The Dirty Divorce (26 page)

After we laid out Juan’s options, I thanked John for his time and told him I would be in touch. Walking back to my car, I began to think about the paperwork from all the life insurance policies that I’d reviewed the day before. Hopefully Rich hadn’t stopped paying the premiums because I was the beneficiary for him, Juan and Denie’s polices. With the plan I had in mind, even if Rich didn’t give me any money, I was going to be straight.

On my way home, I stopped by Home Depot off of Rhode Island Avenue to pick up some items I was going to need for my big project. Even though I wasn’t feeling well, a sudden adrenaline rush came over me. I was finally standing up for myself and doing this not only for me, but for Carlos, too.

Pulling up into the Home Depot parking lot, I found a great parking spot right in front. I pulled my list out and went in the store with a huge smile. I hadn’t even made it down the first aisle before some guy in a bright, orange apron walked up to me and started to flirt. However, instead of brushing him off, I used him to my advantage to let him help me with my mission.

“Okay, what’s your name again?” I asked.

“Willis, and yours?”

“Lisa. I’m so happy you’re helping me because I would’ve been lost in this huge store. Now, here’s my list. I need some gray duct tape, 100 feet of rope, two razor blades, some very sturdy nails, screws, an electric drill, and a good screwdriver.”

“Gosh, pretty lady. What are you planning on doing with all this?”

“My husband and I have a huge project at home.”

“Well, if you weren’t such a beautiful lady, I would assume you and your husband were going on some type of caper, or something.”

I laughed. “You’re funny. So, which way do we go?”

Willis was a great help. He helped me pick out all of my tools, but I had to listen to him flirting with me the entire time. After the cashier rang me up, Willis helped me load my car and I was off.

Nobody was ready for what was about to go down. Rich wanted to fuck with me and think he was going to ruin my life, but that shit wasn’t about to happen. With what I had up my sleeve, it was definitely going to destroy his life forever. I was a scorned woman out for revenge and I planned to do whatever it took to let Rich feel all the years of pain that I felt. There was no time for playing victim. I was ready to settle the score once and for all.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Lisa

When I got home, I left all of the stuff that I’d bought at Home Depot in the trunk. I then checked the mailbox, and smiled when I realized that Juan had written me back. I couldn’t wait to read his letter. Walking in the house, Denie and Nelson were in the family room playing Wii. They were scared shitless when I walked in. I guess living on edge and dodging Rich was quite stressful. After teasing them, I started up the stairs toward my room. I wanted to be alone when I read the letter, but as soon as I hopped on the bed, Denie walked in.

“Ma, do you mind if I go to Atlantic City with Nelson?”

“Are you crazy…no. It’s bad enough that I let you see him behind Rich’s back.”

“Ma, it’s spring break and we want to do something fun without my father catching us.”

I shook my head. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea, Denie. Your father has a lot of business partners in A.C. and they might see you.”

“But they don’t know me. Please, Ma,” Denie pleaded.

I let out a heavy sigh. “You better be back in the morning. We have somewhere important to go tomorrow.”

The smile Denie displayed instantly lit up the room. “Thanks, Ma. You’re the best.” She quickly kissed me on the cheek before running out of the room. “Nelson, she said yes!” I heard her yell out.

She was packed and out the door in less than twenty minutes. It killed me to be so nice to her after she’d snooped through my room and told Jaun I’d been using, but it was all part of the plan. I had to play her close in order for everything to work out. I didn’t give a damn about what Denie did anymore. It was all about me and my son. As I laid on my bed, I turned on the T.V. and got comfortable before opening the letter.

Hello Ma,

I’m not gonna talk a hole in your head. I just wanted to tell you that I love you and whatever you’re going through out there nothing is worth you stressing yourself. It hurt me when Denie told me you had a problem. I’ve always known you to be strong, so I’ve been in here wondering what finally pushed you to this point. Ma, you’ve been through so much more and have overcome the worse. I want you to be happy so I’ve been doing some thinking about what you said, and I’m just gonna say, everything is gonna work out. I’ll be home sooner than you think to take care of you. I might be home before you get this letter. Those people don’t play. They work fast. I’m going against everything I believe in, to be there because you need me. I love you. Give my sister a hug for me.

