Bigamist

by Elaine Flowers

  The insults hurled in my direction, I felt, were thrown in for good measure. I was, apparently, some skank doctor likened to the fictional ones on “Greys Anatomy” and other such television shows. Clearly, I needed to watch more TV because I had no idea to what they were referring. And just viewing the bit that I had, it was easy to see how people with nothing to do could get caught up, tuning in day after day. Maybe it was because my real life was being discussed but those few minutes left me exhausted with the yelling, screaming, and snappy comebacks being hurled across the studio.

  With tears still burning my eyes, I hit the off button and headed to the shower.

  20

  Iris

  … three trusting and stupid bitches.

  So much had happened leading up to the trial that I had lost track of where we were. There had been preliminary court dates and lots of preparation with Greta outlining our strategy. On one hand I was exhausted and on the other, I couldn’t rest or walk away.

  Since Rose had made it clear that she wanted no parts of the fight, she had never shown up to any of the court dates. However, her attorney was in attendance every time, taking notes while saying very little. Judge Long wouldn’t let her completely remove herself from the proceedings but he couldn’t do anything about her refusing to fight or defend herself. For me, it was one less person for me to go against, so I didn’t care. I imagine neither did Amy.

  I met Greta in the hall outside of the courtroom. I towered over her small, rotund frame as she did her best to calm me while keeping me ready for a fight. Amy would be presenting her position today, so we would mostly be listening to her attorneys. Marigold and my mother were already seated inside.

  Greta said she felt good about the case we would be presenting, and I trusted her. All sides agreed to forgo a trial by jury, so the judge alone would be making the decision. I took a deep breath, said a quick prayer, and followed her inside. I waved in the direction of my mother and Marigold and took my seat.

  Amy was at the table to the left of us. Her team of “Johnnie Cochran” attorneys surrounded her with one of them clearly being the lead. There was another man with her, too, who I was told was her brother. There was no mistaking him for being Caucasian the way most people mistook her. He was tall, handsome, and like the men on that side of the room, dressed as if he was going to be on the cover of the next GQ Magazine.

  I tried my best not to feel intimidated, nor regret my choice in attorney, but in a room full of men, Greta, the only woman, was unattractive and small in stature. She certainly did not command attention the way I would have liked.

  Once the bailiff brought order to the courtroom, Judge Long entered and took her place and asked everyone to be seated. The room was full, and I was certain that some of them were the media, taking notes, ready to rush out and report the happenings.

  “Thank you all for being here,” Judge Long said, pushing her glasses up on her face. She appeared to be in her late 50s and I silently hope that she and Greta had a good track record. The last thing I needed was to have two women with bad blood working against me, and my interests. “We’re here to determine the legitimate wife of Dr. Erick Eugene Hart. The litigants, Amy Hart, Iris Hart, and Dr. Rose McDaniel—Mr. Satcher, will Dr. McDaniel be in attendance today?”

  “No, Your Honor. As previously discussed, she is not staking any claim. I’m here to speak on her behalf since you won’t let her completely recuse herself.” Rose’s attorney sat alone with a note pad at the table to the right of me.

  “That’s fine but keep in mind that she will need to be present for the verdict.”

  “Not a problem.”

  The judge turned her attention to the other end of the courtroom. “Mr. Blankenship, are you ready to give your opening statement?”

  “Yes, Your Honor.” Amy’s attorney stood to his feet.

  Greta opened several folders in front of her and clutched a pen, ready to take notes. I mimicked her actions pulling out a notepad from my designer bag next to me.

  “Your Honor, Amy Hart—Mrs. Amy Hart met Dr. Erick Hart before he was Dr. Hart—in fact, while the two of them were young students at Howard University in nineteen-eighty…” Mr. Blankenship paced in front of the judge, making off and on eye contact with her. “…they met, fell in love, and married five years later. Not only did Amy help support him and their growing family while he finished medical school, but she has never left his side since the day they married. They have two beautiful children—a son and daughter, twenty-year-old Kory and eighteen-year-old Kylie and like any other married couple, have had their fair share of ups and downs—but mostly up.”

  Mr. Blankenship made a dramatic pause in front of Amy, stared at her for a moment before continuing, “Amy remained to be a dedicated wife to Dr. Hart until the day he died. They shared a home in Sherman, Texas and even though he was a man devoted to his profession as a doctor, remained happily married with a full life as a couple.” He stood in front of the judge. “We will show in these proceedings today that Ricky, as Amy affectionately calls him, and Amy Hart were a loving couple committed to one another, living as a family and that she alone is the first… the original… and the only legitimate Mrs. Hart.”

  Judge Long waited for him to return to his seat. She was clearly writing on something in front of her, and then turned to Greta. “Ms. Baldwin, you have the floor.”

  I paid close attention to the chemistry between the two women and all seemed normal.

  Greta quickly jotted a few last notes and then stood to her feet. “Thank you, Your Honor.” With her orthopedic shoes squeaking on the hardwood floors, she marched in front of the awaiting spectators.

