Confessions

by Sasha Campbell

  I strolled into the building, waving at Chuck, then swung my hips as I moved toward my desk.

  “Good morning, everyone,” I sang merrily.

  “Good morning, Trinette,” Patricia said with her brow up inquisitively. “How was your weekend?” I already knew her nosy behind wanted all the details.

  “Fabulous. We spent a great deal of time talking, put an offer on a house and we went shopping for this little thing.” I swung my hand out.

  Patricia took one look at the diamond glittering on my finger and jumped from her seat and came over. “Let me see your hand.” She practically yanked my arm out the socket. “Is that a yellow diamond?”

  I nodded. “It’s a canary yellow diamond. A ten thousand dollar diamond.” I made sure I said it loud enough for Maureen to hear me as she strolled in late as usual. She tried to act like she wasn’t interested in what we were talking about, but I knew better.

  The day after being at the motel with Michael, I had come in prepared to fight. Trust and believe, I left the hoop earrings at home and a small jar of Vaseline was still in my purse. Luckily, Maureen’s behavior in the office hadn’t changed. She came in talking about her house and husband as usual, so I was no longer sure it was her who tried to run me down in the parking lot.

  I looked at Patricia, but I spoke loud and clear for the whole office to hear. “Leon said he wants to renew our vows. Girl, he dropped down on one knee and proposed to me all over again, then said he wanted to buy me a new ring.” I held out my hand for the others who crowded around to see. “I knew this was the ring the moment I saw it.”

  “I guess so at that price,” Maureen mumbled under her breath. She walked over and took a look and tried not to look impressed. I couldn’t help but glance down at her finger. Her diamond didn’t in any way compare to mine. And to think I thought her man was everything. “It’s nice,” she said with a shrug. “I don’t really care for colored stones.”

  I pursed my lips. “That’s funny, ’cause a month ago you were talking about getting a chocolate diamond.”

  She rolled her eyes and returned to her seat. “Actually Michael’s planning to buy me a pink diamond.”

  I just bet he is. She was hating, and I wasn’t in the mood for her shit. This was my time to shine, and no one was going to take that from me.

  As soon as everyone had a chance to look and compliment, I walked up to my supervisor’s door and knocked.

  Yolanda smiled. “Hey, Trinette. Come on in.”

  I stepped in swinging my hand, making sure she saw my finger. “I would like to talk to you in private if that’s okay.”

  “Sure, close the door.” I pulled the door behind me and moved over and took a seat across from her.

  Her brow rose curiously. “What’s going on?”

  I couldn’t believe I was about to do this. “I would like to let you know I will be joining my husband in Richmond in June.”

  She removed her glasses from her eyes as if she needed to look at me closer. “Are you saying you’re leaving?”

  I swallowed. “Yes, I’m moving to Richmond shortly after I graduate.”

  Yolanda steepled her fingers and was quiet for a few seconds. “I’m not supposed to say this, but I hope my telling you this will help you to change your mind. You were getting the director’s position.”

  My mouth dropped, and then my heart started pounding. This was the moment I had been preparing for, for the last year, but the job in no way compared to my marriage. “Thank you so much for considering me, but I’m gonna have to pass.” I rose and walked back to my desk and started my day, but it was hard to concentrate. All I could do was think about my new house. Of course I had photos to pass around the office.

  Nikki wanted me to meet her for lunch. I told her I’d meet her at the St. Louis Bread Factory at noon. I walked in and got us a table in the corner and waited. The whole time I stared down at my ring. It was beautiful, and I felt like the luckiest woman in the world.

  I spotted Nikki moving across the restaurant looking fabulous in a khaki skirt, white shirt and brown flats.

  She flopped down on the bench across from me. “Girl, I am about to pull my hair out! At first it was funny, but now Kenyon is so got-damn worrisome.”

  I pointed a finger in her direction. “I told you something wasn’t right with him. You should have listened to me and left his ass alone a long time ago.”

