by Cydney Rax
“Why not?”
“Because even when he married Kiara, I doubt they moved into a big-ass pad that soon after the ceremony. Am I right?”
“I don’t know, and honestly I don’t care how fast or slow he did anything with her.” Nicole sounded annoyed. “I don’t care about shit that happened a million years ago.”
Shyla quickly viewed the photos of the house that Nicole was showing her on her smartphone. “I’m sorry, girl, but your dream house looks very similar to our boss’s.”
Shyla knew what Kiara’s house looked like because she had gone out of her way to find it on the Internet.
“Oh, but it isn’t like hers . . . Kiara’s crib is nice, but mine is much more superior. The only thing missing is a private swimming pool.”
“Hmm, the only thing missing is a wife who is really in tune with her partner.”
“Say what you’re really trying to say.”
“If I were you, I would never put that type of financial pressure on my brand-new husband. He just paid for the wedding, reception, trip to the islands. Did you contribute any money toward those expenses?”
“Shyla, why would you even care? It’s not like we spending your money.”
“I know, but—”
“But what? I hate to say it, but I don’t like all this shade you’re throwing at me. You’re my girl. You’re supposed to have my back. Share in my joy. Not being in your feelings and throwing my ass under a bus every time I tell you something good that’s happened for me and my man.”
Shyla lapsed into giggles in an attempt to defuse the situation. “Girl, stop. You know I’m happy for you. I can’t wait to go shopping with you when you go to furniture showrooms.”
“Hmm. I don’t know if I believe you. In fact, if you really are a jealous-ass bitch, please let me know right now. Because if it’s not that, then what else could it be?”
“Nicole, stop. I am glad for you. I’m actually trying to seriously watch your back, since you’re too blind to see what’s really going on around you. That’s what happiness does,” Shyla remarked with a shrug. “It blinds you. Again, congrats on the gigantic new house.”
“That sounds like a shady-ass back-door compliment. I’m not really buying it, Shyla. Your mouth telling me one thing but your heart is feeling the opposite.”
“You’re still a newlywed, Nicole. I think your blinders are on big-time, and it seems you cannot see the forest for the damn trees.”
“What are you talking about now?”
“I’m talking about how you gotta crawl before you walk.”
“Oh, so you’ve been married a few months longer than me, and now you call yourself on some Dr. Phil shit?”
Nicole stood up. She’d had enough of feeling dumped on. “What’s this really about? Is it about the fact that Wesley recently lost his job and now y’all staying with his mama and her man? And you feel embarrassed, which is understandable because you went from living pretty well in that condo y’all had to that rat trap of a place you now live in. I’m truly sorry about how things changed for you. But that’s what happened in your marriage. It won’t be happening in mine.”
Shyla, who also was fed up, pointed a finger. “Hold up a sec. Look at who’s on some Dr. Phil shit now? Because not even you can predict what won’t happen in your marriage, girl. Shit happens. To all of us. And yeah, maybe God is trying to humble me. Because you couldn’t tell me nothing when Wesley and I moved into that wonderful condo and bought all that furniture and high-end appliances and curved screen TVs and all types of nonsense we thought we had to have but honestly couldn’t afford.” Shyla’s voice caught in her throat. “So you see, I know what it’s like to be on top of a mountain looking down on everyone else who’s in the valley. But it didn’t stop bad things from happening to me, and you can best believe I never thought it would.”
Humiliated and exhausted, Shyla collapsed in her seat. The pressures of life were getting to her, and she’d hoped that Nicole could be a friend who understood.
But Nicole felt that if Shyla was her friend, she’d keep things positive. Nicole believed that she and her husband could conquer any troubles that impacted their marriage, or else why even go through the ceremony? She allowed herself a few moments before speaking.
“Shyla, I don’t want to argue with you. And I’m really sorry that you and Wesley are going through a rough patch. But Rashad and I are different.”
“Really? What makes you two so different?”
