by Dyanne Davis
“Eric went out for a few drinks with the sergeant he’s working with. He told me he had a good time dancing and had a few too many drinks. He didn’t mention seeing you there, though.”
“I guess he was a little too preoccupied.”
“Probably,” Gabi answered, not taking the bait. “I’m sure he didn’t intend to be rude. Next time you run into him you should speak, he’d love it. I am surprised that it took you an hour to notice the woman he was dancing with wasn’t me.”
Gabi reached for the next chart, smiled, and called the patient into the room. She was grateful she didn’t have to give shots at the moment. She was feeling much too volatile to stick anyone with a needle.
Tracie was supposed to be her friend. And what she’d done Gabi didn’t consider friendly. It was a dig, pure and simple. But there was not a damn thing she could do about it, and she refused to wear her feelings on her sleeves. She thought of Tracie telling her she could tell she and Eric were fighting because Gabi had not been oozing with stories about him.
Gabi took the patient’s blood pressure and replaced the cuff, her mind still on Tracie’s comment. She would have to make sure their lunchtime conversations contained dewy-eyed comments as she lied about something wonderful Eric had done. She had no choice but to lie as he’d done nothing wonderful in months, not since finding he was sterile.
***
Gabi stuffed the laundry into the washing machine, determined not to bring Eric’s shirt to her nose, determined not to try and place the scent. She closed her eyes and felt the knife jabbing away at her. She couldn’t believe Eric was cheating on her. Cheating was one of the two things she wouldn’t tolerate. They’d talked about this before they were married.
Eric knew that she wouldn’t stand for a man putting his hands on her and that she wouldn’t stand for her husband cheating. She’d told him that. She’d grown up with cheating and spousal abuse in most of the foster homes she’d been placed in. She wasn’t going to take either.
As much as she loved Eric, she’d been telling him the truth when she told him that she would leave him. Tit for tat, baby, she thought to herself.
Gabi couldn’t help it. She brought the shirt to her nose, the perfume stinging. She wasn’t crying, she told herself. “I’m just having an allergic reaction,” she said softly as the tears fell from her eyes and streamed down her cheeks.
***
“Girl, your husband’s a good dancer.”
“Isn’t he, though?” Gabi grinned at Jamilla, wondering where she’d seen Eric dancing. She was grateful she had her hand wrapped around her Coke. She sucked the icy drink through the straw and into her mouth, fighting the urge to fling the liquid on her co-worker.
“Yeah, he danced with me once last night but then this hoochie got him and wouldn’t let him go.”
“Can’t say as I’d blame her,” Gabi answered and took a bite of her sandwich.
“I was going to ask him to give me a ride home but he left before I got a chance.”
“Too bad. Were you there with Tracie?” Gabi asked, ignoring the shards of glass piercing her soul, or her blood that had to be running down her arms and her legs.
Gabi looked at the floor expecting to see a puddle of her blood, but there was nothing.
Where’s your ‘have faith’ now? she silently asked the voice in her head. Seems when I can use you telling me that, you aren’t here. Why? Is it because my husband is screwing around on me and there is nothing you can say? Well, let me tell you this: Having faith ain’t gonna cut it. If he’s screwing around, his ass is out.
For the rest of her shift Gabi avoided Tracie’s looks of pity and Jamilla’s smirk. She wanted to kill Eric for humiliating her like this. Sure, he was hurting, but so was she. But she wasn’t running out to clubs getting smashed, or dancing. She was sitting home worrying about her husband and wondering how to fix their marriage.
The sound of babies crying in the waiting room renewed the pain Gabi was carrying. She’d begged off working with the pediatrician but that didn’t prevent her from seeing or hearing all of the babies coming in for their checkups.
Her stomach lurched when Tracie walked toward her. There was a determined look in Tracie’s eyes, the same look they all had when they had to tell a patient bad news. “What’s the matter?” Gabi asked before Tracie could open her mouth.
“Come into the back with me. I need to tell you something.”
