Ex-Terminator Life After Marriage

by Suzetta Perkins

  “No, Rachel.”

  Rachel quickly moved from the foyer into the family room and plopped down on the couch. “That witch is trying to steal Marvin from me,” she began. “I don’t believe her. Waltzing into our meeting with her sob story to try and get her ex-husband back.”

  “You saw her hair,” Sylvia pointed out.

  “So it was short and splotchy. Doesn’t prove a thing—she could have done it herself.”

  “Rachel, I believe Denise is sick even if I didn’t particularly care for how she chose to deliver her message. She’s a drama queen, and drama queens do what they do best—act it out. Clearly, Denise has issues, but I don’t think she’s feigning her illness.”

  “Sylvia, she’s not going to take away the best thing that has happened to me with her one-act play. I’ll fight her like the disease she has.”

  “That was not nice, Rachel. You ought to be ashamed for having thought that, let alone utter the words out loud. Listen to yourself. I know you’re afraid of losing Marvin. He’s a good man, but you have to trust that he loves you. He told me so.”

  Rachel’s shoulders relaxed. “He did?”

  “Yes, and it wasbefore Denise made her public announcement. But like he helped Claudette, he’s not going to abandon Denise during her time of need.”

  “You’re right, but I don’t trust her as far as I can see her, Sylvia.” Rachel picked up a pillow from the couch and threw it back down. “I hate her,” she said, beating the pillow with her fist.

  “Hate is a mighty strong word, sister.”

  “I know I’m being selfish because I want Marvin all to myself. Let’s drop it…the subject, that is.”

  Sylvia looked at Rachel, who sat back on the couch pouting. If it were her man, she would probably be doing the same thing. Her thoughts were on Kenny again; his image was strong in her mind. Misguided messages…no, messages she took to her bosom and pretended to ignore, danced in her head. She wanted him, and as soon as she got rid of Rachel, she would call Kenny and ask him to come and play.

  Was she mixed-up? Ten minutes earlier, she was asking God to help her. Now, she was helping herself.

  “Earth to Sylvia,” Rachel said, popping her fingers. “Where is he? I know you’ve got a man stashed away in your closet.”

  “Are you through?”

  “Not until I get some answers.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about, you crazy girl. And stop pulling on my robe.” Sylvia slapped Rachel’s hand.

  “Don’t keep any secrets from me, Sylvia. Where’s the man? You got him hiding in your closet. I’m going to check. You might as well confess because you know I’ll find you out.”

  “Nothing to tell, darling. And stop snooping around like a beagle. I have nothing to hide.”

  “Mmm-hmm. See, you can pretend that you don’t want Adonis back,” Rachel said, as she placed her hand on her hip, “but your best friend knows better. I’m not stupid.”

  “You’re being silly, Rachel.”

  “Jealous, that’s what I say. Jealous.”

  “Jealous of you and Marvin? I don’t think so.”

  “Sylvia, I love Marvin. I don’t know what I would do if he decides he wants to be with Denise, even if it’s because he feels sorry for her. Why does she have to have cancer now? Don’t say it; I know I’m being mean.”

  “I understand, sweetie. My advice is to be there for Marvin.”

  “I will. I just know that at one time Marvin loved Denise very much…maybe he still does. And now Denise’s illness may bring them back together.”

  “You may have to step back and let Marvin help her.”

  Rachel sat quietly on the couch, deep in thought.

  Sylvia sat next to Rachel and rubbed her back. “It’s okay. I’ll let you in on a secret. I was beginning to have reservations about our support group. I’m not sure that I believe in what I’m doing.”

  Rachel hugged her. “Girl, you are doing the right thing. If it hasn’t helped you, it has helped a whole lot of other folks. Look at me. Look at Ashley, Claudette and Mona. I’m grinning all the time like I haven’t got the good sense that God gave me. I’ve been renewed and I have a little more faith in that creature we call man. There are some good ones out there, Sylvia, if only I had let God pick out my man in the beginning. I’ll get through this crisis.”

  Sylvia smiled. “You are a good friend, Rachel.”

