Foolish

by Anna Black

  Tracy finally spoke. “Doc, what if—”

  “What if what? You said you’d do anything to save your marriage. The first day you walked into my office, you told me that you’d do whatever it takes to save your marriage, right?”

  “Yes, but—”

  The doctor shook his head. “But what? What if? Yes, let’s answer that question. What if you go home, support your wife, and you live happily ever after? What if you go home and support your wife and her business fails, and you’re there to wipe her tears and comfort her and make her feel better? Either way, it’s a win-win situation.”

  Tracy smiled when he thought about it. If he just gave her a chance, she’d be successful. Only if he supported her and helped her. Even if she wasn’t successful, she still needed to try it for herself. All he had to do was be there for her. So what she lied? She only did it because he had been against it from day one. It wasn’t her fault that he hadn’t been supportive.

  He had a few things going on, and she’d never told him, not once, to not open another store or chain. She supported him in all things. Even if she thought it was risky, she told him she was behind him, but as soon as she wanted something, he had given her the finger, as if her dreams didn’t matter. Even after he pulled that bullshit with Kendell, she was still right there by his side, loving him with all she had. All his wife wanted to do was live out her dream in advertising.

  What was so wrong with that? She had come up with all his sales slogans and headliners. She was brilliant. She did have what it took to be successful, and he had to get his head out of his ass, go home, and make things right.

  He finished his session with Dr. Warner and headed back to his hotel room. The first thing he did was call Jonathan.

  “Hey, Jonathan, this is Trey. What’s going on, man?”

  “Nothing too much, man.” Tracy could hear the question in Jonathan’s voice. He sounded nervous.

  “Look, man, relax. It’s all good. I just have a couple questions for you.”

  “Sure, man. What’s up?” Tracy could tell he relaxed.

  “When is my wife’s grand opening?”

  “Supposed to be in about twenty days. Why?”

  “What’s left to do?”

  “Well, minor things, mostly cosmetic.”

  “Okay. What can we do to make this happen in, maybe say, ten days?”

  “Wow, man. Shit. I’d have to double the staff and have evening hours. That means overtime, and I’m sure that is gon’ cost. We are already just a minute away from being over budget.”

  “That’s it?”

  “Basically.”

  “Check this out: I have been a fool. I almost walked away from what matters to me the most. If I can get a night crew, will that speed things up?”

  “Sure, man, that would be great.”

  “Cool. Listen, don’t tell November we spoke. Stall her and keep her away from the site. I’ll do whatever it takes to open her place in ten days.”

  “I’m on it.”

  “Let me make some calls, and I’ll call you back.”

  “Okay, Trey, man. That sounds good.”

  “A’ight.”

  “And, Trey?”

  “What’s up?”

  “She loves you, man. Through the whole process, she wanted to tell you.”

  “I know, man.”

  “Trey, that woman loves you and values her marriage and those kids. She said over and over again that she’d never let anything come before you guys.”

  “Jay, man, I know and I’m going home. I am not gonna spend another night away from them. Trust me, I made some bad decisions, and she has been there for me. No way I can’t be there for her.”

  “I’m glad to hear that, my brother. She’ll be happy when you do what you need to do. She hasn’t counted you out. All she said was, ‘He just needs some time.’ She never gave up on her marriage or you. It takes a strong woman to still defend you after everything. She still has your back, Tracy.”

  “I know, Jay. I’m blessed to have her. That is why you have to help me make this happen. I just want her to be happy.”

  “I gotcha. I’m on it. Just hit me back with the contractor’s info so I can get a night shift going. If we can do that, we maybe can pull it off in less than ten days. I’m telling you, what’s left is all cosmetic.”

  “Okay, man. I’ll be in touch,” Tracy said.

  Chapter Thirty-seven

  The kids were asleep, and November was on the sofa in the family room. She had on her bathrobe over shorts and one of Tracy’s T-shirts. Her hair was tied up, and she had on her wrap cap. She had a Kleenex in one hand and a glass of wine in the other, watching The Notebook for the first time, and it had her sobbing and thinking about Tracy. Her eyes were swollen, and her head ached from all the crying.

  She muted the volume and sipped her wine. She missed Tracy and wanted him to come back home. She had beaten herself up about going behind his back to open her business. She should have just told him instead of hiding it from him, she thought as she refilled her glass. The idea of having a business was wonderful, but she didn’t want it if it meant her marriage.

  The last time they talked, they argued, and she had said some evil things to Tracy. It was no wonder he hadn’t come home to her that night. She had been mad at first, but after a few days, she calmed down. She just wanted him to come home. If he didn’t want her to have the business, she wasn’t going to. She would finish the construction on the space and put it back on the market. She just wanted to have peace in her home. She wanted that more than anything.

  She was on her way back to the couch, after she put the bottle back into the fridge, when she heard the garage door open. It scared her for a moment, but then she realized it meant her husband was home. She ran to the bathroom and snatched her wrap cap off and combed her hair down. Then she hurried and got her gloss from her purse and put some on her lips. She didn’t have time to run upstairs and change, so she made a mad dash to the sofa and sat down just before he came through the kitchen door.

