Ex-Terminator Life After Marriage (9 page)

S
ylvia walked back and forth on her tiled patio with a large glass of Pepsi in her hand. She took a sip and let the cool liquid roll over her tongue. With the other hand, she caressed her throat as the liquid went down, bringing her fingertips across her lips to hide her smile. Thoughts of her evening with Kenny swirled in her head, and the giggle that flew through her fingers contained secrets she shared with God.

Why she couldn’t delete Kenny from her mind left her puzzled. He was an unlikely candidate on her road to recovery. She had wasted enough of her life on the man who had been her everything. Now that she was single and free, the only thing that blew her way was yesterday’s leftovers.

Sylvia picked up a bottle of nail polish and sat on the chaise lounge.
He said he had changed
, Sylvia thought.
And there is something different about him
.

“I love this dark bronze color,” Sylvia said as she began to paint her toes. “I liked that tall, dark bronzy man who held me last night, too. Ohh, wow. God, why am I having these crazy thoughts about Kenny? I’m strong. I didn’t have sex with him. Yes, I lay in bed with him, and maybe he saw my breasts, but I didn’t let him touch the temple of my familiar and I never saw what he was packing. God, take these terrible thoughts from me. I promise I won’t let Kenny get that close again.

“Am I talking too loud, Lord? I don’t want the neighbors to hear, especially nosy Mr. Hendricks. I thought I saw him peeking into my bedroom the other night before I slammed the curtains shut on him. Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned. I want to do right. It’s all Adonis’ fault for leaving me stranded with my needs unmet. Sorry, Lord. I just have no one else to talk to.”

Sylvia bowed her head in silent prayer. She jerked her head, remembering that she was supposed to call the pastor. She reached for her cell phone that sat on the patio table and dialed the church number.
This will take my mind off of Kenny.

“Louise? This is Sylvia St. James.”

“Oh, hi, Sylvia. Pastor told me to expect your call sometime this week.”

“Pastor Goodwin asked me to make an appointment to come by and see him to discuss starting a support group for young divorcees.”

“They need it. It’s so sad and alarming how many of our young people marry for the wrong reason. They get married, have a baby and wind up in divorce court.”

Sylvia wrinkled her nose.
Who was Louise to condemn anyone?
Sylvia had heard that Louise’s marriage had been on the rocks for years and was not the paradise she claimed it to be. Louise’s husband, Lonnie, was rumored to be cheating on her. Louise was a sweet woman, though, and Pastor Goodwin sang her praises.

“Well, parents have to take a vested interest in their sons and daughters and tell them what marriage is all about,” Sylvia continued.

“A lot of hard work. And these poor children can’t do it with the role models they have.”

“There are a lot of good parents out there, Louise, and I’m sure many of them have sat down with their kids and had a long chat about what it’s going to take to live with, love and support a spouse in this day and age.”

“Hmph. I say these children don’t have any role models. You should see them on TV with nothing on and darn near having sex in those music videos.”

“That’s what I mean. There is so much out there, but you have to monitor what your children watch and…but I didn’t call to get into a discussion about black morality.”

“Someone needs to discuss it. They get together, think they’re in love, get married, have a baby, find somebody else and leave. Unreal.”

“What do you think about women who know their husbands are cheating and they ignore it?”

“The Bible wants us to stay with our husbands. You must not have read that scripture,” Louise said in a frosty tone.

“God didn’t say be a fool. Now, may I have an appointment to see Pastor Goodwin?”

“Are you sure he said he wanted you to…”

“Louise.”

“Thursday at three p.m. Don’t be late.”
Click.

Sylvia stretched out on the lounger on the patio, letting the sun dry her newly painted toenails. Was she the example young adults should emulate? It had been less than six hours since she left Kenny’s side, although nothing happened between them. Just the feel of his arms around her was sex enough.

Brrng…brrng…brrng.

“Hello,” said Sylvia.

“Rachel here. How’s my sister Sylvia doing today?”

“Why are you so happy?”

“Who said I was happy?”

“It’s dripping all over your voice. Who squeezed your Charmin?”

“Wouldn’t
you
like to know,” Rachel said through a giggle.

“Not really.”

