Snapped (Urban Renaissance)

by McKinney, Tina Brooks

  “Undress, and put on this robe. The doctor will be in any moment.” The nurse handed me the robe and left.

  “Thank you.” I waited until the door was closed and started taking off my clothes. Once again I started praying. Sweet Jesus, please be with me through this process and make it all right. Please don’t let me be carrying the son or daughter of my husband’s brother. Amen. I got up on the table and waited for the doctor.

  “How are you doing, Mrs. Mills?” An Indian doctor came in the room. He was a small man.

  “I’d be better if I weren’t spread-eagle on this table in front of you.”

  He chuckled. “I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard that before.” He may have thought he was being funny, but I saw no humor in the situation.

  His nurse entered the room to assist him with the procedure.

  With his strong accent, he said, “This isn’t going to hurt, but it will be a little uncomfortable. I am going to place a catheter through the cervix and take a small tissue sample of the chorion villa cells for biopsy. CVS was used to find genetic disorders but it could also be used to determine the sex of the child. It should only take a minute, so please lie still.”

  “How long should it take to learn the results?”

  “The results are usually available within seven to ten days. I will have preliminary results within forty-eight hours, but they will not be one hundred percent accurate. Would you like those preliminary results e-mailed to you?”

  “Yes, I would.”

  “Okay, I will make a note to the file. It is common for women to experience mild uterine cramping. This may be slightly uncomfortable, but it is usually not painful. If you experience pain, contact me immediately.”

  “Okay.” I was feeling a lot better knowing that my mind would be at rest soon. Even if it wasn’t my husband’s child, I just had to know. The unknown was killing my joy.

  “You will be fine,” the doctor said.

  “Are there any restrictions on my part?” I asked this question as an afterthought. Since I felt no pain, I assumed there would be no worries.

  “It is recommended that you refrain from strenuous physical activity, heavy lifting, sitting in water—such as bath or pool—and sexual intercourse for approximately twenty-four to forty-eight hours. In addition, you should avoid the insertion of anything vaginally, including suppositories, for twenty-four to forty-eight hours.”

  “Aye aye, sir.”

  He spit out his orders to me as if he were a naval captain and I was on one of his boats, but I got it. I didn’t plan on doing shit. Hell, I didn’t have to. Merlin took care of everything at the house. I walked out of the doctor’s office feeling better than when I went in, because I knew that I would have an answer soon.

  “So, whose baby is it? Mine or his?” Gavin stood beside my car with an evil grin on his face.

  Immediately, my heart started beating faster. He was the last person on God’s green earth that I wanted to see, and I certainly didn’t want to see him today.

  “You need to get the hell away from me.”

  “Where is this animosity coming from, sis? I just want to know whose child you are carrying.”

  I didn’t hate many people, but I could honestly say that I hated Gavin. “None of your fucking business.”

  “Oh, I beg to differ, ’cause if it is my child—and I have the right to know—I will not allow anyone else to raise it other than me. Let’s be clear about that shit.”

  “Are you serious?”

  “As a heart attack.”

  My mind was spinning. The fact that he knew about my doctor’s appointment, when my own husband didn’t, spoke volumes. It was apparent that Gavin had been following me or had other insider information. That didn’t bode well for Merlin and me. I also knew that I couldn’t allow him to see me sweat.

  “I tell you what. If I find out that the child I am carrying does not belong to my husband, you can follow me right back here while I abort the bastard.” I got into the car and slammed the door.

  Outside the car, Gavin was acting an ass. I ignored him and pulled out of the parking lot. It unnerved me to know that he was following me. Initially, I had no intention of telling Merlin about the test, but I now knew I could not afford to keep it from him. He needed to know. And now that Gavin had showed his ugly face, the sooner I told him, the better.

  I pulled over to the side of the road and sent Merlin a text message: When you get a chance, I really need to speak with you.

  My phone rang back almost immediately, and I used my Bluetooth to speak with my husband.

  He said, “What’s wrong, baby?”

  This was not the way that I wanted to have this conversation, but I felt it was better if it came from me rather than Gavin. “Honey, I went to the doctor’s today to have a paternity test. I felt I owed it to you to make sure that I wasn’t carrying your brother’s child. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about it, but I wanted to be certain that this child is ours. I wasn’t trying to deceive you, but I didn’t want to worry you, either.” I started driving.

  “Baby, I fully understand what you did. I have had my doubts, but I’d already made up my mind to accept this child as my own, regardless of who the father is.”

  “You did?”

  “Yes. You’re my wife. You didn’t cheat on me, you got cheated.”

  “Oh my God! I’ve been so worried that you wouldn’t love me anymore if you found out that I wasn’t carrying your child.” I had to pull over to the side of the road again because the tears from my eyes blinded me.

  “Sweetheart, hush. It’s all a moot point.”

  “Wait, baby, you have to hear this. Gavin showed up at the doctor’s office. I don’t know how he knew that I was pregnant, but he asked if it was his. I think he has been following me.

