My Two Husbands

by Yari Martinez

  “I’ve never done anything to physically hurt you,” he says. “If anything, I’ve only been here for you when you were being physically abused by that idiot. I find this kind of behavior disrespectful. I will ask you not to attempt to hit me ever again. We are not that kind of people. I will respect the judgment that I can’t be around when Kaylee is here. But that’s only for now. You better object to it the next time you attend court. I will not be kept from you while you’re pregnant or from my child once he’s born. For the record, I’ve never attempted to meet Kaylee because I’m sure she saw and realized her mother getting beaten up by her father even though you and Hunter behave as if Kaylee is stupid and doesn’t notice anything. Children see everything. I thought it was best to give her time to forget before barging into her life. If that makes me an uncaring person, then so be it, but like I said things are different now. My child is inside you, and I’m not going to miss out on any part of my child’s life for anything or anyone.”

  He removes his hands from his pockets, and I notice his car keys in his hand. Without saying anything else, he walks out of the kitchen and out of the house.

  I do nothing to stop him from leaving. This difference of opinion is perhaps what we need to get through this.

  Dominic might feel that I don’t understand him, but he’s wrong. I don’t care to understand him.

  A light vibration in my pocket startles me as I’m picking the broken glass off the kitchen floor. It’s Diane calling.

  “Hey,” I answer.

  “What’re you up to?” she asks.

  “Tired of all the shit that’s going on with everything. Just got into an argument with Dominic about the judge’s decision about Kaylee,” I say, putting pieces of broken glass into the garbage.

  “What’s there to argue about? He should be happy for you.” She sounds confused.

  “He’s upset he can’t be around when Kaylee is here and that I didn’t object when the judge ordered him to stay away for four weeks.”

  “Four weeks is a small sacrifice for all you’ve lost to be with him.”

  I did blame him at times for not having her with me, but I also know I had no one to blame but myself. Regardless of who is at fault, he should be supportive of both my children being with me under one roof.

  “What the hell did he want me to say at court? I wasn’t going to object when I got what I wanted in my first court hearing. I thought it would take me months if not years to have Kaylee here with me!”

  “He needs to stop taking this personally and understand that this is going to take some time and patience from everyone. Kaylee is going to be extremely fragile during this time. She has been going through a lot of changes and needs time to adjust. I know he doesn’t care about Hunter, but what happens with you and Hunter does affect Kaylee. If he really wants to be a part of Kaylee’s life, he needs to put his ego aside for a while. None of us know for certain how this is going to affect Kaylee’s life.”

  “I don’t think there’s any talking to him. He’s only thinking of himself and the baby,” I admit sadly. I want him to think of my children equally. If he’s going to be in our lives, he can’t favor our baby over Kaylee.

  “Give Dominic time to absorb what’s going on. You two are a family now. You have to consider his feelings too, even though we’re going to do what’s best for Kaylee right now. Let him know you love him, and this decision is temporary. Now is not the time to attack each other. You both need each other’s support,” says Diane.

  “You’re right, I’ll give us time to cool off. We’ll have to find a way to make time for us while abiding by this court order,” I say.

  “Talk to Julie about what’s going on. I’m sure she’ll be able to instruct you on what’s the best thing to do right now. Let her know that if the judge hints that she’s going to extend the same ground rules as this current order, she has to object and explain that you are pregnant and it would be unfair for you to separate your new family from your daughter. I’m sure the judge will understand and will modify the order accordingly.”

  I’m surprised that Diane is not attacking Dominic or his feelings. She isn’t a fan, but I guess she has her reasons.

  “Anyway, you have an appointment today to see your OB/GYN at six. Are you still going?” she asks.

  “Crap. I forgot all about the appointment. Yes, I’m going. Let me call my mom to pick up Kaylee from school and watch her for me while I go. I have so much on my mind that I’m forgetting things.”

