“No, that’s not what I want. I blocked all the numbers that he called from, but he kept calling,” she said with tears pouring from her eyes.
“That’s because you keep entertaining his ass. If you really didn’t want to talk you would have changed your number or something. Don’t stand here and play dumb with me.”
“Okay, I’ll change my number.”
“Don’t do it just because I told you to. Obviously you like talking to him. And since y’all texting each other and shit tell his bitch ass it’s on whenever I see him,” I yelled. I walked back into the living room and picked DJ up from the sofa. Brooklyn started panicking when she saw me going to the front door.
“Where are you going? I said I’m sorry,” she cried.
“Don’t say anything else to me. I don’t even want to look at you right now,” I said right before walking out on her. I heard her crying, but I’m too mad to even care. She knew that I wasn’t going far without my car keys. Plus, DJ and I were still in our pajamas. I only went downstairs to talk to Bryce for a while. I wasn’t there a good twenty minutes before Brook sent me a text with her new phone number. I’m happy that she changed it, but I shouldn’t have had to make her do it. I know I have to talk her, but it’s not going to be tonight.
*****
Monday came faster than I needed it to, but I’m ready to get it over with. Kennedi and I are meeting at Oceana Grill in the French Quarters. It’s still kind of early and many people are either at school or work with the exception of a few tourists. This area usually doesn’t get crowded until night time, and I would be long gone by then. I came a few minutes early just to try to get a table away from everybody else. I doubt I would see anybody I knew, but I’m not taking any chances. When I walked into the restaurant, I was shocked to see that Kennedi was already there. Then to make matters worse, she’s already seated at a table that sat right in the middle of the restaurant. Her face lit up when she saw me, and I had to remind myself to keep smiling.
“What’s up Ma?” I asked when I walked up to the table. I sat down in a hurry before she could even attempt to hug me.
“Hey boo,” she smiled while looking into my eyes.
“Why didn’t you get a seat by the window? I don’t like this spot,” I told her.
Within a matter of minutes, she flagged down a waiter who moved us near the window. I felt a little better since we were moved out of the spotlight.
“So let’s talk. What is it that you wanted to say to me?” She asked.
“Damn, can we order something to eat first?” I laughed while trying to break the ice. She’s looking at me like I’m a piece of meat, and I need a distraction. The same waiter who moved us came back to take our orders. I ordered a shot of patron to help me get through being here. It’s probably the first of many if I have to stay here for a while.
“So does this lunch date mean that you’ve had a change of heart about us getting a divorce?” She asked while sipping her sweet tea.
“You tell me. What do you want to do?”
“You know I never wanted a divorce to begin with,” she replied.
“Tell me what’s going to be different if we get back together?” I asked.
“What happened with you and Brooklyn? She must have dropped you, huh?” She asked ignoring the question that I asked her.
“I didn’t come here to talk about Brooklyn and I’m sure you didn’t either.”
“No, but something must have happened within the last few days or you wouldn’t be here.”
I just shrugged, but I didn’t reply to what she was saying.
“I know for a fact that you’re still taking care of her. The bank statements that I showed the judge proved that,” she rambled on. I’m so happy that she mentioned it before I did. She made everything that much easier for me.
“Yeah and speaking of that, exactly how did you get my company bank statements anyway?” I asked.
“Wouldn’t you like to know?” She taunted. When our food came, we ate in silence until I mentioned the account information again.
“So how are we supposed to be getting back together if you’re keeping secrets from me?”
“I’m not keeping anything from you Dominic.”
“Yes, you are. You always keep secrets when it’s about money. That was one of our biggest problems,” I reminded her.
“No, Brooklyn was our biggest problem,” she stated.
“Stop bringing her up. I’m talking about us. And like I said, money was our biggest problem. If you can’t even answer a simple question, I’m wasting my time being here. Nothing has changed, and we can’t move forward by telling lies. Call me when you’re ready to stop playing games,” I said as I reached for my wallet. I’m playing on her emotions, and I’m hoping that it works.
“Dominic wait, don’t leave. It’s not that I’m hiding anything from you. I’m just not trying to involve anybody else in our mess.”
“So basically somebody is out to get me and you’re helping them. What makes it worse is that I know it’s somebody that works for me. I got somebody smiling in my face that don’t mean me no good and you’re okay with that?” I said laying it on thick.
“No, I’m not baby, but I know you. You’ll be trying to take somebody’s job,” she replied making me cringe when she called me baby.
“I’m about to go. Let me know when you’re serious about us being together,” I said standing to my feet.
“Wait, okay I’ll tell you,” she said hurriedly. I sat back down and looked at her waiting for her to continue.
“Oh okay, so this is how we’re doing it now Dominic?” A familiar voice said from behind me. I wanted to die when I turned around and locked eyes with Co-Co.
“What’s up Co-Co?” I asked nervously. I wanted to tell him what was up, but I’m too close to getting what I need from Kennedi.
“Yeah, whatever nigga. And what’s going on with this?” He asked while pointing at me and Kennedi.
