Millionaire Wives Club

by Tu-Shonda Whitaker

  Evan stood there for a moment before walking down the hall and through the French doors to the back of the property. The buzz she’d acquired from her nightly cocktail of Vicodin and alcohol slowly faded away. She walked to the edge of the ocean, the crescent moon bathing her back; she continued to walk out into deeper waters until the bottom began to dance from beneath her feet. Not wanting to venture too far, Evan turned around and headed back toward the shore. Once she’d returned to the pebble-laced sand Evan studied how the moon scribbled calligraphy on the rising water and marveled at what it would be like to be buried in such beautiful waves.

  Jaise

  “I have reached a point in my life,” Jaise spoke into the camera, as she placed clear tape over the opening of a cardboard box she had marked SALVATION ARMY, “where I don’t tolerate nonsense from men.” She stacked the box on top of another. “You see,” she said, taking a deep breath, “when you’re cried out and you realize you deserve better, it becomes a cakewalk for you to move on.”

  Jaise stopped talking and seemingly out of the blue started singing Aretha Franklin’s “Respect.” It wasn’t necessarily her jam; it’s just that she was spitting out so much bullshit, that she was losing her train of thought.

  Jaise pushed back the custom drapes in her living room and watched the sprinkling of snow falling from the sky. “I’m thinking of buying a home in Scotland. I hear the winters there are fantastic,” she said for no rhyme or reason other than to say something that sounded ridiculous and expensive.

  The phone rang just before she could make her next unsolicited comment. She quickly looked at the caller ID: Trenton. Her heart raced and her palms began to sweat. Immediately she knew she needed to be calm and hold a decent conversation. No going off and no cussin’. She went to reach for the phone just as Jabril raced into the room. “This chump is on the phone!”

  “Alright, Jabril, he is still an adult. Show some respect.”

  “Yeah, ai’ight, you want me to tell him you cold on his mark ass or you wanna cuss him out for yourself?”

  “Don’t start minding my business.”

  “See, I told you he would be back.”

  “It’s just a phone call.”

  “Yeah, right, all I know is if I wake up in the morning to take a leak and see an extra toothbrush it’s gon’ be a situation.”

  “Give me the phone.” Jaise snatched it from Jabril’s hand.

  Jabril stood there while he and the cameras watched Jaise closely. She turned her back to them and spoke into the phone, “Hello?”

  “What the fuck,” Trenton snapped instead of saying hello. “What was all of that?!”

  “That was my son telling you that this is over, we’re through. We need some space.”

  “Yeah,” Jabril said in the background, “a lot of it.”

  Jaise covered the receiver. “Don’t you have something to do, Jabril? It’s Saturday, go outside.” She reached for her purse and took a hundred-dollar bill out. “Go do something.”

  “I thought I was on punishment.”

  “Go!”

  “Yeah, ai’ight,” Jabril said as he walked backward out the front door.

  Jaise returned to her phone conversation. “What did you just say, Trenton?”

  “You heard me. Never mind your disrespectful-ass son, why would you call my phone and leave me all kind of crazy-ass messages about coming to get my shit or you’re donating it?”

  “You know why.”

  “So what are you saying, Jaise? You really want us to be over, you really want me to go? Because I will and you know it. Here I was feeling bad about you seeing me at a business meeting with Katoya, hoping and praying that you didn’t think that the brunch date was more than what it was, and when I wake up and make up my mind to call you and explain, I check my voice mail and you’re acting like a psycho.”

  Jaise was boiling on the inside; she was beyond sick of his lies. “I’m no damn psycho! And you’re lying.” Jaise knew her intentions were to stay calm, but fuck it, all bets were off. “You were at brunch with that skanky bitch, and I know you’re fuckin’ her!”

  “You’re delusional.” He laughed.

  “Oh, I’m delusional, so how come when I texted you, you told me you were sleeping and I was in the back of the restaurant watching you kiss that trick in the palm of her hand?”

  “First of all she’s French, and that’s how they greet one another!”

  “That bitch’s name was Katoya. Her ass is from the goddamn hood! Liar!”

