Kacie’s eyes narrowed and the contempt of Layla’s remarks was evident. “Don’t even go there. Not having sex does not make you a saint, just that much hornier. You’re still making out with the guy. As for bringing up me and my children…” Kacie swirled her neck, and her stomach seemed to swell even bigger than it already was. She pointed her longest nailed finger at Layla.
“Hold up, Kacie,” interrupted Envy. “She didn’t say one thing about your children.”
“When she all but calls me a whore, she’s talking about me and my children. When she points the evil finger at me, then she’s pointing the finger at my children. And if you had any sense, you’d know that. But you walk around like you’re some prized possession yourself. Look, Miss Hot Shot, don’t think that me and Layla don’t know you’re an undercover freak,” Kacie said in anger.
“You don’t know a darn thing about me.” Looking at Layla, Envy added with force, “And neither do you. So think what you want to think,” she said with contempt in her voice. “I’m not the two of you. I keep my business to myself. I don’t care how close we are. So think what you want to think.”
“Sure you don’t. You mean the fact that you sleep around more than half the women in Memphis, doesn’t matter to you?” Kacie’s voice elevated, and she stood from the sofa like she was ready to fight.
“Stop it! Just stop it, y’all,” Layla told them. “We’re friends. None of us are perfect. We all have our faults.”
Kacie jumped in again. “You’re right, Layla. At least one of us does.” She stared with a creased forehead at Envy. “But it seems like Envy doesn’t know that we know that she’s probably been with more men than she can keep up with. I bet if she tried to write down the names of every man that's been in her bed, she’d use up a full ream of paper.” Kacie folded her arms and rudely giggled.
Envy turned crimson. On one hand she was annoyed, but it changed quickly to someone who acted like a demon possessed woman gnashing her teeth. How did Layla and Kacie find out about the life she’d tried so hard to keep hidden. She looked ashamed and cowered like a two bit street walker who’d been caught by her pimp goofing off on the job.
“Let’s watch another movie, y’all. We’re supposed to watch a thriller now. Remember?” Layla said. No one said anything. “Come on, y’all. We’re friends, and we have been for a long time. So stop all of this arguing and let’s have fun.” Layla did her best to persuade the two of them, but the night came to a swift end. Envy jumped up and left Layla’s apartment without saying a word. “See,” Layla’s hands flew up in the air. “This is exactly what I didn’t want to happen.”
“It wouldn’t have if Envy didn’t come across like she’s so high and mighty all of the time. Just because she has a good job and no kids doesn’t make her better than me, or you.” Kacie pointed her finger at Layla for emphasis. “She’s no better than either of us. I’m sick of people like her looking down on people like me.” Without warning, she went into a spill. “So what if I have CP, it doesn’t make me less than anybody else. I’ve dealt with girls like her teasing me and looking at me like I’m some kind of freak, all of my life. I’ve been made fun of all of my life. I’m constantly being taken advantage of by no good men like my children’s daddies.”
Layla was silent like she was weighing what she was going to say. “Look, Kacie. Envy has a good heart, and so do you. Just because she has a great job and a little more extra spending cash than the two of us doesn’t mean that she thinks she’s better than we are. I’ve never gotten that impression. I’ve never heard her say anything negative about your disability. All she’s ever said is that you should get your tubes tied and stop having baby after baby.” Layla quickly covered her mouth with her hand.
“Don’t you see? It’s none of her business how many children I have. She’s not taking care of any of them. Who knows? She’s probably had her share of abortions.”
Layla gasped at Kacie’s accusation.
“Don’t look so shocked. I wouldn’t put it past her. I can’t prove it, but I don’t care what you or Envy say, she’s had her share of men. Believe that. Anyway, I’m leaving. I’m beginning to feel sick to my stomach. I don’t know if it’s from this baby I’m carrying or the mess I’ve had to deal with tonight.”
“You don’t have to leave, Kacie. Stay a little longer until you’re feeling better,” suggested Layla.
