Skeletons

by McFadden, Shimeka

  “I’m fine thanks.” I breathed with a gloved thumbs up.

  I was still on my knees trying to recover the items that fell out of my pockets when I heard the squeak of car breaks and the smell of exhaust fumes behind me. Raising slowly I didn’t know if I should run or stay and fight; since it was early morning I knew that other runners were also on this trail so I decided to face him.

  “I see that you are still on the run.” He smiled showing two gold teeth nestled on his canine teeth. Another man followed closely behind him, wearing the effects of Justin’s fury on his swollen eye.

  “What do you want Chad?” I asked firmly trying to hide the fear that was nestled in my stomach.

  “Now is that any way to treat an old friend?”

  “Fuck you!” I spat.

  “I told you that she was a fiery one.” He said to his associate. “I think that you know what I want.”

  Two male runners jogged past us looking at Chad strangely.

  “Don’t worry I will get you your money then after that I want you to disappear as if you were never born.”

  “You know, I am starting to get use to St. Louis and I was just telling my friend that I think that I may stay awhile.” He took a long drag of the cigar blowing it towards my face.

  “Do what you will but leave us alone.” I fumed as I turned to run away.

  “That was a pretty nasty fall that you took, you need to be more careful it can be dangerous for a young lady to be out on these streets by herself these days.”

  Looking at his friend’s swollen eye I said, “No I think that I will be alright.”

  Turning I ran away from him trying to ignore the pain in my knee and the fear in my heart.

  Not knowing where I was going to get the ten-thousand dollars that I took from Chad since most of our money was tied up in the lavish wedding we had planned. Even if I maxed out both of my credit cards I would only have seven-thousand of what I needed. Later that evening I searched throughout our modest home looking for anything of value that I could sell to get the rest of the money that I needed to finally settle things with Chad. Walking around the house I twisted the large engagement ring on my finger and hated the thought that ran across my mind. Sliding it off of my finger I studied the stunning 18 karat white gold and platinum diamond encrusted ring, the princess cut diamond was flawless. Sam told me that Justin saved up for six months in order to have enough to get me this treasure and I loved it.

  I remember when Justin proposed to me as we jogged around Forest Park, stopping briefly in front of the Jewel Box the exact spot that we met three years prior. Justin yelled out in pain as he fell down to the ground holding his calf muscle. I reached down for him only to find him holding out a black ring box with this beautiful ring nestled between the cushions.

  “Will you run with me for the rest of our lives?” he asked as I looked on in amazement and shock.

  “Yes.” the only word that I could utter and the only one that mattered at that moment.

  It is hard to believe that six months later I would hand over the ring to a jeweler as I prepared to sell it in order to get Chad out of my life forever.

  “Twelve hundred.” The old jeweler offered.

  “He paid over three-thousand for it.”

  “Yes and it is beautiful, but I’m only offering you twelve and that is being generous.”

  Adding the numbers in my head that only gave me eighty-two hundred dollars, still not enough, “Fifteen and I’ll throw in this.” I offered holding up the white gold Tag Hauer watch that Justin bought for my thirtieth birthday.

  “If you say so sweetie.” The jeweler said with a smile as he studied the expensive time piece.

  I took the rest of the money that we needed from Justin’s American Express account, but decided to hold off calling Chad until the queasiness from what I did eased from my stomach.

  “I’m sorry about being so pushy this morning.” Justin said that evening over dinner.

  “That is okay, I’m sorry for being such a bitch.” I smiled.

  Justin took my hand in his and kissed it noticing that I was not wearing the engagement ring, “Where is your ring?”

  I looked down at my plate in shame, “I’d rather not say.”

  “What do you mean you’d rather not say Jovanna?”

  Standing up from the dinner table I limped to the kitchen to grab another bottle of wine from the wine rack. “When I fell I dropped all of my things out of my pocket…”

  Justin stood from the table, his face beet red, “You lost your ring!” he exclaimed.

  Tears streamed down my face, “I’m sorry Justin, I didn’t mean to, but I fell.”

  “Jovanna no.” he yelled. “Do you know how much I paid for that ring?”

  I shook my head no, “I tried looking for it, I even had a few of the other runners help me, but we couldn’t find it. I think that it landed in the snow.”

  Justin covered his face in his hands, “I can’t believe this.”

  I cried even harder, “I’m sorry Justin.”

  He stood up grabbed his leather jacket then walking to the front door.

  “Where are you going?” I cried.

  “I can’t deal with this right now. I will be back.” He said as he stormed out of the front door.

  Hearing the Hemi engine of his truck start up and speed down the street only made the tears come down my face even harder.

  Justin didn’t return home until well after midnight, I was already in bed when he came in and took off his clothes lying in bed next to me. He smelled like tequila and cigarettes.

  “Justin I’m sorry.” I whispered.

  “It’s a good think I got the mother fucker insured.” he said before rolling over and going to sleep.

  I went to Asteria’s shop to get my ends trimmed the next day, I wondered where Keisha was, but Asteria told me not to ask and that she would explain later.