  “Well, if I’m lying and you seem to know the story from beginning to end, then why should I keep talking? You seem to have it from here.”

  “Trenton, please.”

  “And here I just came back from taking my mother to church and was on my way over there.”

  “It’s Saturday.”

  “So, she goes to prayer meeting on Saturday, your point?”

  “You know what. I don’t have time for this. Your ass was caught, and instead of you being a man and admitting it so we can work through this, you act as if I’m a fool, like I don’t have eyes. Like I don’t have feelings! Like I’m just supposed to sit back and tolerate this shit!”

  “Look, I don’t have to lie to you. And the truth is if that’s what you thought, then that says to me that you really don’t trust me and maybe, hell, maybe I need to be gone for good and give you some space to think. Your son certainly didn’t make it a secret that he wants me gone. So maybe I need to take the hint and leave.”

  “All I said is that we needed to talk about this,” she said evenly, doing her best to control her emotions.

  “Talk about what? I told you it was business, but the truth of the matter is, yeah, I was attracted to Katoya. I noticed that she was nice looking but I felt drawn to her because I love you so much and you’re stressing the hell out of me. You don’t trust me and you’re constantly accusing me. It’s as if you don’t appreciate who I am. With as much money as I have I can have whatever woman I want, but I chose you. But you … you cause me grief and I didn’t feel that with Katoya. She made me laugh, made me feel appreciated, and she certainly didn’t make it a secret that our relationship could’ve been more than business. But do you know what I did and what I said to her? I told her I loved you, and look what I get in return? Nagged.”

  Jaise rubbed her temples. “You should’ve gone to church with your mama so you could stop lying.”

  Trenton snorted. “I rebuke you, Satain!”

  “Yeah, you’re just the person I need to come and lay hands on me.”

  “See.” He paused. “This is the bullshit that keeps me from proposing. The moment I think I can build a life with you, you act ridiculous. I’m over here being honest with you and you’re calling me a liar. I mean, really, where are we going with this?”

  “I can’t believe how you’re turning this around and blaming me when you’re the one who owes me the explanation.”

  “I don’t owe you an explanation. Didn’t you tell me I had until noon to get my things? So as far as I can see what you’re telling me is that we’re not together, so it doesn’t matter.”

  “It doesn’t matter?” she said dubiously.

  “Exactly,” Trenton said for confirmation. “You said it, I didn’t. So, you know what? I agree with you and Billy badass over there. I think this is indicative of us needing some space.”

  “Space?”

  “Yeah, your mistrust of me is really getting to me and I can’t deal with it. I need a minute to catch myself. And since you say that I’m with somebody else, three’s a crowd. So, I’ma do my thing and you do yours. You have a son and you need to get him together before you start trying to change me.”

  Before Jaise could comment her doorbell rang. She was so caught up in the mixture of hurt, pain, and pisstivity of what Trenton had just said that she didn’t think twice about snatching the door open without asking who was there. She simply assumed it was the Salvation Army, so she pointed to the boxes without ev
er looking up.

  Jaise continued on with Trenton. “Let me tell you something—”

  “I’m not doing this with you, Jaise,” Trenton said sternly. “Good-bye.” And he hung up.

  She immediately called back and his voice mail picked up. “I don’t believe this shit!” she screamed, throwing her phone across the room.

  “Ah, should … I come back?” a male voice floated over her shoulder. “Or do you welcome all your guests this way?”

  Jaise jumped. She’d forgotten that quickly that she’d let someone into her house. She anxiously turned around and noticed it was Detective Asante. “You scared me!” She folded her arms under her breasts.

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to frighten you.”

  “What are you doing here? He just left and he’s in trouble that quick?! I told him that he had one more chance and I was gon’ kick his ass all over this goddamn earth!”

  “Well—”

  “I tell you what, I hope you brought two pair of handcuffs because when I’m done busting him up, you gon’ need to charge me.”

  “Listen, your son isn’t in trouble that I know of.”

  “So what are you here for?” Jaise said, hating that her mind kept focusing on how fine the detective was, especially since she had just been dumped less than five minutes ago. There was no way she was this fuckin’ easy. Surely her constant dead ends with men hadn’t reduced her to being a floozy.

