I closed the letter and reached for the phone to see if Mackenzie was still with Nanny B. When she told me Scorpio had come to get her at eight o’clock, I slammed down the phone. Full of anger, I threw the phone against the wall and fell back on the bed.
“Damn!” I yelled out loud. “I’ll be motherfucking damned!”
Chapter 14
Nokea
My dinner plans with Pat had already been made. She wanted to meet at Applebee’s on Lindbergh so we could catch a movie at James-town Mall afterward. I wasn’t sure if she would still want to go to the movies after I told her about Chad, but I had put off talking to her long enough.
She’d blamed my sudden distance from her on Jaylin coming back into my life. I hoped she wouldn’t blame my distance on my inability to converse with her about my relationships with Jaylin and Stephon, but at some point, I started to feel embarrassed by the whole thing. I wanted those days to be behind me, and the less I talked about it, the better. Still, I just couldn’t face her after what Chad had done to me. More so, I couldn’t face him, and I knew that being at her house would make me uncomfortable.
When I got to Applebee’s, Pat was already waiting for me at a table. She smiled and stood to hug me. As we embraced, I closed my eyes and swallowed. I felt devastated about what I had to do.
“Say, Miss Thang,” she said. “Good to see you. Have a seat so we can catch up on things, since Jaylin’s been taking all my time away from me.”
“Pat, you know it’s not even like that. I have never put Jaylin before you.”
“Please. Yes, you have and you know it. Don’t make me sit here and go there.”
“Okay, maybe I have. But you know I love you, don’t you?”
“Of course I do. That’s why I ain’t tripping.” She laughed. “Anyway, how’s my baby doing? I didn’t even get a chance to see him on his birthday and I was crushed.”
“Well, you know it was big Jaylin’s birthday too. Nanny B had a get-together at his house, and afterward, Jaylin and I spent the night at the Ritz.”
“Yeah, I know. I remember you telling me, but how can you still sleep with him, Nokea? He is trifling. I mean downright, straight-up trif—”
“Pat, please don’t talk about him like that. Jaylin has many good qualities, too. Besides, I didn’t come here to listen to you tear him down. I came here to have a nice dinner with my best friend, and to talk to you about something I’ve been holding back on telling you.”
“Fine. I won’t talk about the ho-bitch and please, please, don’t tell me you’re pregnant again. I don’t think I’ll be as excited for you as I was the first time.”
“Pat, what is up with your attitude? No. I’m not pregnant, but if I were, you’d be the last person I would tell right about now.”
“Look, Nokea, I’m sorry.” She took a sip of water. “Something has been bugging Chad and he won’t tell me what it is. I know my husband better than anybody, and I can sense when something ain’t right. When I ask him what’s wrong he just blows me off like it’s nothing. Anyway, I don’t want to spend the day talking about these crazy men in our lives. What’s been on your mind, girl?”
I took a few sips of my water to avoid eye contact with her. “Has the waiter come to the table yet?”
“Yes, Nokea. But what is it? I can tell you’re starting to beat around the bush.”
“Did you order for us?”
“Nokea?”
“Okay. I know . . . but this is so hard for me to say.”
“Sweetie, we’ve been friends for fourteen years. You have never held anything back from me, so don’t start now. Whatever it is, I promise you I will not make any negative comments about it.”
“You promise.”
“Yes, I promise.”
“Okay,” I said, holding Pat’s hands across the table. “The last time I was at your house, Chad came on to me. He called and told me—”
Pat released her hands from mine. “Nokea, you know how Chad is. He’s always joking around with my friends, and I’m sure he didn’t mean anything by it.”
“No, Pat. He actually tried to kiss me. He came up from behind me and put his lips on my neck. When I got home he called and tried to tell me how much I wanted him. I wanted to tell you sooner but I . . . I really didn’t know how.”
Pat yelled at the waiter who was servicing another table. “Would you please get me another glass of water! We’ve been waiting forever on you to take our order.” The waiter hurried over to the table and asked us what we’d like to have.