  “I don’t understand it. I tell him Donovan and I are working things out, but he keeps saying there’s nothing wrong with having hope. What the hell is wrong with him?”

  I started laughing. “Yeah, your radio show was hilarious. I heard the end of it just as I made a mad dash to catch my plane.”

  “Netta, I’ve never been so embarrassed in my life. I can’t wait to leave for the book expo in New York, just so I can have a break from his worrisome ass.”

  I reached across the table and squeezed Nikki’s hand. “Hey, don’t let anything or anyone stand in the way of your happiness.”

  Her brow rose. “What’s gotten into you?”

  I gave her a dismissive wave. “Leon. Leon’s what’s gotten to me. Nikki, I have never been so happy before in my life.”

  She gave me a weird look, as if she didn’t believe a word I said. Any other time I could care less if my best friend believed me, but now it was important for her to know I have changed. “In the last several weeks I have realized that I have a good man I’ve taken for granted for so long. I almost lost him, but now I’ve got a second chance and I’m so grateful.”

  Her eyes grew wide. “Trinette, girl, are you crying?”

  I nodded. “Yes, because I’m so happy. Look.” I held out my hand, and she took one look at my ring and started screaming.

  “Oh, my goodness!”

  A woman at the next table rolled her eyes, and I heard her mumble “ghetto” under her breath.

  “Bitch, I can show you ghetto!” I snapped, and she quickly turned and looked down at her menu.

  “It’s beautiful.” Nikki had tears in her eyes.

  “We’re renewing our vows in July, and we would love for you and Donovan to be there.”

  “I’d love it, too.” She locked her eyes with mine. “Are you sure this time?”

  I was nodding and wiping tears at the same time. “More sure than I have been about anything in a long time.” I know my girl was skeptical, but I was for real. “I’m serious, Nikki. I have taken Leon for granted for so long and I can’t understand why, because he is such a good man and he has been nothing but good to me. And when I think about all the things I have done to him over the years, I feel so sad I want to cry be…because he didn’t deserve to be treated like that, and if he didn’t love me soooo much he would have left me a long time ago, but I am soooo thankful he hasn’t. I’m…so thankful.” I was crying again. Nikki reached for a couple of napkins and handed them to me. “Thanks, girl. I’m acting like a crybaby.”

  “And you look a mess. Netta, your mascara is running all down your cheeks.” She was crying and laughing at the same time. I started laughing, and I reached inside my purse and removed my compact and started laughing even harder when I saw how horrible I looked.

  “Girl, I look like somebody just beat my ass or something.” I wiped away the mess the best I could.

  Nikki chuckled. “I am so happy for you. Really, I am.”

  I snapped the compact closed and returned it to my purse. “Thanks, girl. I knew if anyone would have my back it would be you.”

  “Always. I only want the best for you, and I’m glad your ass finally came to your senses. You know I love Leon like a brother.”

  “And I love my man with everything I have. Now…” I began, reaching for a menu. “What are you gonna do about Kenyon?”

  Nikki gave me a worried look. “I don’t know.”

  “Well, do like I did with Cory. Threaten to tell his mother.”

  She gave me a confused look. “Netta, his mama is dead.”

  “Exact
ly.” For the first time since she’d taken a seat at the table, Nikki breathed a sigh of relief. All I could think was, she better do something fast because Donovan was due home in a month.

  43

  Nikki

  I love attending BookExpo America. It’s always a fabulous opportunity to get a lot of free books, meet a lot of the popular authors, pass out business cards and encourage authors to add my bookstore to their tour.

  I had two rolling suitcases filled with books and catalogs from several of the big houses. I always made it my business to visit the Kensington Publishing booth as well as several others before heading down to the African-American Pavilion.

