My Brother's Wife 2: What The Heart Wants

by Mona

  “She’s in one of the other mediation rooms with Imani,” Edward replied.

  “Imani?” Arianna questioned.

  “My new lady friend,” Edward clarified.

  “I told you about her, remember?” Andre reminded her.

  She then nodded her head and vaguely recalled who Imani was. “Oh, okay,” Arianna said.

  “Okay, guys, have a seat. You need to be seated to deal with what I’m about to tell you.”

  “Nah, I’ll stand. Go ahead, Ed, tell them. Because I swear I’m about to loose it,” Desmond suddenly said.

  “Aight, what the fuck is going on?” Andre looked between Edward and Desmond. Arianna and Malachi looked on with curiosity, waiting for Edward to deliver the news.

  “Okay, so, Dre, I did what you asked me to do. I did some digging on Jason trying to make sure Ava had a higher chance of winning custody of the baby, right?”

  “Aight, and?” Andre questioned. He was beginning to feel impatient.

  “Well, I found something out about Jason. Something he confessed to his lawyer. It was also his reason for leaving Ava at the altar. Something he confessed only because he found out a secret on Ava that he figured would help him win the case. A secret that caused her to lose custody of the baby.

  “Yo, Ed just fucking tell me, now!” Andre yelled in frustration.

  Edward walked over, stood directly in front of Andre, and looked him in the eyes. “The night before their wedding, Jason found out he was HIV positive,” Edward said slowly to him.

  Arianna gasped in shock and fell into the closest chair to her. Malachi and Desmond rubbed their hands over their faces. Andre, however, was out the door before Edward even completed the word positive.

  “Yo, Dre, hold up!” Desmond darted out the door and down the hallway. Malachi and Edward followed suit as Arianna remained seated in the chair, too stunned to move, however, little did she know, more stunning news would follow.

  “Dre! Dammit, Dre!” Edward attempted to stop him from doing something foolish. Andre ignored the desperate calls for his name as he frantically made his way down the hallway towards the Family Division Courtroom. As if on cue, or some might even say bad timing, Jason appeared from inside the courtroom, along with his attorney.

  “Dre!” Desmond yelled again. The call of Andre’s name caught Jason’s attention. As he turned in that direction, he was roughly grabbed by his suit jacket and slammed against the wall.

  “Oh my goodness!” Jason’s attorney gasped in horror as Jason closed his eyes. He winced from the excruciating pain he felt on the back of his head. As he reopened his eyes, he quickly noticed the rage in Andre’s. As quiet as it was kept, he always feared Andre, but he would never admit it or let it show. Anyone who knew Andre was fully aware he played no games when it came to his sister or the ones he loved. Jason witnessed that first hand since him and Ava started dating at the age of seventeen. Fear of Andre and what he would do was one of the reasons he kept such a dreadful secret of having HIV, however, the biggest reason of them all was Ava. He loved Ava, more than she may ever know. Ava was the reason he even made it to college and was drafted into the NBA.

  He and Ava met their senior year of High School, when she was chosen by the school Guidance Counselor to tutor him in the subjects he was failing, which was all of them. He was given one ultimatum by the team coach, and that was to bring his grades up or forget about basketball.

  Basketball was his life. It was the one thing he was great at, which was why failing and getting kicked off the team was not an option for him. So, with the help of Ava he passed with flying colors, went on to college and off to the NBA. Ava was by his side every step of the way. He loved the hell out of her, however, the dark side of fame reared its ugly head. As money and celebrity status rolled in, so did the groupies. As the groupies and the money hungry bitches rolled in, Jason’s common sense rolled out. He made foolish and stupid mistakes. Mistakes that caused him his health and he would have rather died than to inflict the same fate upon Ava. Instead of telling her the truth, he took the coward way out and just left. He hated leaving her at the altar that way, but he didn’t have the heart to tell her the truth and there was no way he was able to still marry her and continue putting her life at risk. Although he was dead wrong, Ava’s actions afterwards were ten times worse as far as he was concerned.

  “Nigga! What…the…fuck…did…you…do!” Andre yelled in Jason’s face through clenched teeth.