  “I figured you would forget, so that’s why I called. Well, go ahead and get ready. I’ll be there by five in the afternoon to pick you up.”

  “What would I do without you?” I ask.

  My life may seem like hell at times, but the truth is Diane is a gift from God.

  “I know, I know. Love you, see you in a few.”

  My mother has agreed to help with Kaylee, the kitchen floor is spotless, and Diane is on time. So I head out of the house.

  I get into the car. Of course my bestie has a cup of Starbucks coffee for me. I lean over and kiss her cheek.

  “I love how you know me,” I say.

  “No, you love I brought you coffee and that I’m giving you a ride,” she says with a beautiful smile.

  “You’re right,” I laugh back.

  “How is the little munchkin doing in the oven?”

  “So far so good. I don’t have morning sickness, and besides getting beat up and going to court, I feel okay,” I reply sarcastically.

  “Good. I need you to feel okay. Have you spoken to Dominic since we spoke?”

  I sip on my coffee and roll my eyes. “No, I’m giving him his space.”

  “Space is good, but don’t forget communication is key. I don’t want you sad through this pregnancy,” she says.

  I put my coffee down and look at Diane as she drives. “Since when have you been on team Dominic? You have never shown this much interest in him or in this relationship for that matter. What’s going on?”

  She takes a quick glance at me before looking back at the road and takes a deep breath. “I am not ‘team Dominic’ at all. But you’re having his baby, and that makes him your family. That makes him mine as well, because I love you. I want you to enjoy your pregnancy and to feel that you have all of us here for you. I don’t want you to feel that you can’t have all of us together. With that said, the past is the past, and I only care about you and the children’s well-being. If I have to accept him, I will.”

  We have always had our childish outbursts, but somewhere along the way, I guess we’re starting to grow up. I sit with my hand over her right hand as I continue to drink my coffee.

  “Is Dominic coming to this appointment?” she asks.

  “I didn’t tell him about it. It’s the first appointment, and I want to hear what the doctor has to say by myself. With everything going on, it also slipped my mind. If it wasn’t for you, I would have missed the appointment altogether.”

  She nods but doesn’t say anything. The rest of the ride is pleasant and quiet. We finally arrive, and a strange feeling comes over me—it must be the reality of being pregnant. I wait for Diane to get out of the car and text Dominic, “I love you, I’m sorry about everything. Call me later,” and throw the cell phone into my purse.

  “I texted Dominic to tell him that I love him and to call me later. You’re right, he is my family, and I have to treat him as such. I have to let go of the past and my little grudges if I want this family to make it.”

  “Did he text back?”

  “Let me see.” I dig into my bag and see the blue light indicating I have a message.

  “He said, ‘Love you am at work call you soon, you have nothing to be sorry about we just have to get on the same page.’”

  “See! I told you everything’s going to be alright!” she exclaims joyfully.

  We walk into the vestibule of the clinic and Diane stops right in her tracks without warning, causing me to bump into her. She turns back to look at
me. She looks as if she’s seen a ghost.

  “What’s wrong?” I ask as my heart starts to beat fast.

  “Brook, Dominic is here,” she whispers.

  “What? No, he can’t be. He doesn’t know I have an appointment.”

  I push past Diane and through the glass door I see Dominic waiting by the front desk with another woman. Though her image has been a blur in my mind, I recognize her as if I have seen her yesterday for the first time: a very pregnant Amanda.

  Chapter 14

  “Brook let’s just leave,” pleads Diane.

  I look at her confused. “Leaving? I’m not leaving!” After the initial shock, the words come pouring out. “All this time I thought I was being foolish, believing that there was nothing going on between them. And now just look at them! Pregnant and happy!”

  It’s all clear now. The reason he couldn’t visit often, the reason for the many times he couldn’t call me, the reason he had to pretend that they were still friends after their divorce. Why couldn’t he tell me that, instead of tearing them apart, the divorce brought them closer? I would have stayed clear of them. Yes, I would have felt hurt, but I would have understood. Instead, he opted to take his chances.

