Three Is A Crowd

by Chenell Parker

  Since they were already married, Dena took her time and planned the perfect wedding. She and Jacob spared no expense and she was happy to do it.

  “Did your wife invite me or did you?” Valerie asked him.

  “Does it matter? Either you’re coming or you’re not. She don’t care one way or another as long as I’m happy,” Memphis noted.

  “She’s a beautiful girl and I can tell that you’re happy. That’s all that I’ve ever wanted for all my kids,” Valerie said with a smile.

  “I’m very happy so you don’t ever have to worry about that,” Memphis said while giving her a tight hug.

  He talked to his mother for a few more minutes before he left to go check on his businesses. About two hours later, he was calling Jersi to let her know that he was on his way home. After two tries with no answer, Memphis started to panic. He didn’t want to be that person who thought that something was wrong every time he had a call that went unanswered. He tried Dray’s phone and he didn’t answer either. Memphis sped all the way home and was pissed when he saw that Jersi wasn’t there. She left her phone on the kitchen counter and her car was still in the driveway. For some reason, he didn’t think that anything was wrong. He was pissed that she left her phone but he knew why she didn’t take it.

  “Bitch! Your husband has been blowing my phone up like crazy. You gon’ have me getting fussed at too,” Dray said as he looked over at Jersi. He and Sassy had picked her up from her house and they were now on a mission.

  “He’ll be okay. That’s why I left my phone inside. His paranoid ass would have been trying to track a bitch,” Jersi replied.

  “Just remember what I said baby doll. Outside is fair game but going inside is a no go. And you know we’ll be right there to have your back,” Sassy noted.

  “Thanks boo but I’m good on the backup. This is light work. I might have to break a lil sweat but it’s nothing that I can’t handle,” Jersi replied right as they pulled up to their destination.

  “The three of them got out of the car and followed Jersi up to the correct apartment door. Jersi knocked on the door and waited for someone to answer.

  “Who is it?” A woman asked a few minutes later.

  Instead of replying, Jersi knocked on the door again, but harder the second time. She heard the locks being undone a short time later and her adrenaline was pumping. As soon as Talena opened the door, Jersi snatched her outside and started wailing on her.

  “Ahhh!” Talena screamed, caught off guard by the attack.

  Jersi was dealing with her and she never did have a chance to get right. Talena had just got her hair braided the day before and her head was still sore. She had a pounding headache but Jersi was showing her no mercy. There was no need for Talena to wonder why she was attacking her because she already knew. Her mouth was always getting her in trouble just like Tabby said. That was exactly why she didn’t have any friends other than Jersi and Ariel. Since they stopped fucking with her, Talena worked and went home to a lonely, boring house. The fact that Jersi came with backup let her know that she was prepared for whatever. She didn’t have to worry about nobody helping Talena because nobody but Tabby ever visited.

  “Mind your muthafucking business bitch!” Jersi yelled as she continued to slam her fist into Talena’s face.

  She didn’t give a damn about them being sisters. Hell, she didn’t even give a fuck about Tabby being her mother. As far as she was concerned they could both pucker up and kiss her ass. She couldn’t miss what she never had so she wouldn’t care if she never heard from them again.

  “Damn Jersi. Don’t kill the bitch,” Dray said as he looked at his sister doing Talena dirty.

  Talena’s face was a bloody mess and some of it got on Jersi’s shirt. She was barely fighting back and it was just pathetic to see.

  “Come on baby doll. That’s enough. I think you’ve made your point. I don’t think you’ll have any more trouble out of this one,” Sassy said as he pulled Jersi away.

  He made sure to tell Jersi to stay outside because bitches were dirty. Talena could have killed Jersi if she went into her house and it would have been justified. She could have done it outside too but they had a better chance if they got her out of the house.

  “Bitch, make that your last time putting my name in your mouth. Now, run tell Tabby that,” Jersi fumed as Talena disappeared into her house.

  “No wonder Damien prefers the company of men. That bitch looks like her daddy’s son,” Dray frowned.

  “Fuck her and her mammy,” Jersi snapped as they all piled into the car and left.

  “Now it’s time for you to face the music,” Dray laughed as he drove Jersi back home.

  “Don’t even remind me,” Jersi sighed.

  It seemed as if Dray was driving faster than she wanted him to. He got her back home in record time but Jersi wasn’t ready to face her husband. It felt like she was walking the green mile when she got out of the car and slowly walked towards the house. She wanted to invite Dray and Sassy inside but they pulled off before she had a chance to. When she opened the door, Memphis was laid out on the sofa watching tv. She expected him to jump up and go off on her but he didn’t budge. She exhaled a little when he didn’t look at her or make a move. She knew that it was too good to be true and she was right.

  “Do you want a divorce Jersi?” he asked calmly without even raising his voice.

  “What? No I don’t want a divorce,” Jersi replied, shocked that he would ask such a stupid question.

  “Well I suggest you start acting like a married woman. Why would you even have me worried like that? Where were you? You obviously didn’t want me to know since you left your phone here,” he noted.