  “You hang in there and don’t even think about going anywhere because we need you. Your knight in shining armor will come.”

  “He may have already come.”

  “I knew it, I knew it, I knew it,” Rachel crowed.

  “You know what, you silly girl?”

  “Drive-thru.”

  “No, not quite a drive-thru.”

  “Whatever.”

  They laughed. Rachel picked up a pillow from the couch and tossed it at Sylvia playfully. “Now, tell me.”

  “Okay,” Sylvia began. “I’ve been reminiscing about Kenny.”

  “Kenny? He’s still hanging around?”

  “Kenny is a changed man, Rachel. You may not be able to see the good in him, but I have been with him to know.”

  “Have you slept with him?” Rachel asked politely with a bit of sarcasm in her voice.

  “No, but we have spent the night together.”

  “I can’t believe you kept this from me. Don’t blame you for a minute. I would have kept it under wraps, too. And you didn’t sleep with him? I don’t quite get it.”

  “You wouldn’t.”

  “Okay. That’s the second time someone has said that to me in as many days. I’m not stupid; it’s just difficult to understand.”

  “Nothing difficult about it at all. He is a gentleman—much like Marvin.”

  “Okay, my sistah. Tell me anything. Was it good to you?”

  “Again, we didn’t have sex, Rachel.” Sylvia’s mind was wandering. “I was having those crazy dreams about Adonis leaving me. Kenny’s touch was so gentle. He held me like my momma used to do when I hurt myself. He’s been good, Rachel.”

  “I have to respect that. And if my girl feels good about it, who am I to criticize?”

  “Exactly what I’ve been trying to say.”

  Rachel sucked her teeth. She picked up a magazine that was on the floor next to the couch. “Now, this is what I callphine .” Rachel pointed to the healthy hunk who was one of the thirty-one most eligible bachelors inEbony magazine.

  “Be happy for me. I am for you. It’s like this, Rachel. The meeting today was for the most part great, but it made me feel just how lonely I was. All those testimonies about how new life had sprung up in different lives. Look at you and Marvin, Claudette and Tyrone. I’m not settling for Kenny; I am falling in love with him.”

  “Sylvia, we’ve been friends a long time. I have made plenty of mistakes in my lifetime, but I know that Marvin not only feels right; he is right. I have no reason to sit in judgment of you. I was thinking about all the strides you’ve made to get over Adonis only to let a two-time loser like Kenny teeter your totter for a few minutes. But I have to believe you know who Kenny is, and I know you’ll do what you think is right for you.”

  “Great. Now why don’t you pick yourself up from my couch and go see about your man so I can see about mine.”

  “Does this mean you’re kicking me out of your house?”

  They laughed.

  “All right, Sylvia. I’m going to see about my good man.”

  “Arial said you didn’t know how to pick a man.”

  “She said that?”

  “Yeah, but I’ll let her know you’ve got a good one now. So get up and get ready for your drive-thru.”

  “No…you didn’t. I’ll have you know that I’m going to the drive-in. There’s a world of difference between drive-in, drive-thru and drive-by.”

  “And…the difference is…?”

  “I’ll say this.” Rachel sighed. “They’re all quickies.”

  Sylvia pi
cked up a pillow from the couch and threw it at Rachel. It was on. Pillows flew through the air.

  “You better watch out for my African fertility statue,” Sylvia warned.

  “Oh, the magic stick. You’ve been working this statue overtime.” They laughed and laid the pillows on the couch.

  “I love you, Rachel. You’ve always been a good friend.”

  “Honey, you’ve been there for me more times than I’ve been there for you. Sylvia, I love you from the bottom of my heart. I’m serious about our support group. It has helped me to get way beyond where I was at our first meeting, and I have you to thank.”

  Sylvia smiled and cupped her chin with her fingers, trying to suppress the emotions that wanted to leap out of her soul.

  “I just hope Kenny wasn’t hiding in one of your closets all this time, rushing me out of here.”

