by Carl Weber
“Why’s that a problem? Now you, her and the baby can be a family. Trent, I’m so proud of you.” I hugged him again.
“Well, as Paul Harvey would say, save the accolades until you hear ‘the rest of the story.’”
Uh-oh. I didn’t like the expression on his face at all. “There’s more?”
“Oh, yeah, there’s more.”
“Like what?”
“Remember when you was over my house a couple of weeks ago and I told you I was thinking about asking Indigo to marry me?”
“Yeah, I remember. Thank God you didn’t do that.” I smiled.
“I did do it, Melanie. I asked her to marry me and she said yes. We’re supposed to be getting married next month.”
It took me a few seconds to totally comprehend what he was saying but when I did my eyes became huge and my jaw felt like it had hit the ground.
“You gotta be kidding me. You’re not saying what I think you’re saying, are you?”
He lowered his head. “Yeah, I am. As of last night I became engaged to two women. And I’m supposed marry one of them in less than six weeks.”
“Oh my God! Are you fucking crazy? What is wrong with you?” I couldn’t help myself. I hit him. Not hard, but enough to get his attention.
“Hey, why you hit me?” He leaned back as he rubbed his shoulder.
“Because you’re stupid. Why would you ask Michelle to marry you if you were already engaged to Indigo?”
“I don’t know. It just seemed like the right thing to do at the time.” He gave me this stupid ass expression.
“The right thing to do at the time?” I raised my hand like I was gonna hit him again.
“Yeah, but now she’s bugging me to set a date.” He started to explain to me the confrontation between him, Ray and Michelle. I didn’t agree with it, but I did understand his rationale, because I knew how Trent’s mind operated, as sick as it was. He did love Michelle, that I was sure of, but he’d asked her to marry him more out of spite for Ray than love for Michelle.
“You can’t do this, Trent. You have to make a choice. This is not right. Those women love you. This isn’t some game.”
“I know that, Mel. It’s just hard.”
“Well, you can’t marry both of them. So which one do you want?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. I want them both.”
“What do you mean you want them both? I thought you said you love Michelle.”
“I do.”
“So if you love Michelle so much, why don’t you just break things off with Indigo?”
“I can’t. I’ve got love for her, too.”
I was surprised to hear that. “Do you have love for her or do you have love for her money?”
“As a wise friend of mine told me recently, ‘who’s to say that loving her money isn’t loving her?’ The way she treats me, I can’t have one without the other. I’ve run game on a lot of women, Mel. But none of them treated me like Indigo has and that includes Michelle. She gives me anything I want and I don’t have to ask. If things go right with her music I’ll be set for life. Then I’ll be able to take care of Marcus and Michelle properly.”
“I can’t believe you, Trent. She’s not just doing those things out the kindness of her heart. She’s doing those things because she loves you. And when she realizes you don’t love her, you better watch out. That girl’s a little more ghetto than you think.”
“Don’t worry. I’ve been doing this for a while. She’s not gonna find out.”
“You better hope she doesn’t,” I told him flatly, turning my attention to the dance floor where Desiree was grabbing Prince’s hand, trying to get him to slow dance with her. I was about to get up outta my chair until I saw Prince refuse the dance and pull his hand free from Desiree’s grasp. He walked toward me.
“I need a drink,” Prince declared, placing his hand on my shoulder and standing behind me. If I didn’t know better I would have sworn he was trying to put some distance between himself and Desiree. “Anyone else want one?”
I reached up and held his hand. “I’ve already got one, boo.”
“Yo, player. Get me some cognac. Doesn’t matter what brand, just make sure it’s top shelf.”
“I’ll go with you. I don’t know what I want.” Desiree smiled, walking over and grabbing his arm. Evidently, she didn’t see the look I gave her or she would have let go of him.
“Well, I gotta go to the bathroom first,” Prince told her. It was obvious he’d seen the look I gave her and was making sure to avoid my wrath.
“Yeah, so do I,” I cut in. “Why don’t you go with me, Dez?”
