by The Queen
Then I walked upstairs, leaving Kelly and Elaine with Robert.
Elaine snatched the ultrasound pictures out of Robert’s hand. “Give me these pictures. You won’t be keeping them.”
Kelly was holding a pen in her hand for Robert. “Oh, please let this get ugly,” she threatened.
He conceded, took the pen, and signed. He took the boxes out to his truck and finally left.
For the record, the ultrasound photos belonged to Charise. We had to play nice with her to get them. They came in real handy for the occasion.
So now, Robert’s out of my life. I’ll grieve and then figure out my next step in life. At least I have a fully paid house out of the deal and my freedom back.
24
Harmony
Well, it’s moving day at last. I decided to temporarily put aside my differences and let my sisters come over to see me off. This would be our first gathering since the restaurant incident. Actually, it was Todd’s suggestion. They’ll finally get to meet my well-hidden man. Our girls’ night out had long ago gone to hell. I guess it would require the resurrection of Momma for that to ever happen again.
I had a moving sale the week before. I prefer to buy all new furnishings for my new home. It makes for less packing, as well. I also donated a lot of stuff to the women’s shelter.
“Boy, didn’t Harmony keep you a secret,” Kelly said to Todd.
Todd just flashed his dazzling smile.
“For a good reason,” I answered.
“Well, I’m glad to finally meet the family. I was wondering if my lady was ashamed of me,” Todd teased.
I playfully hit him.
“No, she was just trying to protect you from all of our drama. I guess she was afraid we’d run you off,” Elaine answered.
“You got that right,” I said, and we all laughed.
“She still won’t tell us what state she’s moving to. What state do you live in, Todd?” Charise asked.
“Please, don’t answer that question. Trust that I have good cause,” I said to Todd.
“Sorry, I have to stand behind my lady’s decision not to disclose that information,” Todd responded to Charise.
“That’s wrong on so many levels.” Kelly playfully pouted. “Fine, we won’t let you know what’s going on in our lives either.”
“That’s just fine with me,” I half joked.
“Can we at least know what kind of work he does?” Elaine asked.
“Nope! Then you all would be on the internet trying to track him down to find me. I know you all too well,” I answered.
“They wouldn’t go to that length, would they?” Todd asked.
“Yes, we would,” Elaine responded. “Oh, she knows us very well.”
We all laughed and finished packing.
When I had a private moment with Shawnee, I asked, “So are you going to be alright, sis? I know this must be a rough time for you.”
“To be quite honest, I don’t know what I’m going to do. I have this big empty house and nothing but constant memories of the lie I had with Robert,” Shawnee said with misty eyes. “I’m not going to cry. I promised myself I would not cry today.”
“Did you make it to the therapist I referred you to? Surely she could help you right now as you sort out your next steps.”
“What choice did you leave me?” she said with a strained smile. “I talked to her. She seems pleasant. But, the truth is I’m considering leaving D.C. myself. I haven’t told anyone yet. I think I need a change from all the madness.”
“Change is good. Would you try to transfer your job, or would you be making a clean break from everything?” I asked.
“Oh, I’m not that broken up to where commonsense went out the window,” she laughed. “I’ve worked too hard to get my position, and I plan on keeping it. I’ll be thirty-nine soon, and I’m not trying to start paying dues all over again to make it to the top.”
“Smart move,” I said. “You’re going to be fine, Shawnee.”
“I don’t know about that. Your sister will be back in D.C. sometime next week for good,” she chuckled. “And wait until she finds out that her husband has chosen to leave her pregnant for her younger sister.”
“Dare I ask? That doesn’t sound good at all.”
“Charise is on top of the world because Lewis professed his love and commitment to her. They’re supposed to be leaving D.C. to be together,” Shawnee told me.
“Never mind,” I said, throwing my hands up. “I don’t want to know anymore. I’m sorry I asked.”
“Tell me about it. We had to play nice with her to borrow her ultrasound photos that I used against Robert, and that play nice opened up Pandora’s Box,” Shawnee laughed. “It’s kind of hard to go back to us not speaking anymore after she helped me in need.”
“You sure got your work cut out for you. I don’t envy you at all,” I told her.
“Hell, I’m going to be following your lead real soon. You know I can’t take any extra drama right now,” she said. “And speaking of envy, Todd seems like a nice catch. He seems really crazy about you and well trained already,” she laughed.
“Believe it or not, I found him already trained. I didn’t have to do a thing,” I bragged.
“He has doctor written all over him, but I’ll keep that bit of info to myself,” Shawnee said.
I gasped by her accurate observation. Damn, was it that obvious?
“Please do keep that to yourself. You know your sisters would call every hospital in the United States to track him down.”
We laughed.
“You should be more concerned with Private Eye Kelly. Nothing gets past her always-digging self.”
“Tell me about it. I’m afraid for him to be over there talking to them now. There’s no telling what Kelly has already assessed.”
We laughed again.
“How’d you get a buyer for your house so fast?” Shawnee asked. “The way the market has been lately, most houses have been on the market for six months or more.”