“Ummm. You’re in a stank mood. I don’t know if I want to share my good news with you.”

“What’s up?” Sylvia said.

“I knew you weren’t going to let any juice get by you. Girl, Marvin and I are going out on a date this weekend.”

“I thought Miss Rachel was avoiding new relationships. Sounds a little contradictory to your announcement at the group meeting,” Sylvia reminded her.

“People can change their minds, you know,” Rachel retorted.

“That’s why folks call you weak-men-ded.” They both giggled.

“Whatever, but Sylvia, Marvin is so sweet and kind.”

“Here we go again.”

“No, listen. Marvin is different than any man I’ve known. You saw him firsthand at the meeting. He was polite and attentive to me when I was sharing my Files.”

“And what are you going to do when he goes back to his wife and leave you with another broken heart? His wedding ring was hugging his finger real tight.”

“Ouch. You don’t want to see a sister happy. Just because you make yourself miserable waiting for Adonis to come home and ask you to forgive him doesn’t mean everyone else has to be miserable, too!”

“I’m not waiting for Adonis. And I’d never take him back.”

“Yeah, right.”

“So what do you want to tell me about Mr. Marvin? You’re in love? He makes your heart beat fast? He makes…

“Sylvia, please. You’re the first and only person I’m sharing this with. There was chemistry the night we met. Tell me you didn’t notice. And it certainly helps that he’s so good-looking.”

“Shallow.”

“Whatever. But Sylvia, I’m telling you because I’m feeling something I’ve never felt before. Have you ever watched butter melt on a stack of hot, hot pancakes? That’s how I feel…like I’m absorbing him into my system. We’ve talked on the phone every night since the meeting.”

“You counted the times?”

“He loved his wife very much. I wonder if he could ever love me like that?”

Buzz…buzz.

“Hold on a moment, Rachel. I’ve got another call coming in.”

Click.
“Hello.”

“Hey, baby. Just checking on you.”

“Hey, Kenny. It’s nice to hear your voice.”

“I enjoyed last evening and this morning. I’ve thought about nothing else.”

“I…I…I did, too. Thank you for accompanying me to the fund-raiser.”

“You’re welcome, but I want to thank you for accompanying me to a place I have not been in a long time.”

“What do you mean?”

“Sylvia, I was on cloud nine, but what I’d really like to say is that I shared a wonderful moment with a wonderful woman. I adore you, Sylvia. I’m not sure how else to say this, but I believe I’m falling in love with you.”

“Kenny, be serious. It’s only been two weeks since we first saw each other and twenty years before that.”

“I know what my heart says. You’re like butter that has melted on hot bread. You saturate my heart. I can’t think of anything else.”

“Ohhhh my God,” Sylvia said before she could pull it back. “Kenny, let’s talk later. I forgot I have Rachel holding on the line.”

“I’ll go, but we can’t afford to let love get away this time. I love you.”

Click.

“Rachel, sweetie, I’m sorry,” Sylvia said erratically.

“Kept me holding for ten minutes, girl. Must have been talking to your man.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Calm down, I’m just kidding.”

“You better be. And I’m not waiting for Adonis.”

“You are crazy, Sylvia.”

“So you and Marvin are going out this weekend. I think that’s marvelous. If you’re happy, Rachel, I’m happy.”

“What happened between you putting me on hold and now? You weren’t talking like this before. Is everything all right? Who were you talking to?”

“It was just an old friend I haven’t seen in a while.” Sylvia grinned.

“Oh, catching up on my dime.”

“Sorry about that, sweetie. Back to you and Marvin. I want you both to have a good time, and you better give me the 411 when it’s all over.”

“Girl, you know I will, but I’ll see you before I go on my date. Did you forget? We’re meeting at the spa on Saturday morning.”

“That’s right. Still, I’m happy for you, Rachel. Kisses, and I’ll see you Saturday.”

“Smooches.”

Click.

Sylvia smiled. Rachel wasn’t the only one whose pancakes were saturated with butter. Sylvia shifted the small pillow under her head, closed her eyes, and curled her toes. The nail polish was now sunbaked, and so were her thoughts that were only on her night with Kenny.