“Because I believe in us. No matter what we face, our love will see us through.”
“I’m sure his first wife believed the same thing.”
“That’s a low blow.”
“It’s the truth. You might not like it, but you can’t argue with fact.” After an unreasonably long time, their orders were finally ready. Nicole went to the pickup window and was handed their food. She brought the chicken, sides, and drinks over to Shyla, who graciously accepted.
“Thanks, girl. I’m starving.” Shyla was so wiped out from fussing all she wanted to do was dig into her meal. The chicken thigh was so huge it looked like it was on steroids. But it tasted crunchy and salty and completely hit the spot. She enjoyed her lunch and engaged in small talk for a few minutes. But then Shyla grew quiet and sullen, almost losing her appetite. Nicole was smiling again, and her voice was filled with excitement.
“Girl, I already have ideas for the kitchen and the family room. I love the smell of fresh paint. Rashad will get some of his workers to come by and do all kinds of touching up and make our house feel like the home I’ve dreamt of having.”
Nicole went on and on. Shyla tuned her out, allowing herself time to think about what she wanted to say next. She knew her most recent actions probably confused and angered her friend. For it had been obvious that Nicole was stunned to see this other side of Shyla: a more contemplative and downright bitter side. But sometimes bitterness was where life led you after happiness and dreams got stolen. Shyla remembered how ecstatic and confident she felt when she first became engaged to Wesley. Life was filled with promise. And she couldn’t forget how the “engaged” Shyla Perry looked down on other single women in the office and constantly gave them unsolicited advice, something her coworkers despised. It was as if she’d written the blueprint to a happy married life. But now? The “married” Shyla Fallender felt horribly ashamed at how often she bragged on her relationship. She didn’t give advice because she was rooting for other women. She did it because it made her feel better about herself. But these days her proud words were reduced to dust, for she would die if anyone knew that she’d gone from a condo to the ghetto.
She sat and listened and drank a mouthful of her sweet cold lemonade. And when Nicole paused for a few seconds, Shyla spoke up: “Listen, Nicole, if you two are on a great path that’ll lead to everlasting happiness because for some reason y’all just so different than the rest of us mere mortals, then good for you. But I can only hope that what happened to your husband and his ex-wife will never happen to you. It’s always sad when a couple breaks up because a third party is involved.”
“What are you talking about? Why bring that up now? Didn’t you hear me when I said that I am not stuck on the past?”
“As the new wife you may not be, but trust me, Kiara is still hurt by it, even though she acts like she’s over it.”
“Oh. Well, I’m not really worried about all that. Plus, there was no reason for her to be hurt when she turned around and did her own husband wrong. And I think that’s why Rashad eventually left Kiara for me.”
Shyla nearly choked on her drumstick. “He what? Girl, you are tripping now.”
“When you think about it, Rashad picked me over her.”
“No. She kicked his ass out, remember? Because he was messing around with you. She didn’t want him anymore. That makes you the rebound wife. You’re the rebound.”
“I am not—”
“Nicole, even Alexis wasn’t dumb enough to want Rashad anymore after a
ll the mess he put Kiara through. I’ll bet that you weren’t even his first choice. No other woman would tolerate his cheating ways . . . except you.”
Shyla’s words hurt Nicole so much that she closed her eyes tightly to try to wipe out the memory of what she’d just said. Unbelievably poisonous words that could not be retracted. But what if Shyla’s accusations were more than jealousy? What if they were true? Nicole wanted to believe that in spite of their extramarital affair, Rashad truly cared for her. He’d gotten used to her. He learned to trust her and accept their love. After all, she reasoned, if he doesn’t love me, then why marry me?
“You know what, Shyla. I’ve never seen this side of you before, and I just think that because you are all of a sudden going through hell, it makes you lash out at those closest to you. You are taking out your frustrations on me. I get it. But I don’t like it. And I’m going to try hard to pretend like none of this has happened. Let’s change the subject.”