“Sure.” The voice that came from Gabi’s mouth did not sound like her at all. It sounded like someone who had stuffed their mouth full of rocks. Tracie turned, giving her a inquisitive look, no doubt wondering why Gabi wasn’t following behind her. Her feet wouldn’t move, that’s why.
Gabi gave a weak smile and ordered her brain to send the proper command to her feet. She followed Tracie into the kitchen, surprised when Tracie kept walking out the back door of the clinic and into the parking lot. The numbness became all encompassing. This was serious.
“Let’s walk across the lot to Dominick’s.”
“But…”
“It’s okay, we won’t be gone that long.”
“Tracie, you’re being so mysterious. Just spit it out, tell me what’s wrong.” Gabi stopped walking, wanting to get this over with.
“Jamilla is angry with you.”
“You mean that little confrontation we had about Mr. Rivers? I apologized.”
“She was angry with you long before that. She’s jealous of you and she’s out to hurt you. I just wanted to warn you to watch your back.”
“What can she do to me?” Gabi stood in the middle of the parking lot knowing exactly what it was Jamilla could do to her.
“She’s going after Eric. It’s no secret that the two of you are having problems. I’ve seen him without you several times now in the same club in Joliet, and so has Jamilla.”
As they walked into the store, Gabi decided to forget the pretense of coming there to shop and leaned against a wall. “Are they… She took in a breath. “Do you think she’s sleeping with him?”
“You would know that better than me.” Tracie blushed and looked down. “I’m just telling you so you can put a stop to it.”
“Eric wouldn’t cheat on me.”
Silence.
“He wouldn’t.” Gabi swallowed. “I don’t even know why I asked you if they were sleeping together. I don’t think even Jamilla would go that far, we’re friends.”
“With friends like that you don’t need enemies.”
“Tracie, the entire time Eric was gone, Jamilla was a good friend to me. She kept me from being so lonely. I owe her.”
“You owe her nothing. She wanted someone to party with, and you were alone and lonely. She wasn’t hanging with you for you, but for herself. Now that Eric’s returned she’s jealous.”
“Of what?”
“Of what you had.”
Gabi blinked. Tracie had said had. A soft groan slipped out of her. She didn’t have enough friends to lose any. And if she admitted to the truth, she wasn’t feeling confident enough about her marriage to do nothing. The thought of making amends with Jamilla came to her. Maybe if she did something to let the woman know there were no hard feelings, maybe Jamilla would play in someone else’s back yard.
“I was thinking of having a cookout, inviting everyone from the office,” Gabi lied, having just thought of it on the spot. She shrugged her shoulders. “I shouldn’t have called Jamilla on Mr. Rivers. Maybe it’s up to me to make amends.” She glanced expectantly at Tracie.
“You can try. But if you’re hoping Jamilla will have a conscience and keep her hands away from your husband, I’d say that’s a long shot.”
What Gabi was hoping was that Eric would keep his hands off Jamilla. She wanted to remind him that Jamilla was her friend.
“Having the party is not all about Jamilla. I need some normalcy in my life. I need a party, I need to have some fun.”
This time when Gabrielle smiled, she meant it. She had not thought abou
t how much she needed fun until the words came out. A party might not be the thing to fix her marriage but she was sure hoping it helped her state of mind.
The moment they were back in the office she went to her co-workers and invited them for a weekend cookout. When she told Jamilla there was a moment’s hesitation.
“You sure you want me to come?” Jamilla asked. “You’ve been treating me funny for weeks.”
“I’m sorry if you thought that. And yes, I want you to come.” Gabi grinned. “We’re friends, I don’t care what anyone thinks.” Something flickered in Jamilla’s eyes and she stared at Gabi.
“You don’t care what anyone thinks about what?”
“Nothing, I just meant we’re friends.” Jamilla gave her another strange look.
“Remember, Gabi, a dog that will bring a bone will carry one. It’s not always the hoochie you have to watch out for around your man. It’s the old bats that pretend they’re so sanctimonious, the ones who want to make you think butter wouldn’t melt in their mouths.”
