Two Wrongs Don't Make a Right

by Brenda Hampton

  I held my chest, and continued to take deep breaths. I didn’t ever think Miguel would pull a stunt like that, but I guess I was so wrong about him. From this moment on, I made a vow that he would never be able to touch me again.

  Feeling grimy, I took a shower and changed into the clothes I intended to wear to my in-laws’ house. I put on a pair of khaki shorts with a cuff at the bottom and a white ruffled, button-down shirt. I styled my hair to rest on my left shoulder and slipped into my open-toe sandals. I was hoping and praying that Miguel had left, but when I got outside, he was leaning against Isaac’s car while talking to him. I put the long strap to my purse on my shoulder and stepped up to Isaac.

  “I’m going to the store to get some items your mother asked me to get. Do you think you can be ready by the time I make it back?”

  “How long will it take you? Why don’t you just wait on me so we can go together?”

  Honestly, I wanted to get the hell out of there and away from Miguel. But, Isaac insisted that I wait for him.

  “Give me a few minutes to shower and change and I’ll be ready. It doesn’t make sense for you to go all the way to the store, then come back and get me.”

  I agreed to wait and Isaac told Miguel he’d see him tonight. He gave Isaac dap and then winked at me before walking to his car. I turned my head, relieved when I saw him drive away.

  Isaac was ready to go in no time. He wore his dark blue polo shorts and sky blue T-shirt. His gun was tucked behind him, and he never left home without it. I always felt safe when we were together.

  Since he decided to drive his truck, I hopped inside.

  “So, what store do we need to go to?” he asked while backing out of the driveway.

  “You can go to Schnucks, if you’d like. All she asked me to bring was some ice cream and candles.”

  Isaac nodded and drove to Schnucks, which was only two miles from where we lived. When we got there, he told me that he’d go inside to get the items. I opted to stay in the car. I asked to use his phone, just so I could call my mother-in-law to find out if she needed anything else. When I called her, she told me to bring several bags of ice. I figured she would add to the list, so I told her we would bring it then ended the call. As soon as I opened the door, Isaac’s phone vibrated. I thought it was Loretta calling me back, but when I answered, it was a chick asking to speak with Isaac.

  “Who is this?” I asked.

  “Who is this?” she snapped.

  “This is his wife.”

  “Well, this is his lover.”

  I shook my head at the disrespect. “Nice to hear your voice, lover. He’s busy right now. I’ll be sure to tell him you called.”

  I hung up and was angry that another woman could be so bold. This shit was unbelievable. More than anything, my frustrations were with Isaac because he had no business giving out his phone number to begin with. Since the caller called herself his lover, I assumed it had to be Laquinta. Besides, I knew her voice from speaking with her in the past. I was positive that it was her. I made my way inside of the store to find Isaac and to pick up a few bags of ice. As soon as I put the ice into a cart, his phone vibrated again. It was a different number, so I answered. This time, it was another woman asking for him.

  “May I ask who you are?” I questioned.

  “Avena,” she said properly.

  “Avena, when Isaac gave you his number to call him, did he tell you he was married?” She didn’t say a word. “Hello?” I said.

  “May I speak to Isaac, please?”

  “Hold on a minute.” I pushed my cart up to where he stood in line. Then I placed the phone on his ear and picked up a magazine, pretending to be occupied.

  “Hello,” he said. After hearing her voice, he looked at me. “Let me hit you back later.” He paused. “I don’t know, but I can’t talk right now.” For a few more seconds, he held the phone to his ear and then ended the call. He looked at me as I continued to page through the magazine.

  “I take it that my mother wanted some ice,” he said, looking into my cart.

  “Yep,” I replied, not looking up. “She wanted some ice and your lover wants you to call her back too.”

  “My lover? Who’s my…?”

  “I don’t know. When I asked, that’s what she told me her name was. You might want to check and see.”

  He searched the numbers, and after seeing who it was, he put the phone in his pocket. I didn’t bother to elaborate on the situation, especially since I felt so guilty about what had happened between Miguel and me.

