by Mary Monroe
“Thank you, honey. I really don’t want you to move back home, but under the circumstances, it’s not such a bad idea. Besides, once we get married, we’ll be stuck with one another for the rest of our lives.”
We both laughed.
Albert stayed in Rachel’s apartment several more months. In August he finally moved back in with the same lover who had kicked his ass and evicted him. Rather than having me move back into her apartment, Rachel and I agreed that I should stay on at my parents’ house until we got married. One of the reasons was that our being apart made us want to see one another that much more when we found the time. Another reason was that her uncle might get his ass kicked again and might need to come back, which, I told her, I would not be so amenable to the next time.
Rachel called me at work on Monday afternoon during the first week in August. I could tell from the meek tone of her voice that something was very wrong. I braced myself and waited.
“What’s the matter now?” I asked, forcing myself not to sound too annoyed.
“My aunt Hattie just called me,” Rachel began. The pause told me that there was something bad coming.
“Don’t tell me she needs a place to stay now,” I said hotly, meaning it more as a joke than a concern.
“No, that’s not why she called. Mama is sick. She’s in the hospital. They’re going to remove her gallbladder.”
“Oh? That’s too bad. I’m sorry to hear that. What hospital is she in? I’ll call her and send some flowers.”
“I’m going to go check on her. Aunt Hattie told me not to worry, but I still think I should go home and make sure everything is all right.”
“I’m sure everything will be all right,” I said firmly. “Your mama is a tough old broad.”
“Well, she is that for sure, but she won’t be a tough old broad forever.”
I was not sure where this conversation was going, but I knew it was going in a direction I didn’t want to go in. It was worse than I thought. If there was ever any doubt in my mind that what I was doing to Rachel was wrong, that doubt was removed when she dropped another bombshell: her taking in her mentally challenged siblings, and me moving back in with her to look after them.
“I know it’ll be a big adjustment, but if Mama could take care of them all those years, we can, too.”
Just the thought of that made me cringe. I felt like I had become the victim of the worst kind of entrapment. It was a day that would haunt me for the rest of my life, because I knew I had to move forward with my plan to end my relationship with Rachel sooner than I had thought I would.
“You want us to take in two adults with special needs?” The words rang in my ears, giving me an instant headache.
“Seth, I promised Mama and all my other relatives that I would take care of my siblings if... uh . . . when she could no longer do it.” She told me in such a casual, nonchalant way, I choked on some air.
I thought my heart was going to stop right then and there. Being the father of kids with mental problems would be bad enough, but that wasn’t going to happen. Being responsible for two adults with mental problems would be even worse!
“Rachel, that is a major responsibility.” I gulped.
“Honey, we’ve already agreed that we would move into a house with at least four bedrooms, so we’ll have more than enough room to accommodate them. You and I make good money, so we’ll be able to support them, too. Besides, they both receive financial and medical aid from Social Security. I am not going to let my brother or sister end up in one of those state homes, because that would kill Mama. Besides that, I just read some hellish news reports about those places—the staff neglecting and beating the patients, the orderlies raping the females, and so on. And if it comes to them having to move in with us, I’ll make sure it won’t be permanent, per se. One of the teachers I work with has a bipolar son who just moved into a closely supervised group home in Sacramento. That’s something we can look into for the future.”
“What’s wrong with them moving into one of those ‘closely supervised group homes’ now?”
“For one thing, it’s not that simple. Those places have long waiting lists, and in some cases, a doctor has to refer the patient. That could take some time. In the meantime, I need to step up to the plate. It’s my responsibility, and I did promise my mama that I’d do it if I had to.”
“Uh, that’s mighty noble of you, baby, but taking care of two mentally challenged adults could take a major toll on you and our relationship,” I warned.
“Seth, if it was your family in a crisis like this, I’d go out of my way to accommodate them.”
“I know you would, sweetie, and I appreciate you saying that. You go home to visit your family and do whatever you need to do. I . . . I’m with you one hundred percent.” This would have been the perfect opportunity for me to break up with Rachel. But I couldn’t do that yet, because I still needed just a little more financial assistance from her. . . .
“Hmmm. I didn’t know it was going to be this easy. After having to deal with Albert in the apartment all those months, I didn’t think you would even consider having Ernest and Janet underfoot on a short-term basis, a long-term basis, or any other basis. Are you sure you don’t have a problem with this? I mean, Mama could be back on her feet in no time, and we won’t have to worry about taking care of my siblings. Hell, Mama just might outlive me and you both.”
I didn’t hesitate to respond. “I don’t have a problem with it, baby. Now, you do whatever you have to do.”
“I’ll make my travel arrangements as soon as I get off the phone. Now, changing the subject, my folks and everybody else keep asking me about our wedding plans. . . .”
“Like I already told you, this coming November or January should be just fine.”
“Okay, baby. I love you.”
“I love you, too. I have to go now.”
I couldn’t wait to get off the telephone. I had to make one of the most important telephone calls I would ever make. I breathed a sigh of relief when I heard the sweet voice on the other end of the line.
