Ex-Terminator Life After Marriage (25 page)

T
he flight had been rather rough, but Mona and Michael arrived safely in New Orleans. Although it was early evening, the city had a balmy feel to it. They picked up the rental car and headed to the heart of the city.

It was a carnival atmosphere when they reached Michael’s sister’s house. Colorful streamers in salmon, red, blue, and yellow decorated the walls, and a large WELCOME HOME MICHAEL banner hung in the family room. A gathering of some fifty or more well-wishers greeted them, and Caribbean music floated through the air along with the smell of seafood and island spice.

Michael’s parents had come to the United States approximately five years ago from Trinidad-Tobago, to live with their daughter. Other relatives had migrated to New Orleans years before.

“That storm is near,” Michael’s mother warned in her Caribbean accent. “We may have to go to higher ground. But right now, it’s so good to see you, my son and Ms. Baptiste also.”

“It’s so good to see everybody. It’s been awhile, Mommy.”

“Well, all your sisters, brudders, cuzins, uncles, aunties—everybody—are here to celebrate your coming home,” Mrs. Broussard said.

Everyone swirled around Mona, trying to get the four-one-one on the beautiful lady Michael had brought to New Orleans with him. Mona felt their warmth although she wasn’t used to people fawning all over her, asking a thousand questions as if she were being interrogated for a crime. She was ready to be alone with Michael at the hotel and perhaps later a stroll in the city ending up in the French Quarter. It had been an awfully long time since she had been home.

Mona watched as everyone made merry. She looked at her watch. They had been in town for more than three hours and she had yet to call home. She didn’t know why she was apprehensive about doing so, but the longer she took to make the call, the harder it would be.

Michael was in seventh heaven mingling, eating and dancing with his family. They were a noisy bunch, but there was so much love in the room. Mona reasoned that all families should experience the effects of being in this room. On that note, she knew it was time to call her parents.

Just as Mona turned to go outside and make her phone call, one of the partygoers touched her elbow. “Don’t I know you?” the woman demanded, sipping her beer.

“No, I don’t think so,” Mona replied. “I’ve never met you.”

“Your name sounds so familiar…Mona Baptiste…” The woman rolled Mona’s name around on her tongue as if she could taste it.

“Well, if you’ll excuse me, I need to make a phone call.”

“By all means.” The woman took a last look at Mona and left.

Mona trembled. There was something unsettling in the woman’s voice. She’d indulge Michael’s family a few more hours and then insist on leaving.

The phone rang twice before Mona heard her mother’s voice at the other end.

“Hello, Mommy, this is Jacqueline. I’m in New Orleans with a friend, and I’d like to visit with you and Papa.”

“Jean Claude, it’s Jacqueline on the line,” Mona heard her mother say. “Jacqueline, how are you doing, baby? How long has it been? We thought…we thought…it doesn’t matter, it’s good to hear your voice.”

“Yours, too, Mommy.”

“Jacqueline, this is Papa.”

“Hi, Papa.”

“Where are you, my girl?”

“Here in New Orleans, Papa. I want to come by tomorrow and see you and Mommy.”

“Come by and have dinner. You know that big hurricane might pass this way. Thought this might be the last time you saw your mama and papa, huh?”

“No, nothing like that, Papa. I just wanted to see you. A friend has traveled to New Orleans with me, and I’d like for you all to meet—”

“Sure, Jacqueline,” Mrs. Baptiste said.

“Whatever happened to your husband…what was his name?” Mr. Baptiste asked.

“Timothy,” Mona replied. “And I haven’t seen him in years.”

“Oh. Well, your Mommy and I will expect you at three for dinner tomorrow. Good-bye.”

“Yes, and good-bye, Jacqueline. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow,” Mrs. Baptiste said.

“Me, too, good-bye.”

Mona flipped her cell closed. That was the hardest call she had to make, but she was glad it was over. Her parents hadn’t even bothered to say ‘I love you.’ While she had wanted to, she couldn’t bring herself to say it, either.

Laughter filled Mona’s ears when she went back inside the house. One of the cousins was telling a joke, and everyone seemed glued to his every word. Even Michael was caught up in the antics as he waited along with the crowd for the big climax. When it came, people stomped their feet and screamed out loud. Mona was not amused, just ready to leave.

Finally getting Michael’s attention, Mona strode to him as he stretched out his arm to embrace her and introduce her to another one of his many cousins. Standing off to the side was the woman who had spoken to her earlier. She seemed to watch Mona’s every movement; it made Mona uncomfortable.

Mona whispered into Michael’s ear. “Who’s that lady standing on the far side of the room? She keeps staring at me.”

“It’s your imagination, Mona.”

“Michael, I tell you that lady is watching me. She even asked me if she knew me.”