“We’re having lunch is what’s going on. You seem to have forgotten that this is my husband,” Kennedi snapped at him. I really wish that she would have kept her mouth closed. Co-Co lives for drama, and he’s known for going off at the mouth.
“Was I talking to this human blow up doll?” He asked looking at me. “Bitch don’t make me get a stick pen and deflate your artificial ass. Oh, and I don’t want you to wonder if I’m going to tell my cousin Dominic. I’m letting you know to your face that I’m going to tell her so don’t act surprised when I do. Now y’all enjoy your meals and have a good day,” he said as he walked away with a group of women. I saw them walk out of the restaurant, and I’m grateful for that much.
“So you and Brooklyn are still together?” Kennedi asked as soon as they left.
“I wouldn’t be here with you if we were,” I lied. “So finish saying what you were about to say.”
“And then what? You go back home to Brooklyn, and I go home alone?” She assumed.
“Man fuck this, I’m leaving,” I’m wasting my time if she’s not giving up any info. I’m about to go home and have it out with my girl for nothing. We’re already on bad terms because of the situation with Kevin, and this will only add fuel to an already burning fire.
“It was Scott,” Kennedi blurted out. I looked at her to see if she would crack a smile, but she never did. She’s sitting here telling me that my childhood best friend and most trusted employee had done me wrong. Even though I didn’t want to believe it, it made perfect sense. That’s how she knew about Brooklyn coming to the office, the car and everything else, but something still didn’t make sense to me. Why would Scott help her to hurt me? What’s in it for him?
“Are you fucking him or something?” I asked.
“What! Hell no I’m not fucking him. I’m not like you. I took my vows very seriously,” she screeched.
“So he’s helping you just because?” I asked skeptically.
“Maybe he didn’t like how you were treating me. Did you ever think
about that?”
“You can miss me with the sad stories and guilt trips. I’m really not trying to hear that right now.”
“I would never do that to you and you know it. I’ve never cheated on you and I never will,” she promised.
“I really don’t care what you do. If Scott wants you, he can have you.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” She asked angrily.
“Thanks for the info, but I need to get home to my girl,” I said standing to my feet once again.
“Oh, so she’s your girl now? You were just begging me to take your pathetic ass back a few minutes ago,” she yelled.
“Begging? You don’t believe that shit yourself. A little over two months left and it’s officially over. Why would I beg you to take me back? I mark my calendar every day because I can’t wait to get rid of your ass,” I laughed.
“Fuck you! I’m happy we’re not together anymore. You like hood rats, and that’s why you chose one over me.”
“You be good and take care of my baby,” I said as I tossed a few bills on the table to cover the check.
“You’ll never see it, so don’t worry about my baby,” she yelled after me making people look at her strange. I went to the lot where I parked my car and got in. As soon as I pulled off I got a call from David. He’s off today, but I needed to get up with him soon.
“Yeah bruh,” I answered.
“Bryce wants us to come to the house later on to play some spades. You down?” He asked.
“Yeah, but I’m on my way to the office to do some paperwork right now. We need to talk,” I informed him. I know Co-Co hadn’t called Brooklyn yet because she’s still in school. I’m hoping that he doesn’t text her so I can at least explain myself first. She knew all about what went down in court, so I hope like hell that she believes me.
It was a little after seven when I got home since I stopped to get us some drinks. David had just pulled up, but he took the drinks and went straight to Bryce’s house. Brooklyn had to have been home for a while, but I still hadn’t heard from her. It’s all good since no news is good news to me. When I walked into the house, it was dark and quiet. I turned on the front room light, but nothing seemed out of place.
“Brooklyn,” I called out while making my way down the hall. I didn’t hear anything, but I got my answer when I walked into our bedroom. The closet was partially opened, and I noticed that most of the things on Brooklyn’s side were gone. I went to DJ’s room, and it was the same thing there. Some of his clothes were missing as well.
“I can’t catch a fucking break,” I mumbled to myself when I pulled my phone from my pocket. I was about to call Brooklyn’s phone when a text came through from David telling me that her and my son were at Bryce’s house. I didn’t hesitate to lock the door and walk down to Bryce’s apartment. I rang the bell, but I heard the loud talking before I even entered the apartment. When Taylor opened the door, it looked like one big family reunion. Besides her, Tiana, Co-Co, Candace, Bryce, and David were all sitting around the living room talking. I didn’t see Brook or my son, but I knew they were there. Knowing her, she’s probably in one of the back rooms.
“Co-Co you are messy as hell. I can’t believe you did me like that,” I fussed.
“Uh, did I not tell you that I was telling my cousin? I know you didn’t think I was playing. I wasn’t about to let you play her,” he argued.
“It wasn’t even like that,” I replied.
“Well, I know that now since David explained everything. But hold up, by now everybody in here should know not to do or say anything around me. I’m straight ratting your ass out, and I’m not hiding the fact that I did it. And no, I’m not apologizing once it’s done,” Co-Co said honestly. I just let it go because that’s a losing battle to argue with him.
“My friend is so mad at you,” Tiana said. David is sitting there shaking his head like he didn’t have anything to do with it.