  As usual, we had a blast at my in-laws’ house. Isaac’s two brothers and their wives were there, and his sister and her fiancé were there too. One of his brothers had two kids and the other had three. Along with my father-in-law, Jake, his friends and other family members, the backyard was pretty packed. Isaac and his brother, Carl, did most of the barbecuing. And the majority of ladies stayed in the kitchen whipping up desserts and making side dishes. The huge birthday cake for Jake was enough, but Loretta always went out of her way whenever she planned a party.

  From working in the garden all morning, I was exhausted. I removed the apron from around my waist then poured a glass of lemon iced tea. Afterward, I headed to the backyard with Carl’s wife, Peggy. She was a white woman, but her race didn’t matter to anyone in the family, except for Isaac. He had a thing for women with a dark complexion, and let him tell it, he would have his women no other way. I watched Isaac and his brothers having a good time as they laughed and cooked the meat. A huge part of me felt as if this was where I belonged, but I knew that at the rate our marriage was going, all of this would someday come to an end. We could only put up a front for so long, and while we were in the kitchen talking earlier, my mother-in-law questioned me about my demeanor. I pretended as if everything was fine, but she said that she’d talk to me later. If anything, I hoped that she couldn’t see through the bullshit facade that Isaac and I had put on for everybody.

  Peggy sipped from her glass of tea then put it down on the table. After she dabbed her son’s mouth with a napkin, I asked if I could hold him.

  “He is so cute,” I said, reaching for him. “How old is he again?”

  “He just turned seven months. I can’t wait until he starts walking.”

  “Oh, I’m sure. He’s big to be seven months and so, so cute,” I said, rubbing his nose with mine.

  “Cydney, when are you and Isaac going to start a family? You guys have been together a long time. I’m surprised that you don’t have any kids yet.”

  I looked over at Isaac who was still laughing and joking around with his brothers. Yes, I wanted children, but not like this. Every time we came around his family, I envied each and every one of their relationships. “We’re still holding out, Peggy. I’ve been trying, but it just hasn’t happened yet.”

  “Well, don’t give up. And anytime you need a little practice, you can always borrow mines.”

  I smiled and told her that I would keep that in mind. Loretta yelled for everyone to come inside so we could sing “Happy Birthday” to Jake. I gave the baby back to Peggy, and Isaac came over to whisper in my ear.

  “Don’t go getting any ideas,” he playfully said.

  “Shut up talking to me,” I whispered, as we held hands and went inside. Isaac stood behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. A part of me felt so uncomfortable, but then again, his arms felt nice. We all sung “Happy Birthday” to Jake, and once we were finished, he always had to make a speech.

  “Thank you, thank you, and thank you again,” he said. “I thank y’all for remembering this old man, and Loretta and I are so blessed to have a family as close and loving as all of you. To see my sons laughing and playing like they did when they were kids, and my daughter who’s soon to be taken away from me by another man, all I can say is I’m grateful.” Everybody laughed. “Anyhow, I hope that God blesses me with many more years of being on this earth, and with many more grandbabies too.” He looked at me and Isaac. All I c
ould do was smile. “Sons, keep on making me proud. I know that the good women that you’ve chosen to be by your sides are the reason that all of you have been successful in your careers and in your everyday lives. If it wasn’t for Loretta, only Lord knows where I’d be.” He got teary eyed as she squeezed his hand. “Keep on loving each other and let’s pray for many more close and loving generations to come.”

  We all bowed our heads to pray, and as Jake continued on with his touching words, my eyes started to fill with tears. I blinked to clear them, but I couldn’t stop several tears that had rolled down my cheeks. When Isaac felt a tear drop on his arm, he leaned to the side and looked at me. I closed my eyes, but once Jake was finished, I quickly stepped away. I hurried to the bathroom and closed the door. Hurt and pain was everywhere inside of me. I didn’t know how to stop it, as I crouched down and began to sob. My failing marriage was too much. Something had to be done—I just didn’t know what. Isaac and I couldn’t go on like this. Two Wrongs Didn’t Make a Right, and shame on me for thinking that seeking revenge, with his partner, would solve my problems. There was a knock on the door, but I ignored it, knowing that it was Isaac.

