Nappily Married

by Trisha R. Thomas

  Jake was nowhere in sight. Music of a lazy techo nature spun the room. Not Jake’s style at all. He liked solid R & B classics, neosoul, and real jazz. I took a glass of champagne off the serving tray before it darted in another direction with the fast-moving server.

  I looked for Beverly Shaun, the one familiar face I could strike up a conversation with. Immediate relief took over when I saw her. I tapped her on the shoulder. She turned around. Blue eyes scanned me up and down.

  “Oh, I’m sorry, I thought you were someone else.”

  Her piercing blue eyes focused particularly on my hair. For a self-conscious moment I fingered the nape of my neck, taking note that my spiral mane was still moist from the shower and fresh gel.

  “Fenny Maxwell.” She extended a hand, “And you are?”

  “Venus Johnston.” I extended my own nervous hand.

  “Welcome,” she said, as if she were the hostess with the mostest.

  “I’m sorry. You look a lot like someone else. Do you know Beverly Shaun?”

  “Beverly?” She crowded her face into a frown. “Yes, of course. I guess it’s the hair. I usually wear mine similar to yours, but I had it straightened for this special occasion.”

  “Special occasion?” What Trina said earlier about a merger came back to me.

  “JP Wear and the Rocknell department store chain. We’re fifty-fifty partners now. I’m sorry, who are you with? I’m so busy chatting, I didn’t get what company you were from.”

  “I’m Jake’s wife.”

  She suddenly found me of no interest. “Well, good to meet you.” She turned her back, diving into her original conversation with her small diverse group, two white men and an Asian woman.

  I tapped Fenny Maxwell’s bare shoulder. “Sorry to interrupt. But what about Jake? Have you seen him?”

  This peppered her interest. “Jay, haven’t seen him. Strange when the party boy doesn’t show up to his own bash, don’t you think?”

  But he’d left an hour before me. I looked around. By this time, I was breathing underwater. My heart was working overtime to keep up with the adrenaline pumping through my veins. For some reason, I couldn’t control my hand when it reached up, tapping her a little harder. “I’m sorry to keep interrupting you.”

  She faced me as if I was taking up way too much of her time.

  I licked my lips and tried to remember they were artist perfect and not to ruin my pale gloss. “So you’re part of the merger?” I asked, my voice nearly failing me.

  “You could say that. I put the deal together. Funny, Jay hadn’t mentioned he was married.”

  That did it. I was ready to kick off my shoes, snatch the dangles out of my ears, and put Miss Blue-Eyed Soul in her place. “He never mentioned you either, I mean the partnership.” I took short fuming breaths. My feet started to hurt. “So you haven’t seen Jay all night?”

  “Not once. Beverly Shaun either,” she added with a smirk. “If I see either one, I’ll point them in your direction.”

  “Thank you.” I turned up the glass of champagne and swallowed until it was gone. I moved up the stairs holding my empty glass and tried to look like I was having a good time. Light came from underneath Jake’s office doorway. I brushed against the long stalks of a palm like a secret agent. I waited for a few moments, thinking someone would eventually come out and I’d catch them red-handed. I squeezed my arms down to catch the small trickles of nervous perspiration. My heart beat off track.

  I knocked. “Jake,” I said weakly, hoping he didn’t answer. No one answered. I touched the knob and turned. The door was locked. “Jake, it’s Venus.” I knocked harder. Listening with my ear pressed, waiting for the sound of bodies in panic, pulling up pants and zippers. Imaginary hushed voices telling each other to stay calm.

  Movement. Footsteps. I stood back. The door swung open.

  “Well, well, it’s the missus, and wearing black. What happened, sweetheart, didn’t get the memo?” The affable Legend Hill stood with his freshly twisted locks hung over the shoulders of his crisp silk-and-wool-blend suit. His bold menacing smile crept to deep lines on his chocolate rugged skin.

  “What are you doing here?”

  “Is that my welcome? I didn’t even get a wedding invite, haven’t seen you in all this time, and that’s the greeting I get.”