Desiree must have sensed trouble because she said, “That’s all right, I’ll stay here with the fellas till you get back.”
“No, I insist. I need to talk to you.” I pulled her arm off Prince’s and stood up.
“Oh, shit. Looks like it’s on.” Trent laughed.
“Shut up, Trent,” I snapped before I tugged at her arm and pulled her toward the bathroom.
“What’s got your panties in a bunch?” Desiree asked when we got in the bathroom.
“You! You’re what’s got them in bunch!” I placed one hand on my hip and pointed with the other.
“Me?” she asked innocently. “What did I do?”
I was all attitude now. “Don’t play stupid with me, Desiree. You know what the fuck you did. Why were you all over my man?”
She rolled her eyes as if I’d offended her. “Is that what this is all about? You mad ’cause I danced with Prince? Melanie, he ain’t all that. Besides, what’re you worried about? You the one who’s going home with him. Jesus, I don’t believe this shit.”
“Believe it, ’cause your ass was doing more than dancing. Everybody in the club could see you were trying to seduce him. Damn, why don’t you get your own fucking man instead of trying to steal everybody else’s.” I regretted saying that right after it came out my mouth because her facial expression told me I’d hurt her more than I wanted.
“Fuck you, and fuck them, Melanie! I’m your fucking best friend. I don’t want your man. I was just trying to have a good time. I always dance like that and so do you.” She was so upset she looked like she was about to cry. I was starting to feel bad. Maybe it was just innocent after all, but friend or no friend, I had to get my point across.
“That’s the only reason I’m talking to you instead of going upside your head.”
“Goin’ upside my head?” She took a step toward me like she was gonna do something. “You know what, Melanie? This conversation is over. Matter of fact, you don’t have to worry about me dancing with Prince again ’cause I’m going home and I ain’t ever going out with y’all again. I can be miserable all by myself.” She turned toward the door and I watched her, unable to think of anything to say.
When she got to the door she spoke again, making me feel even worse. “You know what’s really pissing me off, Melanie? I never thought a man could come between us.”
She reached for the door and I called out her name. “Dez.”
“What?”
“Don’t leave. I’m sorry.” I gave her a weak smile. “I must be PMSing.”
She let herself smile at me, just a little. “You must be, girl, ’cause you was trippin’. All I was doing was dancing. I know Prince is fine, but I would never do anything to hurt you, Melanie. I love you too much for that.”
I walked over and wrapped my arms around my friend, feeling like a fool. “I love you too, Dez. I’m sorry. You can dance with Prince anytime you want. You’re right. I know who he’s coming home with.”
When we got back to the table, Prince and Trent were in deep conversation. Probably about Trent’s double engagement.
“Oh, my God. That’s my song,” I shouted when Fifty Cent’s “In Da Club” came on.
“Mine, too,” Desiree replied, swaying from side to side in her chair. “You wanna dance, Prince?”
There was a silence before he answered. He glanced at m
e as if he wanted me to answer for him. “Well, I haven’t danced with Melanie yet.”
“Oh, don’t worry, you can dance with her later. She don’t mind. Do you, Mel?”
All eyes were upon me now and I’m sure I surprised both Prince and Trent when I said, “No, I don’t mind.”
“You sure? I mean, I haven’t danced with you yet.”
“Yeah, I’m sure. Go ’head and danced with her.” I gave him a little shove in her direction.
Prince stood up reluctantly. “Aw’ight. Come on, Desiree.”
25
Mimi
I waited up for Wil half the night hoping he would come by but he didn’t show, and I was more than a little disappointed. I must have called his cell phone a dozen times, but I got no answer. Yeah, I know his son went to the hospital but he could have at least called. We were trying to build a relationship, weren’t we? When I got to work and his office door was open I think I might have been the happiest woman in New York. Taking out my perfume, I sprayed myself one good time, then unbuttoned the top two buttons on my blouse.