  I turn my attention back towards the door and realize that Amanda is walking towards the restroom.

  I’m afraid that I’ll fall apart if I learn more about this, but I need to know what is going on. Deep down, I wish this moment could be avoided and that I could turn around and go home and simply wait for Dominic to give me a convincing explanation for what I see. But I know that it’s time I opened my eyes to the fact that he has been lying to me all along.

  When the second set of doors to the clinic opens, Dominic turns and sees me. Shock and guilt are vividly painted on his face. A small part of me wishes that he had smiled when he saw me and assure me that I was mistaken in thinking that he could possibly have both Amanda and me simultaneously pregnant. Though he is a practiced liar, his voice shakes when he tries to speak my name. This is all the confirmation I need that his betrayal is as real as daylight.

  “What the fuck Dominic?” I say evenly.

  He rushes over to me. “Please let me explain.”

  “Explain? Explain what? That you got your ex-wife pregnant? And instead of owning up to it, you continued with your lies and got me pregnant too?”

  He grabs my arms and guides me to the front of the clinic. “Please don’t say anything to Amanda,” he pleads.

  How can I not say anything to her? It will be a complete betrayal to Amanda as a woman, to our unborn children who are siblings, and to myself as a person. How could this have happened?

  His grip tightens, and I look down at my arm. “Get your fucking hand off of me. And don’t say anything to Amanda! What the hell is wrong with you? How far along is she?” I demand.

  I admit my question about her pregnancy seems irrelevant in the situation, but I need some kind of timeline for my stupidity. He looks at me and appears to be flustered, trying to keep his eyes both on me and on the inside of the clinic. “She’s eight months, I’m so sorry.” His hand slides off my arm.

  I can’t move. My God. I’m pregnant with this idiot’s baby. I put my hands over my heart, because I swear it’s about to pop out of my chest and make a run for it. “Eight months! Seriously, she’s eight months? All of this has been a lie? How could you do this to me? I lost Kaylee to be with you. How can you get me pregnant and live with yourself? How long were you going to hold on to this lie? Does she know about us?” It strikes me that he has no sympathy for anyone other than himself.

  “Brook I’m so sorry. But please! This is not the time to talk about this. Amanda is far along, and I don’t want her to learn about you like this and go into premature labor because of me,” he says, sounding anguished.

  “No? When is it the best time to talk about this?” screams Diane from behind me. I have completely forgotten she is here with us. “Tell us! When is the best time for her to talk about this, you creep? I knew all along she should never have trusted you. All you’ve done is cause her grief. And to think I was just telling her to be understanding of your feelings! You bastard!”

  Unable to control herself, she pushes Dominic, and he does nothing to stop her. The argument must be quite loud, because an audience seems to have gathered without any of us noticing.

  “Dominic, what’s going on here?” calls Amanda as she makes her way towards us.

  It’s painful to see Amanda pregnant with my fiancé’s baby, and it feels worse knowing that she has no clue as to what is going on.

  “Why are you pushing my husband?” Amanda shouts at Diane.

  “Your husband?” I ask. He can’t be her husband. He’s engaged to me!

  I think back to our vacation, how he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. It’s funny to think that he even went out of his way to buy bridal magazines. I can’t begin to wrap my mind around what the hell he was thinking. To think I almost fell for his father-of-the-year act, that no one would keep him from our child, not even a court order. She must be lying. Who proposes to another person while they are married?

  She redirects her anger towards me. “Yes, my husband.”

  I look at Dominic for confirmation, but he has turned all his attention to her, disregarding the fact that I’m pregnant too.

  “Baby please, let’s go back inside, I’ll explain everything,” he cajoles, trying to guide her away from us. It’s clearly not working.

  “Something is definitely going on here. She was pushing you! I want to know why. Are you going to tell me or should I call the police?” she demands, cradling her stomach without taking her eyes off me.