Kacie gave Layla a hug. “Thanks, but no thanks. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” She went to the door and turned slightly before opening it. “You’re a good friend, Layla. I hope you have better luck with that postman than I did with Deacon. G’night.”
“’Night. Be careful,” Layla told her and walked to the door to lock it behind Kacie.
Layla went in the kitchen and grabbed another diet soda and the remaining bowl of popcorn. She glanced sideways at the clock on the kitchen wall. “Nine o’clock. Hmmm. Should I call and talk to Dennis? I don’t want him to think I’m a come on kind of girl.” Munching on the popcorn and drinking the fruit soda, her level of confidence suddenly dropped. “He probably doesn’t like me. He’s probably another guy like Deacon. I’m too fat, and I have to do something about myself. I hate being fat.” She looked up. “God, what’s wrong with me? Why don’t I practice self-discipline over my body? And Dennis is so handsome. Then there’s me. Well, Lord, I’m nowhere close to being pretty like Envy and Kacie.” The next move she made was her hand going into the bowl of popcorn again without thinking about it. She turned on the movie that the three of them were supposed to watch and shifted her mind from her weight and Dennis to the television screen.
While Layla was watching her movie, Envy arrived at home, still furious at Kacie’s tongue lashing. She took a look in the rearview mirror at herself before glancing over at Mrs. Rawlings’s apartment. All of Mrs. Rawlings’s lights were off except the light in the living room. That usually meant Mrs. Rawlings was already in her room asleep or maybe watching Jay Leno, her favorite nighttime show.
Envy met Fischer at the door and sweet talked him and petted him until she could get hold of his leash to take him for his last walk of the night. The air was breezy; not too cold. The season was about to change. She could tell just by the way the stars nestled in the sky and the way the air planted one cool kiss after another on her delicate skin. It didn’t take long for Fischer to handle his business. Tonight she was thankful for that. Her mind wasn’t on a lengthy walk.
Envy went inside the house and prepared for bed. Fischer jumped up and rested on the foot of the bed and lay quietly. Envy said her nightly prayers and climbed in the bed, but sleep didn’t come easy. She picked up a novel she had been reading for the past couple of days.
“You’re going to jail for the rest of your natural life. You’re a murderer; a baby killer. How could you?” her mother cried. “I never in my life thought you would do something like this.”
Nikkei cried and cried. Envy couldn’t explain how she felt. Had she done what they accused her of? Could she somehow have blocked it out of her mind? The day the police came to her job and handcuffed her in front of everybody was the worst day of her life. When they dragged her downtown to Homicide, the first thing they started doing was grilling her about a dead newborn baby left in a bathroom toilet. They showed her pictures of the tiny, barely recognizable baby. Its body was grotesque, yet Envy knew it was her child. The child she’d delivered prematurely at school. “Oh, God, please forgive me for committing such a horrible crime; for killing my own child.” She cried so hard until she made herself sick, but the homicide detectives had no pity on her whatsoever. Envy placed both hands over her ears and screamed over and over again.
Barking furiously, Fischer woke her up. He was standing over her like he always did when she had a nightmare. Her face was flushed. She sat up in the bed and stroked Fischer along his back to let him know she was fine. It took almost half an hour for the effects of the nightmare to dissipate. In the kitchen, she prepared a warm cup of sugar free hot cocoa.
Taking it back to her bedroom, she flipped on the television until she saw something interesting on Animal Planet. You can run, but you sure can’t hide, her mind said to her.
×
The following day, the girls were acting like none of the argument from the night before had ever happened. They were as good as normal. Kacie, Envy, and Layla talked on three way for about fifteen minutes before they each hung up the phone to go their separate directions for the day.
Dennis called and invited Layla to spend the afternoon with him. She told Envy and Kacie about it. After finishing her conversation with them, she started going through her closet and settled on one of the pants and shirt outfits she’d purchased a few days ago.