“Her name is Sadie, and she is the ex-wife of one of my cousins. She’s been a good friend to the family all these years, and we invite her to all of our family events. She’s harmless as a fly.”

“If you say so.”

“I say so. Now enjoy yourself. Everyone loves you.”

No matter what Michael said, Mona knew differently. That woman had not let her out of her sight, but now curiosity had gotten the better of Mona. She needed to know why she fascinated this woman so. Mona picked up a can of soda, braced herself and went over to face Sadie.

“May I speak with you a moment?” Mona said to her.

“What do we have to speak about? You said you didn’t know me.”

“Then why are you watching me?”

“Curiosity, I guess.”

“Curiosity about what? Let’s go outside.” If this got ugly, Mona didn’t want to show her ugly side in front of Michael’s family. Once they were out of earshot, Mona said, “So out with it. I don’t mean to be rude, but you leave me no choice but to be blunt.”

“Your name again?”

“My name? I told you it’s Mona. However, my given name is Jacqueline Monique Baptiste. Satisfied?”

“I’m sorry if you feel insulted or whatever, but I just needed to know,” Sadie replied.

“To know what?”

“Were you married before?”

“What does that have to do with anything?” Mona was exasperated.

“You’ll know in a moment. Indulge me, Ms. Baptiste.”

“Yes, I was married, but it didn’t last long. I found out that he was already married.”

“Was your husband’s name Timothy Sosa?”

Mona’s drink slipped from her hand. “Who are you?” she asked.

“I’m Timothy’s first wife. I thought your voice sounded familiar even after all this time, although it was your name that caught my attention.”

“Michael said that you are the ex-wife of…oh, my God…his cousin.” Mona covered her face with her hands. “I remember saying to myself that Michael had a strong resemblance to someone I knew. Jesus, never in a million years would I have thought…”

“So you have not seen Timothy.”

“No, not since he left me those many years ago and came back to New Orleans.”

“So you don’t know.”

“I don’t know what, Sadie?”

“Timothy is a doctor. That was always his plan—his life’s goal.”

“I remember,” Mona said sarcastically.

“Well, he completed medical school and interned in New Orleans. But it was never his dream to stay here. He wanted to go to the big city. In fact, he’s on staff at one of the big hospitals in Atlanta.”

Mona’s jaw dropped. She stared without saying a word. When the cat released her tongue, the question rolled out. “How long has Timothy been in Atlanta?”

“Three years.” Sadie hesitated. “That’s how long we’ve been divorced.”

In some way, Mona felt the tears that streamed down Sadie’s face. This was the woman she silently envied after Timothy left her. This was the woman who had been his wife and had borne his children. This was the woman Mona hated when she thought of her empty womb, her empty bed and her empty soul, when she realized she had forsaken her family to be with a man who was never really hers in the first place.

Mona took Sadie’s hands. “I guess we share something in common. While I blamed you for so many things, I know it was not your fault. It was Timothy’s. Let’s look past that and go on, but I’d like to ask a favor of you, Sadie.”

“What is it?”

“Please don’t share this with anyone, especially Michael. I really like Michael. In fact, I’m in love with him. I would have never known that he was related to Timothy. I’m not sure why I’m telling you this, but I’m pregnant with Michael’s baby.” Mona hesitated and went on. “I was pregnant with Timothy’s baby.”

Sadie let out a small gasp. “He never told me.”

“I miscarried. I’m sure it was a relief to him. Now I have a chance again, but if Michael knew that I was married to his cousin, I think things would change between us.”

“I will not tell a soul. I’m glad I had the opportunity to meet you, Mona. I always wondered why Timothy liked you so—he talked about you often.”

Mona was shocked and unable to hide her surprise.

“You are beautiful just like he said, but you have intellect, too.”

Mona smiled. “Thank you, Sadie, for being in the right place at the right time. I hope our paths cross again.”

“I’m sure they will,” Sadie said and smiled.

“There you are,” Michael said. “I’ve been looking all over for you. I see you and Sadie have gotten to know one another. Mona thought you were watching her, Sadie.”

“I was, Michael. I was admiring her beauty. You are a lucky man.”

“Indeed I am, Sadie.”

T
hey awakened to the wind beating against the window. Mona wore a contented smile on her face, and Michael lay on his side watching Sleeping Beauty rise from her sleep. After stomachs were filled with spicy Caribbean food and the dancing subsided last evening, Michael and Mona bid farewell after a long day and went to their hotel. They made passionate love, whispering promises of love and commitment to each other.

“Would you like a cup of coffee, Ms. Baptiste?”

Mona smiled. “Yes, I’d love some.”