  I moved past him, looking inside Jake’s office. A long-legged beauty sat on the couch, waiting to resume whatever position I’d interrupted. She rolled her eyes and looked at her nails.

  I turned back to face Legend. “Why are you in Jake’s office? Don’t you have your own?”

  His deep baritone voice belted a laugh. “You lost something already?”

  “Get out.”

  The sexy woman stood up and moved quickly to the door. Legend grabbed her by the arm. “Hold on, sweet thing. Not so fast.”

  “Legend, I swear, you don’t want to play with me right now.” Legend and I had a history that included eye-gouging and backbiting. I was just shy of kicking and swinging.

  “You’re probably right. You’re looking out of sorts, to say the least.” He took his accessory and led her out by the hand. “If I see your man anywhere, I’ll be sure to send him up.”

  I shoved the door closed, pulled out my phone, and dialed Jake’s cell. There was no ring. Straight to voicemail it went, meaning his phone was off. I left a message as though I were the picture of sanity. “Sweetie, I came to JP Wear studio hoping to support you and you’re not here. I’m waiting in your office.” I slapped the phone closed. I took a seat at Jake’s desk and did what any wife would do.

  I rustled through his desk drawers. I didn’t know what I was looking for, it just seemed the natural thing to do. The last drawer I opened revealed something I never thought I’d see. There right on top of everything, next to the paper clips was a shiny red package, a Trojan condom. I picked it up and flipped it over in my hand.

  expires 6/07, printed boldly on the edge. It was definitely a postmarriage purchase. I shoved it back in his drawer then on second thought placed it in my purse.

  I turned out the lights and closed the door. The party was still in full swing. The music was charged up a notch. Bass pulsated through the floor and reverberated in my eardrum. I headed to the door. I couldn’t stand another minute.

  “Venus … wait a minute.” Jake was coming toward me.

  I pushed through the double doors out into the cool night air.

  “I didn’t know you were here.” He reached out and grabbed my hand. “Legend just told me you were upstairs.”

  I dug in my purse and threw the condom at him. “Why was that in your desk? And don’t try to tell me it’s from before we were married because I swear…” I turned away from him.

  “It’s not mine.”

  “Oh, that’s even better. And while you’re searching for a better explanation, could you also go over where you’ve been for the last two hours, ’cause you sure as hell weren’t here.”

  He took my hand. “Come back inside. We’ll talk upstairs in my office.”

  “Then explain how you could sell off half of JP Wear and not even talk to me about it.” I wasn’t going to cry, I’d already told myself. “Which one you want to tackle first?”

  “You are some piece of work, you know that? You want to talk about secrets? Not being honest, I don’t think you want to go there,” he said.

  “I’ve been completely honest with you. You’re the one adding in motivations, trying to make me seem conniving. I haven’t lied to you about a single thing. I told you where I wanted to work. I told you why, period, end of story. No secrets. Now all of a sudden, I’m enemy number one. I’m not crazy. Don’t try to pretend all of this is my imagination, Jake.”

  “Come inside,” he said calmly.

  “No, hell no. I’m going home.”

  “Then I’ll call a cab. You’re not driving drunk.”

  “I had one glass of champagne while I was looking for you.”

  “Fine.” Jak
e started to walk away.

  “Don’t you dare leave me out here. Not until you tell me where you were.”

  “Sounds like you got it all figured out.” He turned and talked to the valet before going back inside. I stayed outside, blubbering like an idiot.

  I felt a quick tap on my shoulder. “Ma’am, your car.” The valet had shown up with my car just as Jake told him. I looked up at the well-lit building to see if Jake was standing there, and he wasn’t.

  Walk of Shame

  Jake and I treaded lightly around one another. So many times I thought to say, By the way, I’m going to Washington, D.C., with Dr. Ex-Lova, but I knew it was too late for that. He’d think I was taking revenge, acting out of spite when none of it was true. I was hurt, yes, but nothing could trump finding a condom in his desk, him being missing in action and refusing to explain his whereabouts, then worst of all selling JP Wear and not bothering to discuss it with me.