Kacie spent most of the day in the bed while the kids ran in and outside the house. She had to come up with a plan to make sure Deacon’s wife found out about her pregnancy. She made several calls to some of the church members and got bits and pieces of information. Just enough to put together some facts about Mr. Deacon Riggs.
Kacie had a way of getting information when she really wanted to. The girl could have been a detective. By the time she hung up the phone a few hours after starting her search, she had a home address for Deacon and a phone number. She also discovered that he had no children. She smiled naughtily, believing this would definitely give her an advantage over his wife. Every man wants a child, especially a son, she thought. She guessed by the way she was carrying her baby, that it was a boy.
The children happened in the house for at least the seventh or eighth time. Kacie got out of the bed and chastised them, instructed them to fix sandwiches for lunch, then turned to go back to her detective work. Keshena, a late bloomer, had started walking about a month and a half ago, so she could now try to keep up with her older brothers and sisters.
Kacie called Deacon’s cell phone. “Didn’t I tell you not to call me anymore?” he roared into the phone like an angry grizzly bear
Ignoring him, she asked. “What are you going to do about our baby? It’s a boy and he’ll be arriving in late spring. So I suggest you get to breaking the news to Martha about our love child.” She spoke with a sneer in her voice. “Unless you want me to pay her a little visit and tell her myself.”
“You don’t want to cross me, Kacie. I’m telling you. You’ll live to regret it.”
“So, you’re threatening me now? My, my, my. Sounds like you’re a tad bit upset that I’m having your baby and not Martha. What is it? She’s infertile or something?” Kacie’s laughter traveled through the cell phone line.
“If I weren’t a man of God, I’d tell you exactly what I think of you and your little charade. But for now, all I have to say to you is you need to find your baby’s daddy, ‘cause it sure isn’t me. And believe me, if I wanted a child, I would have had one by now. Think about it,” he snarled and hung up in her face.
Kacie chased the kids back outside after they finished eating. She searched for a composition notebook. Finding one inside Kassandra’s desk drawer, she pulled it out, grabbed an ink pen, and back to her bedroom she went. Sitting on the edge of the bed in silence, she began to write.
Dear Mrs. Riggs, Martha, she decided to use instead of being so formal. After all, why should she? She was the one carrying Deacon’s child, not Martha Riggs. If anyone deserved some respect, Kacie felt like she should be the that person.
I know you do not know me, and I regret that we have to become acquainted like this. First of all, before I go any further, I want to tell you my name is Kacie Mayweather. Deacon and I have been having an affair for almost seven months.
He has confessed many times that he loves me. I would never have given him the time of day had he been straight up with me from the beginning and told me he was married; but he chose not to. I also want you to know that I don’t make a practice of coming between anybody’s marriage or relationship, for that matter. But what I have to say must be told to you because Deacon refuses to do so. I did not know he was married until the day of his installation at the church where he and I both belong. You can imagine my surprise when I saw you standing by his side and being introduced as his wife.
Deacon came to my house to beg me not to leave him, but I told him that I could not be the cause of a broken marriage even though we are having a child together. I have enclosed a copy of the ultrasound, not to be mean, but so you will understand that I am not being cruel or lying. Deacon and I are expecting a baby in late May. You can imagine my torment about what to do. I am a Christian woman who committed fornication, but I am no harlot or adulteress.
I have spoken to Deacon on more than one occasion and pleaded with him to tell you everything rather than continuing to deceive you. But each time, he goes into a rage and tells me that there is no way he is going to tell you and jeopardize his position at the church. He also told me that you were unable to have children, but he wanted to have our child more than anything. He asked me not to tell you, but I can’t live life like this.
I’m sorry you had to learn about us this way. Please forgive me. All I want now is for Deacon to take care of his child. I can’t stand the fact that the child I am carrying will not have the same love and support as my other children. From one woman to another, please talk to Deacon and let him know the importance of taking care of his son. I hope the two of you will survive this news because I certainly do not mean to cause separation or trouble. I just want to know that Deacon will be there for our child when he comes into this world. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me and Deacon too.
