The Real Housewives of Adverse City

by Shelia E. Bell

  “You are the one who chose drugs over your own child, so don’t call me up like you’ve a hopeless victim, because you’re not, sweetie.”

  “One hour. Be there,” Breyonna ordered, ending the call without bothering to respond to anything Peyton had said.

  Peyton sped toward the restaurant, thinking as she drove that this time she was going to offer Breyonna an amount of money she couldn’t refuse. She also wondered if Breyonna had gone to Carlton with her ridiculous claim about Liam being his son. She assumed that she hadn’t because Carlton hadn’t mentioned anything to her. This made her at ease because that meant that Breyonna had more than likely been lying about Carlton being Liam’s biological father. Enough was enough and Peyton was determined to get this settled once and for all so her life could return to normal.

  She turned up her nose as she pulled up in the parking lot of the diner. She got out of her car and almost tripped as she stumbled on one of the potholes that laced the small parking area like stepping-stones. She swore underneath her breath.

  Opening the door to the diner, she didn’t see any sign of Breyonna. She was about to turn and leave. She was not about to play games with some low class, money hungry dope fiend like Breyonna. All she wanted to do was find out what Breyonna’s price was to disappear, pay the wench, and say adios forever. Instead, her feet felt glued to the floor, and it wasn’t because the floor was dirty and sticky, although it was. It was because the man sitting at the table close to the back window was none other than Carlton.

  Peyton’s mouth fell open and remained that way. What was he doing here? Had Breyonna really told Carlton the same crap she’d been feeding her about Liam? Peyton cautiously looked around like she was expecting to see Meesha appear, but that would be impossible. She’d just left the housewives and there was no reason for Carlton and Meesha to be at a dump like this.

  “What are you doing here?” Carlton asked as he walked up and stood in front of her.

  “I should be asking you the same thing, Pastor Porter,” Peyton said sarcastically, grimacing. “You screwing some tramp from the other side of the tracks? This is why you want a divorce from my girl?” Peyton accused.

  “I see you two have reunited.”

  Peyton turned quickly toward the sound of Breyonna’s voice.

  “What are you talking about?” Peyton asked.

  “Yeah, what’s going on, Breyonna?” Carlton countered.

  Peyton needed a drink to calm the butterflies in her tummy. She felt like her head was spinning round and round.

  “Have a seat or take your business outside,” the grouchy waitress told them.

  Breyonna rolled her eyes at the woman. “Chill out, will ya,” she said and started walking to a booth at the back of the diner, almost parallel to where Carlton had been sitting.

  Peyton and Carlton slowly followed, each one taking a seat in the booth, and both of them sitting next to each other and across from Breyonna.

  “Look, I don’t know what you’re up to, but you better start talking, and you better start talking now,” Carlton demanded Breyonna.

  Breyonna laughed, her head bobbing backwards like someone had found her tickle spot.

  “Look, who do you think you are? Don’t come at me like you’re in the dark about why I’m here.”

  “Well, I am in the dark,” said Peyton, pretending to be shocked that Carlton was at the diner too. “And, Carlton, how long have you known about Breyonna being in Adverse City?” Peyton looked at him as he sat next to her nervously tapping his fingers on the less than clean tabletop.

  The same grouchy waitress walked up, chewing gum, and rolling her eyes up in her head. “What are ya having?”

  “Nothing for me,” Peyton answered abruptly.

  “Me neither.” Carlton shook his head from side to side.

  “Let me have the number six. I want onion rings for my side. Make it a double order and lemonade for my drink,” Breyonna said.

  The waitress looked back at Peyton then Carlton, rolled her eyes up in her head again, and walked off.

  “The least you could have done was order something from the lady. She has to make a living too, you know,” Breyonna chastised them.

  “If you don’t tell me what’s going on, and tell me now, I’m leaving,” Carlton told her.

  “Hey, calm down. You haven’t seen your baby momma for a long time,” she teased. “Aren’t you glad to see me?”