  “I can’t believe that you lost the ring girl.” Londyn said as she clipped my hair, Asteria sat in Keisha’s chair as she listened in on the conversation. “I would have been mad too.”

  “I know but he went a little extreme.”

  “Girl please you are lucky that he didn’t go upside your head.” Asteria added, “It is a good thing that he had the sense to get it insured.”

  “Where did you fall?” Aaron asked as he ear hustled in on the conversation, “I may have to take up running and I need to know the exact location.”

  We all laughed.

  Suddenly Keith walked into the shop, we all fell silent. Pandia cut her eyes sharp enough to slit his throat.

  “What do you need?” she asked dryly “There is no one else in here for you to fuck.”

  Asteria turned her head, “I’m going into my office on that note.”

  Before she could walk out of the door another gentleman walked in behind Keith, he was wearing a mechanic’s uniform and covered in grease.

  “Hey baby, I thought that you might want to get lunch.” He said directly to Asteria who looked suprised.

  “So you must be the mystery man that we haven’t heard enough about.” Londyn smiled with her hand on her hip.

  Keith eyed the mechanic up and down; if looks could kill the mechanic would have dropped dead on the spot.

  “Hi I’m Eric.” He said introducing himself to everyone. “You must be Pandia, Asteria has told me a lot about you.”

  “You work down at Firestone, right?” Keith asked as he sat in Aaron’s chair.

  “No I own my own shop around the corner on Lindell; I think that we did some work on your F150 not too long ago.” Eric answered.

  “Oh I forgot.”

  “Let’s go back to my office and talk.” Asteria led Eric by the hand into her office and closed the door.

  Keith looked as if he could split a brick with his eyes. “It is about time she found someone who would be seen with her in public.” He laughed, but none of us though it to be funny.

  As I continued my conve
rsation with Londyn about the missing ring I received a text message from Chad:

  Tick Tock Tick Tock TIME IS UP bring me my money

  Trying to keep this morning’s breakfast from building up in my throat I ignored the text and tried to concentrate on the conversation with Londyn.

  Justin called as soon as I got into my car; he said that he filed a claim for the lost ring through our homeowner’s insurance and that we should hear something back with a week or so. I felt bad for lying to Justin, but I had to make sure that he didn’t find out about Chad. Keeping this secret hidden was all that I cared about; Justin would never forgive me if he found out that I was Marquita.

  I thought that I was liberated after taking the money from Chad, but I felt even more trapped than what I did before I left. Taking the Greyhound from Memphis to New York then from New York to Ohio and finally ending up in St. Louis. I always had the sinking feeling that I was being followed, so I was nervous to stay put anyplace for too long. When I got into St. Louis the first person that I befriended was Santana, she was pregnant with Mya and had a flat tire outside of the bus station. I helped her change her tire in return she gave me a ride to a hotel dropping me off and handing me her phone number. Santana and Mike were very kind to me, allowing me to stay in their apartment while I finished getting my G.E.D. and working at Pizza Hut. Although Santana was two years older than me, I looked up to her as a mother because she took care of me just like my mother should have.

  I didn’t meet Asteria until a year later when Santana introduced me to her; Asteria and Santana were best friends from high school. Asteria came home to visit her mother who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. At that time Asteria was living and working in Phoenix and she would fly to St. Louis every other month to visit her mother and sister as well as hang out with us. We quickly formed a close bond, but there are something’s that cannot be shared among friends.

  I sent the following text to Chad:

  Meet me tomorrow at the Harrah’s Casino’s iBar no later than 6pm

  When I sent the text message the overwhelming feeling of dread came over me and I knew then that I’d made a mistake.

  32

  Santana

  Tabitha was sitting at her desk talking on the phone as usual when I called her into my office. We were extra careful not to be seen talking to each other too often because I didn’t want to stir up any suspicion that we were fraternizing.

  “What’s up?” she smiled; I noticed a pair of diamond earrings sparkling in her ears.

  “Close the door behind you.” I said. Tabitha sat in the chair facing my desk, crossing her legs. Although we’d been together just the other night I longed to nestle my head between the soft folds of her thighs. “Did you get my text message?” I asked.

  “About the money?”

  “Yes.”

  “Yeah, I got it and I’ll start paying you off next week when I get paid.” She seemed offended.

  “Please don’t take this the wrong way, but it is just that money is tight at my house and I don’t want my husband asking questions about where I spent fifteen hundred dollars.”

  Rolling her eyes Tabitha flipped her long weave, “I understand; is that all?”

  Taken aback by her change in attitude I sat up straight in my chair, “Yes that is all Tab.”

  Getting up in a huff Tabitha marched out of my office and didn’t speak to me again for the remainder of the day.