  “I went to Talena’s house,” Jersi admitted lowly.

  “Why, when I specifically told you not to?” Memphis yelled as he jumped up from the sofa.

  “I’m sorry baby but I couldn’t do what you were asking. I just couldn’t let it go,” Jersi admitted.

  “What does fighting her solve though Jersi? You can’t take back nothing that already happened,” Memphis pointed out.

  “Maybe not but I feel better since I beat her ass,” Jersi shrugged.

  She didn’t even look like she’d been in a fight. Her slightly disheveled hair and the blood on her shirt let him know that she had though. It pissed him off that Jeri completely disregarded his feelings and did whatever she wanted to do anyway. Memphis was heated and he didn’t even want to look at her anymore.

  “Don’t say shit to me right now Jersi. With the way I’m feeling I can’t even be responsible for what might come out of my mouth,” Memphis fumed as he walked away to their bedroom, slamming the door behind him.

  Jersi sighed as she sat down on the sofa. She had made yet another stupid decision that pissed Memphis off. Things were different now though. Memphis wasn’t her boyfriend. He was her husband and she had to do better. He told her to let the situation with Talena go and she honestly tried to. Then, the thought of her almost losing her life because her sister talked to damn much, had Jersi out for blood. Telling Blake where she worked and all that other stuff was just foul. Jersi already wanted to deal with her and that just sealed the deal. Talena and Tabby were two toxic people who she could do without. Still, she hated that her need for revenge was strong enough to have her and Memphis at odds with each other. After sitting there deep in thought, Jersi got up to go find her husband. She walked into their bedroom and found Memphis relaxing in their bed watching tv. Jersi took off the shirt that she had on and changed into another one. Memphis was on his back with his hands behind his head. Jersi straddled him and he didn’t flinch or move.

  “I’m sorry,” Jersi apologized as she placed a soft kiss on his lips.

  “You should be tired of saying that because I’m tired of hearing it. Saying that you’re sorry doesn’t change anything that’s already happened,” Memphis replied, never taking his eyes off the tv.

  “I know it doesn’t Memphis but there is nothing
else that I can say. I was wrong but I don’t regret it. She was foul for what she did and I couldn’t just forgive that. I could have been killed right along with Blake because she ran her mouth. I’m thankful that all I walked away with was a shoulder wound because it could have been worse. Even though we never had a bond like sisters, I would have never done her like that,” Jersi said.

  Memphis thought about what she said and he had to admit that she did have a few good points. Still, he wanted Jersi to do better. She couldn’t go out there playing catch back on everybody who did her wrong. Her need for revenge was even stronger than his and that was saying a lot.

  “I understand what you’re saying baby and I agree to a certain extent. But, at some point, you have to learn to let shit go Jersi. Look at how everything turned out with your ex and his wife. I’m thankful that you made it out of that situation alive but things don’t always have a happy ending,” Memphis replied as he finally made eye contact with her.

  “You’re right and it won’t happen again. The best thing for me to do is stay away from Tabby and Talena altogether. I’m not interested in fixing a relationship that we never really had. Besides Ariel and my aunt Toni, I’m through with them. I’m good with you, Cat and my family,” Jersi replied.

  “Zora said that she wants y’all to hang out sometimes too,” Memphis said, referring to his sister-in-law.

  Vance’s wife, Zora, had invited Jersi out to lunch and she took her up on the offer. Although she was nice, Jersi couldn’t see them hanging out very often. Zora’s father was a pastor and she and Jersi really didn’t have anything in common. The conversation was forced and she was too reserved.

  “Maybe,” Jersi shrugged as Memphis laughed. He already knew what that meant and he understood. Zora was boring as fuck and Jersi wasn’t with it.

  “When’s the last time you took the test and what did it say?” Memphis asked, speaking of the ovulation test.

  “I haven’t taken it and I really don’t know if I want to,” Jersi said as she climbed off of him and sat down on the bed.

  “Why not?” he sat up and asked.

  “Because Memphis,” Jersi sighed, “You be saying that you don’t care what happens but I know that you do. I see the disappointment in your eyes every time. I say we forget the test and let things happen when it happens.”

  “Yeah, you’re right. I’m good with that,” Memphis shrugged.

  “Good, now come sit in the kitchen and keep me company while I cook,” Jersi said as she got up and went to the kitchen.

  Memphis followed behind her and sat at one of the stools in the kitchen. He couldn’t even dispute what his wife had said because she was right. Every time Jersi got a period he got discouraged about them having a baby. He knew that everything took time and he just had to be patient. He and Jersi were already married and they had a lifetime to start a family.

  5 Months Later

  “Y ou may now kiss your bride,” the pastor said right before Memphis pulled Jersi into him and connected his lips with hers.

