by Zi'ere
18
“Terrell why don’t you plant your ass in that chair; and stop hovering over her like that!”
“We’re not saying that you can’t date. Why would we do that, don’t be dramatic Steph. We just feel that it should be someone of your breed at the very least.” Darrell always attempted to soften his brother’s words but I did notice the evil eye he shot at Terrell.
“What kind of breed is that? Please tell me a thing or two on what is the breed of rich black men who travel the world, never accepting the possibility that some woman can get close to your hearts, wallets, or sperm?” I looked in each of their eyes as I continued on my rant.
Now they wanted to say things were going too far. I really should have been tipped off to the fact that they were all in the same place in the middle of the day. I wonder if they thought they were taking it too far when they all ran up on Ced at once about their now thirty year old little sister.
“Contrary to what you believe I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about the so called breed of any man ya’ll think I should be with. I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m so sick of ya’ll telling me what is best, prim, & proper for Stephanie. In case you didn’t notice I turned thirty years old the other day! Other than Greg Haywood’s words everything else is noise to me! Since I can’t pick my own man, somebody call me when you’ve found a man who can handle me and comes close to matching the love and attention my father gives me!” I didn’t wait for a response as I rose from my seat.
I gathered my purse and was out the door before they had a chance to react.
In all the years of my life I was always able to handle the overbearing thoughts and actions of my brothers. I’d never bucked against Terrell to his face before. Although I knew he had set ideations for me, I’d never voiced my feelings to him in a confrontational manner. My patience had begun to run very short. I wasn’t sure if it was the prospect of Ced being the one and only guy I’ve ever been interested in for longer than a minute or the fact that I knew he would not back down to none of the Haywood men. I had definitely decided that if he’d let them intimidate him to walk away from me, he wasn’t strong enough to handle me anyway. I got as far as one traffic light before my stomach began to cry out for food once again. I decided to travel closer to my home and stop off for a greasy bacon cheeseburger and salty Cajun fries from Five Guys. That move was rebellion against Carlos.
Once inside my spacious 4 bedroom home, I set the alarm, and sat down to eat. I had just cleaned up my mess when my cell began sound with Angel’s personalized ringtone. I shook my head at her amazing timing to return my calls. I lazily accepted the call and put her on speaker.
“Hi Angel, how are you? I’ve been trying to reach you guys for days”
“Hey girl, I apologize for not returning your calls. I have just had a lot going on and before you start- I know that doesn’t mean anything.”
“Why didn’t you say something before you left the party?”
“Amaya had called so I had to rush back to the house.”
“What’s wrong? Is everything okay with my babies? I’ve been calling to check on them as well…Amaya has never gone this long without calling me. What’s going on Angel?”
“I told Amaya that she shouldn’t and couldn’t call you.”
“Why would you tell her that? How are you going to tell her not to call me and I’m paying that cell phone bill? She’s never been away from me this long ever Angel…you know that!”
“I told her that we needed to work out some grown up things first and then we all would handle your relationship with them after everything is settled.”
“Why are you so vindictive with me when it comes to my god-babies? My feelings are hurt seriously and I’m beyond sick of you doing this to all of us! If you didn’t want to talk to me, that’s one thing. But to purposely keep them away and none of us understanding why…that’s low down and dirty Angel! I know you know that!” I tried to make her hear the pain in my voice but this cool as a cucumber Angel on the other end of the line was frightening.
19
“I’m sorry sister….I didn’t realize you would be in such a uproar about my kids! Look, I have some news for you and I am sure it is going to make you feel better! After everything is out in the open, we can get back on track of being one big happy family just like old times. Only catch is that I really need to tell you in person right away. Can I come over?”
Angel giving me so much attitude, on top of the anger I already had was not going to be a good look but I chose the higher road. I was well aware that she really didn’t know any better.
“Ummm,uh yea I’m at the house right now.”
“Ok, I’m on my way.”
I listened to the call be disconnected but I could not take my eyes off the phone. I began to mentally prepare myself for Angel’s dramatics. I could only shake my head in anticipation on how she could potentially try to show her tail with me. There really was no telling what she had to tell me but it had monumental for her to drive all the way out to my house just to give me the news in person. After a few minutes I was convinced the entire situation had everything to do with Ced. Honestly I was prepared to let her vent, I knew she was going to be angry and defeated by my position once again. What could I do about a man not wanting her? I knew my best friend and I knew she wouldn’t have the same educated reasoning I had. The heart wants what it wants and Angel wanted Ced. Ced was blind when it came to Angel and he could only see me.
I tidied up the house a little bit just to keep my nerves together. Forty-five minutes later my doorbell rang. When I opened the door an overwhelming smell of perfume hit me in the face. I had to do a double take; Angel looked so refined and polished, yet cheap at the same time. She was dressed in designer labels from head to toe but it was as if her outfit was fit for another personality. On that special finger sat a canary diamond ring that extended to her knuckle and that beauty could fit anybody’s personality. Someone was serious about Angel. As she stepped inside I noticed she was driving a newer model Benz. ‘Oh this is about to be good!’ I mumbled to myself while watching the video vixen strut her stuff into the den.