  He looked like a ray of sunshine to her. She was happy to see him, but she didn’t make any moves. She waited for him.

  “Hey,” he said.

  “Hey,” she said back.

  After a moment or two, he walked over and sat on the coffee table in front of her. She tried to hold back her smile, but she couldn’t, and he smiled back.

  “Listen, Tracy, I’m sorry for going behind your—”

  “Shhh. No apologies necessary. I’ve been an asshole.”

  “No, Tracy, I—”

  “No, baby, you listen. I know why you did what you did, and I know how important this is to you. I have no right to hold you back from something you desire in your heart to do. It was not fair for me to not support you or even give you a chance to try. You’ve supported me in every business decision I’ve made over the years, and I want to do the same for you for a change. I’m sorry for not listening to you when you tried to tell me time and time again about starting your business.”

  “Tracy, do you mean what you’re saying?”

  “Yes. I’m with you one hundred percent.”

  She froze and her mouth opened wide, but no words came out at first. She blinked and then after comprehension dawned she let out a, “Thank you, baby. I can do this. I know I can do this,” with excitement.

  “I know you can, baby, and I will be here to help you with whatever. We’ll hire Rose full-time to help with the kids, whatever it takes. It is all gonna work out.”

  She sat up on the couch and came closer to him. She kissed him, and he pulled her closer. They kissed passionately, and he pushed the robe off her shoulders. Her body was ready to take her husband back, so she went for his belt, trying to unbutton his pants.

  No matter how bad things got, they always found their way back to each other and had no trouble picking up where they left off. They moved upstairs, and Tracy took control from there.

  * * *

  The next morning
, the aroma from the kitchen woke November up. She opened her eyes and looked at the clock. It was a little after ten a.m. She rolled out of bed and went into the bathroom. Her reflection made her jump. Her hair was a mess. She started the water in the shower and used the bathroom before she stepped in.

  After cleaning herself up, she put on a fresh robe and went downstairs. Everyone was up, and her man was cooking. Trinity was in the swing and TJ was in his booster seat with Cheerios all over the table.

  “Hey, baby. Good morning,” Tracy said.

  “Hey, why didn’t you wake me?”

  “Well, you’ve been with the kids for the past few days, and I wanted to let you get some rest.”

  “Thank you, babe,” she said, and they kissed. “You didn’t have to do all this.” She pinched a piece of turkey bacon.

  “Oh, yes, I did. First, because I love you. Second, because after last night, your man is starving. And Cheerios is not man food.” They laughed.

  “Well, I can take it from here,” she said.

  “No, ma’am. You sit down. I got this.”

  “Okay,” she said, not arguing. She poured herself a glass of orange juice and had a seat. A few minutes later, he put a plate in front of her. It looked delicious. He sat down across from her, bowed his head, and said grace.

  “Well, my dear, I have a surprise for you,” he said, reaching for the syrup for his hotcakes.

  “What? What kind of surprise?”

  “Well, when you are done, you need to pack, because we are going to Hawaii.”

  “Hawaii?”

  “Yep. You, me, and the kids,” he said and put a forkful of hotcakes into his mouth.

  “For how long?”

  “Ten days.”

  “Ten days? Baby, the office . . . I open soon. I don’t need to be taking any trips. I need to be here in case something happens.”

  “Listen, baby, it’s okay. I talked to Jonathan and Kendell this morning, and they guaranteed me that they can handle everything for us while we’re gone.”

  “You talked to Kendell?” she asked, surprised.

  “Yes, I talked to Kendell, and it’s all good, baby. Don’t worry.”

  “But, baby—”

  “Shhh. Trust me. Now eat. We have to pack. We need this. You, I, and the kids need some Stone family time. Your place still has twenty days, so you’ll be back in time to finish up. But we need this.”

  She smiled. She could use a break from the construction, the noise, and the stress. When she finished her breakfast and cleaned the kitchen, they threw a couple of suitcases together. Tracy told her whatever she forgot or didn’t pack, he’d buy when they got there.

  * * *

  After they landed in Hawaii and arrived at their hotel, the kids were asleep. November and Tracy took advantage of their quiet time by taking a bath together. After, they sat out on the lanai enjoying the view and sipping champagne. The mid-October weather was nothing like the weather in Chicago, and they loved the change of scenery. They ordered room service for dinner and ate by candlelight.

  “Enjoying yourself, Mrs. Stone?”

  “Oh, yes. It is beautiful out here. This has to be a dream,” she said, holding Tracy’s hand.

  “Nope, this is real, my love.”

  “You know, Tracy, I never thought my life would turn out like this,” she said.

  “Like what?”

  “Like this. You and the kids. I mean, I’ve always known I’d get married and have kids someday, but it still amazes me sometimes that it happened.”

  “Well, baby, it’s real, and you have a big-headed husband and two big-headed kids,” he joked.

  “Hey, Trinity’s head isn’t big,” she protested.

  “But mine and TJ’s are, huh?” he said.

  She laughed. “Hey, like father like son, right?”

  “Yes, you’re right, beautiful, and it’s all good. We are blessed with two beautiful children, and I have the finest wife on the planet.”

