What's Done In the Dark (28 page)

“Oh, you’ve met Liz?” I asked.

“Met her?” she giggled. “I adore her. She kept me in stitches last week at the lake house.”

The ink was barely dry on our divorce papers and he’d already moved on—and had this woman spending weekends with my daughter? And I didn’t know how to feel about the fact that my daughter hadn’t shared this bit of information with me.

Greg could see that I was stewing about his news, so I was grateful when he said, “I’m still picking Liz up from Tahiry’s tomorrow, right?”

I nodded, keeping a lid on what I wanted to say.

Mercifully, the clerk appeared and handed me a plastic bag. “Ms. Mavins, your to-go order is ready.” He read the receipt. “Shrimp fried rice and spring roll for one, right?”

I heard Gina chuckle, but I refused to look her way. I just said, “Right.” I fumbled for my credit card as the hostess walked up and said, “All right, Mr. Mavins, table for you and your lovely wife, right this way.”

Greg looked uncomfortable, but Gina simply said, “Oh, I’m not his wife—yet,” as she took his hand and led him away without looking back at me.

While seeing Greg with this woman had caught me off guard, I felt a sense of resolution sweep over me. I loved Greg, but I’d never truly been
in love
with Greg. Not like a wife should be in love with her husband. Maybe that’s why we never managed to make things work. Plus, as I thought back over the past fifteen years, I decided that Gina could have him. Maybe she liked a clean house.

“That which does not break us makes us stronger,” I mumbled as I signed the credit card receipt.

“Excuse me?” the clerk said.

“Nothing. I was just talking to myself.”

He smiled at me like I was another crazy American. I took my food and headed home to my empty house.

I had to accept that what was done was done. I had to accept that I’d had an affair and I had caused a lot of suffering. I personally had to change what I thought of myself. Once I had done this, I knew I would choose a different course next time—if there ever was a next time.

I eased into my car, setting the food on my passenger seat. Yes, moving on had been difficult, but I had to do it. With Liz becoming a young woman the road ahead was about to get really bumpy. I had to pull myself together and get my life on track. My child needed me. My
children
needed me.

I reached in my purse and pulled out a photo. I’d been carrying that photo for the last four weeks. I’d shed many tears over that picture, but it had given me a new resolve. I didn’t know what the future held, but this picture gave me the strength to face it.

I slowly fingered the sonogram. “I love you, sweetie. Just like I loved your daddy, may he rest in peace.” I kissed the picture, dropped it back in my purse, and drove back home as I softly rubbed my stomach.

A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR

After you’ve written thirty-plus books, some would say that it makes no sense to pen an acknowledgments or Note from the Author. But for me, each book is made possible by the grace of God and a network of people who allow me to live my dream as a full-time author.

My friend, the talented Eric Jerome Dickey, calls us Imagination Engineers. I think this is a wonderful title for what we do.

The great thing about what I do is that, while fictional, my stories mirror the lives of so many people. I can’t tell you the number of readers who say they’ve learned to forgive, to love, to heal, to be open and honest; who renewed their relationship with God; who gave their marriage a second chance, etc., etc.—all because they were moved by one of my books.

That’s some powerful stuff, and it makes everything I do worthwhile.

But I wouldn’t be able to do what I do if not for some important people who make my writing career possible. First and foremost, thank you, God, for blessing me with a talent to write.

Much thanks to the man who has been there from the very beginning, who nurtured and encouraged my dream when it was still a concept, Dr. Miron Billingsley. Thank you
to my three lovely children, who bear with me when I’m writing and traveling.

And to my absolutely incredible support system, there are not enough words to show my gratitude for helping my writing career flourish by making my personal life flow as smoothly as possible. My mother, Nancy Blacknell, I am what I am because of you. This has been the most trying time of our lives, but your resilience shines and you’ll be back to your old self in no time. Thank you to my sister Tanisha Tate, who in our most trying time has picked up the ball and carried it alone so I could keep doing my book thing. For that, I am eternally grateful.