  “So are you ready to talk?” I asked while we lay in bed, both pretending to be asleep.

  He stayed silent.

  “Then I’ll talk. I admit I probably overreacted about finding the condom. You’re right—it could’ve been Legend’s. He’s the one I found in your office with an unidentified female. But can you at least try to explain where you were while I was looking for you? Two hours, Jake.”

  “I told you I was there. How many times do I have to tell you?”

  “Okay. All right. You were there, but where? I looked, I asked everybody and not one single person had seen you.”

  He took a long deep breath. “Do you think I’d mess around on you? Is that what you believe? ’Cause if you do, there’s nothing I can say to change it.”

  I wiped my eyes and tried not to sniff. I knew if I played the crybaby card, he would simply turn over and throw his arms around me and make everything all better. “And what about selling your company, and not even talking to me about it.”

  “That one’s easy. I didn’t think you cared.”

  “Of course I care. How could you say that?”

  “I think you can figure that one out.”

  I couldn’t fix my lips to say another word. Yes, I could figure it out. I was being punished. Fine. I only wish the punishment were tangible, like when you were a child, you’re sent to your room. No television. No phone for a week. Maybe even no dessert after dinner, but good grief the silence was cruel and unusual punishment.

  “I have to go to Washington, D.C., tomorrow to present a proposal to the health commission.”

  Silence.

  “I’m coming back the following day, so it’s a quick trip.”

  Silence.

  “Okay, then … Jake, I’ve already decided to quit when I get back. I want to do the presentation because this could actually save the hospital, this one trip. But when I come back, I’ve decided. I’m through. I can’t stand you being mad at me like this. It’s not worth it.” I said into the darkness. It’s just not worth it. I closed my eyes and let the tear slide down into my ear.

  Silence.

  Up, Up, and Away

  The next day I sat on the airplane, checking over the heads of seated passengers for Clint to arrive. Southwest Airlines had banished the idea of assigned seating, giving customers permission to choose their flying mates on a first-come–first-served basis. A large man with an eye for petite passengers who took up less than their share of seat space spotted me. I picked up my satchel and threw it into the seat next to me just as he arrived by my side.

  “Is this seat taken?”

  “Yes, sorry. My friend is in the restroom.”

  The man labored on. I decorated myself with various deterrents from further offers. I sat in the aisle seat and gave my coat the middle and my laptop the window. I gathered a few tissues and pretended a runny nose was giving me havoc. Saving seats had to be the worst offense, an unfair practice, leaving those who’d taken the energy and time to arrive early with fewer choices.

  “Is this seat taken?” An older lady with slumped shoulders and kind wrinkled hands stopped right next to me. She looked as if one more step would do her in.

  I peeked past her ratty coat, still no sign of Clint. I saw only a family of raucous children with oblivious parents who appeared anxious to get past. Behind them a steady stream of people, none of which were black guys with bald heads.

  The older woman stood blocking the aisle, patient and unfazed by the irritated passengers. I gave it some thought. Clint probably wasn’t coming anyway. And even if he did, he could still take the middle seat. I raised my coat with me as I stood to let her in.

  “I need the aisle, dear. A woman my age can’t pray about going to the restroom. It’s either right then, or it’s too late.”

  “Yes, of course.” I grabbed my satchel. I piled everything into the middle seat and sat against the window. The rose scent of Jergens lotion moved into the seat with her. I stared out, watching piles of luggage rolling onto the carriage of the plane. I wondered if Clint’s bag was among them.

  After the plane looked like it was closing up, I accepted the fact he wasn’t coming.

  “Is this seat taken?” a voice asked.

  Not again.

  “Why yes, I think it is.” The older woman said, happily taking over the dirty duty of saving seats.

  I looked up to see the sparkling whites of Clint’s eyes. He hadn’t lost any sleep. The picture of health. I was relieved Kandi hadn’t tried to poison his soup or anything.