  “Cydney,” he said. “Open the door.”

  I hurried to wipe my face with a wet towel and then cracked the door. “What?” I said.

  “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine. I needed to use the bathroom, that’s all.”

  “Are you ready to go?”

  “Yes, please, I’m sorry. After your father cut the cake, I’d like to go home, if you don’t mind.”

  He stepped away from the door, leaving me at peace. But before leaving the bathroom, I gathered myself and took a deep breath. I walked out as if everything was all good.

  Once the cake was cut, I told Loretta I had the cramps real bad and needed to go home and lay down. She told me to call her so we could talk, and after we said goodbye to everyone we left.

  The ride home was by no means quiet. Isaac’s phone rang so much that he was forced to turn it off. I kept my cool by looking outside of the window, until we made it home.

  As soon as he pulled in the driveway, I got out of the car. I rushed inside, and went into our bedroom to get ready for bed. Isaac noticed my mood and he couldn’t wait to question me. He climbed in bed behind me, and attempted to comfort me by pulling the covers over me.

  “I know that being at my parents’ house was difficult for you, Cydney. I appreciate you going there with me, even though you recognize how things are between us.”

  I released a deep sigh then turned to face him. “What are we going to do about this marriage, Isaac? All of this lying and pretending is driving me crazy.”

  “Do you want a divorce? I’m telling you right now, for the record, it’s not what I want.”

  “Then why do you continue to do the things that you do? You act as if you don’t care anymore and we are getting further and further away from each other.”

  To quiet me, he leaned in to kiss me. For the first time in many months, I kissed him back. Hatred for what he’d done to me roamed in my head, and after several moments of kissing, I broke our lip lock.

  “Let me make love to you,” he said while touching my breasts. “I’ve missed touching your body and loving your insides, Cyd. Just let me make things right between us.”

  He kissed me again, and as things got heated, he removed my nightgown. Maybe, it was time for us to give our marriage another try. The visit to his parents’ house gave me hope that things could be the same for us, as they were for his parents and siblings. A part of me knew Isaac wanted the same thing too, but I wasn’t sure how all the hurt we’d caused each other could be forgotten.

  Either way, I made my way on top, allowing his hands to roam all over my naked body, particularly my ass and hips. He closed his eyes as if he were in deep thought.

  “I love you…I miss this feeling,” he moaned. “You will not regret—

  I lowered myself to kiss him because I knew Isaac’s words were a lie. I knew I’d regret giving myself to him—we’d been here and done this before. In knowing so, I got my head on straight and removed myself from his hardness.

  “What’s wrong?” he said, trying to stop me.

  “Isaac, as much as I want to, I can’t do this with you. Our marriage is messy and it’s going to take a lot for us to clean it up.”

  The wrinkles on his forehead deepened. “What do you mean, you can’t do this? “Do you feel how hard I am? Don’t you know how bad I want you? You’re my wife, Cyd. I shouldn’t have to beg you like this. Every time we get close to making love, I have to beg you to continue.”

  I couldn’t say one word—just stared into his angry eyes. Seconds later, he lowered himself and brushed his lips against my inner thighs. I knew he wanted to love my insides, and as I started to think about how well he could perform, I also thought about Miguel being inside of me earlier. I scooted back then pressed my knees close to my chest.

  “I’m sorry, baby. I will not give myself to you under these conditions.”

  He quickly stood up. “Fuck it then, Cydney. You playing this turn me off, then turn me on game and I don’t have time for the bullshit. When I leave you for someone else, please don’t be mad at me.”

  “How could I be mad, Isaac? Realistically, you’ve already left me for someone else, haven’t you?”

  He walked out, and moments later, I heard the front door slam.