  “Out!” Sylvia laughingly shouted, pointing the way to the front door.It won’t be a drive-thru tonight, Sylvia thought.

  Rachel Washington

  Rachel was in a good mood when she left Sylvia’s. She and Marvin were going to be all right. She had to believe. Didn’t Sylvia just tell her that Marvin said he loved her? That he’d told her this very afternoon. Yes, she had nothing to worry about.

  Rachel turned on the radio; soft jazz floated through the air. She glanced at her watch. It was eight-thirty p.m. Darkness pushed the light from the city, and it was time for her to head home to get ready for another week at BellSouth.

  Cars whizzed by. Rachel held the steering wheel steady with her right hand while she rested her head in the other. All of a sudden, she grabbed the wheel with both hands and made a quick U-turn in the middle of the street and headed north.

  She made several turns and quickly got on I-85. A patrol car sat on the shoulder of the highway around the next bend. Rachel put her foot on the brake, spotting the car just in time. She hadn’t realized that she was going 75 miles-per-hour in a 65 mile-per-hour zone, but she was now alert.

  Her freeway exit reached out to her on the highway sign she passed beneath. Rachel immediately moved over into the right lane, ready to get off as soon as her exit beckoned her to do so. She was only ten or twelve minutes from her destination, and she couldn’t keep her foot from hitting the accelerator.

  Soon, the entry to the Somerville Estates subdivision was fifty feet away. She sped through the subdivision, oblivious to the speed limit signs posted at the entry and on the street. When she saw Marvin’s house, she pulled into the driveway.

  The blinds were drawn, and a faint light shone through an upstairs bedroom window. Rachel moved quickly up the few steps to the front door and rapped lightly. After a few seconds she started to ring the doorbell. Then she heard faint conversation. The woman’s voice caught her attention. She put her ear to the door, but the voices faded in and out.

  Rachel moved backward and stood staring at the door. Her blood began to boil as her imagination got the best of her. Images of Marvin wrapped around Denise flooded her mind. Before her senses caught up with her, Rachel reached out for the doorknob and twisted it hard, leaning hard on the door—which was unlocked. It swung open, startling Marvin—who stood consoling Denise, his arms wrapped around her like Saran Wrap.

  Shock registered in Rachel’s eyes. Her breathing was labored, and she stood with her feet spread apart, her right hand clutching her chest, waiting for an explanation—any explanation.

  Marvin went to Rachel and reached out to hold her. She brushed his hands away and didn’t miss the smirk that crossed Denise’s face.

  “What is she doing here, Marvin?” Rachel asked, tears forming in her eyes.

  “Marvin and I were talking about—,” Denise began.

  Rachel held out her hand. “I wasn’t talking to you.”

  “Hold it, Rachel,” Marvin said.

  “You’re going to take up for her?”

  “It’s not about taking up for Denise. You were rude. I know what you think you saw, but that’s not the way it was at all. Denise is going through a terrible period in her life, and I’ve promised that I would be there for her. I hope you can help me help her.”

  Rachel couldn’t believe her ears. “Can’t you see through her, Marvin? She’s just trying to worm her way back into your life. She had her chance when she was Mrs. Thomas. And why were you holding her like that?”

  “Let me answer that,” Denise cut in. “Contrary to what you might believe, Ms. Thing, my husband is a caring human being. We shared a life together, and yes, we are still friends. Friends help friends, and my friend has graciously agreed to be there for me. I know that Marvin has a thing for you, even though I don’t understand it, but let me leave you with this piece of advice. You are going to lose this man if you put a stranglehold on him. I’m not in competition with you because if I were, you wouldn’t stand a chance. So get it out of your head. But know I will be in your life as long as Marvin is.”

  “Are you going to let her just talk to me like that, Marvin?”

  “Rachel, Denise is making a lot of sense.”

  “Oh, is that right? Well, it doesn’t make sense to me! You can have your friend, because I’m out of here. You need to make up your mind, Marvin, which one of us you want.”

