Three Is A Crowd

by Chenell Parker

  “Mariah mentioned it to me once before,” Eva said like it was nothing.

  “And you were okay with that?” Dena questioned.

  “Let’s just say that I wasn’t surprised,” Eva smirked.

  “What is that supposed to mean?” Dena asked.

  “Oh come on Dena. Jersi was his first love. That’s not something that can easily be forgotten. Blake loves her and he always has. Mariah is well taken care of so she’ll be fine. It’s not like she can do anything about it anyway,” Eva shrugged.

  “That prenup doesn’t hold as much weight as you think it does. Everyone has a breaking point and you saw that the other day when she hit my daughter. You want Mariah to be okay with her husband cheating but she’s obviously not,” Dena pointed out.

  “Men cheat all the time. Nobody knows that better than you and me,” Eva said.

  “That still doesn’t make it right Eva. Blake is a married man. He chose to cheat on Jersi with Mariah and he has to live with the decision that he made. As much as I love him as a person, I want more than that for my daughter. She deserves better than being some married man’s side chick,” Dena countered.

  “Oh please Dena. Stop acting like Jacob wasn’t married to his first wife when you started seeing him. He cheated on his first wife with you and he cheated on you with Tabitha. Jersi was just your karma,” Eva spat.

  “No, Jersi was my blessing. No matter how you try to spin it, it’s not right and I don’t agree with it. Unlike you, I’ve never tried to pretend that Jacob and I have an ideal life. We’re flawed and so are our kids. And we’re okay with that because nothing and nobody is perfect. For years you’ve turned a blind eye to your husband’s infidelities and you do the same thing with your kids. I’m almost sure that Cat doesn’t know that BJ has been sleeping with your hairdresser’s daughter. That’s why you refuse to accept Sassy. There’s no room for him in your world because he’s not perfect enough. Let’s not forget that your husband had an outside child too. You can ignore it all you want to. That won’t make her go away,” Dena ranted.

  Eva was good at pretending and always have been. No one would have ever known that Braxton had a fifteen year old daughter because the child was never around. They paid his daughter’s mother a hefty amount every month to make sure that her and the child stayed away. Sassy kept in contact with her and that was another thing that Eva resented him for. He felt like they were both outcast and he knew her pain.

  Dena couldn’t imagine doing something like that to Jersi. She loved her as if she’d given birth to her herself. Jersi was her baby and that would never change. Jacob and Dena had gone to marriage counseling to fix their issue but Eva would never hear of it. Having someone know that they had problems was like the ultimate sin. She would rather cry herself to sleep at night and put on a smile for everyone in the morning.

  “I think you’ve said enough. Maybe you should go,” Eva said as she stood to her feet.

  “Yes, maybe I should,” Dena agreed.

  Eva walked her to the door and slammed it once she walked out of it. Dena didn’t give a damn about her feelings and she didn’t regret anything that she had said. As soon as she got into her car, she called her husband and waited for him to pick up.

  “Hey sweetheart. Your timing is perfect. I was just about to call you,” Jacob said.

  “I think our friendship with the Harding’s has run its course. From now on, we’ll be spending our holidays and special events separately,” Dena replied.

  “What’s wrong baby? Did something happen?” Jacob asked.

  “A lot has happened and I’m not happy about it. It’s too much to get into over the phone but we definitely need to talk when you get home,” Dena replied.

  “Yeah, and I just heard some disturbing news from some of my staff members here,” Jacob sighed.

  “What happened baby? Is everything okay?” Dena asked.

  “Not really. One of the nurses here is claiming that she’s pregnant by Braxton,” Jacob said.

  “What! Is it true?” Dena questioned.

  “I’ve been hearing rumors about the two of them for months but I don’t indulge in gossip. Eva is going to lose it if it is true. She’s barely over the first one and that was fifteen years ago,” Jacob answered.

  “Men cheat. Her words, not mine,” Dena said while shaking her head.

  “I don’t understand what it is that he’s looking for. He’s over fifty years old and he’ll have grandkids that’s older than his youngest child. But I’m beginning to agree with you sweetheart. Maybe we do need to distance ourselves. We’re obviously going in two different directions in life. I don’t care about being the one to break the tradition,” Jacob replied.

  “Well, it’s settled. Starting this year, we’re doing our own thing and they can do theirs. I think that’s best before I be serving time in jail,” Dena said.

  “Jail? For what?” Jacob chuckled.

  “Because if that crazy bitch Mariah puts her hands on my baby again, I’m shooting her between the eyes,” Dena replied as her husband laughed loudly.

  Jacob knew all about the fight that Mariah and Jersi had, but he didn’t know why. He and Dena never really got a chance to discuss it because he had been working so much. She was happy that he had the next two days off because she had a lot to fill him in on.

  “Y ou look amazing honey,” Sassy complimented once he was done applying Jersi’s makeup.