As always, many, many thanks to my agent, Sara Camilli; my editor, Brigitte Smith; publicist, Melissa Gramstad; Louise Burke; the wonderful people who design my covers (I’ve never met you, but you are the best!); the most awesomest copy editor, Mary Beth Constant (let’s see if she’ll let awesomest slide); and everyone else at Gallery Books. I’ve been so lucky to have found a publishing home I’ve loved from the beginning. Thanks for all your hard work! And of course, I can’t forget editor extraordinaire, John Paine, who helps take my books from good to great!

Thank you also to my extended support system: Jaimi Canady, Raquelle Lewis, Kim Wright, and Clemelia Richardson. You know that core group of people you should always keep in your life, the ones who will be there whether you’re up or down, hot or not—you guys are my core. Thank you for always having my back.

To Pat Tucker Wilson, my sister in spirit, who has been an unbelievable support and a write-or-die friend, thank you for always being there. You know how much your friendship means.

To my writing twin and now business partner, Victoria
Christopher Murray, thanks for the inspiration, the friendship, and the never-ending support. We are truly about to change the game! To my Brown Girls family (Jason, Lissa, Raine, JL, and Jessica), thanks for all you do.

To Yolanda Gore, Sheretta Edwards, and Gina Johnson, thank you. That’s all I can say. A hundred times, thank you. Much love to my wonderful sister-writers from the Motherhood Diaries—Crystal, Kimyatta, Deborah, Jamesina, Edna, Marcena, Makasha, Roishina, Lichell, Norlita, Sadeqa, Felicia, Shelby, Keileigh, Gail, Tia, Gina, and C. Mikki.

Lots of love to my literary colleagues who always offer words of advice, encouragement, and are just trying to run this race with me . . . Nina Foxx, Tiffany L. Warren, Naleighna Kai, J. L. Woodson, Dwayne Joseph, La Jill Hunt, Angel Hunter, Renee Flagler, JL King, and Rhonda McKnight.

Once again, I have to say thanks to Reina and Regina King, Crystal Garrett, Roger Bobb, Shelby Stone, Queen Latifah, Charlie, Loretha, Tamara, and all the fabulous folks at BET. Thank you soooooo much for making my movie dreams come true! It’s been a long journey, but I’m so confident in the final product!

I know it may seem odd to some folks that I want to thank my social media family, but these folks have been there for me—even though many of them I’ve never personally met. They have reached through cyberspace to encourage, motivate, empower, inspire, and celebrate me. They have prayed for me, encouraged me, enlightened me, and oftentimes put a huge smile on my face. Thank you so much to JE, Carla, Tashmir, Bettie, Yasmin, Jetola, Julie, Sheryl, Noelle, Sheretta, Crystal, Sammi, Cindy, Kimberlee, Alicia, Marsha, Jonathan, Judy, Olivia, Juanita, Angela, Ashara, Nicole, Gwen,
Denise, Tanisha, Deborah, Romenia, Sonia, Kim, Beverly, Shannon, Antoinette, Gina, Carmen, Christina, Princess, Maurice, Lisa, Nedra, Donna, Nicki, Gee Gee, Dorothy, Jackie, Gloria, Nikki, Tracey, Christina, Paula, Tonia, Chevonne, Rochelle, Mia, Demetria, Sheila, Raquel, Loretta, Allyson, Stacy, Jakki, Chenoa, Gwen, Karen, Tameka, Cebrina, Margueritte, Tiffany, Tawni, Bernice, Errie, Miracle, Dawn, Charlene, Pam, Donnie, Seven, Dee, and Cecelia. (I know there are many more, but I need to wrap up at some point!)

I’m not going to start naming book clubs because I always leave someone out. But major love to the book clubs who show me so much love, including those who have me back time and time again.

