Underestimated Too

by Jettie Woodruff

  ‘Do we have more Sprite?’ I asked, pouring the rest in a glass.

  ‘No, I kind of forced it into Morgan,’ Rebecca explained. ‘Are you sick? I can run out and get more.’

  ‘Would you? I’m not sick, just a little queasy,’ I tried telling myself more than her.

  Slamming the glass to the island, I darted to the bathroom, feeling the inevitable in the back of my throat. This was bad. This was so bad. I felt like I’d been hit by a truck. How the hell did this happen? I didn’t get sick. I hadn’t been sick since like high school.

  ‘Here, you should get out of those clothes and into something a little more comfortable. You’re not going anywhere for a couple days,’ Morgan assured me, handing me a wet washcloth. I looked up at her peculiarly. Why would she help me? She should be doing some sort of happy dance. I jerked the cloth from her hands, covering my face with the coolness, moaning, sure that I was dying.”

  Drew wasn’t lying about that, not that Drew really lied anyway. He always told the truth, whether you liked it or not, but he was right about dying. I prayed that I would die when I felt the way he was feeling. It was horrible, pure hell.

  “Morgan coaxed, ‘Come on,’ pulling me from my seated position. I let her help me, thinking we were going to my room. She led me to the living room where I practically fell to the sofa. I felt so drained, like I had no energy at all.

  Morgan squatted in front of me and removed my black dress shoes and socks. I watched her, wondering what went through her mind. She was taking care of me. Why?

  ‘Take your pants off. I’m going to see if I can find a t-shirt in your room. Is that okay?’ she asked, turning back.

  ‘There are some white cotton shirts in the armoire,’ I helped. I should just go in my bed. That was a nice thought. I didn’t feel like I could move. I was barely strong enough to remove my dress slacks.

  I held the not so cool cloth over my face, observing all the unwanted feelings. Sitting up, wearing only black designer boxers and my unbuttoned shirt, Morgan pulled on the end of my sleeve, helping me out of my shirt.

  ‘I don’t want that,’ I whined when she tried to put the t-shirt over my head.

  ‘Lay down,’ she commanded. I looked at her, seeing something in her that I’d never seen before. She wasn’t being a bitch, she wasn’t looking at me in anyway but empathy, like she cared. I didn’t get it. I scooted up to the end of the overstuffed sofa, dropped my head, and moaned.

  The room was dark when I woke. I could feel the inside of my mouth start to water. The room felt like the walls were closing in when I opened my eyes, feeling a bit of vertigo. I didn’t even see Morgan, sitting in the chair, but as soon as I sat up she was right there, right there holding the trashcan. Thank god she thought of that. I would have never made it to the bathroom.

  She disappeared while I hurled what was in my stomach and then dry heaved. I was going to die. I wanted to die. This was the worse feeling in the world.

  ‘Here, drink some of this,’ Morgan said, holding the glass to my lips, forcing me to sip it. I waited a second, needing to see if it was going to stay down. It did and I sipped it again.

  ‘What are you doing?’ I asked, lightly wrapping my fingers around her dainty wrist. She gave me a warm smile and pulled away without an answer. I watched her walk back to the chair she’d been sitting in and pick up her book. She opened it to her place, ignored me, and took up reading by the dim lit lamp.

  ‘Lay down,’ she demanded, peaking over the top of the book. I smiled and dropped back to the pillow.

  I watched her read, wondering for the first time about her. I wanted to ask her questions about her life before me, I wanted to know things about her. Jesus, I wanted to know her. I was delusional. It was the fever. It had to be the fever. Closing my eyes, I tried to relax and tell myself I wasn’t going to get sick.”

  Chapter 22

  Drew’s story continued, “I smelled Morgan’s expensive perfume before I saw her. ‘Hey,’ she softly spoke with her hand on my bare chest. My fingers found hers on their own accord. She pulled hers away. I opened my eyes, trying to determine whether or not I felt better. I needed to feel better. I had a client coming at two. She was no doubt feeling better. She looked amazing. She’d showered, her hair was perfect, and she wore a black pencil skirt with a light pink satin blouse. A bright studded belt with diamonds and pink ice gems circled her waist.