Brrng, brrng, brrng.

“Hello.”

“Claudette, is that you?”

“Depends on who’s asking. Who is this?”

“Ashley, your white girlfriend from the group.”

“Well, hell-o, Ashley. What a surprise. Didn’t expect to hear your voice so soon. Sorry if I seemed a little preoccupied.
Desperate Housewives
is on, and I don’t talk to nobody while my show is on.”

“I can call back, but I won’t be but a minute.”

“What’s up, girl, since you’ve already interrupted me? You’re lucky it’s a commercial break.”

“Just wanted to know if you meant what you said about babysitting for me when the baby came.”

“Sure, I meant it, Ashley. But your baby ain’t here yet, and
Desperate Housewives
is getting ready to come back on. Whatever it is you want, you better make it quick.”

“Okay. Will you go with me to my first appointment?” Ashley blurted out. “It’s tomorrow morning at ten. I’m nervous about it. You know what it’s like being a mother, and I would feel comfortable if you accompanied me. I know it’s your day off.”

“I said I would baby-sit the baby when it came, which doesn’t include going to prenatal appointments with you. Didn’t you say your appointment was on Friday? I’m sure you said Friday because that’s the day the girls were supposed to be going to the spa. I think they’re going on Saturday instead.”

“In my excitement I got the days mixed up. Don’t worry about it. I thought…”

“That’s what you get for thinking. Isn’t Sylvia your good friend? Have you asked her? Even though it’s been twenty-something years since she’s had a baby.”

“Don’t worry about it, Claudette. I’m sorry I bothered you. I just thought we were in this group to support one another, and for some crazy reason, I felt you were the person I was supposed to bond with.”

“What time is your appointment?”

“Ten o’clock. You don’t have to…”

“Pick me up at nine. Don’t make me regret that I said I would baby-sit for you.”

“Thanks, Claudette. You don’t know what this mean to me.”

“I’m sure I do. I’ve got to go.”

“You’re right on time. If you were a sistah, I’d still be waiting on the curb.”

“Huh?” Ashley said.

“CP time,” Claudette said taking another drag on her cigarette.

“I’m sorry, Claudette, but this is a no-smoking ride.”

“Ride? What does a blonde-haired woman know about a ride?”

Ashley rolled her eyes. “Cigarette out, now.”

“You do want me to go to the clinic with you, correct?” Claudette asked.

Ashley rolled her eyes again.

“I’m putting it out. I wouldn’t want to give the baby secondhand smoke.”

“Thank you,” Ashley replied, wondering if it was a good idea after all to have Claudette go with her.

“I like you, Ash. Everything’s going to be all right. There is nothing like giving birth. I remember the day Reebe was born. What a miracle. It was hard to believe that I brought that beautiful baby into the world.”

“I hope my experience will be much like yours. My only regret is that William and I won’t bring our baby home together. My baby will not have a full-time father. My man won’t be there to take up the slack when I need an extra hour of sleep. I’ll miss the moment when the daddy gets to change the baby’s diaper, make cooing sounds, and take a nap with his son or daughter. Those are the things we talked about, and now I’ll have to experience them all alone. I can’t wait until I get to wear maternity clothes, though.”

“It will be three or four months before you start to show as thin as you are. But I want you to know that you will not be all alone. The baby will have aunties to love up on it, too.”

“You know what I mean, Claudette. Your children had a father in the home.”

“Yeah, when he wasn’t arguing and making everyone miserable.”

“I just want to be happy. I want my husband to come home; I don’t care what that piece of paper says. We can get remarried. What do you want, Claudette?”

“Truth be told, I want to quit smoking and find a wonderful man to spend the rest of my life with. Easier said than done.”

“It’ll happen. Here’s the clinic. Thanks for coming with me, Claudette. Me and my baby thank you.”

“Let’s go, girl, before you make me cry.”

S
wollen bodies entered the clinic. Some walked briskly; others dragged their feet, still others moved at a turtle’s pace, hoping the finish line was not far away. Ashley had never seen so many pregnant women in one place at the same time, and it almost made her want to turn and run out the way she had come in. It seemed that each round stomach was the result of some curse, and they were all placed in a room and given a sentence of death, no…life or whatever. Ashley turned to find Claudette right by her side. She rubbed her stomach and relaxed.

