Ex-Terminator Life After Marriage (31 page)

“Let’s plan that ski trip we’ve been talking about,” Rachel said. “That’s something I’ve always wanted to do.”

“You better get your invitations picked out. I don’t know what possessed me to agree to a double wedding.”

“Who would have thought that Kenny would have joined forces with Marvin? We are going to become the Fortune 500 wives.”

“Four short months ago, you didn’t even like Kenny.”

“I was wrong, Sylvia. Your man is da bomb. He and Marvin have so much in common. It’s almost frightening.”

“I know. We’re just lucky like that. I remember when you and I were talking sometime ago, and I wondered if I was doing the right thing by organizing this group because it seemed to be helping everyone but me. You can’t rush time.”

“Amen. Speaking of time, Ashley’s trial is coming up.”

“I know. Kenny and I plan to go and see her this weekend. Claudette and Tyrone went up last weekend. Ashley wasn’t doing too well—the confinement and all. She told Claudette that she killed William because she knew that would be the only way she could be free of him. If only I could have been there for her. It’s probably taking me so long to visit because I feel so guilty.”

“Don’t beat yourself up about it, Sylvia. You gave Ashley a safe haven for a few days, and if she wanted you to know, she would have told you then. We’ll all be there for her at the trial, although it doesn’t look good for Ashley. Did you know that Claudette agreed to raise her baby? I think there’s some controversy with Ashley’s parents because William was black.”

“They better give up some money so that Claudette can take care of it.”

“I think that’s being arranged.”

“I’ve got a gown fitting next week on the twenty-eighth—my birthday. It’s also my and Adonis’ wedding anniversary. Ms. Maya reminded me of it.”

“She’s always going to love her daddy, Sylvia.”

“You’re right, but I’m glad that she’s cool with Kenny as her stepdad. After all, if things had of gone right, he might have been her daddy.”

Rachel laughed.

“I saw Denise the other day. She’s coming to the meeting tonight. She’s getting a lot stronger. Marvin still takes her to her doctor’s appointments.”

“You better watch that wench. She’s not sick now, and she may use that as an opportunity to move in on him.”

“
I’m
walking down the aisle,” Rachel reminded her.

“I say watch your behind. It happens all the time,” Sylvia shot back.

“Marvin says she’s consumed with getting full custody of Danica.”

“She’s hooking Marvin in her mess.”

“Sylvia, I trust Marvin. Isn’t that what you told me to do?”

“Yes, but I didn’t tell you to be a fool. No woman should let another woman be with her man all the time like that; I don’t care how much you trust them. You need to go to some of those appointments with him—let Ms. Denise know that you care and are standing by your man in his decision to help her.”

“Okay. I read you loud and clear. I must make sure the man I’m planning to marry has eyes only for me. You make a lot of sense, Sylvia.”

“Of course I do. Now let’s clean up our mess. I’m looking forward to going to Michael’s house. This meeting is also going to be their official engagement party. They are going to wait until after the baby is born to get married.”

“May is only four months away.”

“And then there’s June.”

“You and me—June brides.”

“I’m happy, Rachel.”

“So am I.”

Michael’s two-story brick house sat on a hill and boasted a swimming pool, a movie theater and a tennis court. Sylvia and Kenny
oohhed
and
ahhed
as Michael led them through the 5,500-square-foot home; it was elegantly decorated but yet simple.

Rachel, Marvin, Claudette, Tyrone, Anika and Denise were in the great room sipping Chardonnay when Sylvia and Kenny arrived. Mona was running around making sure that the meal was perfect.

“Hey everyone,” Sylvia and Kenny said in unison.

“Sylvia,” Mona said as she walked into the room from the huge kitchen on the other side of the house, “the meeting is all yours. Of course, Michael and I have a special announcement at the end.”

Everyone smiled.

“Wow,” Sylvia began. “Look at us. We have been together for almost eight months, and look at how far we have come. Some of us have cleaned out our Ex-Files and moving on. Others are on their way to bigger and better things. I know that I would not be where I am or feel the way I do if it wasn’t for your love. Rachel and I are getting excited about our pending weddings.”

Sylvia saw Denise fidget in her seat.

“We’ve been blessed with the most wonderful men in our lives. I recall when we first met as a group; I said something like ‘I vow to never look back.’ From this day forward, I am moving straight ahead. I don’t care if my Ex marched in here right now, declaring his love for me, and told me he wanted me back. I don’t care if he was crawling on all fours, I would never go back. I don’t know if I really believed that then, but today, at this very moment, I can truthfully say that my ex is just that—my ex. I will be the lovely Mrs. Kenny Richmond soon, and I can’t wait.

“Before everyone gets a turn to say what’s on their mind, Rachel and I—actually, it’s Rachel’s idea—think that we should plan a ski trip. We’ve talked about it before, I think it’s a great idea. We need a fun outing. How about it?”

