Preaching to the Choir

by Royce, Camryn

  Her eyes followed his gesture. On the tray there was a plate with two frozen waffles that were slightly burned, and fried bologna. There was a glass of vodka and OJ along with a flower he’d picked out of the garden in the front yard and a cheesy note that said “I Heart Ur Freakin’ Guts!” She stared at the tray for a moment before her lips curled into a smile.

  She held out her long arms for a hug. Michael leaned in and she wrapped them around him, kissing his pierced ear. He shuddered from the sensation it brought on.

  “I’m sorry boo-boo.” She said in a baby voice. “You know how I get when I don’t get my sleep.” She pushed him flat on the bed and straddled him, placing his hands on her plump backside. “Forgive me?” she asked sweetly.

  All Michael could do was nod. She was so intoxicating and he couldn’t fathom why. They made out for a few minutes before his eye caught the clock. He hopped up, absentmindedly throwing her to the side.

  “I’m late!” he said as he hurried around the room getting dressed. “I have that meeting with the church board today.”

  Milan lay in bed smiling, watching her flustered fiancé scramble around the room.

  “Baby! Milan, hello??” she was suddenly snapped from her pleasant flashback at the sound of Michael’s irritating ass voice.

  Rolling her eyes, she turned in her seat at her dressing table and stared at the man she loved and hated with the exact same passion.

  “I asked you if you planned on putting any makeup on today.” He said as he fastened his tie.

  Madison’s cries on the baby monitor interrupted before she could cuss his shallow ass out. Slamming down her foundation brush, Milan grilled him as she walked out of the room and down to the baby’s room. Maddie was standing in her crib screaming her head off, bouncing up and down on her tiny fat legs.

  “Shh, mommy’s here…shhh..” Milan cradled her daughter to her chest as she headed back to the bedroom to continue getting dressed.

  “What’s wrong with her now?” Michael asked as he sat on the bed to put on his shoes.

  Milan rolled her eyes and ignored him as she laid Maddie on her side of the bed and gave her a bottle.

  “I don’t know what your problem is, and I really don’t care. Just hurry up and get dressed.” Michael said before walking out of the room.

  After Milan hurriedly applied her makeup and got dressed in a form fitting casual dress, she gathered Maddie’s things and met Michael in the car.

  “Took you long enough.” He said as she strapped Maddie in her car seat.

  “I suggest you stop talking to me, right now.” She said before climbing in the front seat.

  Michael narrowed his eyes at her as he threw the car into gear.

  “When we get back from dad’s house, we need to have a very serious discussion.”

  Milan turned the volume on the radio up a little louder and buckled her seat belt, staring straight ahead. Michael couldn’t help but to chuckle when he got really angry, and he was chuckling hard as he backed out of the driveway.

  “Hey baby girl, look at you!!” Michael Matthews Sr. said when he opened the door and laid eyes on Maddie. “Come to pop-pop!” he said, taking her from Milan and showering her with kisses.

  “Hi to you too, daddy.” Milan said as she stepped into the house behind the tall, handsome man who could easily pass for Michael’s big brother.

  Setting Maddie down, he hugged Milan tightly, followed by embracing Michael before they walked together to the den that he commonly referred to as his “man cave”.

  “Your mom is in the kitchen finishing up, so we’ll eat soon.” He said as he sat down in his favorite recliner.

  “I’m gonna go say hi, I’m sure Maddie found her way up there to ‘Gam-Gam’ already.” Milan said, leaving the two men to drink beer and watch the football game.

  “Hey, mama.” She said as she stepped up the couple of stairs into the kitchen.

  “Hi baby.” She said, stirring food on the stove with Maddie on one hip.

  Mrs. Diane Matthews was a beautiful woman with hazelnut skin and a tiny frame. She had big curly hair and green eyes, giving women half her age some serious competition.

  “Where’s my baby boy?” she asked as Milan poured herself a glass of the white wine that sat on the counter.

  “In there with his twin.” She responded, sitting down at the kitchen table. “What are you cooking?”