“Hey, Maxine.” Wil smiled as I entered his office. But it wasn’t the same God-I’m-glad-to-see-you smile he usually gave me in the morning. It was more like the “just trying to be friendly” smile he gave everyone else. I wondered why he was calling me Maxine instead of Mimi, too. I got my answer when the chair in front of his desk spun in my direction to reveal that smart-ass bitch, Jeanie Brown from upstairs. Her greedy ass was eating one of the brownies I’d left for Wil.
“Hello, Maxine. We were just talking about you.” Oh, God, this bitch was about to fire me. I could feel it by the way she was staring at my blouse. Why the fuck did she always show up at the most inopportune times?
“Oh, really. What about?” I lifted my hand and tried to nonchalantly button my blouse as I waited for an answer.
“How’d you like to work for the company permanently, Maxine?” Wil asked. “Full benefits and salary.”
“I’d…I’d love it. It’s what I’ve wanted since I started temping here.” I was grinning at them from ear to ear. I’d gone from wanting to smack this bitch Jeanie to wanting to kiss her. “Is this for real? You guys serious?”
“We sure are.” Wil smiled.
“Then I accept.” I wanted to close my eyes and jump up in the air and shout hallelujah. A full-time position working with Wil. God, this was like a dream come true. “Thank you so much. I can’t tell you how happy I am.”
“Good. You start in shipping the first of next month. Congratulations, Maxine.” Jeanie stood up and offered me her hand.
“Shipping? But that’s in the building next door.” I glanced out the office window at the shipping and receiving building. It was only a hundred feet away, but the thought of being in a different building than Wil made it appear miles away.
“It sure is,” Jeanie added with what looked like a smirk as she now adamantly offered me her hand. I took it, but I was no longer grinning.
“But what about this department? It’s busy season. Who’s gonna be the secretary in sales?”
“You will be till the end of the month,” Wil explained.
“Don’t worry about these guys. We’re gonna get them another temp, and Marge will be back soon enough,” Jeanie answered smugly. I wanted to smack her ass because this whole thing smelled like a setup.
I glanced at Wil who was coming around his desk. “They really need a go-getter like you over there in shipping, Maxine. That’s why I called Jeanie this morning and recommended you for the job. Congratulations.” He gave me a very professional hug that was all arms and no body.
“You recommended me?” I gave him a dumb-founded look as I watched him slide back behind his desk and sit down.
“Of course I did. After all the hard work you put in for me during this busy season, I didn’t wanna see anyone else get that job. You deserve it, Maxine.” If he called me Maxine one more time I was gonna wring his neck.
“Well, thanks a lot, Wil,” I replied. It was meant to be sarcastic but I don’t think he took it that way.
“You’re welcome. Now if you don’t mind, Jeanie and I have to go over a few of the temps’ résumés. Can you close the door on your way out?”
Oh, my God, he just dismissed me. I went back to my desk and sat there irate for almost forty minutes while I waited for Jeanie to leave. When she did, she stopped at my desk, munching on another one of those brownies I’d left in Wil’s office.
“What if I don’t wanna go to shipping?” I asked.
“Then you can stay home, Maxine. I don’t know what’s going on around here, but whatever it is, I’m gonna put a stop to it. Do I make myself clear?”
She didn’t wait for a reply, she just walked away. I watched her disappear down the corridor, then headed straight into Wil’s office, locking the door behind me
“Why the hell did you recommend me for a job in another building?” I shouted.
“What are you saying, Maxine? You don’t want the job?”
“Will you stop calling me Maxine? And yes, I’m saying I don’t want the job. I wanna stay in sales. I don’t wanna go to another building. I wanna be with you, Wil. Don’t you want me to be here?”
“Sit down, Mimi, and lower your voice,” he said sternly.
I sat down and folded my arms with a pout. He got out his chair and walked around until he was standing in front of me. He leaned back against the desk before he spoke.