“Well, honey-sugah-pie, you look good today!”
“Thanks girl, I’m just trying to keep up with you!” Angel’s voiced reeked phoniness.
I had a gnawing suspicion in the pit of my stomach that something was off with my dear friend but I couldn’t put my finger on it.
“Baby, I won’t take up too much of your time today. I know lovebirds like you and Ced keep tight schedules.”
Busted! My heart touched the top of my stomach again. There really was no way to keep a secret in this state or any other. Never mind the fact that I had traveled many miles to get privacy on purpose, there really was no discretion to be had in my life.
“Angel, I really-“
“Look Steph, even though you weren’t the one to tell me believe me when I say I’m over Ced. It was only a minor crush to begin with but I have found someone who wants me just as much as I want them, and a school day crush can’t compete with that. My fiancé can provide me comforts and perks at a higher level than Cedric Goldman could ever afford me. “
“Okay?” I was stunned speechless.
20
Perks at a higher level than Ced? Was this girl high? She acted as if she was handing me Ced for charity work credit. I kept trying to look into her eyes to see if her pupils were dilated. This girl had obviously bumped her head and I mean bumped it hard. Living a life that rivaled mine was obviously her motivation in life; I didn’t even hear her hint at how the kids would be affected.
“The relationship with my fiancé’ is what I needed to share with you. See, I’m not going to do a Stephanie. I’m going to be woman enough to talk to you face to face about grown folk’s business. Even though I don’t have a college degree, you can really stand to learn somethings from me.”
“You’ve got to be the most simple female I have ever come in contact with i
f you think you can teach me anything! You aren’t about to come up in my house talking to me crazy and I know you know that! Now I realize I should have been the one to tell you about Ced, but what in the world did you think I was calling you to say when I was blowing your phone up?”
“How many times do I have to say that I ain’t thinking about Ced?” Angel did a quick turn in her stiletto’s to shot me a nasty look.
Before I could catch myself, I had jumped from my seat making large steps to get to her.
“You had best screw your face into a more pleasant look and realize who you are talking to!”
“Girl, calm down- Darrell and I are getting married! See, look at my ring!”
Angel thrust her left hand in my face so that I could get a closer look at the diamond that had to be at least 4 carats.
“You and Darrell who?”
“Haywood. You know Terrell’s the oldest, then Carlos, Darrell’s next, and so on and so forth. Yes, your precious Darrell proposed to me!”
Suddenly the room began to spin. Did she just say Darrell Haywood? My brother Darrell Haywood, my best friend? Surely there must be another Darrell Haywood in the world that wasn’t born to Greg and Anna Haywood?
“My brother proposed to do what?”
Instead of answering the question Angel gave me a stank look that started from my eyes and dropped down to my feet.
“Are you telling me that Darrell Haywood asked you to marry him? Is that what you’re telling me?”
“Yes Steph, Darrell and I have been seeing each other for months now. He proposed last week just before he told me about you and Ced in New Orleans like you two were on your honeymoon!”
“What? Hold up, hold up! Wait, wait, wait a minute, Darrell who said what to who now?”
“Why are you acting like this news is the impossible?”
I stepped away from Angel. I just couldn’t trust my fists or my feet in that moment. Yes, I know that love is blind but who could see this bullet coming?
“Please don’t get upset with D, he was just making sure the woman he loves wasn’t blindsided with any confusion. I suppose he just didn’t want there to be any tension between us about the whole situation as well. Surely there won’t be any problems about D and I since we both know Ced is from the other wrong side of the tracks. At least I have pedigree.”
21
“Seriously Angel? Do you forget that Ced left three trust funds behind when he signed his contract? He isn’t just foolish young money sweetheart!”
“The only thing he has that I don’t is a high school diploma!”
“Girrrrlll, you are really stretching me to the limit today. I’m sure if you had a clue on what is best for your wellbeing you would not be so foolish as to still be in my presence trying to voice an argument that is a null and void!”
“I’ve been a part of the Haywood family for years; surely I will be accepted quicker than Ced. Remember the drug dealing shot caller, the contract killer, the clean up my dirty money so I can stunt Cedric Goldman?”
“I bet if I replay this conversation to Cedric Goldman I won’t have to worry about a wedding because we would be getting ready for a funeral while you are spreading jealous lies!”
“Don’t get brand new with me! You know Ced illegal!”
I closed my eyes and massaged the temple of my forehead with both hands.
“I’m sorry you couldn’t keep Trevor happy so I had to step in and take over. I do believe that his sudden disappearance has murder for hire a.k.a. Cedric Goldman all over it.”
I looked at her as if she had grown another head and a few more arms.
“So, like it or not sister I will no longer be considered as an ‘honorary’ sister! Now, I am official and so is my man!”
Yes, Angel was begging for me to put my hands all over her, specifically around her neck.
“Angel Lynette Stevens you have got to be on the best drugs money can buy if you think for one second that you are going to marry Darrell Haywood! You are nothing but a high priced prostitute and you will never be a sister-in-law of mine! Trevor was a nothing just like you! Looking for a cash machine instead of putting in the work yourself!”