Claudette escorted Ashley to the patient window, where she was handed a clipboard and some papers to complete. She and Claudette sat down. Ashley looked around at the other women who occupied seats. They seemed unconcerned as they watched the baby-oriented programs on televisions mounted around the room or entertained younger children who had accompanied them to their appointment.

Ashley turned her completed paperwork in and sat next to Claudette in silence. Every now and then, a nurse came through the door and called out a name, and when she didn’t hear hers, Ashley wiped her brow and stared at the other mothers-to-be, wondering what was going through their heads. When her name was called, she insisted that Claudette come with her. Claudette picked up a magazine from the table next to her and shooed Ashley on. She would be right there when Ashley returned.

A half-hour later, Ashley emerged from behind the double doors.

“Claudette, I’m going to have a baby.”

“No kidding. And what did the doctor say?”

“He told me I was in my first trimester. He told me to take my vitamins and iron and continue my exercise regime, and I should be fine. It was simple…it was like going for your yearly checkup.”

“What else did you think was going to happen?”

“I don’t know, but I’m going to have a b-a-b-y. Lunch is on me. Let’s celebrate.”

“Sounds good to me. I’m hungry and I need a cigarette.”

Ashley stood by as Claudette gathered her belongings, then moved toward the hallway on their way out of the clinic. Before they had gone two feet, Ashley stopped abruptly, Claudette stepping on her heels.

“What are you doing here, William?” Ashley asked. She grabbed her stomach.

“What?” Claudette asked.

“I’m not talking to you, Claudette. The gentleman standing in front of me is William, my ex-husband.”

“Ohhhhhh,” Claudette said out loud.
God, he’s fine,
she thought.

Ashley’s eyes were fixed on William and the honey-blonde woman with him. Her roots were showing; Claudette should give her her number, Ashley thought.

“Why are you and that—woman—here?” Ashley asked again.

“What are
you
doing here?” William countered.

“I asked first.”

“I asked second.”

Ashley headed for the door. William was right behind her with Claudette taking up the rear.

“Come back here, William,” the girlfriend called.

Ignoring his girlfriend, William grabbed Ashley’s arm and swung her around to face him. There was hatred in Ashley’s eyes. Claudette stayed back a couple of feet ready to come to her friend’s defense.

“Why are you here, William?” Ashley demanded.

William sighed. He grabbed both of Ashley’s arms and looked straight into her eyes. “I hate to tell you this way, Ashley, but I’m having a baby.”

“Make that two, you son-of-a-bitch.”

“Yeah, make that two!” Claudette repeated loudly after giving William another once-over.

Ashley snatched her arm away and rushed out the door.

“You’re having our baby?” William seemed dazed for a moment. Then he suddenly gave chase to his ex-wife.

Startled mothers-to-be covered their stomachs to protect their precious cargo as he passed by, Claudette hot on his heels. They didn’t have far to go. Ashley sat slumped over on a bench just outside the clinic, holding her face as she sobbed. When she felt William’s hands on her shoulders, she shrugged him off and jumped up from her seat.

“Go back to your pregnant girlfriend,” Ashley shouted and pointed.

“Leave Ashley alone,” Claudette added. “You didn’t want her before. She doesn’t need you now. She’ll do fine without you.”

“Claudette—,” Ashley began.

“Oh, just let me have him, Ashley. He’ll wish he’d never seen the day he cheated on you. I’m going to call the girls because we need to have an Ex
-
family meeting.”

William stared at Claudette and spit on the ground. He turned to Ashley. “Our baby, Ashley.”

“No.
My
baby.”

William twisted his mouth and shook his head, giving Claudette the evil eye before softening his expression to look back at Ashley. Air escaped from Ashley’s mouth as she gazed from William to Claudette. She turned to William one more time and said, “My baby, and don’t you forget it.” She turned and walked away.

Disbelief was written on William’s face.

“It’s her baby,” Claudette repeated, waving her finger in William’s face. She half-skipped to catch up with Ashley.

“That’s what you think,” William said to no one in particular.