Nicole spoke her piece and was ready to resume eating, drinking, and talking about other topics, pleasant things that suggested she could be and always would be happy.
They ate in silence and observed a mob of people who had waited an eternity just to get their Frenchy’s fried chicken.
Shyla watched the people that were standing around. Could she just look at anyone and determine whether they were happy or miserable? Married or single? Did it really matter? At one time looking the right way at all times was something that greatly mattered to Shyla. But life had taken an unexpected turn and placed her on a bumpy path. Shyla looked Nicole squarely in her eyes. “Some days I wonder whether I should return to the single life. I think it was a lot easier than being married, if you really want to know the truth. I might be better off by my damn self.”
“Oh girl, please. You’re just saying that. You told me marriage wasn’t easy, and I know you’re not weak enough to give up.”
“It has nothing to do with being weak. It has everything to do with the way life is. To be honest, we started having financial troubles almost immediately after we got back from Central America. After going on our honeymoon and trying to pay the rent on our condo, I-I barely had enough money to be your matron of honor. In fact, Wesley advised me not to. He said we had our own bills to think about. He told me everything costs too much to try to support another woman and make her dreams come true. But no, I shut that nonsense down, and I told my husband—my husband—that I would be there for my best friend because I knew how important it was for you to have supportive people around you. I-I knew there’d be no one else . . . No one but me, a woman who will hee-hee and ha-ha with you, but when it’s time to keep it real and pull you to the side like a true friend should, you don’t wanna be hearing what I have to say. You’ve thrown your hand up at every good piece of advice I’ve offered. And because of that, I can predict where our relationship is headed. Nowhere! Sooo, Mrs. Eason, now that I know that you will not let me be the supportive friend that I’ve tried to be to you since day one, starting right now, consider me an ex-friend.”
“Wait a second,” Nicole sputtered. “Why are you just now telling me about the financial troubles and how you had to fight to be in my wedding? Girl, I had no idea—”
“You had no idea because you are one self-centered bitch who thinks that the world revolves around you and your husband, your daughter Eminence, and your everything. Nothing else matters to Nicole but Nicole. You did anything and everything you could to get a married man. That is why I’ve never let you be alone with Wesley, not even for a second . . . I was always scared I might be next.”
Evelyn Greene had always warned her daughter not to tell all her business to a female coworker. And now Nicole understood why. When Nicole used to tell Shyla about her and Rashad’s sex life, her friend would listen bug-eyed.
“So your conscience doesn’t bother you?” she’d ask.
“Hell, nah. It’s just sex. We’re doing things to make ourselves feel good. And if you knew how good he was at licking my pussy, you’d be like ‘Wesley who’?”
Shyla would smile and make little comments like, “You go, girl,” but now Nicole knew that Shyla was pretending all along. She thought her friend was a shameless whore who’d sleep with anyone’s man.
And right then Nicole was astounded at Shyla’s disclosure. “You thought I’d seriously fuck Wesley?”
“I sure did. Scared as hell to even let you have my man’s number. Women like you might try to sleep with your best friend’s man just for the hell of it.”
“Hell to the fucking, no. Take it back. Right now. For you to accuse me again of doing anything with Wesley is straight madness.”
“Is it the truth, though?”
“Shyla, c’mon, we’re better than this. We’re friends for life. And true friends don’t do friends any kind of way. You know I would never do anything like that to you. But I don’t know why you’re suddenly coming down on me like you’re my enemy.”
“Maybe because things aren’t always as they seem.”
Nicole’s eyes drew moisture just that quickly. “Shyla, are you trying to say you were never my real friend?”
“I was your friend, but certain things about you made me feel uneasy.”
“And now you tell me this? Have you been faking our friendship all along? Girl, I’ve trusted you with my secrets and all kinds of shit.” Nicole’s food was tasteless and she’d lost her appetite. Seriously arguing with a woman whom you considered your closest friend felt like pure misery.
“Nicole, I haven’t been fake. I was your friend. Your only friend.”
