Brothers and Wives: A Novel

by Cydney Rax

  “Thanks, baby,” I say and pull him into my lap. “See Grandma?” I laugh and shake my head. It’s all I can do from kissing my mother’s cheeks till they sink in. After I get over the amazement and happiness of Scottie’s ultimate surprise, we all calm down and try to finish eating the best Thanksgiving dinner ever.

  All we Frazier women talk nonstop. They fill me in on what’s happening in California.

  “Governor Terminator is totally fucking up California. Everybody’s in foreclosure, folks’ cars getting repo’d. Even the movie stars are getting laid off TV shows, soaps. You name it.”

  “Why don’t you move here?” I ask my sisters and glance at Ma. “Houston isn’t suffering like the rest of the country.”

  “I love my good weather,” my mother protests. “You can’t beat California sunshine.”

  “Especially if you’re homeless with no car, huh, Ma?” I tease.

  We continue to dish about Long Beach until Vette is the first to push herself back from the table and declare, “I’m through.”

  Once she does that, Neil follows suit. Before long, most everyone makes a trail into the den or the kitchen. The sounds of cheering during a televised NFL game can be heard from where I’m sitting. Ma sighs contently and rubs her belly.

  “That was some tasty food,” Ma replies. “And that man Scottie, now he’s a good one. I was skeptical at first with him being so much younger than you.”

  “Ma! Only five years.”

  “The most important thing is how he treats you. I can tell you like being around him. That’s a good thing. God knows I hated how you were involved with what’s-his-face.”

  “Ooo, Ma. Neil. You know his name. I see you said hello to him after a while,” I gently scold. “Neil’s your grandson’s father.”

  “Yeah, well, that’s not my schnookum’s fault.”

  “Ma. Be good. How long will you be here?”

  “As long as the good Lord sees fit.”

  “Don’t even try it. What’s the date on the ticket for your return flight?”

  “Don’t worry about it. You need to be filling my plate with some of that homemade apple pie I’ve been staring at. It is homemade, isn’t it, and not one of those frozen pies that you like to defrost or anything?”

  “Ma, I’m going to get you.” I laugh. “I love you, Ma. I do. This is one of the happiest surprises.”

  We’re interrupted when Anya returns to the dining room, followed by LaNecia. Anya is holding the digital camera in her hand. The red light is on, and she’s pointing the darned thing at me.

  “See, LaNecia, go on; don’t be scared,” Anya says. “LaNecia here wants to be a filmmaker. I’ve asked her to go around and videotape us enjoying the holiday. She was supposed to enroll in school so she could learn how to do this professionally, but we’re not going to talk about that right now.”

  “Aw, Anya, that’s wrong. It’s cool, though. I’ll videotape a few people.”

  “Remember, I asked if you’d like to start making videos a while ago.”

  Scottie walks past us and stands next to the apple pie.

  “This isn’t exactly the type of video I had in mind, but I guess it’ll have to do for now.” She snickers, then aims the camera at Scottie’s back and starts filming. He doesn’t notice because he has a huge knife in his hand and it appears like he’s on the hunt for some dessert. He calls over his shoulder, “Anybody want some of this so I won’t have to eat it all by myself?”

  “I do. I do,” LaNecia shouts. “Cut me a piece, sweetie.”

  LaNecia continues walking slowly behind Scottie pointing the lens at his butt.

  Ma frowns and gives me a questioning look.

  I whisper, “I’ll tell you about it later.”

  Later that evening, many of us are sitting around the den. Anya decides it’s a good time to start pulling out her stupid Christmas decorations. That’s my cue to get the hell out of the room. I keep yawning anyway and I am anxious to go home to my own apartment, kick off my shoes, and curl up on the sofa and watch a classic movie.

  I notice that Scottie is MIA. I excuse myself from the room and start walking around the first floor. He can’t be found in the kitchen, dining room, or library. I run upstairs and don’t bother knocking on his bedroom door. I hold my breath but exhale immediately. He’s not in his room, and the bed is neatly made up.

  I am about to go back downstairs when I hear voices coming from the room where Vette and I slept during the hurricane, the spare room she hangs out in whenever she spends the night.