  Jersi’s skin was smooth and flawless, so he didn’t have much work to do. Her curly hair fell perfectly and framed her beautiful face. The backless gold dress that she had on made her chocolate skin glow even more. Her gold strappy red bottoms had her legs looking amazing and made the outfit pop even more.

  “Yes sister, you look beautiful,” Dray agreed.

  “Let’s take a few selfies before you go. I need these hoes to see what a real life black barbie looks like,” Sassy said as he grabbed his phone.

  They took a few pictures of Jersi by herself and she was ready to go soon after. Jersi had taken the test for the senior accountant position and she had to wait for an entire thirty days before she got the results. Carter came through with the study guides that he gave her and she felt confident that she did well. Now, she was on her way to meet Memphis at his friend’s wedding reception. The reception was being held at a hotel ballroom on Canal St. and she knew that she wouldn’t be able to find parking that late in the day. Sassy and Dray agreed to drop her off and she was riding back with Memphis.

  “Have fun sister,” Dray said when Jersi got out of the car.

  “I will, thanks y’all,” Jersi waved before she walked into the hotel’s lobby.

  There was a sign with an arrow that pointed to the ballroom. Jersi tried to call Memphis but he didn’t answer. More than likely, the music was too loud and he couldn’t hear it. She continued to follow the directions of the various signs until she heard the music in a room on the other side of the hotel. When Jersi walked into the ball room, she stopped to look around. The pace was packed and everyone seemed to be having a good time. She saw a few gold and black flags representing the fraternity that Memphis belonged to and most of the men had on the frat colors. Jersi chose to wear gold because she wanted to support her man. She scanned the crowd of people, hoping to find Memphis in the sea of faces.

  “My future wife. You must be looking for me,” a man said as he walked over and stood in front of her.

  “No, I’m actually looking for my boyfriend,” Jersi smiled.

  “That’s me. I’m right here beautiful,” he replied as he continued to flirt with his corny pick up lines.

  The first thing that Jersi always noticed about people was their smile. Memphis had a beautiful smile with a set of perfect white teeth. The man who stood before her wasn’t as lucky. He had too many teeth at the top and not enough at the bottom. He looked better with his mouth closed but he obviously didn’t get the memo. He had on all black with a gold tie like most of the other men in attendance, so she
knew that he was a part of the fraternity.

  “I’m sorry but I’m already taken,” Jersi said politely.

  “That’s impossible. What man in his right mind would let you out of his sight?” he flirted while grabbing her hand.

  When Jersi smiled, he thought that he was saying something right. He lifted her hand up to his lips for a kiss but he never got the chance to make the connection.

  “Don’t even try it nigga,” Memphis said as he pulled Jersi’s hand out of his grasp.

  Jersi smiled when she saw him approaching but the other man thought she was smiling at him. Memphis looked good as hell in his all black suit and gold accessories. He was dressed like some of the other men but none of them looked as good.

  “Damn Memphis. I didn’t know you had it like that,” the man said as he held his hands up and backed away.

  “How you come in here looking better than the bride?” Memphis asked as he kissed her lips.

  “It looks like a damn club in here. I didn’t know it was gonna be this packed,” Jersi replied as she looked around.

  “Come on so I can show you off,” Memphis smiled as he grabbed her hand.

  “Don’t leave me by myself Memphis. I don’t even know anybody here,” Jersi said.

  “Stop being so scary girl. These niggas is vultures up in here. Ain’t no way in hell am I leaving you by yourself,” Memphis replied.

  He gripped her hand tightly as they maneuvered through the thick crowd. The dance floor was packed and the bride and groom were in the middle of all the action. Memphis introduced her to a few of his friends along the way as they made their way over to the sitting area. Jersi didn’t know he was that popular but they could barely walk without somebody stopping him. Memphis was right when he said that they were vultures. They openly stared at Jersi and complimented her right in his face. Memphis didn’t feel no kind of way about it though. Jersi clung to him the entire time, so he didn’t have a reason to be upset. He was happy that he had the kind of woman on his arm that other men admired.

  “Are we finally going to sit down,” Jersi asked him.

  “Yeah, but I might have to disappear on you for a minute,” Memphis replied.

  “Why?” She asked while looking around the room.

  “Fraternity stuff. My boy Phil saved us a spot at the table with him and his girl. You can sit with her for a few minutes. She looks just as nervous as you,” Memphis laughed.

  When they got to the table where his friend was, Jersi’s eyes lit up when she saw a welcoming face. All her nervousness vanished as he rushed over to her.

  “Cat!” Jersi yelled excitedly.

  Cat jumped up from the table and embraced her friend like they hadn’t seen each other in years. She was so happy to see Jersi and she instantly relaxed. When her boo asked her to accompany him to his frat brother’s wedding, she was skeptical at first. She hated going places where she didn’t know anyone but she decided to go anyway.

  “Bitch, I’m so happy to see you,” Cat smiled as she and Jersi took a seat next to each other.

  “Shit, I’m happy to see you too. Her ass was ready to go,” Phil laughed while referring to Cat.