“Darla, it’s me, baby. I don’t want to wait. Let’s get married in September,” I said. “This coming September.”
“Huh? That’s next month! We haven’t been together a year and a half, and I haven’t even met your family yet! And what about that crazy ex of yours? Has she calmed down enough so we won’t have to worry about her?”
“I’m taking you to meet my family next Sunday. And, yes, my crazy ex has calmed down enough for me to move forward with my life.”
“I hope she . . . Rachel’s her name, right?”
“Uh-huh.”
“I hope I never run into her, and I hope you’re right about her finally getting the message that you’re through with her. I had no idea it would take this long, though. I’ve never been involved with an unmarried man and had to sneak around to be with him.”
“I know, sweetheart. I’m just glad you hung in there. I promise you won’t regret it.”
“I’m sure I won’t, either. And I can assure you that if you break up with me, I won’t cause you the same problems she has caused you.”
“I know you won’t, baby.”
“Did she honestly think you were still going to marry her and have children with her after you found out about her crazy family?”
“Apparently she did. Darla, I have to get off the phone. I don’t think I can stand any more stress, so I need to let my family know what’s going on. And I need to let them know today.”
Chapter 10
Seth
“MENTAL ILLNESS RUNS IN RACHEL’S FAMILY? AIYEEE!” I couldn’t remember the last time I had heard my mother scream. “Son, please tell us you’re joking! She didn’t even tell you before you asked her to marry you? How could Rachel be so deceitful? That girl ought to be ashamed of herself! I knew she was too good to be true!” Mother hollered.
It was a hell of a subject for me to bring up in the middle of our dinner table conversation t
hat evening during the first week of August. But I had to do it. The sooner my folks found out about Rachel, the easier it would be for me to get them to see everything from my perspective and dismiss Rachel for the fraud she was. I was glad that I was alone with Mother and Father.
“Do you mean to tell us that she didn’t even bother to tell you about these nutcases until you met them last year?” Father boomed. The look of horror on his face was even more profound than the look on Mother’s. “Mercy me! I’ve always thought in the back of my mind that that girl had something to hide.”
“What made you think that?” I asked him.
“Uh, I can’t really put my finger on anything specific, other than her shifty eyes. . . .”
“I never noticed her shifty eyes, but I saw only what I wanted to see, I guess,” I said.
“How come you’re just now telling us about Rachel’s family?” Mother asked.
“I wanted to tell you sooner, but I honestly thought that I’d be okay with it over time. But I’m not.” I sniffed. “On top of the mental illness issue, her folks are about as countrified and ignorant as can be! I was terrified the whole time I was in Alabama. You would think that those people just arrived in this country on a boat! They even eat possums.”
“They sound like a bunch of savages, and Rachel was the ringleader,” Father snarled. “Our family has worked too long and hard to get where we are to end up letting Rachel bring us down. I’m glad you’re going to get rid of her.”
“Seth, you poor thing you. You’ve been carrying this heavy load all by yourself!” Mother began to shake so hard, I ran to her and put my arms around her shoulders.
“Mother, calm down. We don’t want you to have another heart attack!” I yelled.
Father was about to rise and come to Mother’s aid, too, but she waved him back to his seat and me back to mine. “I’m all right,” she assured us, fanning her face with her napkin. She grabbed the wineglass next to her plate and put it up to her lips. She drank until she had drained every drop. As soon as I returned to my seat, she asked, “Is that the real reason you moved back home, baby?”
“Yes. But I’m going to ease out of the relationship slowly and gently. She’s about to go back to Alabama to check on her sick mother. When she returns . . . well, I’ll decide how to break it off with her completely.”
“Son, don’t you worry. We know how anxious you are to get married and to start your family. With all you’ve got going for you, you’ll meet someone else soon,” Father assured me.
“Uh . . . that’s the other thing I wanted to share.” I cleared my throat and glanced from my mother to my father. “I have met someone else. I’m going to marry her next month.”
“What?” my parents yelled at the same time.
“You’ve met another woman, and you’ve already decided you want to marry her?” Mother hollered. “You can’t be serious, son!”
“Seth, do you think it’s wise for you to even be thinking about marrying another woman while you’re still with Rachel? Isn’t this kind of sudden?” Father boomed.
“And we haven’t even met her yet!” Mother shouted. Words could not describe the look on her face. “What’s wrong with you, boy? Are you sure some of Rachel’s family’s mental condition didn’t rub off on you when you went to Alabama?”
“It’s not as bad as it sounds,” I protested. “This is not that sudden. Actually, I met Darla last year, in April, and we’ve been seeing one another on the sly since then. We, uh, thought it best if we kept our relationship a secret until I got out of this mess with Rachel. I couldn’t risk having Rachel find out and do something real crazy to me or my new girl. And, believe you me, this one has no skeletons in her closet,” I said, holding my hands up in the air for emphasis. “I did a full background check on her myself. I checked all the way back to her great-grandparents on both sides. She’s from a fine family, and not a single one has ever had any mental issues. As a matter of fact, I’ve invited her to have dinner with us next Sunday.”
“Does Rachel know about this girl? And what’s her name again?” Mother asked.