  “So girl, um, what’s up with you and him? Y’all gonna meet up tonight or what?”

  I recognize Karetha’s voice, and I lean in so that my ear’s touching the door.

  “Got to. It’s getting ridiculous. Please, I need to do this. It’s been much too long since I’ve been fucked good.”

  “Mmm, I heard that. I’ll bet you’ll be screaming homeboy’s name like crazy by the time midnight comes.”

  “I sure hope so. His dick is so thick and long….”

  “Ugh. I do not want to hear this….”

  “Well, you’re going to hear it, Ka. I love how he lets me get on top and bounce up and down. It feels so good. Hmm, what time is it?”

  My heart beats so loud I’m sure they can hear me snooping outside the door. What the hell does Scottie think he’s doing scheming to meet with LaNecia after he’s done this dog and pony show bringing my family to Houston for the holiday? He’s not about to embarrass me. I step away from the door, but they start talking again and I run back over to listen.

  “You love him?”

  “I dunno,” LaNecia says. “Love is weird, complicated, tricky, and most of all, it can be the biggest liar.”

  “You have never lied,” Karetha says.

  “Ha! Yes, I have.” The two disgusting tramps hoot and holler like something is funny. But nothing is funny. I feel like crying, falling to the carpet and lying in a fetal position. This is why it’s hard for me to feel happy. It seems like a trick, but not a magical trick like my mama was talking about earlier. This feels like one of those cruel tricks that start out seemingly promising, but the next thing you know a curtain gets pulled back and all your worst enemies are on the other side of it laughing at you.

  I feel furious.

  I try my best to quietly and calmly walk back downstairs without letting my emotions give me away. I go in the den and sit by Brenda. A Tyler Perry movie is playing on the TBS channel and she’s engrossed in what the character Madea is doing. But seconds after I take a seat, I feel my sister’s eyes boring into me.

  She whispers, “What’s up, Yell?” Yell is a childhood nickname. She’s the only person who calls me that.

  “Nothing.” I shrug.

  “Don’t bullshit me. I know you, Yell. Your hands are shaking. What happened? Tell me.”

  “Shhh, come with me outside.”

  I begin walking until I reach the front door, which is still open. I can see straight through the full-glass storm door.

  When I look outside, Scottie’s standing next to LaNecia. Her arms are folded across her chest. He is leaning toward her and grabs her arms, like he’s about to shake her. I can tell she’s saying something back to him. Piercing anger covers her face. Then she looks calmer. He takes his hands off her. They continue talking. But what are they talking about? Are they making final arrangements about how and where they’re going to meet later on? I can’t believe how Scottie had all of us fooled. My mom, my sisters, Summer Holiday. And especially me. Is this what happens when I try my best to trust someone?

  With a thick lump closing up my throat, I turn around and gesture at Brenda. She remains close behind me as I run upstairs. I start to go into Scottie’s room, but it would feel like entering a brutal crime scene. So I walk into the bathroom, tell her to come on in, and shut the door.

  “Girl, what the fuck is your problem? You look like you about to lose your mind.”

  “LaNecia is about to drive
me nuts.”

  “Yeah, she’s so annoying. Like overkill with all the talking, laughing, and gesturing with her hands.”

  “She’s so full of shit.” I begin to explain that she’s Scottie’s cousin, but she is attracted to him and refuses to leave him alone.

  “Oh, hell no, this is where you’re wrong. This is your man’s problem, not that young bitch. Put the blame on him, never on the other female.”

  “But he says he’s done with her.”

  “Then why is he outside having private conversations with her instead of being in the house with you like he oughta be? I have a mind to go out there and cuss his black ass out.”

  “No, Brenda, please don’t do anything, don’t say anything. Damn, I hate this.”

  “You got yourself into some shit this time. Damn, Yell. Why you always end up with the wrong kind of man, huh?”

  She’s making me feel bad, and I want to curse her out because it’s not like she’s anybody’s wife or girlfriend, so why is she getting on my case? But I decide to chill and deal with Brenda later.

  I tell her about the conversation I overheard between LaNecia and Karetha.