“Pat, did you hear anything I said to you? I can’t sit here and pretend that I’m not concerned about what happened.”
“Nokea, I’m ordering right now because I don’t know how to respond to you. When I’m upset, food calms my nerves. The sooner my food gets here, the faster I’ll be able to say something to your selfish ass.”
“Selfish? What do you mean by selfish?”
The waiter looked at us and said he’d give us another minute.
“I mean, all you ever think about is you. What you want. What you like. Who you’ve got to have. What you’ve got to have. The list goes on and on. But this time, you’ve crossed the line. Chad would never approach a woman like you because you’re weak, Nokea. And I think Jaylin’s got your mind so twisted that you’re looking for anyone who gives you a little attention these days.”
I tightened my eyes to fight back my tears. “Pat, you know I would never do or say anything to come between your marriage. As your best friend, I just wanted you to know wha—”
“As my best friend, you have stooped to an all-time low. I thought sleeping with Stephon was low, but this is crazy. I should have known I couldn’t trust you then, but stupid me, always taking your side and being there for you when you needed me.” Pat stood, and after taking a sip of her water, splashed the rest of it in my face. “Get that son of a bitch Jaylin to clean up your mess. You and him seem to be good at making them, so I’m sure he’ll help you clean it up.” She walked off.
I grabbed a napkin, and dabbed it on my face and silk fuchsia blouse. The waiter came over and gave me another napkin and asked if I needed help. I refused, thanked him for the offer, and left him twenty dollars for being so kind.
On the drive to Jaylin’s house to pick up LJ, I thought about my conversation with Pat. Not in a million years did I think she was going to respond so negatively. I finally knew how she truly felt about me. It hurt so badly inside. I hadn’t expected her to embrace me with open arms, but I’d thought she would at least talk to Chad before making any assumptions.
When I pulled into Jaylin’s driveway, his car wasn’t there. Earlier, we’d discussed LJ spending the weekend with him, but right now, I needed my baby in my arms more than anything.
Nanny B opened the door with him resting on her hip. “Nokea, I didn’t think you were coming back until Sunday. Is everything okay?”
“Yes, it’s fine.” I took LJ from her and kissed his cheek. “Has Jaylin made it home yet?”
“No, but he’s on his way. He called not too long ago and asked if LJ was here. I told him yes, so stay until he gets here. He’s going to be so disappointed if he doesn’t get a chance to see him.”
“That’s fine. We’ll just go upstairs to his room and wait for him.”
“Thanks, Nokea. Have you had something to eat yet? I cooked a pot roast, and if you’d like some you’re welcome to it.”
“No, that’s okay,” I said, walking up the steps with LJ. “Thanks though.”
I turned on the light in Jaylin’s room and put LJ on the bed. When I lifted his briefcase to put it on the floor, it flew open and papers spilled everywhere, along with a videotape. I put the papers back, and picked up the tape. The white label read, “Sorry son of a bitch,” in big red letters.
Curious, I slid the tape into the VCR and pushed the play button. I watched as Jaylin’s car pulled into somebody’s driveway, and I immediately noticed Mr. Schmidt’s daughter on the passenger side. Thin
king nothing of it, I pushed the fast-forward button, but hit play again when I saw her walking around the house with a little of nothing on. Jaylin seemed mesmerized by her. When I hit fast-forward again, I saw her removing his shirt. I took a deep breath, fearing what was about to happen next.