“That again. Shyla, just because you think you’re my only friend doesn’t give you the right to drag me to hell like you have. It hurts.”
“I don’t care about you being hurt.”
“If you don’t care whether or not you hurt me, then you’re selfish.”
“And what if I am?”
“Then you’re also one ungrateful bitch.”
“Who are you calling a bitch, bitch? If anything, you are the ungrateful one. Who else at that job deals with your stupid ass except me? Everyone else laughs at you behind your back. And no one trusts you around their man, either. I used to defend you, but now I see why other chicks don’t like you. You’re stupid enough to try anything to get what you want. Now, that’s the definition of selfish. I hope Rashad wakes up one day and sees you for the tramp bitch you really are.”
With animosity on her face, Shyla whirled around and nearly tripped over a little child as she rushed out of the restaurant.
A red-faced Nicole sat down and tried to finish eating. But with every bite, her chicken tasted like dirt. And dirty was exactly how she felt.
* * *
Alexis’s hands shook as she held the leasing agreement. Varnell peered over her shoulder.
“Go ahead,” he told her in a gentle voice. “Sign and date it.”
“I know. I will—”
“But?”
Alexis shrugged, took a deep breath, and quickly scribbled her name. She handed the leasing agent a cashier’s check as her deposit.
“Thank you, Alexis. We will get the apartment ready and will give it a nice fresh coat of paint and some new carpet. It will be ready on the twenty-sixth.”
“That gives me a few days to locate a mover.”
“You don’t have to even worry about that, sweetheart,” Varnell assured Alexis. “I got a big pickup, remember?”
“Yeah, of course. I’m so excited I almost forgot.” Alexis stood up and walked alongside Varnell as they approached her Benz.
He opened her door, then he went around and sat in the driver’s seat.
Alexis leaned back and sighed. “I’m finally growing up and it’s about damn time. It took me a minute to strike out on my own. But I’m finally doing it. I know my mama is counting the seconds till I’m out of her house.”
“She may fuss and all, but I’m sure she’ll miss your presence.”
‘She’s going to miss th
at money I’ve been giving her, but hey, I can’t do it anymore. I will have to pay my own rent, pay the electricity, buy my groceries.” She gave Varnell a worried look.
“Don’t even sweat it, love. You know I’m here for you, to help you in whatever way you need.”
“I’m glad you said that. Because you know I want you there with me when the court finalizes the adoption.”
Although Alexis McNeil was Hayley’s biological mother, after the girl was born she’d allowed her half sister, Glynis, to care for her. But a couple of years later, when Glynis died unexpectedly, Alexis felt ready to legally claim her daughter. She requested full custody, which meant that a judge had to override any previous decisions regarding Hayley. “Wow!” Alexis felt overwhelmed by all of her life’s recent changes. “So many important things are going on at once. And the year has only just begun.”
Varnell squeezed her hand. “You’ve been through a lot, young lady. And the best is yet to come.”
Alexis beamed at him and relaxed as he started the ignition. They sped off toward the freeway. Varnell agreed to assist Alexis in selecting the furniture she would need for her new apartment. They ended up at a store off the Katy Freeway.
Walking through the front entrance, Varnell wrapped his arm around Alexis’s waist. She felt the warmth of his body. She wondered how much longer he would wait with her not being intimately involved with him. Alexis adored sex. She’d lie in her bed at night thinking about sex. But she wanted to do things differently with Varnell and try to hold off as long as possible. Alexis tried to act casual and talk in a light tone as they perused bedroom sets and mattresses.
She saw a queen-size mattress and dashed toward it. She jumped on top of it and attempted to bounce up and down. “What you think?”
“Hey, that’s all on you. If it feels good, you need to make that decision.”
“Yeah, but maybe one day you would come over to my house after a long day at work, and maybe you’d be good and tired and you might want to lie down and get you some rest. You need to be able to feel comfy in my bed, too.”