“What the fuck are you shaking your head for? Listening to you is what started all this shit in the first place,” I snapped.
“Nigga don’t get mad at me. I told your stupid ass not to get caught. It’s not my fault that your dumb ass went to one of the most popular restaurants in New Orleans,” he replied.
“Man whatever! Where’s Brooklyn?” I asked.
“She’s in the room back,” Taylor answered.
“You not gon’ tell me what happened?” David asked. We still hadn’t discussed what Kennedi told me and I wasn’t in the mood right now.
“Hell no and stop talking to me,” I barked as I made my way down the hall. I had to try and get things straight with my girl before things got too far out of hand.
“My daddy,” DJ yelled when I opened the door. Brooklyn was sitting on the bed playing with her phone. I picked my son up and sat down next to her. I was just sitting there staring at her for a few minutes, but she refused to raise her head up to look at me.
“So you just gon’ sit there and not say nothing to me?” I asked her.
“I don’t have anything to say except, it’s over,” she replied calmly.
“So you would leave me just like that? You didn’t even give me a chance to explain myself. And it ain’t never over so you can get that shit out of your head,” I said seriously.
“My cousin just saw you at a restaurant wining and dining your wife and you don’t think it’s over. You must be crazy.”
“If you let me explain I can tell you why.”
“There’s nothing to explain. I told you that I wasn’t going back and forth with you and her. I’m not letting you play these games with me.”
“What are you talking about? I told you what happened when we went to court. I was only trying to find out how she got ahold of all of my company banking information. I’m not playing with you, and you should know that. I’m sorry for not telling you what I planned to do, but I knew you wouldn’t have agreed if I did.”
“You don’t know that so don’t speak for me.”
“Baby I’m sorry, but we’re not breaking up over something so stupid. That shit didn’t even mean anything to me. I’m just waiting for this divorce to be finalized. I’m where I want to be, and nothing is going to change that,” I promised.
“Why should I believe anything that you say? This is just a pattern with you. You cheated on Nadia with Kennedi, and you cheated on Kennedi with me. I don’t even know why I’m surprised right now. It was only a matter of time before you did it to me too,” she replied.
“You’re sitting here acting like you were innocent in all of this. You didn’t come into this shit blind. You knew what was up when we first got together. Two babies later and now you want to start complaining. You should have said all of this before I fell in love with your ass.” I’m pissed that she’s even sitting here comparing our relationship to the ones that I had with Nadia and Kennedi. I love her more than I loved the both of them put together. This is the first time that I can actually say I’m happy and really mean it.
“You’re still legally her husband, so I don’t even know why I’m mad. Y’all can have each other. Obviously, you like all that weave and silicon. I hope she makes you happy,” she snapped. I wanted to laugh at her last comment, but I was too mad.
“Whatever Brooklyn, your solution to every problem we have is to run from it. I didn’t leave you when I found out that you were still talking to Kevin’s punk ass, but you want to leave me behind some bullshit. I’m getting tired of always begging you to be with me. If this is where you want to be, then cool. Me and my son are going home.”
“Bye,” she said like it was a done deal. I picked DJ up and left out of the room.
“You leaving?” David asked as I bypassed everyone in the living room.
“What it look like?” I replied with an attitude. He got up and followed me to my apartment. I’m happy that he did because I really needed someone to talk to.
****
The next morning David and I were at work before the sun even came
up. After having the locks changed throughout the office, we called up the security company to have all of the passwords changed on our computers. We also had the codes to the alarm system reset. Anything that Scott knew would be of no use to him now. He usually came in before anyone else, and that’s our reason for getting it done so early. David wants to get rid of him early just in case he decides to make a scene in front of the other employees. Just like me, my brother is hurt that one of our closest friends would do me wrong like that. And just like me, he wanted to know why.
“I hope this dude don’t make me knock him out up in here. He can say one thing I don’t like, and that’s just what’s going down,” I told David.
“You won’t get any complaints from me. I still can’t believe he did some hoe shit like that. I told you it had to be somebody close,” he replied.
We sat around in silence for a while waiting for Scott to show up. David had the office door locked so that he would know that his keys no longer work. He’s playing a game on his computer while I’m texting back and forth with Brooklyn. I took DJ to her at Bryce’s house earlier, and he refused to go back to sleep. He’s hyped, and she had to stay up and deal with him. I would have taken him with me, but I don’t know how everything is going to play out. I can’t have my son in the line of fire like that.
“Here comes that white devil now,” David said making me laugh. I looked up just in time to see Scott exit his white Camaro. He’d just gotten the car a few months ago and would probably have to send it back since he’s about to be unemployed. He walked up to the door and fumbled with his keys before trying to insert one into the lock. When he saw that he couldn’t do it, he knocked on the side window. David and I jumped up and walked over to the door at the same time.
“Damn, I’m glad y’all are here early today. My damn key is not working,” Scott commented. He had his lunch bag and was headed for the break room until I stopped him.
“How long have we known each other Scott?” I asked.
“We’ve known each other since elementary. Y’all were the only ones who wanted to be friends with the white boy in the projects. Nobody else wanted to be bothered with me,” he laughed.
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