May God Bless you,
Kacie Mayweather
Kacie swirled the last ‘r’ in her name and folded the letter. She placed it inside an envelope, licked it and addressed it. Her hands were shaky but her mind was going a hundred miles a minute when she placed the stamp on the envelope. Going to the back door, she made the kids come inside and ordered them to get in the car. Before she could change her mind, or have second thoughts, she drove to the post office and dropped it in the mail. Afterward, she smiled, almost gloating. She took the kids to the grocery store and brought groceries before returning home.
The baby inside of her belly squirmed and Kacie jumped. I know your daddy is going to be here for you. Don’t you worry about a thing. God is on our side, and so is the child support system. She patted her belly, and then massaged it gently. You picked the wrong woman to mess with Deacon Riggs. The wrong one.
The kids and Kacie carried the bags of groceries inside the house. The phone rang and Keith rushed into the den to grab it.
“Hello,” Keith said in a clear voice. “Yes, ma’am. Momma, Aunt Envy is on the phone for you.” He approached his mother with the gray, mini cordless phone.
Kacie purposely took her time taking the cordless phone out of Keith’s hand. “What is it?” asked Kacie in a grumpy voice.
“My momma’s sick.” Envy got straight to the point. “The nursing home called Nikkei. Momma’s dementia has worsened. She’s had a stroke, and they’re testing her for a pulmonary embolism. It’s serious,” Envy cried into the phone.
“What are they going to do? Have you talked to her?”
“Not yet. I’m leaving later this afternoon going up there. At her age, the doctor says her medical condition will be hard for her to fight off.”
“Is Nikkei going too?” Kacie placed a sack of groceries on the floor while talking.
“Yeah, we’re leaving from her house. I just wanted to tell you. I tried calling Layla but I didn’t get an answer. Will you tell her just in case I don’t reach her before I leave? Right now, I can’t promise that I’ll call too much.
“Don’t worry about that. I’ll make sure she knows.” Empathy rang in her voice.
Kacie hung up the phone and swore under her breath when the baby squirmed again like he was trying to get out. Kacie made the kids put up the groceries while she called Layla. Layla answered the phone like she was out of breath.
“You all right?” questioned Kacie.
; “Yes, I’m fine. I just came from the walking track. Girl,” she said between deep puffs,” I thought I wasn’t going to make it back home. It seemed like it took me an eternity to walk around it, and I only did it once.”
Sounding surprised that Layla had taken such an initiative, Kacie praised her efforts, then said, “Envy had been trying to call you. Her mother has taken a turn for the worse. She’s getting ready to go to Nikkei’s house and they’re headed to Murfreesboro.”
“Thanks for telling me. I’ll try to call her back as soon as I sit down for a minute and unwind.”
“Okay, I’ll see you at church tomorrow.”
“Okay. Bye.”
Layla slowly walked into her kitchen and grabbed a bottle of flavored water from the fridge. Flavored was the only way she seemed to be able to drink it. The ice cold berry flavored water felt refreshing as it traveled down her throat. She took a few gulps, went to sit on the couch, and then tried contacting Envy.
Envy happened to answer her phone. ‘Hello.”
“Hey, I’m sorry to hear about your mother.”
“Kacie must’ve called and told you, huh?” asked Envy.
“Yeah. I want you to go and do what you have to do; check on your mother. We got your back,” Layla reassured her.
That’s one of the things Layla loved about their friendship. No matter how many times they fussed or fought, argued or disagreed, when it came down to looking out for each other, they laid all of the small stuff aside and stepped up to do whatever needed to be done.
“I don’t know exactly how long I’m going to be gone. But I assume we’ll be back some time Sunday night. Nikkei and I both have to work Monday.”
Beautiful Ugly Page 16