Gabi saw Jamilla glaring in Tracie’s direction and knew she was aware of their trip to the store.
“Chill, Jamilla, no one’s said anything. I just want to have a party, and I want to thank you for getting me through the year Eric was gone. You were a good friend,” she said moving closer, hugging Jamilla and noticing Jamilla didn’t hug her back. “Can you come?” she asked as she backed away.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be there. With bells on,” Jamilla added.
A sinking feeling settled around Gabi’s heart as she walked away telling herself that Eric would not disrespect her by going after Jamilla. But Jamilla will go after him. The words surged through her mind. The thought to cancel the party came to her but Gabi released it. She really was in need of a party.
***
It had been a long week waiting for the party. Instead of tension decreasing at work it had increased. Now Tracie was also avoiding her. Gabi couldn’t help wondering from time to time about Jamilla’s words. She couldn’t help wondering if maybe it was Tracie who was lusting after Eric. Sure, Tracie was twenty years older, but what did that matter? Jamilla could be right.
Now Gabi stood in the middle of her home and surveyed it, making sure all was as it should be. She had enough food and drinks to feed three offices. She smiled. The house was pretty and she was in a festive mood. Eric hadn’t given her as much resistance as she’d expected. In fact, he’d invited several of the guys from the base and even Sergeant Ross and his wife.
When the first guest arrived Gabi’s spirits lifted and continued in that vein with each new arrival. The music and laughter were just what she needed. She mentally patted herself on the back, glad she’d thought of it.
When she heard Jamilla and Tracie’s voices, she was ready for them. Opening the door she could feel her smile slide down her face as her eyes opened wide. She did a double take, tried not to gawk and couldn’t quite cut it.
“What?” Jamilla asked.
“Nothing, nice outfit,” Gabi answered, moving aside to allow them to enter.
“Thanks.” Jamilla turned and in spite of the music the room went silent for a moment as everyone took in Jamilla’s outfit: hot pink daisy dukes and a hot pink halter top that had to be three sizes too small. The boob job Jamilla had gotten two years before was working overtime. More of her breasts were pushed out of the small square of material than was covered. She was so damn close to being naked that Gabi wondered if her home could be raided by the police for indecent exposure.
“Hey, you two,” Eric said, coming to stand alongside her. “Want a drink?” he asked. Then he stood back, gave Jamilla a once-over, stopped, looked again and smiled. “That’s some outfit, Jamilla,” he said softly and Jamilla beamed. Tracie threw Gabi a look that screamed I-told-you- so.
So maybe the party wasn’t such a good idea. Gabi lifted a bottle of beer from the tray Eric was carrying. He looked at her for a moment but didn’t comment. He knew she never drank beer. She thought it smelled like urine. Now Gabi twisted the top and brought the bottle to her lips. She turned from her husband and brought the bottle down. It still smelled like urine.
For the next three hours Gabi did her best to ignore Jamilla trying to press up on her husband every chance she got. To anyone else the party was a rip-roaring success. Everyone was laughing, joking, eating, drinking and having a good time, even Eric. Gabi couldn’t remember hearing him laugh that much since before the war. She wanted him to laugh, only she wanted him to laugh with her.
Walking toward Eric to see if she could coax a dance out of him she paused when she saw Jamilla bump into him. He’d just picked up a fresh batch of pina coladas that Mike had made. The bump was deliberate. If Jamilla’s jutting hip hadn’t told her that much, the smirk on her face when she saw Gabi watching her did.
“Eric,” Jamilla screamed, “you got liquor all over me. You put it on me, now get it off.” Mike relieved Eric of the tray and handed him a towel.
As Eric’s hand move to swipe the sweet drink from Jamilla’s barely concealed flesh, Gabi stepped between them and snatched the towel away. She glared at Eric and Jamilla before tossing the towel to Jamilla. “You’re a big girl,” Gabi hissed, “I think you can take care of that by yourself.” She turned back to glare at her husband. “I need you in the kitchen.”