  “Cut the crap. Let’s get down to business.” Peyton snapped.

  “Fine by me,” Breyonna replied. “It’s time for you, Miss High and Mighty, to return our son to his parents. Isn’t that right, Carlton?”

  Chapter 24

  “We mistakenly assume that if our partners love us they will react and behave in certain ways - the ways we react and behave when we love someone.” John Gray

  After being thrown out of the restaurant, Eva tried calling Harper several times but he didn’t answer. She decided she would go to the hospital and surprise him.

  Stepping off the elevator and on to the second floor, she walked along the shining, pristine looking tiled floors. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a smile or two from a couple of doctors as she passed by them.

  As she neared the nurse’s station, she heard her name being called. “Mrs. Stenberg?”

  Eva paused and looked at the nurse sitting behind the station. She knew her face but she couldn’t recall her name. Quickly she zeroed in on the nurse’s nametag.

  “Uh, hello, Nicole. How are you?”

  “I’m good. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you,” she slightly stammered.

  The nurse sitting next to her stared at Eva, and mumbled, “Hello,” and then looked away.

  “Dr. Stenberg is in surgery,” Nicole explained. “Is he expecting you?”

  “No, not really. I was out this way,” Eva lied, “so I thought I’d surprise him.” Eva smiled.

  “I’m not sure when he’ll be done.”

  “It’s no problem; I’ll wait.” Eva turned to walk away, then stopped and looked back over her shoulder at Nicole. “Will you let me in his office?” she stated, not really asking but more like telling.

  “I…”

  The nurse sitting next to her mumbled something to Nicole.

  “Is there a problem?” Eva walked back to the nurses’ station.

  “It’s just that Dr. Stenberg doesn’t allow anyone to wait in his office, unless...”

  “Unless what?” Eva said, placing one hand on her hip, while giving both nurses the evil eye.

  “Unless he’s told us that he’s expecting someone,” the other nurse said. “Me, personally, I don’t want to get in trouble.” She looked at Nicole. “It’s your call.”

  “I promise you, my husband will not have a problem with me waiting on him in his office. Now, please, come and unlock the door or give me the key and I’ll let myself in.”

  Nicole reluctantly stood, walked from behind the nurses’ station, and headed to Harper’s office around the corner and at the end of the hallway where the staff offices were located.

  “Thank you, Nicole,” Eva told her when the woman unlocked the door, opened it, and flicked the light switch on.

  “You’re welcome. Like I said, I don’t know how long it will be before he returns.”

  “I know. I’m patient.”

  Nicole nodded and walked off.

  Eva looked around Harper’s office. It was immaculate. Everything was in its proper place. Harper was methodical like that at home, too. Everything had to be in order and just the way he liked it. T-shirts color coded, folded, and on the shelf together; white dress shirts, starched and hanging on the hangers together. Colored socks in one drawer; white socks in another. It had taken Eva some getting used to when they first got married, but Harper was good about it. He seemed to understand that she was not used to his OCD lifestyle and so he tried to make things easy for her. Before they got married, he had a full time housekeeper. He asked Eva if she wante
d to keep Marissa on as the housekeeper, and Eva readily told him that she did. There was no way she could maintain the house in the perfect order that Harper liked.

  Marissa, an older Hispanic woman, who didn’t speak English very well, was nice and accepting of Eva. She took the time to show her how Harper liked things, taught her about the kinds of foods he liked, the way he liked his laundry folded, and his bed made. When it was just the two of them, they spoke in their native tongue which seemed to please Marissa.

  Eva thumbed through a copy of The New Yorker sitting on a square table that had a magazine compartment underneath. Smiling, she ran her fingertips along Harper’s oak desk as she studied the pictures he had of the two of them on their wedding day. Another picture showed them on their honeymoon posed in front of the pink Lake Hillier in Australia. It was the honeymoon of a lifetime. But as beautiful as that time was, it quickly disappeared when they returned to the states. When Harper was appointed as chief cardiologist and medical director, Eva turned into a lonely, childless young bride starving for her husband’s love, attention, and affection.