  I hit traffic on highway 270 on my way so I called Mike to tell him that I would be late and asked if he could start dinner. I zoned out while listening to Ameil Laurreux sing about being free when my cellphone alerted me of a text message from Tabitha:

  I need you

  I was in between the exit to Tabitha’s apartment and my own home and I didn’t know which way to go until she sent me another text message this one was a pic of her naked. I text Mike’s number:

  Send me something to think about while I wait in traffic

  Three minutes later Mike sent me a picture of last month’s Visa bill that I thought I’d carefully hidden and said:

  WE NEED TO TALK ASAP!!!

  Needless to say, I turned off on Tabitha’s exit.

  Tabitha came to the door in nothing more than a smile and the sparkle of the large diamond earrings in her ears. Not hesitating I pressed my lips against hers parting them with my tongue. I was thirsty for her brand of liquor and hungry for her flavor of food. At that moment I wanted Tabitha more than I wanted to go home to my family.

  “Slow down baby.” She whispered handing me a blue pill, “Let’s go to the moon.”

  I swallowed the tiny pill with a swig of the margarita that she held out for me. “Better yet let’s go to Mars.” I smiled as I slid out of my pea coat not caring about it dropping to the floor behind me.

  “Wait I have something for you.” Tabitha teased as she held my hand leading me into the bedroom.

  He had to have been made before they broke Adonis’ mold because the naked man that lay in Tabitha’s bed was a God. At first I was taken aback by his presence, but I was quickly taken in by his body.

  “Santana this is Corey.” She introduced.

  I was speechless as he rose to greet me, his large erect penis leading the way.

  “I have heard so much about you.” His voice was deep and sensual as he took my hand.

  “Corey will be joining us tonight and I hope that you don’t mind.” She said as she kissed my neck.

  The large effects of the tiny pill were beginning to take effect as my entire body began to tingle with every touch that it received from Tabitha and Corey.

  At that moment I didn’t care anymore; I didn’t care about the time, I didn’t care about the money, I didn’t care about anything except for what was happening to my body at that very moment. Tabitha and Corey took me around the universe and back again and we chronicled it all with pictures that Tabitha took with her iPhone, but I didn’t care about that either.

  Walking into my house at three-thirty in the morning only to find Mike and the kids gone. There was a single note on the refrigerator that read:

  Hebrews 13:4 Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

  I was too tired and sore to deal with Mike and his nonsense so I laid the letter on the table and went to the couch where I slept until it was time for work.

  Mike didn’t answer any of his calls or texts when I tried reaching him. I tried calling Malik but his phone just went straight to voicemail. It was hard to concentrate at work since I didn’t know where Mike had taken the kids. Calling his parent’s house, his mother answered, “Hello Santana, how are you?”

  “Hi mom, I am fine. Have you seen or heard from Mike and the children today?”

  “Yes, they stayed the night over here last night. I don’t mean to pry, but is everything alright between you two?”

  Breathing a sigh of relief I lied, “Yes mam, we are just having a difference in opinion.”

  “Submitting to one another in the fear of God. Wives, submit yourselves unto your husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church and he is the savior of the body.” She quoted from the bible, “All marriages have ups and downs and ins and outs, but remember to seek help from the Lord and everything will work out fine.”

  “Thank you mom; take care and I will talk to you soon.”

  “I love you.” She said before hanging up.

  I was relieved to know that Mike and the children were safe at his parent’s home and that he didn’t run off and do something crazy.

  Tabitha text me during lunch with Asteria:

  Corey had fun last night

  I text back:

  Corey was fun last night lol

  “What is going on with you today?” Asteria asked after watching me pick at my salad.

  “Mike took the kids and stayed over to his parents’ house last night and I’m not sure of how I sho
uld feel.”

  “You should feel pissed!” she exclaimed.

  “I thought that I would be too, but waking up this morning to a quiet, clean house, getting myself ready for work without anyone asking me a million questions I hate to sound mean, but I didn’t miss them.”

  Asteria’s eyes widened, “What are you saying?”

  “I’m not sure and that is what scares me.”

  “Wow girl, I didn’t know that you two were having problems.”

  “All marriages have their fair share of issues it is how you handle them that makes a lasting union.” I quoted my own mother.

  “Have you talked to him?”

  I shook my head no, “He won’t answer my calls or my texts and I emailed him earlier, but still no answer.”

  “I am sorry to hear this.”

  “Don’t be; I’m going to give him his space for a few days then we will talk.”

  “You two have been dealing since high school so if you don’t make it then I will question life itself!” she said.

  “I think that is half of the problem Asteria.” I said sadly, “So how are things with you and the mystery man?” I said changing the subject.

  Asteria smiled and fluttered her false lashes, “No more mystery man, his name is Eric and things are going great.”

  “Wow there is finally a name behind the mystery.”

  “Yes it feels good to be treated like a girlfriend.” She laughed.

  “Well I am happy for you.”

  “Can I ask you a question without being all up in your business?”

  “We are friends so you can ask me anything.”

  “I noticed that you have been spending a lot of time with Tabitha; what is going on with you and her?”

  I was extremely uncomfortable with her question, “What do you mean?”

  “I am just saying that you two are totally different so when I saw you together at The Melting Pot I was shocked.”