  He was a nice looking heavy set man with a bald head. Jersi knew that he had to be something special because Cat really liked him. She always said that he treated her well and was very attentive to her needs.

  “This is my girl, Jersi,” Memphis said as he introduced the two of them. Phil had already introduce him to Cat, so that part was out of the way. He didn’t know how Jersi knew the other woman but he was happy to see her relax a little.

  “I’m sorry for being rude. It’s nice to meet you,” Jersi said as she stood up to shake his hand.

  “It’s cool. I’m just happy that she’s good now,” Phil replied while smiling at Cat.

  “That makes two of us,” Memphis laughed.

  When the two men walked away to get them some drinks and food, Cat and Jersi used that as their time to talk.

  “Bitch, that’s Memphis? That nigga is fine as fuck,” Cat stated.

  “Yeah, that’s him. Is that your professor?” Jersi asked.

  “He was. I graduate in two weeks bitch,” Cat yelled excitedly.

  “Yes, I’m so proud of you boo,” Jersi smiled.

  “Bitch, you look good as hell. I’m about to start going to the gym with you. I need your man to help me out too,” Cat said as she complimented Jersi’s toned frame.

  “I started slacking off but I’m back on track now. Memphis is turning his garage into an exercise room. You can come workout with me over there sometimes too,” Jersi replied right as the men came back to the table.

  They had waiters passing around appetizers to the guests and they also had a buffet set up in the back. The four of them ate and drank while talking about different things. Jersi had never seen the bride and groom because they were always surrounded by a group of people. After a while, the groom got on the mic and made some kind of weird noise prompting Memphis and Phil to stand up.

  “I’ll be right back,” Memphis said as he kissed Jersi’s lips and walked away.

  Jersi and Cat stood up but it was hard for them to see anything. People started clapping and cheering but she didn’t know why. After a while, Jersi stood up in a chair to get a better look. She saw a man seated in a chair in the middle of the floor while the other men surrounded him. They were singing something before they broke out into a step show. The crowd went crazy and someone almost knocked her down.

  “What’s going on?” Cat said when Jersi reclaimed her seat.

  “Some kind of fraternity shit, I guess,” Jersi shrugged.

  Memphis and Phil were gone for a while but they didn’t mind. They sat there and chilled with the champagne and appetizers that the waiters kept passing by with. Once the entertainment was over with, a few people got back on the dance floor.

  “Well damn bitch. Now I see why you ain’t checking for Blake ole frail ass no more,” Cat smirked when she saw Memphis headed back to their table.

  Most of the men had ditched the jackets and ties and Memphis was one of them. He had on a t-shit with his fraternity’s logo stamped on the front.

  “That’s just a bonus. His personality is the real catch,” Jersi replied.

  “You good?” Memphis asked while taking a seat next to her.

  “Yeah, I’m straight. Why you undressing and shit? I’m not trying to fight at your friend’s wedding reception,” Jersi replied, making him blush.

  “It was hot as fuck but I want to introduce you to a few people before we go,” he said.

  “Okay,” Jersi replied.

  About an hour later, Cat and Phil said their goodbyes. Jersi was ready to go too but she didn’t want to rush. When Memphis stood up, she was happy to see that she wasn’t alone. He walked her around to speak to a few more people before they made their way to the newlyweds. The bride was beautiful but she looked exhausted. Memphis waited for the groom to finish talking to someone before he stepped to him. When he turned around, Jersi gasped. The smile that was on his face dropped and Memphis noticed the change in both of them.

  “Max, this is my girl, Jersi. You know, the one that y’all niggas are tired of hearing me talk about,” Memphis joked.

  Max held his hand out for her to shake but Jersi was stuck. Max was the same man who she’d seen kissing her brother in his living room a few months ago. He was with Dray the night he got shot and even drove him to the hospital. Dray told her that Max had a girlfriend, but it was deeper than that. This nigga actually had a wife now.

  “Oh, I’m sorry. It’s nice to meet you,” Jersi said politely while shaking his hand.

  “It’s nice to meet you too,” Max replied as he shifted uncomfortably.

  “I, uh…I need to run to the bathroom right quick,” Jersi said as he looked up at Memphis.

  “Okay,” Memphis replied with a nod.

  Jersi quickly walked away as she grabbed her phone from her clutch. As soon as she had it out,
she dialed her brother’s number right as she walked inside the bathroom’s vanity area.

  “Hey sis,” Dray answered while smacking on something.

  “Dray! You will never guess where the hell I am right now,” Jersi whispered.

  “At a wedding reception with your man bitch. I’m the one that dropped you off,” Dray reminded her.

  “Yeah, but guess who’s the groom?” Jersi countered.

  “Who?” Dray inquired.

  “Max bitch! The same nigga who was with you when you got shot,” Jersi noted.

  “Oh, that was today? I thought he was getting married next month,” Dray replied.

  “Wait, so you already knew that he was getting married?” Jersi asked.