  ISAAC

  My blood was boiling. I was furious! To hell with Cydney and her games. I saw how hurt she was at my parents’ house, and I felt inspired and encouraged by my Dad’s words. He had a lot of faith in me…in us, and I felt as if my being able to make love to my wife would be a turning point to get us back on the right track. The whole time I was at my parents’ house, I kept thinking…to hell with Laquinta. I was going to try hard at removing myself from that situation, but so much for that shit. Some women didn’t understand what it felt like to be rejected. Especially rejected by your own damn wife. Why should I give up my other fulfilling relationships, if Cydney kept treating me like this? Didn’t she know that I had needs too? I guessed not, so fuck it.

  I told Miguel that I’d help him out at the club tonight, working security. However, Cydney had me so angry that I didn’t feel like working at all. I still had on the casual attire I’d worn to my parents’ house, so I made my way to the club to see what was happening.

  When I got there, the crowd was thick. I saw Miguel sitting on a stool with his uniform on. He was talking to several females who appeared delighted to be in his presence. As I stepped up to him, he excused himself from the ladies.

  “Where are you going, Shemar?” one of the ladies asked, referring to his look-a-like, Shemar Moore. He hated to be called Shemar, so he corrected her. “It’s not Shemar, baby. It’s Miguel.” He turned to me. “What took you so long and why aren’t you in uniform?”

  “Cause me and Cydney got into it tonight. I don’t feel like working, but I stopped in because I gave you my word earlier that I would be here.”

  “Is everything cool? I mean, you ain’t have to bust her up, did you?”

  “Naw, nothing like that. I just get tired of begging for sex from my own damn wife, that’s all.”

  “Shit, I would too, and I hate to say this, but fuck her. She be tripping. In the meantime, come here. You’ve got to see this.”

  Miguel walked with me through the crowd. Smiles, hellos, and flirting eyes were all over the place. Cydney was tripping, no doubt. I could’ve had my dick in many more places than in Laquinta’s pussy.

  Miguel stopped in front of the bar and told me to look over his shoulder. I checked the dance floor and saw nothing that caught my eye. He told me to look harder, and that’s when I saw Laquinta. She wore a thigh high, body hugging, black jean dress with silver buttons down the front. The top buttons were undone and a healthy part of her cleavage was on display. Her braids were neatly pulled back and showed her pretty chocolate face. When she saw me, sh
e left her dance partner and strutted her way over to me. I gazed at her sexy, slim legs and at the high- heeled shoes that gave her much height. Before she reached me, she was stopped twice. She ignored the niggas who reached out to her and made her way to me.

  “You know what I’m about to ask you, don’t you?” she said.

  Pretending to be in thought, I rubbed the hairs on my chin. “Why am I here, and why haven’t I returned any of your calls?”

  She used her small purse to slap my arm. “Bingo. You got that right. So, why haven’t you called me? And, I didn’t think you liked coming to nightclubs.”

  Miguel interrupted. “I asked him to come help me out tonight. But since he won’t be helping me, I’m gon’ leave y’all at peace.” Miguel walked away. I looked Laquinta up and down, checking her out.

  “You know you got it going on, don’t you?” I said. “Turn around.”

  “I’d like to think I got it going on,” she said, turning around. “But maybe not as much as I think, since you won’t return my phone calls.”

  I didn’t really hear what she said, as I was too busy thinking about what she had on underneath. “You don’t have on any underclothes, do you,” I asked.

  “Why don’t you reach underneath my dress and see?”

  I moved her as close to the bar as I could, and then reached underneath her dress. All I felt was a bare, soft ass.

  I licked my lips and patted my chest. “You have no idea what you do to me, do you?”

  Laquinta laughed and held my hand on her ass. She then directed my hand up to her hip.

  “I have a thong on, Isaac. If you would have searched beyond my butt cheeks, you would have felt it.”

  “That’s even better. What color is it? And please don’t tell me red.”

  “Okay, then I won’t tell you,” she said, removing my hand. “But, I’ll give you a hint.”

  “What’s that?” I smiled.

  “You gave them to me on Valentine’s Day.”

  “Then, they’re red. I gave you some red ones on Valentine’s Day.”