  “Dammit, Dre! Let go of him, man!” Edward yelled at as he, Desmond and even Malachi attempted to pry Andre’s grip from Jason’s suit jacket. “Dammit, Dre! Let him go. Are you fucking crazy? You going to attack him in a damn courthouse, right across from the damn jail, not to mention you still have an assault and battery charge pending,” Edward reminded Andre.

  “Yo, Dre, c’mon, man, let him go,” Desmond stressed.

  Andre had such a tight grip on Jason’s suit jacket, it was damn near impossible for Desmond and Edward to loosen it.

  “Nah, I’m not letting his ass go until he explains himself.”

  “Oh my God, Dre, baby, please let him go. He’s sick, Dre,” Arianna appeared and grabbed hold of his hands and slowly managed to remove his grip off of Jason.

  “Are you okay?” Jason’s attorney asked. Jason ignored her as he adjusted his shirt and tie.

  “Get the hell off of me, Dre. Ava is wrong in this too,” Jason said calmly as everyone glared at him in confusion.

  “Nigga, what the hell do you mean my sister is wrong?” Andre asked as he edge closer to Jason.

  Edward, Desmond and Malachi held him back as Ava suddenly made her way towards them. Her eyes were blood shot red and were slightly swollen. “Dre, wait,” Ava hugged Andre and then Arianna. “I knew,” she confessed in a voice above a whisper.

  “Ava…” Arianna said her name in a soft tone.

  Ava cleared her throat as tears formed in her eyes. “About three weeks before our wedding, I suggested that Jason and I take an HIV test. The results came in a week before the wedding. I excitedly opened my envelope and read my results and it read I was negative. I remember Jason was about to open his envelope, but I received a phone call from the wedding planner and somehow we got side tracked. I forgot all about his test results. It completely slipped my mind. After he left me at the altar, I went home that night. All his things were gone, but I came across a yellow envelope in one of his bottom draws. He must have forgot it. Anyway, I opened it and there were his results. I was so shocked and embarrassed that I just didn’t know how to tell you guys. I also wasn’t ready for anyone to know. Even though I was negative, there was always that possibility my negative status could change, so I went into denial mode. That’s why I never confronted him. Confronting him meant coming into terms with his sickness and the fact I could end up sick too. But two months later, I discovered I was pregnant. I went to my doctor and confessed to her. When she told me it was a possibility that my baby could still be at risk just as I was, I decided to leave to go get ARV treatment and supervision,” Ava confessed with a sigh.

  “How could you not tell us about this, Ava?” Andre asked in disbelief.

  “Because, there’s a part of her that’s selfish, self- absorbed and vain. That’s why,” Jason stared at her with a mixture of cold and sad eyes. Although he loved Ava, and there was an amazing and loving side to her, there were other sides to Ava that were sometimes too much to bear. Ava was spoiled and high maintenance, in every sense of the word. She demanded your attention in every way imaginable. Financially, emotionally, mentally and physically. Being Ava Aeikan’s man and even her husband, was a challenge in itself, however, she was there for him when he needed her the most and for that he would always be grateful and love her for it, but he was highly upset with her for giving their son up for adoption.

  “Mothafucka, you left her not knowing in the past two years if her negative status for the sickness turned positive, but she’s self – absorbed?” Desmond questioned Ja
son as Malachi and Andre shook their heads.

  “I kept tabs on her in the last two years,” Jason confessed as he and Ava’s eyes locked. “I couldn’t just leave her hanging without making sure she was straight. However, I wasn’t prepared for her to leave town. When she did that, the person I had keeping tabs on her wasn’t prepared either so they lost track of her. I was unable to find out why she left for eight months and I didn’t know where she went. She did a pretty good job of covering her tracks. Once she came back, I found out she was still getting tested every four months and that she was still negative. Then, I recently found out about our son.”

  “Yeah, how the hell did you find out about her getting tested every four months, Jason? That type of information is confidential,” Edward, questioned.

  “Same way you found out I was HIV positive, Edward,” Jason replied sarcastically.