Mona sat up and moved to the edge of the bed. Her stomach began to churn, and she jumped from the bed and ran into the bathroom, throwing up the contents of last evening’s meal. She fell to the floor and placed her arms around the porcelain bowl and vomited again.

“Are you all right, Mona? One moment you were fine and the next minute you—”

Mona waved her hand to stop the battery of questions.

“I’ll be fine in a moment. It must have been the spicy food.”

“Let me call room service and get you some toast and a hardboiled egg. That will help to coat your stomach.”

“I don’t deserve you, Michael Broussard,” Mona was finally able to say.

“I don’t deserve you, Mona Baptiste.”

Mona got up from the floor, washed her face and brushed her teeth. She felt much better now. Today she would see her parents and she wanted to be at her best.

“What time is it, Michael?”

“It’s almost noon.”

“Oh, my God. We’re supposed to be at my parents’ house at three. We’ve got to hurry, Michael. I don’t want to be late. This is important to me.”

“Calm down, Mona. Everything is going to be all right. We’ll get there on time.”

The drive was silent except for the rain that had increased in strength. The rural highway was littered with travelers heading north. The Baptistes lived in a mansion on a four-acre lot surrounded by trees. Michael stole glances at Mona to make sure she was all right, stroking her arm for comfort every few minutes.

“Is this where you grew up?” Michael asked, when the mansion came into view.

“Yes. My home is quite old, but my father has people who keep it in tip-top shape.”

“My family was poor,” Michael reflected. “We didn’t have a fancy house or car growing up. My parents were farmers, but made a decent living. I saw a magazine once that the mailman left by accident. There were pictures in it of beautiful homes like yours. Right then I knew that I wanted a better life for myself, and I set out to get it when I was old enough.”

“So you’ve made your money by working hard.”

“It’s paid off.”

Mona rubbed her stomach. That queasy feeling was trying to return, but somehow she had to get past it. Michael stopped the car in the circular driveway at Mona’s instruction. A tall, elderly gentleman came from the side of the house and asked for the keys to the car and drove it away once Michael and Mona were safely out of the way.

They walked up the few stairs to the porch when the door suddenly opened. A large, woman stood grinning as Mona and Michael stared back.

“Come on in out of the rain, Ms. Jacqueline,” the woman said.

Michael looked puzzled but didn’t say a word.

“Rita, is that you?” Mona asked.

“Yes, child, it’s your nanny, Rita. Let me take your wraps. I’m still here with your momma and daddy. You’s a sight for sore eyes. It’s been so long, Ms. Jacqueline, so long. Your momma and daddy have waited so long for this day.”

“Yes, we have, Jacqueline,” Ms. Baptiste said softly as she walked up the path that led to the side of the house. Happiness was written all over Mona’s face.

“Hello, Mommy. This is my friend, Dr. Michael Broussard.”

“Hello, Dr. Broussard.”

“Good afternoon, Mrs. Baptiste. It’s very nice to meet you.”

“Where’s Papa?”

“He’ll be here in a minute.” Mrs. Baptiste seemed short on words and seemed relieved when she saw Jean Claude coming down the path to join her.

Mona jumped, startled by the sudden appearance of her father. He looked old, not as vibrant as she once knew him to be.

“Hello, Papa.”

“Jacqueline. It’s been a long time, my love. Let me see you.” He held his daughter by her shoulders and took a good look at her. “You’re so beautiful.”

Jean Claude Baptiste turned toward Michael and gave him the once-over.

“Papa, this is my friend, Dr. Michael Broussard. He’s an orthopedic surgeon.”

“Nice to meet you, Dr. Broussard. Cigar?”

Mona smiled. Her father never offered a cigar to anyone unless he liked them.

“Dinner will be served in five minutes,” Rita said.

“Thank you, Rita. Jacqueline, your sisters and brothers would have been here today, but they took their families and headed north. The mayor is talking about evacuating the city because of the strength of Hurricane Katrina. They seem to be sure that it will hit New Orleans,” Mrs. Baptiste said.

“I think it’s going to bypass New Orleans,” Papa said. “Your mother and I will be safe right here. How many of these storms have we survived? Too many to count. Folks are taking all of their belongings just to have to turn around the next day and come back home.”

“So this is serious,” Michael piped in. “We haven’t been looking at television. I know the rain was heavy on our drive out, but it does explain all the cars on the road.”

“Listen, young folks. Let’s enjoy our dinner. It’s so good to see my daughter after all these years of her being away.”

“You knew where I was, Papa. You could have come to see me.”

“Dinner is served.”

Saved by the bell
, Mona thought.

Mona showed Michael the bathroom so that he could wash his hands. Large black-and-white pictures of various people, whom Michael assumed were family members, graced the walls.