“I can do the ski thing,” Marvin said. “Put me down.”

“Claudette and I may watch y’all at the bottom of the slopes, but we’re down, too,” Tyrone said.

“I’ll try and get the time off,” Anika said. “Put me down.”

“Mona and I might be sitting with Tyrone and Claudette. Mona won’t be able to ski because she’ll be so close to her due date,” Michael interjected.

Mona rushed in from the kitchen. “Baby, you can ski. Claudette will keep me company. Don’t even think about counting us out.”

“You may not be able to fly, Mona,” Michael cautioned. “After all, you’ll be too close to your due date.”

“We’ll just wait and see how I feel,” Mona said, pouting.

“Okay. Denise, what about you?” Sylvia asked.

“You guys go ahead. I need my strength for fighting. When you all get back from that ski trip, I’ll have babysitting schedules made out for you.”

The room was quiet.

“The only thing on my mind,” Denise continued, “is getting Danica. I can’t get her skiing down a slope. I’ve talked with my family in New York, and they’re working on getting the best attorneys to represent me. Whether you all believe me or not, I want Danica’s father to have a place in her life; if he plays fair, that will happen. If not, I’m bringing all my guns, and he will not win. I love my baby no matter what you heard in that room, and no one,
nobody
is taking her away from me.”

The mood in the room changed. The gaiety fizzled, and the excitement of going skiing was put on the back burner.

“Hey, guys. Lighten up. I’m not mad. I’m just not going on the ski trip—at least this one. I hope that won’t be the only one you plan.”

“Okay,” Mona said. “Michael, I think this is the moment.”

“You’re right, Mona. Friends, we have gathered here today…”

“Come on, Michael,” Mona prodded.

Michael put his arms around Mona. “This is a special day. I have asked Ms. Jacqueline Monique Baptiste to be my wife.”

“Yeah!!!” Claudette shouted.

“Shhhh,” Mona chided.

“This woman is very special to me. I remember the day I first set eyes on her. She was catering an event for some good friends of mine. She had the grace and style of a goddess.

“The woman I’ve come to know is more than that. She is passionate, she has dreams, she’s intelligent and she knows how to throw a great meal together. Mona has been through a lot, but it has only made her stronger. Her will to live when Katrina had announced death makes this day that much more special.”

Tears were falling from every eye. Sylvia passed a tissue box around the room, taking a good supply for herself.

“Although Mona has already said she would marry me, we wanted to recapture the moment before our special friends.” Michael dropped to his knees and kissed Mona’s hand.

“Will you marry me, Jacqueline Monique Baptiste?”

Mona began to cry and couldn’t turn it off. Sylvia, Rachel and Claudette went to her and held her.

“It didn’t go like this, guys,” Michael said, “when I originally asked her.”

Giggles went around the room.

“Michael,” Mona began. “You’ve made me the happiest woman. There’s no one I’d rather be with than you. I’d be honored to be your wife—to love and to cherish, till death do us part.”

“Sounds like a yes to me,” Marvin said. “To Mona and Michael.”

“To Mona and Michael!” everyone shouted.

“A toast is in order,” Kenny said. “Everyone get your glass.”

The Chardonnay flowed until every glass was full again.

Kenny began, “I remember meeting Michael at the same function he met Mona. Although the meeting was casual, I knew that this man stood for something. I also saw the way he looked at Mona. It might have been lust, because she was looking good, but I could tell he was observing the whole person.

“While Mona and I were not the best of friends, I knew that she’s a hard worker and a go-getter. Mona stops at nothing to get what she wants and doesn’t take no for an answer. Now I see her as a sister and a dear friend, and I’m happy that my sister has found true happiness in her life.

“I pray that the two of you will have a long and prosperous life together and that you grow in knowledge and love each other to death. May your child be blessed with the best parents I know you will be. To Mona and Michael.”

“To Mona and Michael!” everyone shouted again.

“Kenny, thank you for that wonderful toast,” Mona said. “You brought tears to my eyes. If anything, you’ve taught me something. God can change anyone, and it is not for us to judge. I love you. I love you, too, Sylvia.”

“Thanks, man,” Michael said to Kenny. “You’re a good man.”

Tissues were passed around one more time.

“This is the most boo-hooingest group I’ve ever met. Can we ever go a minute without crying?” Marvin asked.

Everyone laughed.

“I have another announcement,” Mona said. “Our baby is going to be a girl, and Michael and I are going to name her Katrina. I know you’re wondering why in the world would I name my baby Katrina, but Katrina brings thoughts of my parents. Just before the storm hit, my parents and I had come to peace with many things, so that time will always resonate with me. Katrina not only took life, it brought life. So don’t look so gloomy.”

“I think that’s beautiful, Mona,” Denise said. “Maybe Danica and Katrina will be able to play together someday.”