  ‘Take a drink of this,’ she coaxed. I took the glass, deciding that I didn’t feel any better. I just wanted to lay down and die until this passed. ‘Can you get up? I ran you a cool bath. You need to go to your room and sleep. You have a client coming. Derik is going to take care of it for you.’

  ‘You stay the fuck out of my business,’ I angrily demanded, instantly getting mad at her. I probably would have hit her had I had the energy.

  ‘I don’t really care about your business,’ she retaliated, pulling my hand to get up. ‘Derik called your phone about fifty times. I finally answered it and told him that you were sick. He said to tell you to rest and he’d be here to present the deal.’

  ‘Where is my phone?’ I asked, looking around.

  ‘Right there,’ she motioned to the table behind the sofa. ‘I put it on silent so it didn’t wake you. Derik had your calls forwarded to him. He told me to tell you that,’ she added. She didn’t want me to think she had anything to do with it. Standing, I really didn’t care. I felt like my legs were going to give out and not hold me. They shook and my uneasy stomach moved to my throat.

  ‘I want to lie down,’ I said, walking through the house in nothing but my boxers.

  ‘You need to take a bath. You smell, plus, you’re still pretty hot. It’ll help with the fever.’

  Normally I would have protested. I honestly didn’t have the energy to do that. I barely managed to slide out of my shorts and make into the bath without toppling over.

  ‘You want me to help you bath?’ Morgan asked.

  ‘Why would you do that?’ I asked, turning to look at her curiously.

  She shrugged her shoulders. ‘You’re sick. I know how you feel. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone, not even someone I hated,’ she added.

  I snickered a little. ‘Do you hate me?’

  ‘Pretty much. Do you want help or not?’

  ‘I may take you up on that offer, it could be fun, just not today.’

  ‘I’m not going to be offering this any other day.’

  Smiling, I kindly reminded her that she didn’t decide that. I did. She left.

  I would have slept the whole day had Morgan let me. She kept waking me, forcing me to drink. She woke me around six in the evening with a bowl of soup, crackers, and more Sprite. I sat up, feeling like I felt better.

  ‘What time is it?’ I asked, taking the glass.

  ‘Six, Derik wanted me to tell you that Mr. Sheffield wishes you well, and to let you know that he got asking price.’

  ‘Where’s my phone?’ I asked. I needed to talk to him, find out what happened. I didn’t even know he’d been there and gone. Morgan handed me my phone and saw herself out.

  The next time I woke was around eleven. I sat up and opened my laptop, wondering where Morgan was. She was in her room, arms crossed, leaned against the windowsill, lost in thought. I wondered what she was thinking about. Was she looking out to a world that she’d never know? She wouldn’t. I would never let her go, not now, I couldn’t. Our arrangement was working out just fine. I didn’t need her dead anymore. I liked having her at my beck and call.

  I watched her turn, looking straight at the camera towards the clock. She pulled on a robe and slid her feet into satin slippers. I watched her descend the stairs, switching camera views until I realized she was coming to me. I quickly closed my laptop and scooted down. I had planned on feigning sleep but changed my mind. I didn’t want her to peak in and leave.

  ‘You’re awake. I’m going to get you something to drink.’

  I got up and walked to the bathroom, feeling better.
Morgan was in my room when I returned. She didn’t really come in here. I didn’t really allow it, just the few times when I’d had too much to drink and wanted to play with her or punish her.

  ‘You look better,’ she assessed, altering the stale soda for fresh.

  ‘I feel better, I think,’ I replied, sliding back under the covers. I still felt weak as hell. I wouldn’t be running any marathons, that’s for damn sure.

  Morgan nodded with a cold stare.

  ‘Well, night,’ she said, turning to leave me.

  ‘Stay, Morgan,’ I commanded, trying hard to make it sound like a request more so than a demand. It didn’t really come out that way. I didn’t know how to talk to Morgan that way

  ‘Excuse me?’

  ‘Stay here tonight.’

  ‘Why?’