  Merlin didn’t answer right away, and I could tell he was battling with his own emotions when he finally spoke. “I’ll deal with Gavin. Go home and get some rest.” His words had a bite to them that I was unfamiliar with.

  I could tell he was mad. “Are you okay, baby?”

  “Yeah, just go home. If he comes to the house, call me back.”

  CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE

  MERLIN MILLS

  “Son of a bitch.” The coffee cup that I had been holding in my hands shattered all over the floor. It wasn’t like me to lose control at work, but I felt like I had been pushed over the very edge of the earth. “How dare the fucker follow my wife.”

  “Specialist Mills, are you all right?” my job supervisor asked.

  “No, I’m not all right. I need to take a personal day starting right now.”

  “Report to the captain. I’m sure it can be arranged.”

  I had no doubt my request would be granted after the last Army soldier went ballistic and shot up half his camp, but I didn’t want to go out on a bad note. I went to find the captain. I had found her to be completely human the last time I had to speak with her.

  “Captain, I have a family emergency and I have to leave.”

  “At ease. Shut the door.”

  I turned and closed the door behind me. I didn’t want to take the time to explain the situation, but I also didn’t want to fuck myself in my haste to get off the base.

  Captain Jamison looked at me with genuine concern. “What’s going on, Specialist?

  I did some soul searching before I was ready to admit to the circumstances of this new emergency. “Captain, you’ve been more than just an officer with me. You have shown me true compassion since I’ve been on base and I appreciate it. However, my brother is trying to make a move on my wife, and I can’t let that happen. I thought he had moved on, but I found out a few minutes ago that he hasn’t. I need to handle this situation.” I could not bring myself to tell her that there was a good chance that the child my wife carried might not be mine.

  “Go handle your business. If you can’t make it tomorrow, call me.” She reached across her desk and gave me her personal card with her cel
l and house phone numbers on it.

  “Thank you, Captain. You don’t know how much this means to me.”

  “Yes, I do.”

  Our eyes locked for a second. She had told me her story, and I believed that she understood what I was going through.

  I rushed off the base, intent upon setting Gavin in his place once and for all. He must have really lost his mind if he thought for one minute that I was going to allow him to come into our life and ruin our marriage.

  I didn’t give a flying fuck if it was his child. He was going to leave my wife alone. I was so angry I almost ran my car into a truck in front of me that stopped suddenly. I stomped on the brake, causing myself to push up against the steering wheel.

  I drove over to my mother’s house so that I could talk to my brother. I really didn’t want to see him, but he wouldn’t answer the cell phone I had given him. When I pulled up to my mother’s apartment complex, I didn’t see his car or my mother’s. I was so far removed from her life, I had no idea what shift she was working.

  I sat in the car for several more minutes, hoping that one of them would show up, but it was to no avail. As a last-ditch effort, I wrote a note to my mother.

  Mother, I am trying to get in touch with Gavin. When he comes back, can you please have him give me a call on my cell? Better yet, if he shows up, could you please call me and I’ll come back over. What I have to say to him, I need to say it to his face and not onthe phone.

  Thanks for your help.

  Merlin.

  I wasn’t happy about this unexpected delay, but it was what it was. I would just have to wait and deal with my wayward brother later. Of course, this could have been a blessing in disguise because I really didn’t know how I would have reacted if I saw Gavin at this exact moment.

  With no other options, I drove home to comfort my wife.

  CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

  GINA MEADOWS

  I packed as many boxes and bags that I could fit into my car. It was so loaded, I could barely see out the windows. For the first time, I wished that Gavin were here so that he could help me and I wouldn’t have to make so many trips.

  “Shit, I should have rented a U-Haul truck.” As soon as the words left my mouth, I realized just how stupid it would have been because I had no idea how to drive a truck. All right, Lord, I’m just going to do this the best way I know how. I looked around for my purse. Once I found it, I locked the house up and took the long drive to Alpharetta. I started getting excited the farther I got away from the city. I was looking forward to the peace and quiet of the new neighborhood.

  When I arrived at the gated community, the guard waved me in. He had gotten used to seeing me during the construction phase of our home.

  He leaned out of the booth to speak with me. “Good afternoon, the door is open because some delivery men have already arrived with the furniture.”

  “Thanks, I’m just going to drop off some of my things and be out.”

  “No problem.”

  I was absolutely giddy when I pulled up in front of our new home. Leaving my purse in the car, I carried two boxes to the stoop before I tried the door. I walked into the foyer and marveled at how nicely the furniture that I picked out went with our living room.

  I bent over and pushed my boxes over to the corner. As I was standing up, a lady walked out of the kitchen. She appeared to be in her late twenties/early thirties. She smiled at me in a greeting manner, and I returned the smile.

  “I’m just dropping off a few boxes,” I said as I headed to the door.

  She didn’ t say anything, and it didn’t dawn on me to ask who she was. I went back to the car and grabbed a few more boxes. I was getting tired and sure would have liked to have had some help with all this lifting and shit. I practically dumped my next box of household items all over the white carpeting.