  November almost spit out her champagne. “The finest on the planet?” she asked.

  “Yep. I know what I said.” He gave her a smile.

  “And I have the finest husband in the universe,” she said.

  He burst into laughter. “I can live with that,” he said.

  “Thank you, Tracy,” she said when they finished dinner. “Our marriage is solid, and I am glad you chose me.”

  “You’re welcome. I want to also thank you for forgiving me, and I’m glad you chose me.” They toasted. “Now, can we get on to the lovemaking? Because I’m ready.” He rubbed his hands together.

  She smiled. “You know what? You’re nasty.”

  “I know. And you know you like it.”

  He eased over to her lawn chair, and he lifted her legs up, put them across his lap, and rubbed them. They got up and made their way back inside and ended up on the huge bed. He kissed her everywhere, making sure he didn’t miss a spot on her body. After they were done, he lay with his body wrapped around hers.

  “I love all of you.”

  “Thank you, Tracy. And I love you too.”

  Chapter Thirty-eight

  “Are you sure everything is in order?” Tracy asked Kendell.

  He had called while November was in the shower. They hadn’t made the ten-day mark, but they were still seven days before the original opening date, and he was anxious to surprise his wife. It had been hell keeping her from the site when they got back from Hawaii. He kept her busy and made sure Jonathan and Kendell helped him to help her relax and stay away.

  “Yes, man. Everything is done.”

  “And everyone will be there, right?”

  “Yes, Trey. Man, for the hundredth time, relax. We have done everything you asked us to do. Everything is in order. You just get her there on time.”

  “I am relaxed. This just means so much to Novey.”

  “I know, man, and I’m glad you two worked it out,” Kendell said.

  “Yeah, me too. And thanks, man, for helping me out. I know we’ve had our issues, but I do appreciate you stepping up and helping my wife. You are a good guy, Kendell, and I can’t tell you how much respect I have for you, man. No matter what, you’ve always tried to do the right thing. Even when I was on some ol’ crazy shit, you’ve tried to do the right thing. Again, I’m sorry for my shit.”

  “Well, man, your wife is a good girl, and for some unknown reason, man, she loves your ass,” he said, and they laughed. “Even if I wanted to, she was yours true blue.”

  “Well, I do know how to pick ’em,” he said jokingly.

  “Yeah, well, God had a hand in that, because in all honesty I still don’t think you deserve her. But I ain’t hating. You make that woman happy.”

  “Yes, man, I try. But you, Kendell, are a standup guy and I know that we may not be as tight as we were back in college, but I hope that you and I can hang again.”

  “We’ll see, brother. Just take it one day at a time. We all have some healing to do, but right now I gotta get over there and make sure we are still on schedule.”

  “I feel you, bro, and thanks again.”

  “Don’t mention it. I’ll see you guys around two,” he said, and they hung up.

  Tracy made a few more calls while November was in the bathroom. Everything seemed to be in order. All he had to do was get November in her good clothes and get her out of the house. It wasn’t going to be easy because November wasn’t the easiest woman to surprise, but he had to pull it off because it was something he could finally say that he was happy for her about. Now that things were in place, the idea of her having her business wasn’t a bad idea at all.

  Chapter Thirty-nine

  “Where are we going, baby, please?” November asked as they rode in his Infiniti. She had a satin blindfold on.

  “If I told you it wouldn’t be a surprise, now, would it?” he said, taking her hand down from the blindfold.

  “Come on, Tracy. I feel ridiculous riding around blindfolded.”

  “Wel
l, you look beautiful to me,” he said rubbing the back of her hand.

  “Ha, ha, ha. Now, please can I take this thing off?”

  “No, baby. Come on. Let yo’ man surprise you.”

  “I wanna be surprised, Tracy, but I don’t wanna ride around with this thing over my eyes.”

  “Just a little longer, I promise. Okay, baby?” he said, taking her hand down again.

  “Man, babe.”

  “November, come on. It’s not that bad.”

  “Okay, okay. I’ll be patient,” she said and tried to relax in the seat. She tried to forget how silly she thought she looked by singing with the music on the radio. They slowed, and she was anxious to see what the big surprise was. He parked, and he told November to hold tight while he came around to help her out.

  “Can I look now?” she asked before he could get out.

  “No. Just wait a few more moments, baby,” he said and closed his door. He opened her door, and he took her hands and helped her out.

  “Baby, come on. Where are we?” she asked impatiently.

  “You’ll see,” he said and guided her directly in front of her new office building. They stopped, and November couldn’t take it anymore. “Okay, are you ready?” he asked.

  “Yes, yes, yes. I’m ready. Please can I take this thing off?” she asked, and he gently removed it. She stood there and couldn’t believe what was in front of her. Her office was done, completed, and there wasn’t a construction worker in sight. “Tracy no, no way, no freaking way. How can this be? I mean, oh, my God,” she said looking at the door with the big bow on it.

  “You wanna go inside?”

  “Yes, yes, I wanna go,” she said shaking. He held her hand, and they walked up to the door. He opened it, and she walked in first. “Oh, my goodness. Oh, my goodness,” she said looking around. It was amazing.