  When she met Avery and Ryker at a fundraising dinner party for one of Harper’s friends who was running for a seat on the senate, it was a welcome relief. She and Avery hit it off, and soon after, Avery introduced her to Peyton and Meesha. Meesha invited her and Harper to attend Perfecting Your Faith. Harper readily accepted the invitation when Eva came home after enjoying her first ladies day out with the housewives and told him about it. Harper told Eva that he had heard great things about the church and the church’s pastor, Carlton Porter. Sunday, one of the few days Harper was at home, unless called for an emergency was Eva’s favorite day of the week. It meant having some alone time with her man. They visited Perfecting Your Faith several times and on the drive home after church one afternoon, Harper told her that he wanted them to become members of the church.

  Eva was happy to hear Harper’s decision about Perfecting Your Faith. The church they formerly attended was small and the members acted cold and indifferent toward her. She didn’t know if it was because they were an interracial couple or not, but whatever their reason, Eva did not feel comfortable. Perfecting Your Faith was different. People didn’t seem to care about race or ethnicity. The church was quite diverse, and it was not unusual at all to see interracial couples, black, white, Hispanic men, women, and children. Eva felt as if she fit right in. Meeting the housewives added to her feeling of acceptance.

  Harper, Carlton, Derek, and Ryker became friends, too, not close friends like the housewives, but on those occasions that one of the housewives entertained, the men were sure to attend, if at all possible.

  She picked up the picture and fought back the urge to cry. She wanted to have Harper’s baby so badly. Why couldn’t he understand that a baby would bring them closer together? A baby would bring so much happiness to her life; she wouldn’t be so lonely. But Harper, no matter how she begged and pleaded, put her off. It was selfish of him, the housewives told her, and she was beginning to agree with them.

  Behind his desk was another table, an oblong one that looked more like a sofa table. It had several more pictures, which were mostly pictures of Seth taken during key moments in his life. One was of him graduating from kindergarten, another of him with his pee wee soccer team, then another when he graduated from high school, and a more recent one with him standing on the steps in front of what Eva assumed was his mother’s house.

  Eva blushed as she replayed the image of him wet and in his swim trunks. He was sexy and fine just like his daddy.

  “How long have you been here?’

  Eva jumped slightly, startled at hearing Harper’s baritone voice as he entered his office.

  “Not too long.” She walked over to Harper, placed both arms around his neck, stood on her tiptoes, and kissed him.

  She could feel his body tense up as he gently pushed her away.

  “Aren’t you happy to see me?” She tried kissing him again, and again he pushed her away, walked to his desk, pulled out his chair, and sat down.

  “I’ve been in surgery for the past six hours. I’m tired. The last thing I expected was for my wife to be in my office waiting on me like you’re trying to catch me doing something other than what I do.”

  “Catch you? What are you talking about? I’m not trying to catch you doing anything. I wanted to surprise you.” Eva’s voice revealed her hurt and disappointment. “I thought you would be glad to see me. Most nights I’m asleep when you get home and you leave before I wake up. Te echo de menos, Harper,” Eva said in her native tongue. She approached him cautiously this time. She stood behind him and began to massage his temples.

  “I’m sorry. I just wasn’t expecting you.”

  “I know.” She continued to massage his temples, and then slowly moved to his shoulders. Eva felt him start to relax.

  She kissed the top of his head as she continued to massage him.

  “Ahh, that feels good. I wish I could sit here all day, but I can’t. I still have rounds to make. I’m sorry,” he apologized.

  Eva’s hands dropped to her side as she moved from behind him. Harper stood up and kissed her on her forehead.

  “Why don’t you go on home, while I finish up here? I promise I’ll try to make it home early tonight. Okay?”

  Eva feigned a smile. “Sure.” Quickly, she walked over to the table where she’d placed her purse, picked it up, and walked to the door.