  “Iris Hart met a man in an airport,” Greta started. “Not just any man but a doctor who she witnessed save a fellow passenger’s life. From the moment she met him, treating her to lunch and cocktails while they waited on their connecting but separate flights, he consistently presented himself as a man free to pursue her, telling her he had been estranged from his wife for ten years. The year was two thousand and twelve. He courted her, they fell in love, and after he proposed, they had a beachside wedding with their friends and loved ones. It isn’t relevant that Iris is a young wife and mother—Jersey four years old, a sweet and prissy little girl—and Darius a newborn baby boy who will never know the father that was excited about his arrival and was there when he was born and the first to hold him when he took his first breath. That’s not what we’ll focus on in this case.”

  Greta stopped pacing long enough to take in a slow breath, and then faced only Judge Long. “What is relevant is that, in these proceedings, I will show that not only was Dr. Erick Hart legally married, dedicated, and devoted to his family with Iris, I will show that he was not acting as husband in any way shape or form with either of the litigants—Amy Hart or Dr. McDaniel. There is only one wife here and that is the last woman doctor Hart said ‘I do’ to. Thank you.”

  I felt myself exhaling when Greta came my direction. My confidence was returning with every squeaky step should took.

  Amy’s team seemed to scoff during Greta’s opening but she, in turn, seemed to pay it no mind. When she plopped down next to me, she opened a large folder and organized her papers.

  “Mr. Blankenship,” Judge Long said.

  Amy’s attorney stood to his feet and replied, “My first witness is Kory Hart.”

  One of the members of their team escorted Amy’s son through the doors. Wearing khaki pants and a white button-down Polo shirt, he looked so much like Erick, aside from having Amy’s blue eyes. It was startling. I held my composure, but tears burned my eyes.

  Kory stepped into the witness stand, was sworn in, and took a seat. He was visibly nervous, which afforded him sympathy right away. Amy dabbed at a tear, real or fake I didn’t know, and then blew her nose.

  “Hello, Kory,” Mr. Blankenship started. “First, let me offer condolences on the loss of your father.”

  “Thank you,” Kory politely responded. I w
as happy to see that he seemed to be such a mannerable young man—reminding me more and more of Erick with every word he spoke.

  “I’m sorry that you have to do this but answer honestly and to the best of your recollection.”

  Kory nodded.

  “Kory, you will need to speak all of your answers, okay?” Judge Long interjected.

  “Yes, Your Honor.”

  “Kory, when was the last time you spoke to your father?”

  “The week before he died. But, he called me two days before he died and I hadn’t gotten a chance to call him back,” Kory’s voice cracked.

  “When you did speak to him, what did you two talk about?” Mr. Blankenship leaned against the witness booth.

  “Well, he just asked me how school was going—he always gave me advice on classes and how to handle professors—and he wanted to know if I was planning on working through the summer because he wanted all of us to take a family vacation. Last summer was the first summer in many years that we didn’t all take one and he wanted to make up for it.”

  “That’s nice. Where did he mention you all might spend that vacation?”

  Kory breathed in, obviously trying to maintain his composure and finally answered, “One year, I think I was about sixteen and Kylie, my sister, was fourteen.” He paused and began again, “Mom and Dad took us to Disney World. We didn’t want to go—I mean my sister and me—thinking Disney was for little kids. So, we had really bad attitudes about it. But, it turned out to be the best family trip we’d ever taken. So, my dad mentioned maybe we would make that trip again—to Disney World.”

  “I’m sorry that wasn’t able to happen for you all.”

  Kory simply nodded his head, and then glanced over at the judge and added, “Yes, sir.”

  “So, when was the last time you actually saw your father?” Blankenship asked.

  “At Christmas when I was home from school.”

  “Did you, your mother, and sister spend Christmas day with your father?”

  “Of course. It was a great day—a good Christmas.”

  “Do you remember what gifts you received?”

  “No—I think money and clothes—I’m not sure. My mother usually did all of the shopping and the cash would come from Dad.”

  “Okay. Thank you for your testimony, Kory.” Blankenship headed back to his team.

  “You’re welcome.”

  “Ms. Baldwin, any cross examining for this young man?”

  Greta surprised me by standing and saying, “Yes.” She had initially told me she wouldn’t question the children because she thought it could backfire.

  “Kory, let me also extend my condolences on the loss of your father,” Greta started.

  Kory didn’t respond, and I was nervous about her continuing.

  “On this past Christmas when you and your sister were home from school, did your father wake up with the family on Christmas morning?”

  “I don’t remember.”

  “Well, was he there the night before, on Christmas Eve?”

  “I was out with friends so I’m not sure—actually, I don’t think so. I guess he was at the hospital.”

  “So, is it possible that he hadn’t been home all night but came to the house Christmas morning to open gifts?”

  “It’s possible—like I said he may have been at the hospital. He spent a lot of time there seeing after his patients.”

  “I’m sure he did, son.” Greta took a few steps. “So, how long was your Christmas break—how long were you home?”

  “About a month or so—maybe six weeks.”

  “Out of all those days you were home, how many days would you say your father spent nights at home with you, your sister, and mother?”