  “I just came to drop off an invitation to you. I run a youth empowerment group called Each One, Teach One—”

  “And?”

  “And I wanted to extend the invitation to your son. Every week we have someone different, usually a hip-hop star, come and talk to the group about being positive, staying focused, and believing in dreams.”

  “Umm-hmm.” She looked at him suspiciously. “Do you drop by everyone’s house that you arrest and let them into your community activism? What you tryna get credit for, lowering the recidivism rate? Or is this a tax write-off?”

  “Run that past me again.”

  “Understand this: Jabril is not going back to jail, and just because I’m doing this million-dollar housewives shit”—she pointed toward the camera operators, who were smiling at the complete contradiction she was living—“doesn’t give you permission to come seek a donation from me.”

  Detective Asante shot Jaise a look that instantly let her know he didn’t appreciate her sarcasm. “I didn’t ask you for a donation.” He stepped into her space. “I wanted to inform you of something uplifting for your kid, because I felt like he needed it.”

  “He needed it? Do we look like we need uplifting?” She pointed around her house. “Do you see how well we live?”

  “And what does that mean when your son is out throwing illegal tantrums because he’s trying to get your attention?”

  “Don’t tell me about my son!” She pointed into the detective’s face.

  “Look, maybe this was a bad idea. I just thought you’d be interested in being part of the solution.”

  “Are you saying that I’m part of the problem?” Jaise placed her hand on her hip.

  “I’m saying you need to lighten up.” He stepped closer to her.

  “Excuse you, Detective?”

  “Why are you so tense—?”

  “How about you arrested my kid. That’s enough for me to be tense.” She tossed her neck in motion.

  “What he did was illegal. He needed to be arrested. So you need to calm down.”

  Jaise fanned her face, and if it wasn’t for a sin and a shame she’d unbutton his shirt and run her hands through his chest hair. Jaise took a step closer to him and their eyes combed each other’s bodies.

  “Look” Detective Asante said as he quickly stroked her cheek, “no foul, no harm.” He took a step back. “But I will leave this with you. If you would stop being so tight and relax, then you might actually see when someone really means well.”

  “Well, who is that? Somebody looking for me?” A voice came from behind Detective Asante. Jaise looked up and Trenton was walking in her front door.

  “You don’t knock?” Jaise hated that her judgment was suddenly clouded.

  “You wanna introduce me to your friend?”

  “No.”

  “Oh,” Trenton said, taken aback, “so you don’t give me five minutes to be outta your life before I’m replaced?”

  “I don’t replace, I upgrade.” Jaise gave Trenton a snide smile. “Trenton, this is…” She pointed to the detective and suddenly realized she didn’t know his first name.

  “I’m Bilal.” Detective Asante shot Jaise a look and then held his hand out to Trenton. “How are you?”

  Trenton left Bilal hanging and looked at Jaise. “So you into gang members now. I see he has a gun on his hip.”

  Detective Asante laughed slightly. He walked over to Jaise. “Remember what I said.” He kissed her on the forehead before he turned to leave.

  A chill shot through Jaise’s body as she watched the detective disappear from her sight.

  “So what the hell was that?” Trenton snapped.

  As Jaise turned around, suddenly she felt on top again. Trenton seeing Bilal had melted him back into the palm of her hand. At least for this moment she could take a deep breath and relax. “I’m not dignifying that,” she said as she headed up to her bedroom with everyone following her.

  “What the hell do you mean? So were you seeing him this whole time? Have you been using me?” Trenton slammed the bedroom door in the camera crew’s faces.

  “Good question, Trenton,” Jaise said walking into her closet and pulling out a tight-fitting black spaghetti-strap dress and pumps. “Considering you’ve been using me.”

  Jaise stepped into the shower. She could hear him talking to her through the water and steam, but she ignored him, doing her all not to laugh.

  “You’re not going any-damn-where, Jaise!” Trenton demanded.

