by Kiki Swinson
“Okay. Well, thank you,” I replied in a mild manner, trying not to let on how upset I was.
But, Mrs. Kathy sensed it anyway and said, “What’s going on with you two? And why didn’t you show up for the dinner last night? Your father-in-law cooked up a storm ’round here yesterday.”
“Mrs. Kathy, I am truly sorry that I didn’t make it. But, I got caught up at work yesterday with a long and intense meeting with all of my teachers. And as far as Eric is concerned, he’s just going through the motions right now because I was unable to make it out to your dinner party last night.”
“Well, since you had to work, then I guess I’ll forgive you,” she insisted and chuckled.
“Oh, thanks, Mrs. Kathy. You’re a sweetheart!”
“And so are you. That’s why you’re my favorite daughter-in-law.”
“Oh, stop it. You’re making me blush.”
“Well, blush on,” Mrs. Kathy continued with laughter.
I laughed a little as well and then I asked her what foods Mr. Charles prepared for last night’s dinner.
“Oh, honey, that man whipped up a beautiful pot roast smothered in brown gravy, onions, carrots, and potatoes. He also baked his famous macaroni and cheese and some corn bread. And he cooked a big pot of collard greens.”
“Hmmm . . . hmmm. All that sure sounds good.”
“It was. But, don’t worry. ’Cause, we’ve got plenty left.”
“Will you make me a plate?”
“I most certainly will.”
“Okay, well, I’ll swing by there this evening.”
“What time?”
“Right after work. So, have my plate ready.”
“And I’ll be waiting.”
“All right. Well, I’ll see you later,” I told her.
“Okay. Now, you be safe.”
“I will,” I assured her.
“Okay. Bye.”
“Bye bye.”
Immediately after I hung up with Mrs. Kathy, I stormed back upstairs to get ready for work. And while I was showering, all I could think about was how immature Eric had become over the last couple of years. Our little issue wasn’t serious enough for him to not want to come home and face me. He didn’t even extend the courtesy of telling me that he was going to spend the night at his parents’ place. What an asshole! Always wanting to have his way. And if he didn’t get it, he’d shut down on me, which made me wonder what he would’ve done if he knew I was out getting high last night. And to be honest, I really didn’t want to think about it. So, I guessed this little secret of mine would be taken straight to my grave.
X-treme Chaos
When I arrived at work, I noticed that Teresa had not made it in as of yet. So, I went on to perform my normal everyday duties. Meeting and greeting the students as they exited the school bus was how I started my day.
And after the school buses left, I was in the hallways, making sure everyone got to their classes on time. So, today when all that was done, I headed back to my office. But halfway there, I was intercepted by my eleventh-grade school counselor, Kimberly Lawson. She’s a full-figured Hispanic woman, who looks to be in her late thirties. She’d been working there at the school for at least seven years. And the children loved her to death. Everyone was always raving about what a good counselor she was, and I must say that I agreed with them one hundred percent. Now, it was very rare that she and I had one-on-one conversations, so I was very curious to know what it was she wanted to talk to me about. And that’s why I invited her to join me in my office.
“Have a seat,” I said the moment we entered into my office.
“Thank you,” she replied.
“You’re welcome. Now, what can I do for you?” I asked her right after I took a seat.
“Well, I want to talk to you about an incident that happened here on school grounds a couple of days ago, involving your secretary, Teresa.”
“What happened?” I asked in an eager manner.
“Well, I feel kind of awkward saying this to you, knowing how close she is to you; but as a woman in my position, I felt the need to tell you that I saw her sitting in her car, day before yesterday, during lunch time, sniffing some kind of narcotics.”
“And where were you?”
“I went out for lunch that particular day. And when I returned, there she was, sitting there with her head down, pushing that straw up her nose as I walked by.”
“Did you say anything to her?”
“No, I didn’t. I was too embarrassed to approach her.”
“Have you told anyone else about this?”
“No one but my husband,” she began to say. “I mean, I had to tell somebody.”
“Well, that was fine. But, do me a favor.”
“Sure. Anything.”
“Let’s keep this between you and me. I mean, I don’t want this conversation to leave this office. Okay?”
“Okay.”
“Well, in the meantime, I will have a serious discussion about this with Teresa, because that type of behavior will not be tolerated in any way, form, or fashion!” I assured her.
Now, before Mrs. Lawson got up to leave, she wanted to know if I would also do her a favor. So, I said of course and asked her what the favor was.
“When you decide to speak with her in regards to this matter, would you be so kind as to not mention who you got this information from?”