  Andre charged at Jason once again but was held back by Desmond and Malachi.

  “About a month and a half ago, I found out about our baby and the fact that she gave him up for adoption. Who the fuck does that? She not only never told me she was pregnant, but she gives birth without anyone knowing, and then just hands him over to strangers because she was too fucking selfish and vain to care for a baby who she thought was still at risk, despite the fact the doctors told her he wasn’t. And what if he ended up being positive? You would just abandon your child because he’s sick?” Jason continued stared at Ava.

  “Oh my God, Ava, is this true?” Arianna asked.

  “Hell yeah it’s fucking true. She’s unfit to be a mother. What kind of mother does that? An unfit one, that’s who the fuck does that. Which is why I’ve been awarded temporary custody of my son until we go back to court in six months.” Jason glared at her for a moment before slightly smirking. “I’ll see you on Sunday for your first supervised visit”, he said to her.

  Ava stared back at him with cold eyes. Without warning, she spit in his face, which he immediately attempted to wipe off. “I fucking hate you. You hear me?” Her voice cracked with emotion. “I regret the day I ever met you,” she added as the tears fell from her eyes.

  Chapter Eleven

  Four days Later: (Friday Evening)

  Andre & Arianna’s Home

  “How’s Ava doing?” Rolonda asked Andre.

  “She’s been locked in her bedroom for the past four days since we came back from court. She hasn’t come out once,” Andre replied.

  “Laawd Jesus,” she held her chest in a dramatic manner. “She hasn’t come out to eat either?” She asked.

  “Nope. She won’t open the door for anyone. Not even Arianna.”

  “This is not good. Let me go see if she’ll open up for me,” Rolonda said.

  “Aight,” Andre sipped his Coke and Hennessey.

  As Rolonda headed towards the door, she stopped and studied him. He was stretched out in one of the lounging chairs on the second floor balcony. Andre had been a second son to her and she truly loved him as a son. He had been a true life saver these past twenty years that Malachi had been gone, and for that she would always love and feel grateful towards him. It was hard for her to see him and Malachi at odds. She had some news along with a few secrets from the past that could tear them further apart, or it could possibly bring them back together. If it was up to her, she would take such secrets to the grave, but Ian insisted on confessing everything; as well as Patrice, who threatened to tell all.

  Once Ian confessed to Andre that he was in fact his biological dad, he suddenly felt the urge to confess two more secrets, which involved leaving her no choice in the matter. Instead of making her exit, she made her way back to Andre.

  “Are you okay?” She eyed his drink.

  “Yeah, why?” He took another sip.

  “I asked because I’ve noticed that you’ve been drinking more than you usually do,” she replied.

  “Yeah, well, I’m not an alcoholic, if that’s what you getting at. Just been a little stressed, but don’t worry, I’m good,” he admitted.

  She eyed him once more, not fully convinced that he was okay. “Have you spoken to your father?”

  Andre looked her way as he spoke slowly. “My father is the man who’s buried six feet under as far as I’m concerned. Now, if you’re referring to the nigga who came out of the blue claiming he’s my father, nah, I haven’t spoken to him. He keeps calling me and leaving voice messages, which by the way I would appreciate it if you can tell him to stop since you and him seem chummy these days. By the way, how did you meet him? One minute he’s suppose to be my client, the next minute the nigga shows up with you to my birthday party, talking about he’s my biological dad and shit.”

  “I…uuhm… it’s a long story, Dre. Now, if you’re okay with him being here tomorrow for Loretta’s birthday dinner, he’ll explain everything to you and answer any questions you may have,” Rolonda explained. “Okay, Dre?” she asked him as she looked at him closely.

  “Yeah sure, why the fuck not. I’m curious to hear the part of his dealings with my mom, since he claims he’s my father. That’s the only reason I’m willing to hear him out. But I swear it better not be no bullshit about my mom or that’s his ass.” Rolonda shook her head as she studied him a moment longer.

  “How are you and Arianna doing?” Rolonda asked him.

  He smirked and looked up to the sky. “We doing great,” he replied sarcastically. “We doing so damn great, I’m still sleeping in the guest room.”