“Oh, I put in work. Next time you see Trevor or Darrell ask them both. Putting in work gets you one of these.” She threw her hand up again.
”I suggest you saddle back up on that broomstick you arrived in and get out of my house with this nonsense! You are not welcome here again so don’t ever think about coming back, I don’t care what- do you understand me?”
“Like it or not, Darrell Haywood will be my husband. I can bet that it will be official before you can stop it. I took your advice and made a change in my life. I know the changes are evident already.”
Angel held her arms out and struck a pose as if she was modeling for me. The only thing I could see before me was that she was going to undergo so many more changes. She was surely going to need a neck-brace or perhaps a set of crutches.
“I suggest you enjoy the trinkets while you can because I guarantee you whatever fantasy land you have been living in is going up in smoke!”
22
Angel picked up her knockoff Michael Kors bag and marched to the front door. My heart was beating 200 times per minute as I picked up my cell phone to call the most wanted man in my world: Darrell. As quickly as I picked up the phone, I sat it back down. I wouldn’t start any more confusion in my relationship with my best friend based off the words of a vindictive, jealous female. I understood that clashing with him in the wrong way about that skank could backfire on me. I understood my place, I understood the bottom line. There were only three people in the world that would see to it that Angel and Darrell were not joined in anything close to holy matrimony: Mr. Greg & Mrs. Anna Haywood and their first born Terrell.
I walked to the bar in the corner of the room and made myself a Tequila Sunrise. I had finished the first glass before I could clean up my mess so I made another. I took my glass with me to the couch. I settled on a pre-recorded day time talk show, took my shoes off, and got comfortable on the couch under a throw blanket. After a few minutes I began to feel the effects of the drink, I felt my body relax, and it was then that I drifted off to sleep. The day had to be one for the record books and I still had the remainder of it left.
I had called my childhood best friend a prostitute to her face. It wasn’t like I didn’t know Angel for real, I did. She really did have some good qualities but one important quality she did not possess was being suitable for my brother. D didn’t have any children, had never been married, is a home owner, and owns several successful businesses. I felt that he deserved a woman who would complement his world and add substance to it- Angel was not that woman. Angel leased her home & car, she had never held a job, and she never made it out of high school. Darrell knew about her faults that started to outweigh her positive traits after she had the twins. My brother was high class, upscale, very particular about everything. He was neater than most women. Angel was the complete opposite.
I guess love really is blind.
I mumbled to myself still trying to wrap my mind around the words Angel had spewed at me. I smiled thinking of how I had to have blown whatever high she had when she got to my house. The idea of Angel being my sister-in-law shouldn’t have been a hard pill to swallow but I was blinded by everything she was not and would never be. If Darrell expressed true feelings for her to my face then I would have no choice but to accept their relationship. No matter what the outcome, I doubted Angel and I would ever be the same after the way we’d talked to each other. Deciding what to do with the information Angel had given me was making my head throb. And to think they talked all that noise about Ced…my, my, my had the tables turned. When Mama and Daddy found out about this, one thing was for sure- any negative thoughts on who Ced was would be turned into positives if he was going up against Angel’s record.
I could not comprehend my other brothers knowing about this situation and keeping it hush-hush.
Terrell was not particularly fond of Angel and only tolerated her because of me. She had spent so many years trying to sink her hooks in him; I would’ve expected this to be Terrell’s mess. I never would’ve guessed Darrell in a million guesses. Of all the blind dates, meet and greets, and recruiting my mom had done for my brothers, Angel had never been a prospect for any of them. My parents considered her as another daughter, which meant she was considered a sister to my brothers. I knew without a doubt Mr. & Mrs. Haywood were not going to be pleased.
23
‘Darrell, how could you do this?’
With all the madness transpiring in a matter of hours I had completely forgotten about Ced and our date. My ringing cell phone brought him to the front of my mind.
“Hey Baby”
“Hi”
“I’m so sorry that took way longer than I anticipated but I’m all done now. Where are you?”
“I’m at home.”
“You sound drained, can I stop by?”
“Yes, that’s fine.”
“Are you hungry, I could feed you?”
“No, I ate a little while ago, I’m good. You can stop and get you something if you’d like, I haven’t cooked a thing today.” I started to recite my address when he stopped me short.
“Baby, I know where you live.”
“Huh? How do you know where I live Ced?” A chill went through my body. I was unsure if I was flattered or bothered that he knew so much about my personal life.
“I told you that I didn’t just decide I wanted you last month. I thought about this and planned things. You have been my number one goal for some time now Steph.”
“Uh, umm okay”
“You don’t have to say anything right now. I will see you in a few minutes.”
After I disconnected the call I stood in the middle of the floor wringing my hands. So much for my brothers telling him to stay away from me! Ced’s voice gave no indication that he had even had a conversation with my brothers, ever let alone that day. Things were moving too fast. I’d been hit with three fast balls already; I could not take a fourth. I slipped my shoes back on and went into the master bathroom to freshen up and brush my teeth. Determined to relax, I grabbed the remote to the flat screen nestled into the tv stand and decided watch a comedy DVD just to keep the mood light.