  “Rachel, you are being irrational. How many times do I have to tell you I love you? Today alone, I’ve told you more times than I’ve got fingers. I love you, Rachel, and I want you in my life, but I’m not going to desert Denise. It could have been you with breast cancer…”

  Rachel flung her head around and looked into Marvin’s eyes in disbelief as he tried to pronounce a death sentence on her.

  “But you don’t have it,” he continued. “Count yourself blessed that you are among the lucky ones not faced with an uncertain future. Denise has some rough roads ahead of her, and I will be going to chemotherapy with her and—”

  “Suit yourself,” Rachel barked. She took one last look at the pair and walked briskly out of the front door, slamming it behind her. She waited a minute on the porch, but Marvin didn’t follow her. Rachel raced to her car and fled into the night.

  Tears ran down Rachel’s cheeks. She felt humiliated and isolated. She looked down as her cell phone played Marvin’s song. “Let him sweat,” Rachel said aloud. “It’s going to be on my terms or there won’t be a Rachel and Marvin.”

  EX-tra Curricular Activity

  “The door is open,” Sylvia sang softly.

  “Rather dangerous leaving your door open for any stranger to walk in on—”

  Saliva caught in Kenny’s throat as the sight of Sylvia caused him to lose his balance and his train of thought. Sylvia stood in the middle of the room clad in a crème-colored satin robe with fur around the collar that came just to her waist, exposing a satin lace bikini and her form-fitting legs.

  “Not just any stranger, sweetie.” Sylvia smiled at the surprise on Kenny’s face.

  “Uhh, well, I don’t consider myself a stranger, however, if that works, I certainly don’t mind being one.” He couldn’t keep his eyes off of her.

  “Well, come in and close the door. You’re letting some of the mood I created slip out.”

  For the first time Kenny relaxed and smiled. It was then that he noticed the dozen or so candles flickering away in the dark, dancing to a midnight sonata.

  Sylvia was satisfied that the man she was fast claiming to be hers was pleased and that the night she planned was moving in the direction she intended. She stepped close to Kenny and planted a sensuous kiss on his lips.

  “I don’t know what I did to deserve this, but I’m happy about it. Oh, boy. Am I happy! Come over here and give me another one of those hypnotic kisses.”

  “At your service.”

  “May I ask, if I won’t be penalized for disturbing the mood, what has caused this change in you? A month ago, you acted as if you couldn’t stand the sight of me, and tonight we’ve become…”

  “Don’t flatter yourself. I’m horny and I need a man.”

  �
��Okay, Sylvia. Now that you have succeeded in deflating my ego…”

  “You pushed. You couldn’t just let the night flow.”

  “Look, why don’t we start over?”

  “I like the sound of that, Kenny.”

  Kenny held Sylvia, his gentle hands moving her within inches of him so that he could get a better look. Then he drew her near and held her, caressed her, kissed her lips. Sylvia reciprocated, she’d been longing for this moment.

  Peeling his lips from hers, Kenny looked at the beautiful woman in his arms.

  “If I was a dog, I’d eat you up right here and right now, but you have been trying to tell me something since that night at the hotel.”

  “What are you talking about? Kiss me again.”

  “Wait, Sylvia.” Kenny painted her lips with his fingers. “Making love to you is all I think about, and I know it will be wonderful when we do. I don’t know what’s different tonight from any other night, but I believe your Christian walk with God is being compromised, and I don’t want to be the reason.”

  “I can’t believe I prayed. I actually prayed for this moment, and now you want to get religious on me.”

  “It doesn’t make much sense to me, either. Girl, I want you so bad. Whoa, I want you, but you’ll thank me later. Besides, I told you that I have changed. If I plan to take these serious steps I’ve been contemplating about, I want it to be pure…like you are pure.”

  “Kenny, what steps are you talking about? All this talk of purity…where is the Kenny I used to know?”

  “Thought you didn’t like him.”

  “Well, there were some parts of him I liked better than others.”

  “I’ll accept that.”

  “Look, I would have cooked you a meal, but Mona worked it out today at our Ex-Files meeting. Oh, God, she had some mouthwatering food, and then that peach cobbler that was to die for.”