I nervously placed my hand over my mouth and watched them having sex. Rain poured on their bodies, and they seemed to be all into it. Not wanting to put myself through this again, I quickly stopped the tape. I reached for LJ and ran out of Jaylin’s room. As I moved down the steps, Jaylin opened the front door. I put LJ in his arms and jetted to my car. He yelled my name, but there was no turning back for me. I sped off and hit Highway 40, swerving in and out of traffic. I realized how important my life was, and how much my son needed me, so I finally slowed down. I pulled over and laid my head on the steering wheel. My tears wouldn’t even fall; all I could do was scream. I pounded the steering wheel until the palm of my hands turned red. More than ten years of my life wasted, I thought. Wasted on a man who never wanted anything from me but security. I had been his security blanket when others failed him. I had been his security blanket when sex wasn’t well within his reach, and more than anything, I had been a fool. A serious damn fool for love. My mind traveled back to the day of his birthday, and his visit from the same woman on the tape. I remembered wondering what was taking them so long. And I thought about Jaylin’s look of guilt when they came out of his office. Her dress looked wrinkled and her makeup had suddenly disappeared. Why hadn’t I put one and two together? He had been with her, Scorpio, and me all in one day. Pat was so right about him being trifling. How dare I defend him? I had never been so disgusted with him or with myself for allowing this foolishness to continue.
For nearly an hour, I sat in my car and thought about my damaged friendship with Pat, and ongoing relationship with Jaylin. What a mess, I thought, and finally drove to Cardwell’s in Clayton to get a bite to eat.
The maitre d’ asked if I had reservations, and since I didn’t, I had a short wait. I sat, looking out the window at the drizzling rain, and dazed off thinking about my situation.
“I don’t mean to bother you,” said a man’s voice, tearing me from my thoughts, “but haven’t I seen you somewhere before?”
I didn’t even bother to turn my head at the obvious pick-up line. “No,” I said dryly. “I don’t think so.”
“Yes, I do remember you. From the gas station several weeks back.”
I looked up at him. Sure enough, it was bucket-head. That’s what Jaylin called him anyway. Thinking about it, I smiled. “Hello. How are you?” I stood up.
“I’m fine. I saw you when you came in. Are you waiting for someone?”
“No, I’m dining alone tonight.”
“Well, would you like to join my business partners and me? We were just about wrapping it up, but I’d be willing to stay awhile longer.”
“No . . . no, please. I’d like to have dinner alone, if you don’t mind. But thanks for the offer, Mr.—”
“Oh, I’m sorry. Collins, Collins Jefferson. And yours?”
“Nokea Brooks.”
Just then, the maitre d’ told me my table was ready. Collins kissed my hand, and I thanked him again for his offer.
As I looked through the menu, I could feel Collins staring at me from across the room. He had a perfect view and used it to his advantage. I crossed my legs to make sure he couldn’t see up my short black skirt, and put the menu up high so he couldn’t see my face. I felt a bit uncomfortable, but when I peeked behind the menu, Collins was getting ready to leave. He waved and I put the menu down on the table to wave back.
When the waiter came to take my order, he put a bottle of wine on the table and laid a business card next to it. He said it was from the gentleman “over there,” and pointed at Collins’s now empty table.
I picked up the card, which turned out to be Collins’s. On the back he’d asked if we could have dinner soon and invited me to call him. I put it into my purse and waited for my food.
I finished dinner quickly, and afterward, I got a room at the Sheraton for the night. Jaylin had been ringing my cell phone like crazy trying to find out what was wrong, but I didn’t return his calls. I hoped that Pat would call, but by the way things went down, I didn’t expect to hear from her anytime soon.
Chapter 15
Jaylin
I spent the entire night at Scorpio’s place, hoping she would come to her senses, and come home. By Friday morning I was sick to my stomach. If she took Mackenzie from me again, I thought, I would kill her ass. Take the pussy, that’s replaceable, but a child I’ve grown to love is not.
Since I’d told Nokea I wanted to keep LJ for the weekend, I hurried home to see him, and tried to figure out what to do about Mackenzie. This time, I didn’t give a shit who got hurt. In my mind, I was willing to go to the extreme to get Mackenzie back.
I pulled in the driveway and saw Nokea’s car. We talked about LJ spending the night early on in the week, so I didn’t understand why she was there. I opened the door and that’s when she came rushing out like she was upset about something. I called her name several times, but she ignored me. Nanny B said that she had no idea what upset her, so I called Nokea’s cell phone to make sure everything went cool with her and Pat.
Since she wouldn’t answer her phone, I left her at peace and went upstairs to my room. I noticed the TV buzzing, so I turned it off. A tape ejected from the VCR. The tape Mr. McDaniels had left.