  “He’s with me.” I moved my bag and coat out of the way.

  “Hold on, I’ll get up in a moment, dear, then you can slide on in.” The older woman gripped the headrest in front of her with a feeble hand while she tried to stand up. After a few attempts, Clint put out his hand and she took a hold. “Thank you, you’re a dear.” Clint climbed in and shoved his bag under the seat.

  “You two make a stunning couple.”

  “We work together,” I said, leaning past him.

  “Do you now? What kind of work is that?” She asked.

  “Hospital public affairs, and he’s one of the doctors on the board. Director of Pediatrics and Neonatology,” I said, feeling slightly proud.

  “How interesting. My husband was a doctor. He passed away in 1991. I didn’t think I would live another day after he left this earth, but here I am. Life does go on.”

  He whispered in my ear. “You did it now.”

  The sweet older lady continued. “I have three sons, not one of them wanted to practice medicine and follow in their father’s footsteps. It hurt him so. My Allen dedicated forty-one years to medicine.”

  As I was about to ask her sons’ chosen careers, the roar of the engine silenced me.

  Her voice rose with the engine. “There’s something about being a physician,” she continued without a prompting. “The dedication and the honor that comes with helping people. People look up to doctors.” Her voice kept rising with the engine. “Doctors are the angels of our world.”

  Clint leaned into my ear again. “I should tell her what you really think, that we’re all the anti-Christ.” He smirked, showing a deep dimple line down his cheek.

  “Not all doctors, just you, remember.”

  “I thought you changed your mind about all that.” His voice was a warm whisper in my ear. “I thought I was granted immunity.”

  “Never,” I said.

  “Never?”

  “Never ever.” I turned my attention to the flight attendant doing her safety thing. I always felt obligated to give flight stewards their due. Our courageous attendants dealt with hostile customers, irate drunks, not to mention the fear of terrorists every single day on the job. The least I could do was pay attention for two and a half minutes while they talked about safety.

  “If I’d known you still felt that way about me, I would have stayed home,” he said, pretending to be offended. “I’m married. And don’t try anything while we’re on this trip.”

  I reeled back as far as the tight quarters allow
ed and socked him in his arm. His eyes squinted and his mouth opened in a fake yelp, but no sound came out. He massaged the sore spot while suffering silently. The plane ascended straight up as if we were heading to the moon. My ears plugged; my eyes went heavy. I was near sleep before I felt a tap on my thigh.

  “Did you tell your husband you were coming to Washington, D.C., with me?”

  I took a deep breath and said what I wished were true. “Absolutely. He’s completely secure with our relationship.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Yes,” I said, adjusting my cream wool coat like a blanket over my body.

  “That’s truly a secure man. Either that, or he thinks I’m chopped liver.”

  “Rancid chopped liver,” I confirmed. I stared blankly out the window at the clouds. The truth was Jake knew nothing of Clint sitting beside me for a five-hour flight. Nothing of our conversation, how we’d talked about the hospital, Clint’s desire to turn the hospital around, or my being afraid of Jasper Callaway, the incident in the parking garage and how he’d creeped me out. Then unavoidably, the conversation turned to the past.

  “How’s Sandy doing these days?” Clint always started our back-down-memory-lane conversations with Sandy, my little cocker spaniel. Sandy was the only true proof we’d ever been a couple. Sandy arrived in a box with a beautiful fluffy satin bow for my birthday present instead of the engagement ring I was totally expecting from Clint. The beginning of the end, I liked to call it.

  “Big, healthy, and lovable. She’s still in D.C. with Wendy. Her kids got used to having her. I didn’t think it was a good idea to move her to California.”

  “Why?”

  Because I’d have to live with the constant memory of you, I almost said. “Our house really isn’t a dog house. I mean, the floors are all hardwood, you can practically see yourself in the shine. She’d slip and slide all over the place. She couldn’t run around, the house is kind of … it just wasn’t meant for animals,” I said, wondering if it sounded as ridiculous an excuse to him as it did to me.