  “They got some fucked-up ghetto names, man, oh man. Maybe you’re better off, Sis. Let that ho have him. That’s some twisted shit. You don’t want to be involved with a man who’ll fuck anybody, anywhere.”

  “Please Brenda, you’re making things worse.”

  “I’m making things worse? How? I haven’t cheated on your ass. I’m just talking about it. That’s worse? You need to decide how you gonna handle your business or else I’m ’bout to do it for you.”

  “No, no, don’t say anything. I don’t want Ma to know.”

  “Ooo, you better be glad I’m up here right now. I could go and kick that mutha’s teeth out his damn mouth. And he got a pretty set of teeth, too. I’ll have that punk looking like Leon Spinks after a boxing match.”

  “Brenda, shhh. I hate that I told you.”

  “I’m glad you told me, because I do not like hearing about any man mistreating my baby sis. He’s got to be outta his mind. Sick fuck!”

  My cell phone starts ringing.

  “Who is it?” Brenda asks. I show her the phone.

  “Oh, let me answer the bitch. I got something for his ass.”

  “No, Brenda. I’ll let it go into voice mail. Maybe Scottie will leave a message.”

  Seconds later, my phone rings again.

  “Let me get that.” Brenda snatches my phone from my hand.

  “Hello,” she says loudly. “Yeah, she’s right here. How may I help you?” I look at my sister like she’s insane. “Yeah, all right. Later.”

  She hands back my phone. “He said for you to come downstairs in about ten minutes. He has some special type of dessert that he wants everyone to sample.”

  “What?”

  “Don’t kill the messenger, Sis.”

  “That’s not who I want to kill.”

  We emerge from the restroom after ten minutes of arguing about why Scottie is taking time to make some stupid dessert. I am so mad at him I really want to say Fuck him and his pastries. But Brenda convinces me to come downstairs. We hear a lot of noise coming from the dining room and decide to see what’s going on.

  As soon as we enter the room, it gets a teensy bit quieter. Ma, Neil, and Anya are sitting at the table. Chana’s seated next to Vette. LaNecia and Karetha are standing against the wall whispering to each other. I feel very awkward. All I want to do is corner Scottie and ask him what’s up between him and his cousin.

  Scottie pokes his head inside the doorway and barks orders. “Dani, Brenda, have a seat right there.”

  I slump in my chair. Ma smiles gently at me and whispers, “I’ve had the best time, daughter. This is the most fun I’ve experienced in a long while.”

  “I’m glad you feel that way,” I murmur.

  Finally, Scottie emerges from the kitchen holding a turkey-shaped cake pan between two red pot holders.

  “Hey, that’s so cute,” Vette chirps. “I never knew my brother to be a baker.”

  “There are a lot of things I’m trying to do that are different,” he replies.

  “So I’ve heard,” I say, unable to help myself.

  “Before y’all think I’ve turned gay, I just wanted to do something real special for the holiday,” Scottie says, looking around the table. He comes and stands next to me and sets the cake pan on the table. “First of all, I can’t go any further without saying that for obvious reasons I have a lot to be thankful for. I’ve gone through a lot in my twenty-five years. Lost my dad. Got into some trouble with the law. Made some decisions that my family didn’t like,” he says, looking down at his feet then back at us. “But I take complete responsibility for the choices I’ve made. My goal is to be happy that God has spared my life, given me another chance, and blessed me to do better than what I’ve done in the past.”

  I sit there listening to him and fuming on the inside. I don’t care to hear his phony-ass speech. If I could throw up I would, but I don’t even feel like wasting a good turkey dinner on this dude.

  Scottie continues talking. “One of the best things about today is because of a young lady who’s in this room right now.”

  I stiffen. Uh-oh. Here it goes. He’s about to embarrass me. What have I ever done to him?

  “And because of how I feel about her, I want her to do the honors of having the first piece of this Thanksgiving cake.”

  “Cute,” I say and glare at him. “Funny how this cake looks just like you.”

  “Dani, babe, open the cake pan and let me slice a piece for you.” Perspiration covers Scottie’s forehead. He laughs nervously, gawking at me like he really wants me to taste the dessert he’s made.

