean, look at these ceilings, will you? I haven’t seen anything like this.”
“It’s gorgeous. Vivian, you have a very beautiful home,” Kellie agreed.
“Thank you.”
“I mean, seriously, y’all must be bringing in the chips to be living like this,” Victor assumed.
“Actually, this house is not as much as people think it is. We got a pretty good deal on it. The buyers were in a hurry to sell,” Vivian explained.
“Well, I’m glad someone like you is living here,” Victor said.
“Why? So you can come over here all the time?” Sonya asked.
“Exactly. I’m back in the Carolinas now. You ladies need to get used to seeing my pretty face around here.”
As everyone chatted amongst each other getting comfortable in the space, Vivian asked me if I could come with her to the adjacent kitchen to help, which I happily obliged.
“Monica, what’s wrong? You don’t seem yourself,” she asked with concern as she cupped my elbow gently.
I smiled weakly before responding with, “I’m nervous.”
“About what?”
“What I have to tell you all. I’ve done some things, Vivian.”
“Look, whatever you have to say, it’s not going to change the friendship we’ve developed. We’ve all done things we are not proud of, trust me. There is not enough time in a day to tell you what I’ve been through.”
“But—”
“No buts, Monica. You are an awesome person. Look how you accepted me into this circle. You didn’t have to do that. So stop worrying yourself. Besides, from what I know about these ladies and Victor, I don’t think you have anything to worry about. They aren’t going to treat you any differently. So, spill your truth. God has brought you this far. He’s not about to leave you now.”
Grinning with appreciation, I reached out and hugged Vivian tenderly saying, “Thank you so much.”
“Anytime, girl. I’m here for you,” she comforted rubbing my back.
“All right, you two. That’s enough of that. Where’s the bubbly?” Victor interrupted and all Vivian and I could do was laugh at his flamboyant behind.
We both helped Vivian gather the wineglasses and bottles of wine and took it into the living room. Victor did the honors of popping the cork and pouring each of us a drink. After we all nestled back into Vivian’s comfortable seating, Sonya turned to me to ask what this little get-together was about.
“Okay, Monica, what do you have to tell us? You’ve kept me hanging all afternoon now.”
“I thought you didn’t like to hear about people’s drama,” I countered.
“We never get to hear anything going on with you. But some people, who shall remain nameless, we know their entire life story,” she said, cutting her eyes at Kellie.
“Excuse me? Are you throwing shade my way?”
“I wasn’t trying to be shady. I’m just saying out of this bunch, the only person we know a lot about is you.”
“You are my friend, right?” Kellie asked Sonya.
“Yes.”
“Then why do you have a problem with me venting what’s going on with me every now and then?” Kellie asked.
I could feel the mood in the room beginning to change and felt like this situation was going to get worse.
“You see, that’s where you’re wrong. It’s not every now and then. It’s every time we see you.”
“Sonya, what have I said today?”
“Nothing. And I’m surprised. Maybe it’s because Victor is here and the fact you’ve already vented to him. I don’t know, but you are right. You haven’t said anything today.”
Here I was trying to speak my truth, and these two were getting into it. I swear if I didn’t know any better, I wouldn’t think they weren’t friends at all. One minute they are fine, and the next, they are going back and forth. Unfortunately, the negativity was always coming from Sonya. She always found a reason to antagonize Kellie. As much as I loved her, she really needed to give Kellie a break. Especially after she told Vivian and I what happened to her last night.
“Sonya, come on. Leave Kellie alone,” I pleaded, hoping I could somehow get back to the subject of me and what I needed to tell them.
“She came at me.”
I started to tell Sonya that she was the one who threw shade first, but before I could say anything, Kellie erupted.
“You act like I was supposed to ignore your slick comment, Sonya. I’m getting tired of you ragging on me all the time.”
“Please,” Sonya dismissed her as she took another sip of her wine.
“No, I’m really tired of it. I would think of all of us, you would be the one who could relate.”
The room fell silent as we were watching this scene unfold. Vivian placed her wineglass down as Victor turned his up. Our gazes shi
fted from one to the other as we waited for Sonya to respond. It was in her nature to defend herself, but it wasn’t in Kellie’s nature to get as angry as she was getting. I guess when you poked someone for too long, they eventually snap back.
“What does that mean?” Sonya asked, giving Kellie a cold stare.
“Your life is not all peaches and cream.”
“I never said it was. Just because I don’t tell everything going on with me doesn’t mean everything is good,” Sonya said, getting heated.
“I’m not you, though. I release my pressure. You, you let it build up while you play bully.”
“Kellie, you better back off before you step to something you can’t handle,” Sonya warned.
“Okay, ladies, this is getting out of control,” Victor said, scooting to the edge of the sofa, trying to minimize the confrontation. “We did not come over here for this. We are here to support Monica and hear what she has to say.”
“Victor, no. I’m sick of Sonya and her damn mouth. I have never done anything but try to be her friend.”
“Kellie . . .” Sonya cautioned.
“She’s a single mother whose daughter is crying out for attention that she can’t get from her own mother. But she worries about what I’m talking about. She needs to take that energy she’s using to pick on me and figure out a way to be there for Meena.”
Sonya jumped up and lunged for Kellie. Vivian was quick on her feet and jumped in between the two and blocked Sonya before she could put her hands on Kellie.
“Don’t you ever talk about my daughter,” Sonya bellowed as she struggled to get at Kellie.
“I’m not talking about your daughter. I’m talking about you and how you need to step your game up when it concerns her.”
“Kellie, please. Stop it,” I said. Of course, she ignored me and continued with her tirade.
“You don’t think I know you only allowed Meena to come over to my house last night so you could sleep with Dempsey?”
“And?”
“Do you ever wonder how that makes her feel?”
“Kellie, when you have kids, then maybe you can give me advice on how to be a mother.”
The room went silent again, this time knowing the level of things being spoken was being taken way too far.
Big Girls Drama Page 17