“Talk about luck,” I responded. “It just so happened that someone had been eyeing my home for a while. As soon as they saw the sign, they were first at the door, and they qualified for my original asking price. I didn’t have to lower my price at all.”
“That is luck. I hope I get the same response if I put my house on the market,” Shawnee said.
“Keep your head up, girl. Everything will be great for you. Just give it some time,” I advised.
“Trust will be my greatest hurdle. My therapist will get rich off me just trying to help me with that one issue,” Shawnee said with a hurting smile.
“Look on the bright side. You’re free to have Eric now,” I teased, probably at a bad time.
“Oh lord, please don’t remind me of that fool,” she said, disgusted. “He still hasn’t given up. Hopefully, Sandy’s return will put an end to his foolishness.”
“You have got to be kidding? He still hasn’t given up yet?” I asked in disbelief. “Wow, you’re probably going to have to leave town.” I shook my head, still not believing that Shawnee turned Eric out the way she did. “Hopefully, Sandy will have the baby in a couple of months, it’ll be his, and they will live happily ever after, and leave you alone.”
“I’d move before I wait on that day,” Shawnee said in a serious tone before we both broke out in laughter.
After we finished getting everything all packed, we said our goodbyes, cried, and I was off to my new life, in a new city, with a new job and a new man. Good riddance to all my Wiggins sisters’ drama. Goodbye, Washington, D.C.! Hello, Houston, Texas.
25
Charise
Kelly called to let me know Sandy will be in town by tomorrow. She asked me to steer clear because Sandy was coming with a vengeance. Apparently, Lewis called her with the information I provided him about the paternity of her baby. He took the liberty of confirming her suspicions of my baby’s paternity. I’m glad everything is out in the open.
Lewis ha
s been with me just about every night. He has been waiting on me hand and foot. He is so happy about the baby. When he goes out of town, it’s because he’s seeking a job in different states for us to move to. He said he doesn’t want Sandy to mess with me or our baby. Wherever he gets a job at first is where we will move, and I’ll be happy to get away.
When my sisters needed my ultrasound photos, they were so nice to me. They asked about the baby and even acted like they were happy Lewis chose to be with me. Since they returned the photos, they went back to their normal bitchy selves. They are back to treating me like shit. I was surprised Kelly even called to warn me about Sandy.
The way I see it, both Elaine and Shawnee can expect some mess with Sandy. I never did get the story of why they needed the ultrasound photos.
While we were at Harmony’s house, I learned that Shawnee is getting a divorce. Probably so she can be with the guy Sandy is pregnant by.
I got the craziest phone call last night. I’m glad Lewis wasn’t here. I don’t need any stupid mess trying to come between me and my man. The idiot I met at Megaplex all those months ago called me asking if we could get together again. My stomach turned at the thought of being with him that one time. I’m embarrassed to know I fucked a two-minute man named Arnold. Who names their kid Arnold? I was all too happy to tell him that my man and I were having a baby and he needed to lose my number. He had the nerve to ask if the baby was his. I told him it takes more than two minutes to make a baby and then hung up on his dumb ass. Thankfully, he didn’t call back.
Speaking of names, Lewis and I are trying to come up with some cute names for our son. We’re having a boy. I bet he’s going to have a big dick like his daddy. I wanted to name him after his daddy, but Lewis already has a son named after him. We have a couple more months to come up with something cute.
Lewis wants us to have a boy and a girl together. He said he wants his daughter to look just like me. I guess it’ll depend on what kind of job he gets. If he can’t afford to take care of all of us, then I’ll have to go back to work for a while.
He also needs to get that divorce so we can get married. I guess I can count on my family not to be around for my wedding. I’m not even sure they’ll come see me when the baby comes. They may hold a grudge against me, but they won’t take it out on a baby.
Oh, I can’t wait for my man to get to hold our son. I want him to cut the cord. Soon, real soon.
26
Elaine
“Heading out hooking again, or are you on the prowl for another one of my dicks you can fuck?” Sandy asked immediately upon my opening the door.
It didn’t take her any time to come sniff me out. She showed up at my door just as I was getting ready for one of my paid dates. I don’t know why I allowed my doorman to let her up. I guess I was worried about her telling him some stupid shit like she was saying at my door. Sandy has no shame and will embarrass the shit out of anyone.
“Welcome back,” I lied.
Sandy is the last person I’d want coming back from somewhere.
Go back from whence your evil ass came, I thought to myself.
“Are you going to let me in?” she asked, while pushing her belly through my door.
“Sandy, I’m getting dressed to go out. Why didn’t you call first? I would have told you this much,” I said.
“You haven’t answered my question, Elaine. Are you on your way out hooking, or are you going after one on my dicks again?” she persisted.
See, this is how bitches get killed, when they have too much info on your ass.
“Sandy, I don’t think I need to dignify that question with an answer. And for the record, I apologize for my fling with Eric. Yes, I did know he was your past, but I had no clue he was still a present in your life,” I tried to say firmly.