  “Go on. Take a look at the cake, Dani.”

  Annoyed, I place my hand on top of the cake pan, then lift it.

  “Oh my goodness,” I shriek. Instead of a cake, there’s a sparkling diamond and gold ring sitting inside a ring box. “What’s this?”

  Scottie looks from me to my mother. “Mrs. Frazier, I love your daughter very much….” I hear gasps in the background. “And nothing would please me more than to get your blessing. ’Cause I wanna marry her and I need to know it’s okay with you.”

  “Scottie, stop it….”

  “Neil, please,” Anya says, her voice rising. She sounds so seriously angry that Neil shuts up.

  Oh my God, I say to myself. This is unreal. It’s crazy. Brenda beams at me and hugs me in a tight squeeze.

  “It’s great, isn’t it?” she beams.

  “You knew?” I ask. “You just pretended to dislike him when you were complaining about him in the restroom?” She nods and blows a kiss at me.

  “Yep, I know how much he cares about you, and no other woman,” she answers, glancing at LaNecia. “You lucked out this time, Yell. My baby sis is gonna have a hubby.”

  Ma nods and claps her hands. She turns to Scottie, who’s anxiously waiting by her side. “I give you my blessing under one condition. Promise me you’ll treat my daughter right.”

  “I promise.”

  “If I ever hear that you’ve hurt her …”

  “Then give me a call,” Sola interrupts smiling graciously at my mom.

  I cannot believe Scottie’s mom is taking up for me. I mean, the lady has always been fairly pleasant with me, but I would never claim that she’s absolutely crazy about me. So her gesture touches my heart in a deep way. And, instantly, the stress and strain of the entire day takes its toll. I laugh, giggle, smile, and cough uncontrollably.

  “Damn, the girl is gonna choke to death before she even says yes to getting married,” Brenda teases.

  Soon everyone in the room is excited. Everyone except LaNecia. From across the room, she glares at me with the most hateful look I’ve ever seen.

  As soon as Scottie hugs my mom and then Sola, he gets down on one knee and takes my hands in his.

  “Babe, I know we haven’t known each othe
r long, but I know what I want. And what I want is you. Nobody but you. So you wanna do this? You wanna take a chance with your boy and get married?”

  “Scottie, don’t play. This is unreal.”

  “It’s not fake, baby. It’s real. I love you, Danielle Frazier.”

  “Go on, say yes,” Vette says. “You’re like family anyway.”

  “I hear you and I know what you mean. And I am so touched and so moved, Scottie, believe me. I–I care about you so much, it hurts. And you’re the best thing that’s happened to me in a very long time.”

  “So is that your long-ass way of saying yes?”

  “That’s my way of saying ‘Um, I gotta get back with you on that.’”

  “Eww, I knew that bitch was crazy,” LaNecia says and storms from the dining room. Karetha gazes at me like she can’t believe what I just said. She leaves the room, too.

  Scottie looks confused. “What did you say? You don’t want to marry me?”

  “Yes, I do, I do want to marry you, Scottie.”

  “Then that’s a yes.”

  “No, it’s not. It’s a ‘Wait a second and let me think.’”

  “What’s there to think about? I love you, Dani.”

  “I know but …”

  “But what?”

  “Stop yelling at me. You’re confusing me. I–I just …”

  Rushes of frantic voices fall on top of one another. I see mouths moving, but I can’t hear anything. My eyes remain transfixed on the ring. Three round shimmering diamonds are clustered in the center of the gold band. Scottie quickly snatches the ring off the cake pan and flees the dining room. The front door opens and slams.

  My sister’s lips curl into a frown.

  “You really fucked up this time, Yell. You see how big those diamonds are? Oops, were?”

  — 15 —

  SCOTTIE

  I Want to Be Your Husband

  Scottie’s behind the wheel of his Escalade speeding down Airport Boulevard. Where he’s going, he doesn’t know or care. When he sees the outline of a neighborhood patrol car, he barely hits his brakes.

  Just go on and take me the fuck away. I don’t give a damn. I don’t care about anything or anybody.