  “Honey baked ham and baby back ribs. I got some greens and cornbread going, and there’s some macaroni and cheese and some sweet potatoes.”

  Milan’s stomach growled as she sipped the wine.

  “Did you make deviled eggs too?” she asked as she watched her feed Maddie some ham.

  “You know I did, baby.” She said as she finally sat down across from Milan and put Maddie in her lap. “What’s been going on, daughter? You look thin.”

  Milan hated the fact that Mama Matthews could see right through her, although it made sense since she’d literally known her her whole life.

  “There’s just been a lot going on, mama. Maddie’s been sick lately and just…a bunch of other stuff.”

  “Is it that no good, jailbird husband of yours again?”

  Milan held up a hand.

  “Don’t start, mama. Not today.”

  She looked at her sternly, but decided not to pry.

  “We’ll have to do lunch sometime next week and catch up. But right now, I need to visit with my beautiful grandbaby.” She said, bouncing Maddie in her lap.

  Milan looked on sadly, wishing things could go back to the way they used to be with her and Michael.

  * * *

  Alana awoke to an empty bed with an upset stomach and a screaming child. Michael had been gone for almost a week, and it made her feel worse now that she knew exactly why. Climbing out of bed with a yawn, she trudged down the hall to Michaela’s room and opened the door. Michaela crawled out of her Disney Princess themed bed and ran to her mother, crying the whole way.

  “Come here, what’s wrong baby?” Alana said, feeling her daughter’s head for a fever.

  Deducing that Michaela was just fussy, Alana stripped them down and hopped in the shower. Afterwards, she dressed Michaela in a sundress and sandals and then herself in the same thing. Once she put Michaela’s hair into a perfect bun, she gave herself a high messy ponytail.

  Checking her reflection, she didn’t like what she saw. She looked haggard and skinny. She was not juggling the stress of Michael’s bullshit and her unwanted pregnancy very well. Grabbing her purse and keys, she loaded Michaela into Michael’s second car and climbed in, dialing a number on her phone.

  “This is Willie, I’m busy beautifying the world one hot mess at a time. Leave a message and I’ll call you back. Maybe. Peace.”

  Alana smiled at his voicemail, and then became puzzled. Willie never let the phone ring all the way to voicemail when she called; they’d become fast friends. He usually answered with “Hey bitch, what’s poppin?!” every time she called. Frowning, Alana backed out of the garage and was headed to the end of the driveway when Michael swung in, blocking her exit.

  For some reason, she was terrified as she watched him climb out of his Cadillac through her rearview. She had all the reason in the world to be mad at him, but she had to admit he looked damn good in his slacks and tie. She rolled down the window as he came to the door.

  “Where you headed?” he asked, touching her chin lightly.

  Alana hated how he made her drunk with love every time he touched her.

  “To get some things for Michaela.” She responded, rubbing her sweaty palms on her dress.

  Michael stared into her, biting his bottom lip.

  “Hurry back. We need to talk.” He said, walking back to his car to let her out.

  Alana was shocked, confused and terrified as she backed out of the driveway. She hadn’t expected him to let her leave, and she didn’t know what to expect when she returned. Michael’s behavior was truly an enigma.

  Aft
er calling Willie three more times, Alana decided to stop by the salon and see what was going on. Maybe he was extremely busy. As soon as she pulled up, she knew something was wrong. The salon was closed and there were a few women she recognized as Willie’s faithful clients waiting at the door.

  “Lola, come here for a second!” she called out to one of the older ladies she knew by name.

  The woman walked up to her car window wearing a worried expression.

  “What’s going on? It’s after 11, why isn’t the shop open?” Alana asked.

  “Girl, I wish I knew. I had an appointment at 9 and Willie hasn’t shown up or answered his phone.” The woman said.

  Alana then noticed his car was parked a few spaces over from where hers sat.

  “Lola, that’s his car right there. He has to be close by.” Alana said, dialing 911 on her cell phone.

  Before she could press send, her phone rang. It was Michael.