  Diane puts her hand on my shoulder, but I shrug her off. I feel I have been sucker-punched. “What do you mean your husband? He doesn’t have a wife! You’re his ex-wife!” I answer.

  “Do I look like an ex-wife to you? This is my husband for over eight years,” she says, pointing at her belly.

  Eight years. There is no possible way she is speaking the truth. But why isn’t Dominic correcting her?

  “You can’t be his wife. I’m his fiancée!” I say in my own defense.

  “What the hell are you talking about?” Though she is asking me the question, she turns back to Dominic.

  “Dominic, what’s she talking about? She’s your fiancée?” Amanda’s face is red with rage. “Of all the low shit you have done, this is by far the lowest. What the fuck is wrong with you?” she screams.

  Amanda doesn’t seem concerned with me anymore, completely absorbed with Dominic. But I can’t help speak up, “I’m so sorry Amanda. I didn’t know! I would never be with a married man.”

  Despite my anger, I feel ashamed and embarrassed.

  “I know you didn’t,” she replies.

  It must be my turn to look like a deer staring into headlights. My face must be speaking for me.

  “What’s your name?” asks Amanda.

  Time must be passing in slow motion, because I hear Diane answer for me in her why-do-you-care voice, “Her name is Brook.”

  I feel lost in outer space, almost unable to breathe.

  “Brook, are you okay?” asks Amanda.

  “Yes,” I gasp, “I’m fine. What do you mean you know I didn’t know?”

  “You’re not the first woman this moron has tricked into believing he’s single, but I am the biggest idiot who forgives him and takes him back every time because he always promises to change. I am stupid enough to always believe him. He is my husband after all. I have to believe him.”

  I can’t believe the words coming out of her mouth. How can she admit that she knows what kind of man she is married to and continue to stay with him?

  “He told me that you two are divorced, and we took a vacation to the Dominican Republic, where he proposed to me. He never mentioned you were pregnant. That doesn’t bother you at all?” I say, disgusted.

  The disbelief at the fact that she is able to stand here and scream at u
s, that because he is her husband she tolerates his infidelity, trumps the anger I feel towards Dominic. I am now simply upset at myself for being in this situation. I never want to see this man again.

  Dominic is standing here looking sick, and I wonder what is going through his mind—not because he is the father of my unborn child or because I care, but because I can’t understand how anyone could be so evil and selfish. After all I have gone through. I feel a stab of guilt, realizing that I was careless to get pregnant with a man who loves no one but himself. I definitely pick my men well, don’t I?

  “I could imagine the many things he has told you. I am not surprised that he is cheating either. Dominic is an opportunist, and probably took advantage of me visiting my sister this weekend to continue feeding you lies,” she says.

  I turn to Dominic. “I can’t believe—”

  “Did you suspect that he was cheating on you?” Amanda cuts me off.

  “I never trusted him, if that’s what you’re asking, but no, I didn’t think he had it in him to cheat on me,” I say.

  After I separated from Hunter, I always suspected in the back of my mind that something was up by the way he distanced himself from me. Just when I had more time to spend with him, he became busier at work. But deep down, I always wanted to believe it was because he just needed time to accept that things were different. Once he proposed to me, I thought I was making it all up.

  To be completely honest with myself, I don’t think I would have ever tried to find out if Dominic was unfaithful to me, let alone married. I’ve lost so much already that I wouldn’t have done anything that might cause me to lose Dominic too.

  “So, if you didn’t know he was married and didn’t suspect that he was cheating on you, why are you here?”

  “I...” I can’t complete the sentence.

  “Jesus Christ, are you pregnant?” Without waiting for a response, Amanda turns around and slaps Dominic in the face. It must hurt, because he stumbles back. Diane and I watch in amazement. “What the hell is going to happen now, you stupid ass? I will not deal with a baby that is not mine! This is not my karma!” screams Amanda.