  “I’m not sure. My dad slept at the hospital a lot.”

  “Is it possible that he didn’t sleep at home even one time during that period?”

  “No, there were times we all woke up in the house and had breakfast together—but my dad has always had odd hours and long hours of being at the hospital,” he said with frustration etched in his tone.

  “Yes, I’m sure that’s true, Kory.”

  “My dad lived there. All of his clothes and things was at our house.”

  “Do you ever remember a time when your parents talked about or considered getting a divorce?”

  “No, never,” there was a clear exclamation in Kory’s voice. But, it wasn’t clear if he was telling the truth.

  “Thank you for your testimony, son,” Greta said as sweetly as she could.

  I was nervous about the approach she was taking. I didn’t like seeing Kory upset. But, I decided to trust that Greta knew what she was doing.

  “Mr. Blankenship?” Judge Long said.

  “No re-cross examine at this time, Your Honor.”

  Kory glanced over at the judge and stood only after getting her approval.

  “You’re excused for now,” Judge Long respond-ed.

  Once Kory was escorted out of the courtroom, the proceedings resumed.

  I was glad that Kory didn’t lie about Christmas morning because Erick was home with Jersey and me, rubbing my swollen belly all night. It’s obvious now that Erick lied when he told me he had to go check on a patient and made a beeline to Amy’s house.

  Yeah, we were three trusting and stupid bitches.

  21

  Amy

  …the reason we’re all here now.

  I first told Alan that I wouldn’t testify, answering questions about the intimacies of my marriage. But, the morning of the trial, I changed my mind and in their frustration, the attorneys did their best to prepare me for questioning. They wanted to get a continuance, but I assured them I was ready. None of it would be a problem—all I had to do was tell the truth. Easy.

  When the young attorney, one of the men on the team of attorneys Alan hired, called me to the stand, I spoke in the most colorful language I could muster up. I explained how Ricky and I met, fell in love, and rushed to be married. I even detailed our June wedding day and how on every five years on our anniversary, Ricky updated my wedding ring with a new ring or an additional diamond. This year would mark another five years and I presented proof my husband had been researching rings.

  Using some modesty, I even described our sex life and the last time we made love, detailing the day we spent together, celebrating my latest cosmetic surgery. Even when I was asked about any infidelity in the marriage my simple response was that I was married to a handsome doctor so there had been times over the years when he gave into the temptation of the many women throwing themselves at him. He was a red-blooded man but always made it clear he wasn’t going anywhere. We always worked through our problems. There was no doubt we were still together and that was the truth.

  Iris’s attorney declined cross-examining me but asked the judge for permission to recall me later if it proved to be necessary. She was crazy if she thought she was going to trick me into helping prove her case, so I wasn’t intimidated at all. I looked forward to it.

  The attorneys also called our housekeeper. Her testimony didn’t go as well since she mostly corroborated that Ricky was rarely home. I wasn’t worried because it was made clear that she was only at the house twice a month since the kids left home. There were also neighbors and some of Ricky’s long-time patients, turned family friends, who were there to support us.

  When we were done calling witnesses, Iris’s lopsided attorney stood and requested that we break for lunch because she was waiting on a witness to arrive. She said the witness was leaving work and would be ready to testify in an hour.

  I think we all were relieved and needed a break and something to eat so Judge Long gave us an hour and a half.

  Alan, Kory, and me made our way to Perry’s Steak House, relaxed, and enjoyed a five-star meal. It was what we needed—an escape and good food. It seemed no sooner than we settled in, it was time to get back to the courthouse, so we did just that.

  Blankenship told Kory that he would no longer
be needed to testify and sent him home.

  I hugged him in the hallway. “Thank you for your honesty, sweetie. I know it wasn’t easy sitting up there.”

  “I see why you refused to let Kylie testify. I don’t think she could’ve handled it.” Kory tightly embraced me and simply replied, “I love you, Mom.”

  “I’ll see you home later.”

  He then turned and left the courthouse.

  I headed to the ladies’ room, passing Iris as she was coming through the doors. We exchanged hateful glances. She swung her unbeweaveable hair over her shoulder and her towering statuesque body breezed by me.

  When court resumed, it was just as we had left off. Rose’s attorney sat alone, Iris and her low-budget lawyer were at the other table and my dream team was with me. There was some slight bustling in the room until the bailiff, once again, called it to order.

  Everyone stood and waited for Judge Long to take her seat. I was so ready to get it all over with I really didn’t plan to pay much attention to Iris’s side present their case. What could she possibly say? Aside from being Ricky’s mistress who had his children out of wedlock, she meant nothing.

  “Ms. Baldwin, I assume your witness has arrived.”

  I heard the squeaking from Ms. Baldwin’s shoes, indicating she was ready to begin presenting her case.

  “Yes, Your Honor but I would first like to call Iris Hart to the stand.”

  The raving beauty, looking too young for a man Ricky’s age, floated to the witness stand wearing a houndstooth suit and red patent leather stiletto pumps. Her short skirt made her appear as Ricky’s seductress. I was glad she was helping to prove my point.