Juan

A huge smile spread across my face when I realized Juan had finally listened. Now, I was ready to celebrate. After texting Jermaine to tell him I was on board and to come pick me up, I decided to take a power nap to get over my nausea so I could be energized. Not having to worry about Rich’s controlling ways was a good feeling. I needed to get my mind off things especially missing Carlos.

When I woke up a few hours later, I did a few lines then hopped in the shower, ready for a night out on the town. This was the first time since Carlos died that I wanted to look sexy, even though I really wasn’t the partying type. I’d gone to the Black Hole back in the day to see Rare Essence perform, but was escorted out by Rich once he found out I was there. Another time I went to a C-Bone Cabaret and before I could really begin to enjoy myself, someone had called Rich and I was embarrassed in less than thirty minutes, with him causing a scene.

I laid out my Lamb short, black dress and decided that the exposed side detailing was exactly the look I was going for. Now, it was time to pick out the right shoes to complement my look. I decided on my blue, studded Jimmy Choo peep-toe, pumps. Right when I was about to put my dress on, I felt the sudden urge to vomit again; something I’d been doing off and on for two days. The one night I was ready to go out, I was trying to get sick, which pissed me off.

Running to the toilet, I placed my head in the bowl, and let out everything I’d put in my mouth that day. I knew Jermaine was on his way to pick me up and I didn’t want him to think that I was faking, so I had to hurry up. Trying to figure out what the problem was, I thought back to the seafood I had two days ago, but quickly dismissed that because I never got sick when Jerry’s Seafood famous Crab Bomb was involved. Maybe it’s from the powder, I thought to myself. After all, I had stepped up my usage ever since the incident with Carlos. I even had to go out and find my own supply. Since Rich sold the shit, I tore the house up looking for a possible stash one day, but couldn’t find anything.

After I cleaned myself up, I attempted to try and straighten my hair with my Chi flat iron, then put on my clothes. I was determined to work through the sickness. Using my MAC cosmetics, I gave myself a smoky eye with a hint of purple then applied my Viva La Glam gloss. It was time to have fun, even though I still felt like shit.

When the doorbell rang minutes later, I ran downstairs. “One second!” I yelled.

“What’s up, Jermaine?” I asked opening the door.

“Wow, Miss Thang, you look good…from the neck down. What’s wrong? You look like a hot mess.”

“I feel awful. I’ve been vomiting for days.”

“Girl, you might want to call it a night. You know that damn Swine Flu stuff is coming back around. I seen it on the news. I can’t believe them Mexicans dun brought that stuff over here. You sure you ain’t been around Rich’s family?”

“No, boy, you’re crazy. And Rich’s family is not Mexican.”

“Well, maybe you and Rich are about to have a baby or something,”

“No, me and Rich aren’t having shit. Oh my gosh. I hope I don’t have that Swine Flu mess.”

“Well, it’s contagious,” Jermaine said with concern, but made it clear he wasn’t trying to stay around and catch anything. “So, Sista I love you and everything but I’m about to go. You need to stay in the house and take care of whatever it is you got. Call me tomorrow.”

“Okay, I’m sorry for ruining your night and making you drive all the way over here.”

“Girl, you’re fine. Feel better,” Jermaine said after he gave me two air kisses and left.

Scratching my head, Jermaine put something on my mind that I hadn’t thought about. With all the drama in my life, it didn’t even dawn on me that my period hadn’t made an appearance this month. As much as I’d been feeling sick, I felt it was important that I went to the store to buy a pregnancy test immediately. I didn’t even bother to change my clothes before I grabbed my keys and headed to the nearest 24 hour CVS.

After driving the entire way in silence, I pulled into the parking lot and began to feel butterflies in the pit of my stomach. Could I be expecting Carlos’ child? I thought as I opened my car door. Walking into the store, I ventured down aisle seven, to the family planning section. I hadn’t bought a pregnancy test since Denie’s situation three years back, so I was definitely out of sync. Possibly having a baby inside of me was all that I could think of as I scanned the numerous test brands. I was scared and nervous all at the same time. After grabbing a digital EPT, I approached the line to be rung up.