“The reason I recommended you is exactly what I said before. Because you deserve it. It’s a permanent position, for twice as much money, and full benefits. You needed the benefits, Max…ah, I mean Mimi. For yourself and your son. Positions like this don’t just pop up. I had to pull a lot of strings to get you this job. We’re in the middle of a hiring freeze.”
I let out a sigh of relief. I didn’t like what he’d done, but at least he was thinking about me and my son. At least he was showing me he cared. “Okay, but I wanna know something. Are you trying to get rid of me? Because I’m getting the feeling you’re trying to push me away.”
He exhaled. “No, Maxine. I’m not trying to get rid of you, but I do think we should keep some distance between us. We’ve been spending too much time together. People are starting to talk.”
“People like who, Jeanie Brown?” That bitch was gonna have to have an accident.
“Yeah, she’s one of them. She and my wife—”
I cut him off before he could say another word. “Your wife? What does she have to do with this?”
“She doesn’t feel comfortable with you in this department.”
“Who cares what she thinks? She’s having an affair herself. Aren’t you leaving her?” Wil was starting to annoy me.
“No, Mimi, she’s not. And I care what she thinks because I’m not leaving her.”
What was he saying? This couldn’t be happening. I wasn’t gonna let him throw away what we had.
“But, but what about us?”
“Mimi, I’m sorry, but there is no us.”
“What do you mean there is no us? How can you say that after the other night? You liked the way I kissed you, Wil, and don’t you dare say you didn’t.”
He swallowed hard, staring at me. “I like you, Mimi. I like you a lot. You’re the type of woman I would wanna be with if I wasn’t married. Only I am married. I have children, and I don’t wanna lose them or my wife. And if you stay in this office, Diane’s gonna take them away from me. Please, you gotta understand.”
I’d never seen him like this. She really had him scared. He looked like he was gonna cry.
“Okay, Wil, I’ll go. But I want you to answer one question for me. Honestly.”
“Sure, all right.” He nodded.
“The other night, when you came over my apartment.”
“What about it?”
“If your friend hadn’t called, would you have slept with me?”
He took a breath and held it in a while as he mulled over my question.
/> “No, Mimi, I wouldn’t have slept with you,” he answered. But I knew he was lying. His entire face was flush, and for the first time during our conversation he wouldn’t make eye contact with me. His words might not have been what I wanted to hear but his body language told me everything I needed to know. Wil wanted me just as much as I wanted him. It’s just that his wife and Jeanie Brown were getting in the way.
I let out a deep breath of my own. “Okay, then. I guess we’re only going to be working together another couple of weeks.”
“Mimi, I hope you understand. I wish this could have turned out another way.”
“Oh, I understand, Wil.” And this will turn out another way once I get rid of that wife of yours. I turned around and walked back to my desk. By the time I sat down I’d formulated a plan. I wasn’t sure how it would work, but I sure as hell was determined not to lose Wil.
26
Melanie
I walked into my bedroom, slipped outta my robe and hung it up on my closet door. I glanced at Prince who was snuggled under the covers, ’sleep. We sure put it on each other last night. I was tempted to wake him up for another round but he looked so peaceful sleeping and I really didn’t have time. I’d have to get mine when I got back from my hair appointment. I slipped on some underwear and a bra, then into my jeans and a sweatshirt before looking in the mirror. I added some lip gloss, then pulled my hair back in a ponytail. God, how did I ever live before I had dreads? They just made life so much easier. Picking up my purse, I walked over and kissed my sleeping boyfriend on the cheek. I hoped Andrea finished my hair quick so I could get back, ’cause just kissing him on the cheek was getting me hot.
I’d never had a relationship with a man like Prince before. Not only was he great in bed, he was so attentive and unselfish in every aspect of our relationship. If we ate pizza and watched the game today, the next day he’d take me out to dinner or rent a romantic movie and make popcorn. I could never get any other guy to do something like that without him being all over me before the movie was even over. And we had such intelligent conversations. Yep, not only was my boo fine, but he had to be the most well-rounded man I’d ever met.