  Physically drained, I made it back to my hotel and moved down the hall to my room. I was ready to take a hot shower and get room service. I slipped out of my clothes, called downstairs and ordered a salad, then jumped in the shower. Twenty more days and Donovan would be back in the states. I couldn’t wait to wake up beside him every morning. This time our marriage was going to work, I was confident of that.

  I climbed out the shower just as I heard a knock at the door. Damn, room service was quick. I slipped into a hotel robe and padded across the room. The moment I swung the door open, I was swept up in a kiss. I was so shocked it took me a second to react and push him away.

  “What the hell are you doing?”

  “Showing my baby how much I missed her.” Kenyon was smiling as he moved over to a table in the corner, carrying a bag. “I brought your favorite wine and some fruit.”

  Okay, this mothafucker was definitely stalking me. “How in the world did you know I was in New York?”

  He gave me a puzzled look. “Baby, don’t you remember? You invited me to go to New York with you?” He shook his head, then reached for the corkscrew.

  “I didn’t…” I paused, suddenly remembering I’d not only told him in detail about the exposition but had also said it would be fun if he attended. “Fool, that was when we were still together!”

  “Sweetie, I understand,” he said with a reassuring smile.

  “Understand what?”

  “That you had to pretend we weren’t together so your husband wouldn’t know. I understand. But I had this day circled and my ticket bought, and I knew you still wanted me to come so we could spend this time together. By the way, something is wrong with your cell phone. I tried calling you to see if you wanted to share a cab from the airport, but I wasn’t able to get through to you.” Kenyon swung around and carried over a glass of wine. “Baby, here you go.”

  I slapped the glass away, splashing wine all over his shoes and the carpet. Kenyon frowned, then moved into the bathroom and came out wiping himself off. “Why are you angry?”

  “Why do you think I’m angry? Because we…are…not…together…anymore.” I spaced out each word evenly.

  He looked up and gave me that sexy smile of his, and I ain’t gonna even lie, my nipples hardened in response. “Baby, I told you we would always be together. Nothing or nobody is ever gonna change that.”

  “Either you get outta my room or I’m calling hotel security!”

  The smile slipped from his face. “Baby, we love each other. Why are you playing games and trying to act like you didn’t want me here?”

  “Because I don’t!”

  “Room service!” called a voice from out in the hall.

  I moved toward the door quickly and opened it. I looked down at the name tag. “Charlie, come on in, because this fool is leaving.”

  The short white dude with blond hair and blue eyes had to be in his twenties. He looked from me to Kenyon, then pushed the cart inside. I held the door open. “Kenyon, you need to leave.”

  He looked confused at first, then turned angry. “Oh, so that’s whassup! You’re trying to get rid of me so you can spend time with him.”

  This dude had really lost it. “What are you talking about?”

  “Don’t play dumb! I fly all the way up here to spend a romantic week with you and then you try to play me with this short butterball. So tell me, did the two of you meet in the elevator?”

  Charlie held up his hands. “Sir, I don’t know what you’re talking about. I just came to deliver the food.”

  “Sure you did, and my woman just happens to be sitting in her room half naked waiting for you.”

  He turned to me. I frowned and tightened the belt on my robe. “Ignore him. He’s crazy. Kenyon, get the hell outta my room!”

  That damn muscle at his jaw twitched, and the next thing I knew he flipped the food cart over and charged the delivery guy. “That’s my woman! She’s mine!”

  I tried to pull Kenyon off him. My belt kept coming loose and my robe flapping wide open. I ended up reaching for the bottle of Moscato wine and breaking it across Kenyon’s head. He crumpled onto the carpet, and Charlie scrambled to his feet.

  “What the hell just happened?” he asked. His blue eyes were wide with fear.

  I shook my head. “I’m sorry, but I have no idea. That man is crazy.”

  “Obviously.” He looked down at Kenyon, who groaned and rolled to his side. Charlie balled his fist ready to go another round. He had just gotten his ass kicked, so he would want to go sit down somewhere before Kenyon dusted the floor with him again. I quickly moved to the phone, called the front desk and asked them to send up security.