“No, Rachel does not know about her, and her name is Darla Woodson. I know Rachel does not call or come over here much anymore, but if and when she does contact you again, don’t tell her about Darla until I say it’s okay.” I sniffed and gave Mother a pleading look.
“Ha! After the charlatan Rachel turned out to be, I don’t even want to see that hussy’s face anytime soon—let alone talk to her! I’m not going to tell her about you and this new girl,” Mother wailed.
“I know you won’t, Mother. But please promise me you won’t tell anybody at church or any of your friends. Uh, this could turn into a very embarrassing situation for me and the whole family.” I turned to my father. “Right, Father?” I said with a wink. I had never confronted my father about his mistress, but he was no fool. I had a feeling he knew that I knew. Had he asked me, I would have told him so. Out of respect for him, and to save my mother the heartache, I had no intention of snitching on him.
“That’s right,” Father agreed, giving me a sheepish look. As soon as Mother left the table to go check on dessert, he continued. “You don’t have to worry about me. I’ve done a few things I don’t want anybody to know about—things that could hurt a lot of people. If you know what I mean . . .”
“I do know what you mean,” I said with a conspiratorial nod and a thumbs-up.
I felt so relieved. But I rushed to finish my dinner, anyway. I was aware of the way my parents kept staring at me when they didn’t think I was looking. I was also glad that I couldn’t read minds, because I didn’t want to know everything they were thinking. I was also glad that my brothers and their families were not present. I would tell them all as soon as I could, which had to be within the next couple of weeks. I was running out of time. Rachel had begun to look at wedding dresses again.
Chapter 11
Rachel
I JOINED A 24 HOUR FITNESS GYM THE FOLLOWING MONDAY, A couple of weeks after I’d told Seth I would. I was so determined to get in shape that after working out on the treadmill for an hour each day and riding the stationary bike for another eight miles, I lost four pounds the first week.
I had resisted joining a gym for years. I hated exercising with a bunch of other folks, especially if the females had firm, well-tended bodies. However, that was not the case. Most of the women who came to the gym when I was present were in horrible shape. One attractive but slightly flabby woman around my age, whom I’d seen several times already, started up a conversation with me one Friday evening, after I had just stumbled off the treadmill.
“I don’t know how you manage to spend an hour on the treadmill. I’m lucky if I can do twenty minutes,” she said, sitting down next to me on one of the leather couches in the waiting area.
“I don’t know how I do it, either. But I am determined to stick it out at least until I lose enough weight before my wedding,” I told her. “I’m Rachel McNeal,” I said.
“It’s nice to meet you, Rachel. I’m Darla Woodson. When is your wedding?”
“We haven’t set the date yet.” I paused. “We have, but then we’ve changed it a few times. My fiancé wants to wait until he feels more secure with the business he started.”
“What a coincidence! I’m engaged, too. And my fiancé has his own business, too.”
“That’s interesting. I guess you and I have something in common.” Darla seemed so warm and friendly. I was glad she’d finally initiated a conversation with me. “When is your big day?”
A look of ecstasy appeared on Darla’s face. “A lot sooner than I’d expected. I just met his family last Sunday. They are a wonderful group of people. They made me feel so welcome. Anyway, he wants to get married next month. We’ve been very discreet since we met last year because of his ex, a nutcase to the bone. He had to cut her loose because she was so weird and she kept badgering him to marry her. That cow tried to lure him back with money.” Darla leaned closer to
me and, lowering her voice, added with a grimace on her face, “She even tried to hold on to him with sex—which he said was lousy to begin with. She’s about as vile as they come, a real enema bag. She’s gruesome! He told me she’s the worst girlfriend he’s ever had.”
I had to let Darla’s words sink in. “She sounds beastly. Why did your fiancé get involved with a woman like that in the first place? There had to be something he liked about her.”
“He said she was okay when he first met her. All nice and sweet. You know the type. My honey was at a low point in his life. His mother was having some health issues, so he was vulnerable at the time. Anyway, his ex took advantage of that. She played a role and hounded the hell out of him until she got him interested in her enough to propose. She spent money on him and was at his beck and call. Most men can’t resist all that. But he finally came to his senses and realized he deserved something better.”
“That’s a damn shame. Some women don’t know when to quit,” I said, shaking my head.
“It gets worse. She’s threatened suicide several times. Being the man he is, my man remained friends with her, which she misinterpreted, of course. He does not have sex with her anymore. At least that’s what he keeps telling me.”
“Do you believe him?”
“To be honest with you, I don’t know. I mean, I wasn’t born yesterday. I have four brothers, and . . . they’ve all done some shitty stuff to their women. If, and I do mean if, my man is still screwing that woman, it doesn’t mean a thing to him. I hate women like her! They are the reason our men are so spoiled and expect too much in a relationship!”
“I hear you, girl. They make it hard for the rest of us.”
“Tell me about it. Well, good luck.” Darla rose from her seat. “I’ll see you around, Rachel. I’m going to be in the Bahamas with my fiancé next week, but I’m sure I’ll see you here again when I get back.”