  “What company are you with?” she asked, still standing in the doorway of the kitchen.

  I started to tell her that it was none of her business, but I decided to be nice. “I’m not with any company. I live here,” I proudly announced.

  “Excuse me?” Her eyebrows rose significantly as she placed her hands on her hips.

  If I weren’t so tired, I might have noticed her defensive posture. “My husband and I are moving in over the next few weeks.” I knew I didn’t have to explain myself, but my exhaustion got my tongue to wagging. Plus, I was proud of our new accomplishment.

  “What’s your husband’s name?” Her tone was even and held no hint of attitude.

  “Ronald.” I turned around to go get some more boxes.

  “That’ s interesting.

  I didn’t know who this nosey bitch was, but she was starting to get on my nerves. “How so?”

  “Because this is my house and my husband just so happens to be named Ronald too.”

  It felt like the floor just rushed up and smacked me in the face. Before I knew it, I was face down on the carpet. I looked around to see who had pushed me, but there was no one else there but the lady, and she hadn’t moved. “There has to be a misunderstanding,” I stuttered. Surely Ronald did not play me like this. He wouldn’t be that heartless.

  “Oh, yeah, there is some misunderstanding. I think you made it.”

  I pushed myself off the rug trying to figure out what was really going on. I wasn’t upset because I knew there had to be a mistake. “How long have you been married?” I asked in a whisper.

  The woman practically glowed at the mention of her marriage. “Three months.”

  I staggered back. I needed to get out of that house before I did something that landed my ass in jail. I stumbled toward the door.

  “What are you going to do about these boxes?” She was pretty calm given that I had just barged into her house claiming ownership.

  “Keep them.” There was no way I was going back into that house after learning that Ronald had duped me again. It was inconceivable that he would treat me this way. As I drove away, I was numb and was operating the car on autopilot. I was so void of feeling I couldn’t even cry.

  “This is crazy. I mean, really crazy.” But I could not deny any longer what was placed right in my face. Ronald gave me his ass to kiss with a big-ass bow on it. I tried to remember every conversation that we’d had over the last few months, and he never gave me any indication that I wouldn’t be moving into the house with him. In fact, he kept saying we would be a happy family.

  How the hell were we going to be a happy family when he had some other heifer living with him? Hell, he even married her and that was something that he never did for me. I was having a hard time processing this information. It was all so bizarre.

  Why would he let me pick out the furnishing to a house I wouldn’t even be invited to? I was ready to call him and cuss his ass out, but I needed to pull myself together first. Over the years Ronald had done his dirt, but he’d never just thrown it in my face like he did today. I dealt with the cheating, the long-distance relationship, and the money he hoarded, but when it was all said and done, I felt confident that he loved me on some level. It hurt me more than anything to know that he married this woman after stringing me along for damn near twenty years.

  Hell, as far as I was concerned, I was his wife. I thought he felt the same way. I was trying to get up the energy to go into the house, but I just didn’t have the strength. I looked at all the boxes lining my car and felt like screaming.

  “This is some Jerry Springer bullshit.” I looked toward my door and saw a note attached to it. It had to be from Ronald. He’s was going to tell me it was a sick joke and that we were all right. Suddenly energized, I quickly undid my seatbelt and rushed to the front door to get the note. My blood was rushing through my veins. I thought my heart was going to leap right out of my chest. I snatched the note from the door and read the opening line, hoping for the best.

  It read: Mother, I am trying to get in touch with Gavin–

  I crumbled the note without reading anything further. I used my key to open the
door before I started crying on my front stoop. My hand was trembling so badly, I could barely get the key in the lock. I leaned against the door to keep from falling. When the lock finally unlatched, I fell into the house and landed on the floor. I kicked the door shut.

  “I’m going to lay here until I feel better.” The tears came, and I was happy that I had been able to hold them back until I was alone.

  CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN

  GAVIN MILLS

  Damn, things hadn’t gone anything like the way I’d planned. I was back in my car, speeding to my apartment to regroup. I could not believe I had underestimated the effect I would have on Cojo when I showed up at her doctor’s appointment.

  Shit, I thought she would’ve been happy to see me, especially since her own husband hadn’t taken the time to come himself. Women are such a fickle group. Half the time you’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t. I should have been getting some rest for my shift tonight. Instead, I took my precious time to let Cojo know I was there for her and our baby, but she acted like I had stepped in shit and tracked it all over her carpet.

  I slipped into my room as quickly as I could. I didn’t want to get too close to my neighbors. The less they saw of me, the better. It was not my plan to live in this dingy one-bedroom apartment for long. As soon as I could get Cojo to see I was the better man, I planned to move in with her. She needed a real man, and I was more than enough for the job.

  Hell, I was even wearing the lucky Polo shirt that I’d taken from Merlin’s closet, and she didn’t even notice. I said it was my lucky shirt because every time I wore it, the women and shims just threw panties at me. I could not understand why Cojo resisted her inner instincts.