  Rubbing his head, Kenyon slowly rose to his feet. Charlie’s punk ass suddenly chickened out and dashed from the room, leaving me alone with that psycho.

  “Security’s on the way,” I warned, just in case he was even thinking about trying anything.

  Kenyon gave me a disappointed look. “Nikki, you were wrong for hitting me. All I ever done is try to make you happy, and this is the thanks I get. Mark my word, you’re gonna regret taking my love for granted.” He hurried out of the room and down the hall.

  If that wasn’t proof that dude was crazy, then nothing is. The second I got back to St. Louis, I would get an ex parte.

  44

  Trinette

  It was Saturday and I was sitting at my kitchen table studying for a big test when my cell phone rang. I looked down and smiled when I realized it was Leon. Every time I saw his picture flash across the screen I felt all funny inside. “Hey, baby. Missing me already?”

  Leon cleared his throat. “I was just out to my mailbox, and guess what I found?”

  “What?” Like I didn’t already know.

  “A letter.” He sounded surprised.

  I was smiling because my letter had arrived. I knew it would make his day. Monday, I had taken the time to send him a personal handwritten letter just to let him know I was thinking about him. I truly needed to start doing that more often. “Really now? From who?”

  There was a pause. “I don’t know. There is no return address.”

  Leon is such a kidder. I decided to play along. “Wow, a mystery letter.”

  “Yeah…let me read it to you.”

  I moved over to the refrigerator for a bottle of water while I listened.

  “‘Dear Leon, I don’t know if you’re the right Leon Montgomery who’s married to Trinette Montgomery, the case worker who lives in St. Louis. If not, please disregard. If this is the right Leon, I feel it’s my duty to tell you about your wife. The adulteress…’”

  What? I dropped the water onto the floor. That wasn’t the letter I sent him. My pulse was racing and I didn’t dare breathe while I waited for him to continue.

  “‘Your wife is not the woman you think she is. She has no intentions of moving to Richmond. She doesn’t really want you. The only reason why she is still with you is because of the money, and without you she can’t afford to live the life she has grown accustomed to. She spends her time at work bragging about how she got her man wrapped around her finger while she has a different man in her bed every week. She’s been sleeping with men in Ft. Leonard Wood, St. Louis, Chicago and Dallas. In fact she has been messing with the husband of one of her clients for some time now. What she’s doing is not
right, and I felt you should know. You deserve better than that. Trinette has been this way all her life, and she’s not going to change for you or anyone else, because all she truly cares about is herself.’”

  There was a long silence. All I could hear was my heart pounding heavily against my chest.

  “Well…is that true?”

  I moistened my mouth so I could speak. “No, Leon. It isn’t true.”

  “Which part isn’t true? That you’ve been messing around on me or the part about you only wanting me for my money.” I could tell by the tone of his voice he was hurt. That was one thing I never wanted to do to him.

  “Both.”

  “Now I know you’re lying, because all you’ve ever cared about, Netta, is money. Why would someone be lying on you?”

  “Because folks be hating on me.”

  “No, it sounds to me like someone decided to tell on you.” He released a frustrated breath while I tried to think fast as to what to say. “Is this why you didn’t want to come to Richmond and live with me, because you were messing around?”

  “No, that isn’t why! I told you, I was trying to live for me. Get my degree and a promotion so I could be more than just your wife. Why’s it so hard for you to understand?”

  “It’s not. I told you before I’ll support you in every way, but I get the feeling there is a lot more to this story.”

  “Why you say that? Because someone sent you a letter and now you’re gonna believe what someone else said?” My knees threatened to give out. I managed to make it to the table and take a seat.

  “Trinette, I asked you before to put everything on the table, and you said you had, so I’m going to ask you again. Have you been messing around?”

  I learned a long time ago you can’t admit everything. “I didn’t start seeing anyone until after you dumped me on Valentine’s Day.”