Eric grinned as he followed the sway of Gabi’s hips into the kitchen. He’d been thinking all evening how good it was for the two of them to be throwing a party. This one was a success in more ways than one. Eric had been unable to take his eyes off his wife the entire night. Every time she came into view he got an instant erection. He wanted her so bad his teeth ached. Too bad it took a party to do that. But he wasn’t going to complain; anything that got him over the hump was welcomed.
“What are you doing?” Gabi snapped the moment they were in the kitchen.
He looked at her, his mouth watering at the sight of her breasts jiggling a little as she poked a finger in his face. He took her finger and kissed it. “What’s up, baby?” he said, patting her behind. “Aren’t you having fun?”
Her eyes narrowed. “Are you kidding me? Stop flirting with Jamilla.”
“Jamilla, please, it’s you I want, baby,” he said, pulling her close, nuzzling her neck. “But it makes me feel good to know you’re jealous.” He slapped her behind and laughed going out the kitchen.
She couldn’t believe it; he thought she was kidding. It was time for this party to come to an end. Gabi went back to the front of the house, turned off the music, and began emptying plates. When the guests started drifting in to see what had happened to the music, she began handing them their belonging, hugging them and telling them how glad she was they’d come.
“What’s up, baby?” Eric came to stand beside her.
“Party’s over,” she replied between clenched teeth.
“Good,” he smiled and began helping with the cleanup. So, Gabi is as anxious as I am to make love, he thought. He stared at her behind for a full five seconds before turning away. He was rock hard. It was good that she was kicking everyone out.
“Is that for me?” Jamilla looked down at Eric’s crotch, pressing herself close to him, hugging him and kissing each cheek.
Eric followed her line of vision and grinned. “Nope, that’s for Gabi,” he whispered, then laughed out loud. “Good seeing you tonight.”
The last guest gone, Eric locked the door, then walked slowly behind Gabi, his arms sliding up her hips, her body sending heat flooding through his veins. He was hot. It had been way too long.
Mercy, he thought, grinding his pelvis against the round mound of Gabi’s behind. When she turned in his arms he stopped short. The look in her eyes wasn’t one of love or lust; it was fury. When she took a step back, he knew what was coming but was too late to prevent it.
Whack!
Eric’s hand came up and he rubbed at his cheek. Gabi had slapped him so hard that he was positive his teeth were loose. Besides that, his ears
were ringing. “What was that for?” he asked, not pretending ignorance. He really didn’t know.
“Are you really that stupid or you just plain don’t give a damn about hurting me anymore?” Gabrielle shouted somewhat incoherently.
“What are you talking about?”
“You. You were all up on Jamilla and you got an erection. I saw her looking at it and you grinning like a fool at her.”
“Baby, you’ve got it all wrong. I swear it wasn’t like that. I’ve been thinking about you all evening, wanting to make love to you. I could barely wait until everyone left. That’s for real.”
“If you think you’re touching me tonight I know you’re crazy.”
“Don’t you want me?” Eric stared at her, shock going through him. What had happened here?
She walked away, giving him a look of disgust, as if he were the lowest form of life on the planet. When he heard the lock click on their bedroom door, he tried to see things from Gabi’s side and shook his head. Women! There was no making them happy. Gabi was hurt when he wouldn’t touch her and now she was angry when he wanted to. Damn, he was not in the mood for begging.
“Gabi,” he yelled, running up the stairs. “Come on, open up, baby. Please listen to me. Don’t shut me out,” he begged, “It wasn’t what you thought.”
“Go to hell,” was the only answer he got back. And hell was where he already was.
ANOTHER MAN’S BABY 229
Chapter Twelve
When Eric woke his wife was gone. Though he called out, he knew from the empty feel of the house that Gabi wasn’t in it. It wasn’t as though either of them had to go in to work. It was Sunday, the day they used to spend lying in bed and making love.
He groaned, wondering when his marriage had degenerated into what it now was. He would never have believed this would happen to them. Eric showered and dressed, skipping the coffee Gabi had made, turning the pot off instead. When she was this pissed, he didn’t think it wise to drink anything until he talked to her.