  I gave her a look of warning. She was pissing me off. She wasn’t allowed to ask why. She knew that. She took a deep breath and obeyed, knowing it was in her best interest.

  ‘Take your clothes off,’ I requested.

  Morgan wasn’t modest about it like she had been at first. She looked past me—as she always did— and undressed for me. She didn’t even look at me when I told her how beautiful she was. Her eyes stayed focused to the right of my head. She was beautiful, I meant that.

  ‘Come here,’ I whispered.

  She stood by my side and let me fondle her beautiful soft curves.

  ‘You’re still a little warm,’ she spoke as my lips met her erect nipple. She was probably feeling the heat from my forehead on her skin. I knew I was still warm and didn’t feel the greatest, but this wasn’t really about me. I wasn’t going to tell her that of course. I kind of wanted to reward her for being there and taking care of me. I was a little taken aback by it. She didn’t have to do that.

  I pulled her over my lap and rubbed her ass. She tensed, waiting for the blow of my hand. I didn’t hit her. I brushed my hands over her soft ass for a bit and then moved my fingers between her legs.

  ‘Do you want to come?’ I asked, dipping my middle finger deep in her already wet pussy.

  ‘Yes,’ she answered with the only answer she was allowed to use, knowing I really wasn’t going to let her. I was though. I wanted to make her come. I guess it was the only way I knew how to say thanks without really saying it.

  ‘Roll over,’ I told Morgan.”

  “You were nice to me that night,” I interrupted again, remembering. You took care of me, but didn’t ask for anything in return.

  “I took care of you because you took care of me. I wanted you to know that I appreciated you,” he said as he looked to me and then to Deidra.

  “You did?”

  “Yes, love. I did. I didn’t know how else to show you then.”

  My lips curved up in a heartfelt smile. I felt loved. That was one of the good nights with Drew. He used his fingers with his head on his pillow too weak to lift it, and then held me close to his fevered chest as he slept, sick as a dog. Maybe I was falling for him back then too. Nah, not really. I still hated him most the time.

  ***

  “We’re okay, right?” Drew asked, holding me tight. He didn’t want to leave after our session. I’m not sure if he was feeling insecure or he was afraid I was. I was feeling insecure. I hated Thursdays as much as I loved them.

  “Yes. We’re fine. Get out of here before I don’t let you go.”

  “Do you want me to stay? I can send Celeste and do a video conference,” Drew offered. As good as that sounded, I wasn’t going to let him do that.

  Standing on the tips of my toes, I kissed him. “Get out of here before I take you up on that. I love you. Call me later.”

  “But it’s Nicky’s birthday. I should stay,” Drew replied, trying to talk himself out of going as much as he was fighting to make himself go.

  “Nicky, doesn’t know that. He’s going to think his birthday is Saturday when we have his party and he sees those pictures of his daddy holding him while we sing happy birthday. Go get Celeste, and go to work.”

  “I love you, Morgan. I love you more than anything on this earth and no matter what I say or do, nothing is going to change that. Please don’t give up on us.”

  “Drew,” I said, pulling back, looking up to him, bewildered. “Are you afraid I’m going to leave you?” Okay, I knew he was feeling uncertain, but I didn’t realize the extent of his insecurity.

  “I wouldn’t blame you if you did.”

  “I’m not going anywhere—ever.”

  “Promise?”

  “Yes, now go to work,” I ordered, needing him to go before I begged him to stay.

  “I’ll call you after the meeting,” Drew promised, kissed me on the head, and left.

  I played with Nicky for a while and then laid him down for a nap. What was I supposed to do for two days? I should have told my mom to come a couple days early.

  “What are you doing?” I asked, calling Alicia.

  “Meeting Deidra for supper and a movie. Want to come?”

  “I don’t think Drew will let me.”

  “Oh, my god, Morgan. Stop letting that man run your life. You can have a girl’s night without asking Drew’s permission.”

  “I’m not sure Marta will want to stay and keep Nicky.” I tried, I did need Drew’s permission. He would be irate if I went without asking him first.

  “You’re so full of shit. Drew would never leave you if Marta wasn’t going to be there with you. Come on. Go with us. When was the last time you went to a movie?”