If Sandy smelled fear, she’d go in for the kill. Thankfully, she didn’t catch a whiff of my fear.
She looked me up and down, twisted her tight lips, and then conceded, “I guess I can respect that. It wasn’t cool, but I can understand your not knowing we were still kicking it.”
Relieved she wasn’t going to harp on the shit, I gave her a phony big hug and said, “You look great. Pregnancy agrees with you.”
She smiled. “So tell me about this date. You’re not still hooking, are you?”
Damn, she’s still asking.
“Girl, please!” I lied. “I have my boutique now and am about to open a second one. I don’t need that shit. My date is this guy who works at Georgetown University. He’s taking me to dinner and the theatre.” Another lie.
“You’re going dressed like that?” Sandy asked in a degrading manner, while looking me up and down. “You know you look like a hooker right now, don’t you?”
“Sandy, I told you that I was still getting dressed. I was just trying on different outfits.” Also a lie.
“Well, you don’t want to wear that,” she volunteered.
“Thanks, big sis, but you know how I am when I’m trying to get dressed. You’re going to have to go so I can go do my thing,” I said, hoping she’d leave.
“You don’t want me to see what you end up wearing? You’re not fooling me, Elaine,” she said.
“Okay, Sandy. Whatever you want to insist on, but you have got to go now,” I said firmer.
“Damn, today is my first day back, and you don’t even want to see your sister?”
“That’s because one, you didn’t bother to give me a call first, and two, you’re not going anywhere. I’ll see you any other day,” I responded, now frustrated as hell.
“Okay, fine! I’m out. I can tell when I’m not welcomed someplace,” she said with a raised eyebrow. “Make time for me tomorrow. We’re having dinner,” she demanded, “and you’re paying.”
“I can’t do tomorrow. I’ll be in New York shopping for a new boutique location,” I gladly told her.
“Fine then! Call me soon. Otherwise, I’ll be back,” Sandy threatened.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Now get the fuck out, I thought.
“Will do,” I lied, while almost pushing her out my door.
“Hooker!” she yelled out as she was walking away.
You fat, evil witch, I thought to myself in rebuttal. Damn, now I have to wait until she’s good and gone before I can leave. I don’t want her to see what I’m wearing nor my supply bag I carry.
*****
The following morning, I stopped in my boutique to gather some papers for my trip and in walks Robert. I’m like, What the hell? After what we did to him, I’m afraid to be on the same planet with him. Maybe he was trying to pay me back with his own audio.
He walks over to me and said, “Can we go somewhere and talk in private?”
“No can do. I’m on my way out the door,” I told him.
“Can I at least walk you to your car?” he pleaded.
“Can’t do that either. I have a car service waiting for me. All this time, you could have just said what you came to say,” I said.
I thought for sure he’d inquire about the baby that my flat, tight abs obviously was not carrying.
He peeped all around like he was worried about spies. Then he whispered, “Elaine, I need to see you again. I can’t stop thinking about you. I don’t care what I have to do or give. Just give me one more time.”
Is he fucking kidding?! He’s got to have a hidden microphone or camera somewhere.
“Robert, stop it before I tell my sister,” I threatened.
“Please, Elaine, just one more time. You already know I’m as good as divorced. No one has to know.”
I ain’t gonna lie. My wheels were just a turning.
Damn, he fucked me wonderfully and pays okay, too. God help me if Shawnee or anyone else finds out about me fucking Robert again. Then again, this is what I do: play for pay.
“Robert, stop asking me. I can’t do that with you. You shouldn’t be here. You need to leave,” I said as my weakness fought to take over me and my once firm voice began to crack.
> “I’ll give you another twenty, Elaine.”
Did this man just offer me another twenty thousand dollars to get some pussy? Not the original thirty-five hundred? Whoa! That’s a whole new desperate for Robert.
I have some regulars who pay hefty, but I didn’t expect Robert to be on the same level. However, as much as I wanted to take the bait, I felt like it was a trap.
“I’ll call you. I still have your number,” I half lied.
I say half lied because after I think about how I can pull this off, I just may call him. If I can’t come up with something, I’m going to have to leave it alone.
“Thank you! Thank you!” he said.
Robert kind of looked like he was on some kind of drugs, but drug addicts don’t offer twenty thousand dollars for some pussy. Typically, my pussy does have that drug effect on folks.
“Robert, are you using drugs?” I couldn’t resist asking.
“Drugs?” He looked puzzled. “Where would you get a notion like that from? I’m just a man who knows what he wants and is willing to do anything to get it. Your ugly-ass friend should have been that clue for you,” he said.
I knew it! He only fucked with Renee to get to me, and when he got to me, he didn’t need Renee any longer. Wow!
Damn, he stroked my ego big time. Got my pussy throbbing. Stroking my ego in itself makes my pussy wet.
“I’ll call you, but I have to get going now,” I said, this time more sincere.
“Please do call me. I’ll give you anything you want. And I mean anything. I have plenty.” He threw that in to sweeten the pot, but still not one mention of our so-called baby.