  Everybody clapped and cheered as they kissed like they were the only two in the room. Once they came up for air, Memphis palmed her round belly and smiled. Jersi was absolutely right and he was happy that he took her advice. As soon as he stopped stressing himself about getting her pregnant, it finally happened. Jersi was now four months pregnant with their daughter, Montana. She hated the name that he chose but she let him have his way with their first born. Memphis was so excited and he couldn’t wait to meet their new addition.

  True to her word, Dena put together a wedding fit for royalty. Jacob got to walk his only daughter down the aisle and both her parents were happy. Now, Dena was on to another project. She was planning Jersi’s baby shower and she wanted that to be just as elaborate.

  “I’m so not in the mood to take a million more pictures,” Jersi groaned as she and Memphis walked away to get in the awaiting car that was taking them to their reception.

  It was weird for them to be having such a large gathering knowing that they were already married. Since they already had a honeymoon, they didn’t want to take another one. Instead, they deiced to spend a few days in Miami to relax. They enjoyed their time there when they went before and she wanted to go back. Jersi’s doctor gave her the okay to fly and she was ready to go.

  “Me either but it has to be done. Your mama will kill us both if we mess up her day,” Memphis replied.

  “Her day?” Jersi questioned.

  “It damn sure ain’t ours. Her and your pops were the ones who wanted this,” Memphis reminded her.

  “Yeah, I guess you’re right. Still, I just want to go home and get in my bed,” Jersi yawned.

  The baby had Jersi sleeping more often than usual but she tried her best to remain active. She and Memphis did date night every weekend and they were in the process of decorating the baby’s room. Their house now felt like a home since it was fully furnished and decorated. Once the baby came, things would only get better.

  “Me too baby,” Memphis replied as soon as they pulled up to the venue. Dena was already out front, ready to bark orders and instructions.

  “Make sure y’all are always smiling. I have three different photographers here,” Dena instructed as soon as Memphis and Jersi were out of the car.

  “How long do we have to do this ma? It’s aggravating,” Jersi pouted.

  “This pregnancy really got you being mean. I sure hope my granddaughter don’t have this same stank attitude,” Dena said as she fixed Jersi’s dress. She pulled a lent roller from her purse and ran it over Memphis’ jacket before she walked away.

  “I feel like a child,” Memphis laughed right before he and Jersi posed for a picture.

  Dena was walking around giving out orders like she was the bride. She made sure the photographers got every shot right and she wanted one from every angle. Jersi was so happy when that part of it was over and she was able to sit down and eat.

  “Girl, Dena is acting like mother of the bridezilla. She did the damn thing with this wedding though, so she gets a pass,” Cat said when she and Phil walked over to Memphis and Jersi.

  “She’s so damn extra,” Jersi frowned as she put the last of her food in her mouth.

  “You want some more?” Memphis asked once he saw that she was done.

  “Yeah but you better not let my mama see you. She’ll go crazy if she sees one of us lifting a finger,” Jersi replied. Once Memphis and Phil walked away, Cat sat down so that she and Jersi could gossip a little before they came back.

  “I’m surprised she came,” Cat said as she nodded her head towards Eva.

  “Girl, she looks stressed out. My daddy said that Braxton be all out in the open with his other woman and their son. He don’t even try to hide the shit,” Jersi whispered.

  “It was fucked up for her to name her baby Blake though. That was a slap in Eva’s face. I don’t want to hear that bullshit about keeping his memory alive. That was low to name the outside child after your deceased son,” Cat replied.

  “Yeah, she was dead ass wrong for that and Braxton was wrong for letting it happen. The woman is still grieving over her son. That was just disrespectful,” Jersi noted.

  Her parents were still cordial with the Harding’s but Dena was a woman of her word. They didn’t do holidays or any other special occasions with them anymore. Eva had basically started all over again with raising kids since she had Blake and Mariah’s twins. It was fucked up that she didn’t even let Marvin see them and they were the only thing that he had left of his daughter. They barely knew him and Eva was determined to keep it that way. He didn’t have any money to take her to court and that was what she was counting on. Marvin was being punished for the sins of his daughter.

  Karma was kicking Eva’s ass too because her husband was putting gray hairs on her head. Braxton had taken his affair to a whole new level. Not only was he still messing with the woman who gave birth to his last son, but he was dividing his time up between her and Eva. He g
ot her and his son a house and he stayed there some night with them too. Jersi’s parents felt like he was too old to be on the same bullshit but that didn’t stop him. Eva couldn’t hide that scandal like she did with everything else. Her husband was too out in the open for it to be a secret. He would never leave his wife, for financial reasons, but he was still having a damn good time while being married to her. Unlike his son’s wives, Eva didn’t have a prenup in place. She would take him for half of everything that he was worth. Eva did a lot of dirt to a lot of people and she was getting it all back.

  “I’m so happy to be out of that family. BJ will never change,” Cat said.

  “Like father, like son,” Jersi shrugged.

  Cat had finally introduced Phil to her son and she was happy that they hit it off. BJ now had a live in girlfriend that he was doing dirty. He was still a cheater and probably always would be. He was a great father and that was all that Cat could ask for. She really didn’t care about anything else.