As always, much love goes to my wonderful, illustrious sorors, especially the Houston Metropolitan Chapters (including my own, Mu Kappa Omega), our wonderful Regional Director Chelle Wilson, and my sister moms in the Missouri City/Sugar Land Chapter of Jack and Jill.

And finally, thank
you.
Yeah, you holding this book. If it weren’t for your support, I wouldn’t be where I am today. If you’re a new reader, thanks for checking me out. I hope you’ll get hooked. If you’re a previous reader, thanks for coming back. If you enjoy this story, I just ask one more thing . . . pass the word, not the book!

I know I said I wasn’t going to get caught up doing acknowledgments again, but when you have such wonderful people in your life, that’s a promise that’s just hard to keep.

Until the next book . . . thanks for the love.

ReShonda

READING GROUP GUIDE

INTRODUCTION

When is a mistake meant to be? When Felise introduces her old flame Steven to her childhood best friend, she doesn’t expect them to date, let alone get married and have kids. More than ten years later, their two families remain as close as ever, but Felise feels miserable and unappreciated in her marriage. When her obsessive-compulsive workaholic husband finally pushes her too far, she flees to a nearby hotel bar hoping to find some clarity—but instead finds Steven, her best friend’s husband.

One too many drinks later, they discover their mutual attraction to each other never quite faded, and fueled by the discontent in their respective marriages, they share a night of forbidden passion. In a dark, devastating twist of fate, Felise wakes up to a dead Steven and a choice. Does she confess her sins to her friends and family and risk losing everything, or leave the love of her life dead in a hotel room and her dearest friend with a million questions?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. In
What’s Done in the Dark
, we’re introduced to Felise and Paula, two best friends unhappy in their respective lives. In what ways are they similar and different? Who do you think has more reason to be unsatisfied?

2. Felise says her husband, Greg, doesn’t “see” her. What does she mean by this? Why do think she’s unable to
make him “see” her, even after she tries to plan a romantic evening?

3. Greg only begins to pay attention to Felise and show affection when he’s afraid she wants to leave him. Do you think this would have lasted if the situation with Steven hadn’t interfered?

4. After Felise and Steven’s fateful night in the hotel room, Felise decides to call her sister Fran. Why do you think, of all people, she chose to call Fran?

5. Greg says to Felise,
“You water the lawn you have.”
Do you agree with this sentiment?

6. Do you think Paula’s unhappiness was rooted in her perspective? What aspects of her life did she have control over, and which did she not?

7. Why do you think Felise stopped seeing Steven in college? Why do you think she wasn’t honest with Paula about having feelings for him? If you had been in Paula’s position, would you have trusted Felise when she reassured her she didn’t have feelings for Steven?

8. Fear drives all of the main characters in distinct ways in
What’s Done in the Dark
. How does fear function as a positive and negative motivation? Do you think fear ultimately drove Felise to settle for someone unfit for her?

9. Is there ever any excuse for a spouse to cheat? In what scenarios would you consider it “acceptable”? What about in Felise’s and Steven’s situations?

10. How would you characterize Greg’s reaction to Felise’s confession? What about his actions at her birthday dinner? Do you think his behavior was understandable given the circumstances? What would you have done in Paula’s
position?

11. What kind of role does religion and faith play in
What’s Done in the Dark
? How does it drive (or not drive) Felise and Paula? What are the major moral takeaways from the book?

12. Felise’s sister Mavis firmly believes God forgives all of our mistakes. Do you think Felise believes this? What do you believe?

13. What choices could Felise and Paula have made early on in their lives that may have led to happier marriages and families? What kind of things do you wish you could redo in your past?

14. How do you feel about Felise’s secret that the author finally reveals on the last page? How do you think Paula will react to the news?

ENHANCE YOUR BOOK CLUB

1. ReShonda Tate Bilingsley has a knack for exposing her characters’ deepest flaws—but shows that there’s always a path to redemption. Select another title from her collection to read with your book club. Compare and contrast the flaws of the characters with
What’s Done in the Dark
and analyze through what devices the author communicates these traits.