  “I’ll call you back and let you know.”

  “Okay, we’re leaving at six. Text me and let me know what the master says.”

  “Yeah, yeah, see you later.”

  Why the hell was I so nervous about calling Drew? Alicia was right. I didn’t need to ask. I’d just call him out of courtesy, let him know what I was doing so he didn’t worry. I was almost twenty-nine years old. I didn’t need to ask permission. Shoot. I couldn’t call him while they were in the air. Drew wouldn’t land until seven. I did want to go. Would he be mad? Of course he would.

  Maybe it would be okay if they weren’t going downtown. Drew shouldn’t mind if we stayed on this side of town. It took me two hours to decide. I was going. There was no reason for me to stay home when Alicia asked me to go out with her and Deidra for dinner and a movie.

  I was glad I went. Deidra was a lot of fun outside the office with an attitude that didn’t take any shit. We went to a little Italian restaurant on the side of town that Drew wouldn’t object to, well, I hoped anyway. I still hadn’t talked to him.

  The waiter had just brought us another wine refill when my phone finally rang. My heart literally stopped, knowing it was Drew.

  “Hi, made it okay?”

  “Yeah, we’re here, but I can’t talk right now. We’re meeting the buyers for dinner. I just wanted to check in. I’ll call you when we leave.”

  “Drew,” I said, stopping him before he hung up on me.

  “What, Morgan. I’ve got to go.”

  “I’m at dinner with Alicia and Deidra,” I spat out, wanting it over with so I could enjoy the rest of my evening. Drew didn’t speak. Silence lingered for at least twenty seconds.

  “We’ll talk about it later. Go home after that.”

  “We’re going to a movie,” I said, getting up and walking towards the ladies room. I didn’t want them to hear him yell or take a chance on hearing something he might say.

  “Why didn’t you ask me?”

  “You were in the air. It’s just us girls, Drew. I need to get out once in a while.”

  “You don’t think I let you out?”

  “No, I don’t mean it like that. I just mean there is nothing wrong with me having dinner with two friends.”

  “Deidra is not your friend. She works for us. You don’t just take off without asking me first.”

  “Okay, now you’re being an ass. I don’t need your permission to have dinner with friends. I’ll talk to you later.” I was the one
to hang up, and now I was pissed.

  “Why the hell do I stay married to that man?” I asked, rejoining my table, and chugging my glass of wine.

  “Don’t look at me. I ask you that every day. Ask Deidra. She’s the shrink.”

  “Uh-uh, Deidra is not a shrink. Deidra stops being a shrink at five o’clock. Don’t ask Deidra anything that pertains to shrinking,” Deidra exclaimed, downing her own wine, and holding it up for a refill.

  “Don’t you have to breast feed?” I asked Alicia, holding her glass for more too.

  “Nope, I have five bottles pumped. I’m good till tomorrow afternoon.”

  “Hey!” Deidra shouted excitedly. “Let’s ditch the movie and go across the road.”

  “Across the road?” I asked the dumb question. I knew what was across the road. I heard the loud music when we crossed the road.

  “Yeah, let’s go to the Swiggy’s and drink,” she coaxed.

  “I can accept you not working after hours, but with all due respect, you’ve been seeing my husband for months. You know I would be locked up for years if I went to a bar.”

  “We won’t tell him. Come on, live a little. You act like you’re fifty. Let’s do it.” Alicia begged.

  “Drew will call.”

  “And you can’t answer in the movie. The way I see it the movie lasted two and a half hours, giving us till eleven thirty. We’ll leave before then, and he’ll never know.”

  “You can’t condone this. You’re a psychiatrist,” I argued, wanting Deidra to intervene, no, needing Deidra to intervene. Drew would kill me. I was sure of it.

  “I’m not telling you to go to a bar. I only suggested it. You guys can do what you want, but I’m thinking a few more drinks and some good music sounds better than a romance where we’re all going home alone.”

  “Why?” I asked Deidra.

  “Why what?”

  “I know why Alicia and I are going home alone. Why are you?” I wanted to know. Deidra laughed.