An old cherrywood banister led to an upper floor. The rooms were old but airy and were furnished with antique furniture. The house fascinated Michael, and if it weren’t for Rita calling again for dinner, he would have enjoyed exploring a little more. Michael was struck by a photo of five young children on the wall—the youngest, a girl, was dressed in purple taffeta and wearing long braids.

“That’s a picture of me with my sisters and brothers,” Mona said still wiping her wet hands with a paper towel. “That was taken more than thirty years ago.”

“You have a beautiful family.”

“Thank you. Now we better get to the dining room before we have to stand before the firing squad.”

As they walked toward the dining room, Mona and Michael stole glances at each other. Mona was happy to be home, and she gave Michael a quick kiss before entering the dining room.

The dining room table was set with the Baptistes’ best silver, and silver serving trays filled with several dishes sat on the buffet. Mr. and Mrs. Baptiste sat at either end of the long dining table and Mona and Michael sat across. Rita served up platefuls of jambalaya and crayfish with pan-fried corn bread on the side. A burgundy wine was served.

“Your mother and I have missed you very much, Jacqueline. I had hoped we would have seen more of you over the years.”

Mona sat down her glass of wine—she would need it to get through the night.

“Papa, I’ve been very busy cultivating my business. I’m a very sought-after caterer of Caribbean cuisine in Atlanta. I don’t often have time for personal things.”

“Surely, Jacqueline, you could have made some time to come. Your nieces and nephews are growing like weeds, and the oldest will soon graduate from high school.”

“I’m sorry, Mommy. I had hoped this trip would make up for the time I’ve been away.”

“Let’s not talk about such sad things,” Jean Claude interjected. “We are glad you are here now.”

“Yes,” said Mrs. Baptiste. “Jacqueline is just glowing. Don’t you think, Jean Claude? Her face is so full like when I was carrying her in my womb.”

Michael glanced at Mona, who sat expressionless and refused to look in his direction.

“Leave her alone, Rosalyn. Jacqueline always did have a contagious smile. Salute,” Jean Claude said, lifting up his glass. “Oh, listen to that wind. It is really howling.”

“Would you like for me to help you board up the windows?” Michael asked.

Jean Claude looked in Michael’s direction as if seeing him for the first time. He took another sip of his wine before replying.

“So tell me, Dr. Broussard. Where did you get your education?”

“Sir, I went to Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.”

“Good school,” Mr. Baptiste said with a nod. “And I guess you’re interested in my Jacqueline.”

Michael proceeded slowly. He was not there to ask this man for his daughter’s hand in marriage. He wasn’t sure where this line of questioning was going.

“Yes, Mona…I mean, Jacqueline is very special to me. We are still getting to know each other.”

“I see. So tell me, where are you from—your family, that is?”

“We are from Trinidad-Tobago.”

Jean Claude’s eyebrows arched.

“I’m sure Jacqueline has told you that she was married before. She ran away and got married to a man ’bout your color who was also from Trinidad-Tobago.”

Mona squirmed in her seat.

“Papa, Michael is not interested in hearing about my past. That was so long ago.”

Michael put his fork down. “I would be very interested in knowing all about you, Jacqueline.” Michael watched as Mona’s face changed, like she was trying to hide something.

“He was studying to be a doctor just like you, Dr. Broussard. He and Jacqueline met at college.”

Michael watched Jean Claude. He seemed to derive some pleasure out of what seemed to be an uncomfortable moment for Mona. Michael didn’t know what was going on, but it had to have something to do with Mona not seeing her parents for a long time.

“Rita, get the dessert, please,” Mrs. Baptiste requested, running interference for an awkward situation.

“You might know the young man,” Jean Claude continued.

“Papa, enough of this! I don’t want to talk about my past,” Mona said desperately.

“As you please, Jacqueline. Dr. Broussard, I’ll take you up on that help to board the windows. That wind is packing a bigger punch than I expected.”

“Sir, I will come over tomorrow after Mona…Jacqueline and I have had breakfast.”

“Well, that’s settled. There is something about you I like, Dr. Broussard, even though you are a little dark for my liking. Jacqueline is the black sheep in our family. She’s the only one that stayed in the oven too long.”

“Mr. Baptiste…”

“Dr. Broussard, I don’t mean any harm by it. I like you, and you already know I love my daughter. A father is a protector of his family. He monitors what comes in and what goes out. It was a little tough for Jacqueline growing up, living under my strict rules and regulations, but she turned out all right even though she’s a feisty one—headstrong, always wanted to do what she wanted to do. And she did. Why don’t we have that dessert now?”

Michael was feeling a little uncomfortable, but Mona’s father intrigued him. He would like to get to know this man better—he might just be his father-in-law one day. In the meantime, he would get to know Mona better and maybe unearth the secrets she seemed anxious to keep hidden.