  “Um, Lola, I think someone should call the police. I have to go, but I’ll be back.” She said before hurriedly pulling off and answering her phone.

  “What’s taking so long?” he asked when she answered.

  “I—I’m sorry, I’ll be there in a few minutes.” Alana said.

  She was so worried about what could’ve happened to Willie that she’d forgotten to pick up diapers and formula before returning home.

  “Where’s the stuff for Michaela?” Michael asked immediately after she walked in and set Michaela down in his lap.

  Alana avoided eye contact as she made her way to the kitchen.

  “I forgot to ask you for some money so I couldn’t get anything.” She called to him as she grabbed a bottled water and gulped it down.

  Before she could defend herself, Michael had grabbed her from behind and sent her crashing into the stove. Michaela started screaming from the doorway. Alana doubled over in pain, moaning breathlessly. Michael grabbed her by the hair and pulled her back towards him roughly. Alana screamed out until he used his free hand to choke her tightly.

  “Take that baby upstairs and put her down for a nap, now.” He growled before pushing her away from him forcefully.

  Alana wiped the snot from her nose and the tears from her eyes before she picked up her screaming daughter and comforted her as she carried her up the stairs. After lying with her for a few minutes, Michaela was out like a light. Alana stared at her sleeping angel with love and sadness, almost afraid that she would never see her again by the time Michael got through with her. She closed Michaela’s door quietly and turned around only to run right into Michael. She jumped back with a whimper, his eyes full of rage.

  “Take yo ass to the bedroom.” He said.

  Her eyes welled up with tears as she made her way down the hall to the bedroom with Michael following close behind. As soon as he shut the door behind them, he hurled her cell phone at her head, smacking her in the temple.

  “Who the fuck is Willie, bitch?” he asked as she shielded herself and backed away.

  “My hair dresser!” She cried out as he grabbed her arms and pinned her to the bed. She could smell alcohol on his breath.

  “You spending my hard earned money on getting your hair done and you can’t even remember to buy your fuckin’ daughter some diapers?! Triflin’ bitch!” he yelled, spit flying onto her face.

  “It’s not like that, please don’t!” she cried out, turning her head away from him.

  “You following me around town, too? I knew I shouldn’t have ever let your stupid ass get a driver’s license! I pay the bills around this bitch, not you! I do what the fuck I want!!” he yelled as she began to cry.

  Alana squeezed her eyes shut, afraid of what he would do next. Imagine her surprise when his grip loosened on her wrists and he began kissing her neck.

  “I’m sorry, baby. I’m sorry, I just…I missed you…I don’t wanna loose you. Please forgive me…” he said between kisses to her neck, his hands pulling her dress up to expose her panties.

  Alana’s eyes shot open when he slid her panties to the side and massaged her clit with his thumb.

  “Michael, what are you---“ she was interrupted by his mouth on hers, kissing her passionately.

  Her nipples immediately stood up as she became insanely aroused. Michael had never kissed her or touched her with such passion and she couldn’t fight it no matter how hard she tried. He lifted her head and pulled her dress over it, leaving her lying beneath him in her lacy underwear.

  “I know I messed up, bad. But I love you, Alana. I’ll do better, I promise. Starting now.” He whispered as he trailed kisses down to her belly button.

  Alana’s breathing picked up as he slid her panties off and knelt between her legs. He bit his lip as he stared at her peach, knowing he was the only one who had ever seen it. Sliding his hands up to her hard nipples, he pinched each one of them between his index and middle fingers as he put his lips around her pearl. Alana shivered almost immediately, her essence dripping down her slit onto the bed.

  Michael hummed and twirled his tongue, sending Alana into tears of passion. She spread her legs, arched her back and grabbed the sides of his head, her mouth hanging open. Once her entire body shook uncontrollably, Michael came up for air and kissed her lips, leaving the taste of her love all over her lips.

  “I’ve been meaning to apologize to you for a long time, baby. I know a lot has happened and I’ve hurt you in so many different ways, but I want you to know that I’m sorry. For everything.” He said as she slowly sat up to where he stood in front of her.