  “Oh yeah,” she said, stepping out of the shower, naked, with water dripping over her smooth brown skin. She could tell by looking into Trenton’s face as well as at the mountain rising in his pants that he was turned on. He walked over to her and held her hands. “Why are you doing this?” he asked softly against her neck and kissed her lightly. “I get it.” He kissed her collarbone. “I understand that you were hurt. And I know I acted like an asshole.”

  “Whatever, Trenton. You take me for granted and I’m tired of it.” She loved the way his roaming hands felt all over her body.

  “No, I care about you, I really do.” He caressed her breasts. “But I don’t want you to go. I want you to stay here with me and we’re going to work things out. Okay?” He eased down her belly and started sucking her inner thighs.

  Jaise could no longer take it. She was always weak when her pussy sat in Trenton’s face.

  “You gon’ leave?” He licked her soaking wet clit.

  Jaise didn’t respond and the only sound that could be heard was his tongue lapping between her thighs.

  “Answer me.” He sucked her clit, causing her knees to buckle.

  No answer, only moans.

  “You want me to stop?” He licked her melting cream.

  “No.”

  “You still want us to part?”

  Silence.

  “Answer me.” He licked.

  “No.” Her voice trembled.

  “And I don’t want you seeing that man again.”

  “Yes, baby,” she said as she started to cum. “Oh yes.”

  After Trenton licked, sucked, and ate Jaise’s cream he carried her to the bed, where he lay on top of her and pushed his dick in. Usually Jaise would wince from pleasure, but this time instead of feeling his sweet hardness all she felt was the weight of his body.

  He lifted Jaise’s legs over his right shoulder and she watched him pleasure himself while she thought about how she was falling back into the same black hole again. Suddenly she couldn’t breathe and she needed him to hurry up and finish so she could p
ut her mixed emotions and feelings in check.

  “Oh baby!” she screamed in an effort to hurry him along. “Get that pussy!” She watched his face contort as he stroked faster. “Damn, work that big dick. Shit, this dick is so big.”

  “It’s that big, baby?”

  “The biggest.”

  “Bigger than that niggah’s?”

  Jaise didn’t answer, because although she didn’t know, she doubted it. Besides, Trenton wasn’t the biggest; he was average. It was his money and the possibility that he would be able to help her maintain her comfortability that made his Johnson seem like a boulder. “Let me ride you,” she said.

  “Yeah, you wanna feel that dick, don’t you? Grrrr.” he growled, and Jaise curled her lip in disgust. She’d just fucked him the other day and she had no memory of his ever doing this. It was obvious he had his women confused; growling must’ve been what the other chick liked.

  They switched positions and within a matter of minutes of her bucking her hips, she looked into his face. “Grrr,” he growled again, and then as if God had finally answered her prayer the mountain deflated and a river of warmth was running between her legs.

  “If you would learn how to act, I would wait for you to cum sometimes,” he said as he rose from the bed and went into the bathroom.

  “Excuse me,” the Salvation Army worker said to Jabril as he walked up the brownstone stairs, taking two at a time, “do you live here?”

  “Yeah, why?”

  “We’re here to pick up a donation someone called us about earlier.”

  “Oh, I got you,” Jabril said as he opened the door and showed the worker where the packed boxes were. Trenton may not have lived there, but he had tons of things. Jabril smiled and even helped the worker tote boxes to the van and when he was done, he tipped him. “That’s for some needy family.” He smiled before returning inside to the entertainment room, where he grabbed the remote and flopped down on the couch. He placed his feet on the coffee table, channel-surfed, and started spitting a rhyme stuck in his head.

  Just then Trenton walked past him with a beer in his hand, no shirt on, and a pair of Joe boxers with smiling faces all over his ass. Jabril was speechless. Trenton walked over to the couch, sat down, and placed his feet beside Jabril’s on the coffee table. “Let me tell yo’ punk ass somethin’,” Trenton said. “I don’t like you. And when you get eighteen you leaving this motherfucker.” He pointed into Jabril’s face. “I’m the one hittin’ ya mama off, so I run this here spot. And the next time you get arrested I’ma make sure your mama leaves you there.”