  “Eva, wait.”

  “What?”

  He walked up to her, took her by the waist, and pulled her to him. He kissed her with passion until her body ached for his touch. He caressed her hips and his hands explored her inner thighs. Pushing the door closed with his foot, he sandwiched her between himself and the door.

  Eva released a moan of satisfaction. “I want you so bad,” she whispered as she explored his body as expertly as he explored hers.

  He was silent, but his kisses were fiery and hot.

  Reaching down for his most prized possession, she stopped suddenly, pushed him away, and glared at him. From the feel of things, Harper was not excited in the least. He didn’t want her; he was only trying to pacify her.

  “What? What’s wrong?”

  “What’s wrong?” She threw her head back and chuckled. “What’s wrong? Absolutely nothing. That’s what’s wrong!” Eva opened the door and stormed out.

  Chapter 25

  “You don’t destroy people you love.” Unknown

  Eva ran inside the house. Her hot tears poured down her face as she rushed up the steps. Blinded by hurt and tears, she didn’t see Seth bolting down the stairs. The two collided. Had it not been for his steady hand grabbing hold of her petite waist she would have fallen down the stairs. Instead, she fell on the landing with him practically on top of her.

  “Whoa,” he said. “You almost became a statistic,” he chuckled as their bodies touched.

  The tears didn’t stop. Just the opposite happened. She sobbed uncontrollably.

  Seth eased off of her, took hold of her hand, and with much ease he helped her to her feet. “What’s wrong?

  Eva bowed her head but not before seeing the look of sincerity shining through his mocha colored eyes. His eyes were so striking that they looked like they were fake, like he wore contacts; but he did not. It was all him.

  “I’m sorry,” she said as she broke free of his grip, and took off running up the rest of the stairs to her bedroom. She closed the door behind her and fell across her bed.

  Moments later, she heard a light knock. She slowly sat up and listened to the knocking sound again.

  “Eva, you all right in there?” she heard Seth ask.

  Why wouldn’t he leave her alone? Couldn’t he see that she was upset and didn’t want to be bothered? She decided not to answer him, hoping that he would give up and go away.

  Knock. Knock.

  Eva remained quiet, lying back on the bed again. She heard Seth as he walked away from her door. It wasn’t long a
fter before she fell asleep.

  Meesha sat with the kids in the family room as they watched a popular kid’s movie for what was probably the third or fourth time. She picked up her cell phone and texted Carlton - again. Usually he would come home from church early afternoon, leave for an hour or so to go back to church and be back home for the evening by five thirty, unless he had an evening service or a speaking engagement somewhere. Even then, he would come home, eat dinner with the kids, and maybe take a power nap before returning to church. But it was already past six and she hadn’t heard anything from him. It was so unlike him not to call or come and check on them, and for him not to respond to any of the four text messages she had sent previously had her concerned. Maybe he was with her, the other woman. Does she have kids? Does she make love better than me? Is she prettier than me? A million questions filtered through her mind. Carlton told her that another woman was not the reason he wanted a divorce, but from the way things were looking, Meesha wasn’t buying it.

  Ding. The sound of her text message jarred her from her thoughts.

  “n a meeting. b there soon as I can.”

  Meesha rolled her eyes as she threw her phone down on the couch next to her. She got up from the sofa, leaving the kids to watch the last half hour of the movie without her. In the kitchen, she stood at the island and allowed her tears to flow freely out of sight and away from the boys. Life for her had changed in a flash.

  “God, what is this?” she cried out as she looked up toward the ceiling. “Why is this happening and what am I supposed to do?”

  For the next several minutes, she remained in the kitchen struggling to regain her composure. She didn’t want the boys to see her upset; and she definitely didn’t want them to see her crying. Why couldn’t Carlton see what he was doing to his family? Did he even care anymore?

  “Father God, I need you. I can’t make it through this. If this is a test, help me to see it and help me to pass it.”