  Alana knew she would be crazy to believe a word he said, but something in his eyes gave her a feeling she hadn’t felt from him in a very long time. A feeling that she could trust him. She wrapped her arms around his waist and lay her head on his toned stomach, wanting the feeling she had at the moment to last forever.

  “I know we’ve been engaged for almost 2 ½ years now, but I want you to know that very soon, I’m going to make you my wife. There’s a few loose ends I have to tie up, but then we can get married, just like you always wanted.”

  Alana wanted to ask Michael about his relationship with Milan, but she decided now was not the time. She didn’t want to ruin his mood, especially when he was talking to her in a way he never had. She decided to trust her fiancé, the father of her child, and forget about everything else. They could finally have the fresh start they so desperately needed.

  * * *

  Milan was seething as she stormed out of her and Michael’s lawyer’s office, holding the divorce papers she’d just been served. Her hands shook violently as she tried to use her car remote to unlock the doors. After dropping the keys several times, she finally managed to gain access to her car and immediately called Michael’s cell.

  She began to pull out of her parking space when she suddenly slammed on her brakes.

  “The number you have dialed is no longer in service.”

  Her jaw literally dropped as she looked at her phone with confusion.

  “Is he serious right now?!” Milan screamed at the top of her lungs.

  Blinded by fury and heartbreak, Milan knew there was only one thing for her to do, and that was to get even in the worst way. Putting her car back into gear, she pulled off calmly, headed for Mr. and Mrs. Matthews’ house.

  “Milan, it’s the middle of the day, why aren’t you at work?” Mama Matthews said as she stepped aside to allow her inside.

  “Mama, there’s a lot that we need to talk about.” Milan said, tossing her now bone straight hair over her shoulder.

  After she’d poured them both glasses of wine, Mama Matthews led Milan out onto the backyard deck to sit and relax.

  “Where’s Daddy?” Milan asked after a sip of her wine.

  “He left early this morning to help Michael with another one of those housing project things he does for the homeless. They’ve been gone awhile.”

  Milan raised an eyebrow. Michael had packed his bags this morning and told her he was going to speak at a church out of s
tate for a few days. Now that she looked back on it, she was willing to bet he was moving out right in front of her face. The fact that she’d been too stupid to realize it only made her feel more vindictive.

  “Listen, mama…you’re not going to be very happy about what I’m going to tell you about Michael and me, but…now’s as good a time as any.”

  Milan fixed her hereditary green eyes on her mother’s worried face and took a deep breath.

  “Michael and I…um, me and Michael…we…we’ve been sleeping together since high school. He’s my husband…he’s Maddie’s father.” Milan stuttered out as her mother clutched her chest in horror.

  “Milan…that is your brother!!” her mom said, tears falling down her quivering face.

  “I know, mama, but we love each other in a different way. I lied to you about who my husband was because I didn’t want to hurt you. I thought it was better for you to think Maddie’s father was in jail than to know he’s your own son.”

  Mama Matthews stood and fanned herself, trying to calm down.

  “I can’t believe I didn’t see it. I always knew you guys were close, but… Where did I go wrong?” she choked out as Milan stood to hug her.

  “Mama, I’m sorry. Please don’t be upset. It doesn’t matter anyway because he served me divorce papers today. He’s leaving me, mama. I don’t know what to do…” Milan whimpered.

  “Do you realize what you’ve done to Madison?? She’s having all kinds of problems because of what you two have done! I borrowed on my life insurance policy for her!” her mother screamed.

  “You did what?” Milan asked, unsure if she heard correctly.

  “Your father and I can barely afford this house anymore, thanks to what the two of you have done. How selfish can you be?”

  Milan hung her head in shame.

  “I’m just going to go…” she said, turning to leave.

  “Now wait just a minute, daughter! You are going to sit right here and—” her mom clutched her chest suddenly, stumbling backwards into the railing of the deck.

  “Mama?!” Milan ran over to her quickly, dialing 911 on her cell phone once she noticed her mother was having a heart attack.