  “Yeah, well, Andre, not to get in your personal business, but the fact that you’re still sleeping in the guest room is all on you. You’re the one who’s holding back on her. It’s clear, despite what happened between her and Mal, she chose you and she wants to be with you.”

  Andre laughed as he looked Rolonda’s way. “She’s chose me, huh? She wants to be with me, huh?” Andre questioned sarcastically. “You wanna know what I’ve noticed in the past week or so when I look at her?” He asked.

  “What?” Rolonda looked at him with curiosity. “I notice a confused woman; a woman who don’t know what the fuck she wants anymore. A woman who keeps claiming she loves me, but in the same breath tells me old feelings have resurfaced for Malachi. A woman who claims she loves me and wants to be with me but feels the need to send my sister to go check on Malachi for her and to call you and check up on him. A woman, who instead of trying to work on our marriage feels the need to go behind my back and set up sessions for Malachi with her therapist. Yeah, she chose the hell out of me,” Andre expressed in a sarcastic tone.

  Rolonda stared at him with a look of guilt, wondering how the hell he knew Arianna referred Dr. Field to Malachi. “Dre—” she began to say, but instead was cut off by Andre.

  “Don’t ask me how I know Ava went to go see him for her or how I knew she referred her therapist to him. Just know from now on I’ll make it my business to know every goddam thing that goes on because the women in this family loves to keep secrets and shit,” he sipped his drink once more.

  Rolonda looked at him for a moment longer before heading towards the door. Before making her exit, she turned to Andre. “Andre, she wasn’t trying to do anything sneaky behind your back. She was concerned and felt the need to help. You beat him up pretty bad and his Delusional Disorder became worse. He finally realized he needed help. Arianna just wanted to help him. He’s been so much better since he’s seen the therapist. That’s all it is, Dre. She loves you and she chooses you,” Rolonda pleaded with him.

  “No disrespect, Mama Ro, but there’s nothing you can do or say to convince me to feel any different than I’m feeling. And I also can’t help feeling that secretly, you’re rooting for your son,” he concluded as he stared at her.

  “That’s not true, Dre,” Rolonda said as Andre continued looking at her.

  “This conversation is over, Mama Ro,” leaned his head back on the lounge chair and closed his eyes. Rolonda shook her head once more and made her exit.

  Later that night

  “Kite
m’ pou kont yo oubyen mwen pral rele lapolis la sou ou! Kite m’ pou Kont!” Angeline yelled into her phone in her native language. She then clicked the end button on her phone, shut it off and threw into her purse. As she attempted to ring the doorbell, the door to Andre and Arianna’s home flew open. Standing there was Andre and Desmond.

  “You aight, Angie?” Andre asked.

  “Yes, why?” she stepped inside the home.

  “Because, we could hear you yelling down here all the way up on the balcony,” Desmond moved closer to her. “Who was that on the phone?” He asked her as he balled up his fist, waiting for her to answer. Truth was, his feelings for her were deeper than she thought, but he wasn’t ready to admit that to her yet. As childish as it may be, he preferred for her to reveal her feelings first. He knew Angeline had a crush on him and it was rather cute, but he brushed it off. He simply felt it was nothing more than a physical attraction, because for years he felt he wasn’t even her type. As long as he could remember, she was attracted to Caucasian males or preppy types, and although Desmond was educated, his demeanor and swag was more so on the street/hood side. Since meeting her as kids, when she was twelve years old, there was always an unspoken awkwardness between them. He occasionally caught her staring at him, but she never said much. If he didn’t know better, he would have said she crushed on him back then.

  Despite that, there was still a friendship. A smile here, a smile there, hello and good-bye hugs when she came to visit from her home town of Miami Florida, and the upmost respect she always gave Candace. As adults, their friendship grew along with Angeline’s attraction, and as quiet as it was kept, so did Desmond’s attraction, however, their complicated status stood in their way of exploring a possible relationship. Desmond, spent years secretly mourning Candace. Although, he had sexual relations with women, he built a wall around his heart that no one was able to tear down, no matter how hard they tried, and there were a few.