“Hi, Mrs. Sanchez,” the young girl at the counter said.

I stared at her for a second. “Hello.” I had no idea who she was, and hated that anybody recognized me.

“I’m Denie’s friend, Latrese from Jefferson, remember?”

“Oh, hi Latrese, how have you been?”

“I’ve been good, trying to keep up my grades so I can get a scholarship this year for college.”

“That’s good baby, you take care.”

“You do the same, nice to see you,” she said as she handed me my bag.

When I got in the car to drive home I felt so humiliated. Suppose Denie’s friend tells her what I purchased, I thought. Shit, I don’t need anymore damn drama with Rich. As soon as I got home, I went straight to the bathroom to take the test. Putting the narrow stick into my urine stream, I prayed to God that if it was meant for me to have a part of Carlos, then I needed his help to get me through it all.

My mind raced with emotion while I waited for my results for the longest three minutes of my life. When time was up, the results read, PREGNANT.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Lisa

After crying myself to sleep the night before, I finally got some rest. If Denie hadn’t awakened me when she got in from Atlantic City, I would’ve still been asleep. It was almost one o’clock in the afternoon, and I still felt out of it. I had a big day planned and almost lost focus. Now more than ever, I had more reason to destroy Rich. There’s no way in hell he’s gonna come between me and my baby, I thought to myself as I was faced with my new reality. I looked into my full length mirror and stood sideways as I rubbed my belly and smiled. There was a part of Carlos growing inside of me. Glancing over at the entrance of my room, I saw Denie staring at me.

“What are you doing?” she asked with a confused expression.

“Nothing, what do you mean?”

“Why were you rubbing your stomach like that?”

“No reason.”

“Are you pregnant?”

“No, I’m not Denie, so don’t go telling Juan or your father any false information.”

“Why would I do that? I have my own business to worry about.”

“I doubt that, since you went into my drawer and told Juan what you found.”

Denie looked as if she was trying to figure out what to say. “Ma, I’m sorry, but I had to figure out what was wrong with you. I knew you would be pissed, but I had to do something.”

“Why didn’t you just come to me?”

Denie shook her head. “I don’t know. I just didn’t know how.”

I had to play it off how pissed I was. “I guess I can understand why you did it. Maybe from here on out, you can come and talk to me instead of running to your brother and father.”

“I can do that,” Denie assured me.

“Good. Now, go get yourself together, because I’m taking you out today, somewhere special.”

“Where?”

“It’s a surprise, and we’re leaving in an hour.”

“How should I dress?”

“Cute. Heels. Make-up. You know, how the Sanchez girls do it,” I replied.

“Oh, Okay.” Denie sashayed out of my room looking confused.

As I began to get myself together, Denie came back in my room all dolled up. She had on some tight True Religion jeans, a black off the shoulder top, a wide studded belt and studded caged shoes to match. I could hoola hoop with her oversized hot pink Betsey Johnson earrings. She looked cute. I laughed to myself as I could only imagine where Denie thought we were going.

“So, how do I look, and why aren’t you dressed yet?” Denie twirled around.

“You look fine, and I am dressed.”

“Black tights, a hoodie, and some tennis shoes? You look like you’re going to the gym,” Denie observed.

“Don’t worry about me. Today is my special day for you. Come here. Let me put your hair up in a ponytail. It’ll be cute like this.”

I went over to my jewelry box and grabbed my Tiffany diamond barrette. I hadn’t worn it since that awful day in November, but this was a special date and I thought it was appropriate for Denie to wear it.

“Ma, are you serious? You’ve never even let me touch it before.”

“Well, I want you to wear it now.”

After placing the barrette in her hair, I quickly grabbed a pair of shears from my vanity drawer while Denie’s back was turned then put them in my Gucci backpack.

“Okay, I’ll meet you downstairs.”