“That sounds great, Denise. We’ll have to arrange it once Katrina is born and on her feet. Now let’s get this party started, unless somebody else has some sharing to do!!”

“I’m with, Mona,” Michael said. “DJ Marty Marvin”—everyone laughed—“spin those records.”

“And the buffet is ready,” Mona shouted.

Old-school music floated through the house. Rachel and Marvin were the first on the floor, while Sylvia, Kenny, Claudette, Tyrone and Anika headed for the food. Denise got up and danced by herself. She was feeling the groove.

“Was that the doorbell?” Mona asked. “Baby, see if someone is at the door. I don’t know who it could be.”

“Okay, baby,” Michael called out. “I’m on my way.”

Michael opened the door. A tall, thin caramel-colored gentleman stood on the porch.

“May I help you?”

“Is this the meeting of the Ex-Files? I was given this address and was told you accept men in your group.”

“Well, come on in, brother. You’ve missed the main part of the meeting, but some good eating is going on now. Come on in. Let me take your coat. We’ll just follow the noise. I’m Michael Broussard.”

“Nice to meet you, Michael. My name is Adonis St. James.”

T
he music was jamming. The food was slamming. Everyone was having a good time. No one looked up when the tall gentleman first walked into the room.

“Excuse me, everyone,” Michael interrupted. “We have a potential new member.”

The music was still going and a few hellos went around the room, but the looks on Sylvia’s and Rachel’s faces said something was wrong. Sylvia dropped her plate on the floor and fell right behind it.

“What’s going on?” Kenny asked, trying to help Sylvia from the floor.

“Kenny, this is Sylvia’s ex-husband,” Rachel explained. “How did you get here, Adonis?”

“My daughter Maya was gracious enough to give me the address. Her mother left the directions at her house.”

“This is getting interesting.” Denise chuckled. “This group never ceases to amaze me.”

“Hey, Mona.”

“Hey, Adonis. We’re having an engagement party. You met my fiancé, Michael.”

“Well, I heard that this was a support group for ex-husbands and ex-wives. Sounds like something I want to join. My daughter tells me it has done wonders for her mother. Maybe she can tell me herself when she gets up from the floor.”

Sylvia began to stir and sat up. She blinked to make sure she was seeing correctly. Kenny lifted her up from the floor and held her close.

“I’m Kenny—Sylvia’s fiancé.”

“Aren’t you the old no-good boyfriend—treated my girl terribly, if my memory serves me right.”

“That’s in the past.”

“They tell me a tiger doesn’t change its stripes.”

Kenny said nothing. It wasn’t worth it.

“So…Sylvia, what’s going on girl?”

“Adonis, this is a private party. We were having a celebration before you walked through the door.”

“I heard this was a support group meeting. Maya told me all about it, told me how it has helped you. Hmmph. If hanging with old dude has helped you out, you’re in bigger trouble than I thought.”

“Mr. St. James, I don’t want to have to ask you to leave, but I will if you insult any more of my guests,” Michael said.

“I didn’t mean no disrespect, man.”

“He’s drunk,” Rachel said. “I think he needs to be escorted out.”

“Rachel, Ms. Rachel. I’m trying to be nice here. There’s no need to bash the brother. Which husband are you on now? Five, six, seven?

“Look, I won’t stay long. I’ll say what I have to say and move on. I came to get my wife back. I’m home, Sylvia. Home to stay. I love you, girl; I always have. I didn’t mean all those things I said to you.”

Sylvia let go of Kenny’s arm and moved in front of Adonis. “Turn the music off, Marvin. I want Adonis to hear this.”

“Let me get a good seat first,” Denise said.

“Adonis, I’m engaged and will marry Kenny Richmond in a few months. Your time has come and gone. There is nothing left of our marriage. I don’t love you anymore. Words are powerful, my friend, and I will never forget what you said to me before you walked out the door. Whether you meant it or not, you said them and now our life is done.

“So good-bye, Adonis. Go back to your stank ho, your prehistoric fossil. The two of you deserve each other, and I wish you all the best. As I said earlier, this is a private party, and you are not welcome. Michael, show him to the door and let’s resume this party.”

Adonis looked around. “No need. I’m gone.” He stopped, saluted Sylvia, and left quietly without another word.

“Party over here,” Claudette sang. “Party over there. Do that thang. Do that thang.”

Kenny embraced Sylvia. “That was so brave of you. I was praying to God that you wouldn’t leave me again.”

“You had nothing to worry about, Kenny Richmond. I love you from the bottom of my heart. I can’t wait for us to be man and wife. It just wasn’t our time years ago, but now that it is, let’s not waste it talking about the past. Kiss me.”

Sylvia and Kenny stood in the middle of Mona’s engagement party and kissed the night away. Rachel and Marvin, Claudette and Tyrone, Mona and Michael had found their own special spot, singing love songs to each other.