Nokea was angry because she saw the fucking tape. Why in the hell would she go through my things any damn way? I thought. I threw the tape on the floor and sat on my chaise.
“Jaylin,” Nanny B said, coming into my room. “What was that loud noise?”
“Nothing. I just dropped something.”
“Well, be careful. I was a little worried when you didn’t come home last night.”
“Sorry about that, I didn’t mean to worry you. I needed some time alone to clear my head.”
“I know how that is, and if you’re hungry, I cooked a pot roast for you.” She picked up LJ. “I’m going to lay him down for the night. He’s had a busy day.”
“Bring him here and let me hold him.” Nanny B put LJ down on the floor and he stepped his way over to me. I smiled and applauded how well he walked. I laid him against my chest and kissed his forehead. “Let him chill with me tonight. I’ll put him to bed a little later, okay?”
“That’s fine. He’s your son, you know? I know sometimes I get too attached, but I can’t help myself. I love him like my own.”
“I know you do. And trust me, I appreciate everything you do for us. Anyway, who can help themselves from getting so attached to him?”
She smiled, reached into her pocket, and pulled out a piece of paper. “Here. Scorpio’s sister, Leslie, called about an hour ago. I told her you would be here shortly, so call her when you get a chance. She sounded like it was important.”
“Has Scorpio called?”
“No, she hasn’t.”
Nanny B gave me the paper and left the room. Before calling Leslie back, I tried Nokea on her phone again. I left a message and told her I knew she had seen the tape and we needed to talk. Wasn’t no telling when she would want to discuss it, but I knew it was time to put closure to our half-assed relationship.
I called Leslie’s house, and some silly asshole asked who I was, put the phone down, and left me hanging on for about five minutes. Leslie finally picked up.
“Jaylin?”
“Yeah, it’s me.”
“Listen, I called you earlier to tell you that Mackenzie is with me. I know you and Scorpio had a dispute, but she asked me to make sure Mackenzie spends some time with you.”
“So, Mackenzie’s there with you?”
“Yes but—”
“I’m on my way. Tell her I’m on my way to get her.”
“Jaylin, wait a minute. I understand how anxious you are about seeing her, but Scorpio said she only—”
; “Fuck what Scorpio said! She took off, left her child behind, so fuck her! I’m on my way to get Mackenzie, now!”
“Hey! I’m not going to argue with you about this. I’m just trying to do what my sister asked me to do. And for your information, she was extremely upset when she left. She needs time to get her life back in order. I offered to watch Mackenzie, and out of her love for you, she asked that I made sure Mackenzie got a chance to see you. So, watch what you say about her. She’s a better woman than you think she is.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah . . . whatever. Look, just pack Mackenzie’s things and tell her I’m on my way.”
“Not right now. I’m on my way to the laundromat and she has chores to do. I’ll drop her off when I’m finished.”
“Chores? Fuck your chores. She doesn’t live there, and you’re responsible for cleaning your own house. Can’t you drop her off before you go to the laundromat?”
“You’d better watch it, fool, or you won’t see her at all. I have seven kids and they’re all going to help, including Mackenzie. I’m not making any special trips to your place just because you want me to. And the only reason I’m bringing her over there to stay is because she won’t stop bugging me about you. So, be patient and I’ll be there when I get there.”
I gave Leslie directions to my house and told her in so many words to hurry the hell up with Mackenzie. It wasn’t like she didn’t know where I lived, because the last time she brought her ass over here, she took Mackenzie from me. Just the thought of Mackenzie helping her with her dirty-ass clothes upset me, but wasn’t shit I could do.
LJ and I were lying in bed playing on my laptop, waiting for Mackenzie to come. Finally he’d fallen asleep, and at one-thirty in the morning, Leslie decided to show up. I heard the doorbell and rushed downstairs to answer it. When I opened the door, Leslie stood on the porch with Mackenzie standing next to her. Mackenzie held out her arms for me to pick her up.
Naughty 2: My Way or the Highway Page 16