“Oh, sure. No, problem,” I told her.
“Well, thank you.”
“No. Thank you.”
She stood up from her chair and said, “Don’t mention it. Now, let me head get back to my office before I miss my nine o’clock conference call.”
“All right. And thanks again for coming to me with this first.”
Mrs. Lawson smiled and said, “You’re welcome.”
Teresa finally made it into work around ten o’clock. And as soon as we made eye contact, she knew from my expression that I wasn’t at all happy about her being tardy. So, she rushed into my office with an explanation in hand.
“Please don’t be mad,” she started off saying, closing my office door behind her, “but the reason I’m late is because I was up all night going through some changes with that nigga Darren.”
“Look, Teresa, I don’t give a damn about the changes you and Darren are going through. You’ve got a job to do. And part of it is to be to work on time. Now, please don’t let me have this conversation with you again!” I replied in a harsh tone.
Surprised by my approach, she said, “Well damn, what’s wrong with you?”
“Well, first of all, I woke up to an empty bed this morning because my husband decided that he wasn’t going to come home last night, because I didn’t make it to his parents’ dinner party. And then when I come to work, I get a visit by one of my staff, who informs me that they witnessed you sniffing dope a couple of days ago in your car, during your lunch break. So, when I heard this, I became furious because you know better. And if this person would’ve taken this to Mr. Baker, your ass would be getting your walking papers right about now. So, you better count your lucky stars and never let that shit happen again. Because next time, you may not be so lucky. You got me?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay, now tell me what happened last night that kept you from getting to work on time?”
“Don’t be mad, but I sat outside Darren’s house all night, waiting for him to come home, so I could talk to him since he won’t answer any of my phone calls.”
“You mean to tell me that this man has you so fucked up in the head, that you sat outside his house all night long, waiting on him to come home, for the simple fact that he refuses to answer any of your calls?”
Teresa nodded her head and gave me a cheesy smile.
“So, what did you accomplish from all of that?”
“Nothing.”
“Did you get a chance to see him?”
“Nope.”
“How long did you sit outside his house?”
“Until abo
ut four in the morning.”
“Well, what makes you think that he wasn’t home already?”
“Because his car wasn’t there. But, his wife’s car was.”
“Well, did it ever occur to you that they were probably hanging out together?”
“Yeah, it did cross my mind.”
“Well, let me ask you this.”
“Shoot.”
“Tell me, what you would have done if he had pulled up in his car with his wife?”
“I would’ve gotten out of my car and confronted him.”
“But, why? I mean, didn’t he tell you it was over?”
“Yeah. But, I need some closure. I mean, I do deserve that.”
“For what?” I commented with frustration. “That man is married. So, that means he doesn’t owe you a thing.”
“Yeah, I know that. But, it’s the least he can do.”
“Look, Teresa. Just get over it and move on. Because it’s obvious that he’s trying to make things work at home.”
“But, what if all of this is coming from his wife?”
“I don’t understand what you mean.”
Teresa took a deep breath and said, “What I’m saying is, what if his wife told him that if he didn’t break it off with me, she would divorce him?”
“It shouldn’t matter if it came from him or her. The fact remains that he told you out of his own mouth that he doesn’t want to be involved with you anymore. So, just leave well enough alone!”
“Look, Faith, I understand what you’re saying. But, my heart believes that there’s more to that story than he’s telling me.”
Frustrated with Teresa’s non-acceptance issues was beginning to weigh heavily on me, so instead of continuously trying to convince her to see the writing on the wall, I literally threw my hands up and said, “Okay, look, do whatcha want to do. I’m done with the whole thing. But, the next time you decide to stay out all night to go on one of your stalking adventures, please make sure you call me bright and early if there’s a chance you’re going to be late coming into work.”
“All right,” she replied. And then she stood up to leave. But before she had a chance to make her exit, I said, “Oh and another thing . . .”
She turned around and gave me her full attention. “What’s up?”
So, I said, “You’re a grown woman, so I don’t care what you do on your own time. But, we need to be clear about you not getting high here at work anymore.”
“Oh, I’m clear on that. It won’t happen again.”
“Okay. Good. You can go now,” I replied, giving her a stern look. And as much as it hurt me to do it, I would not have done her any justice if I would have been a little more lenient. I just couldn’t tell her the shit she wanted to hear. It wasn’t in my character to do so. And the good thing about it was that she knew this and didn’t expect me to be any other way; which was why we had an understanding. Other than that, she and I had a very close bond. I just hoped she didn’t lose sight of that and continued on doing what she was supposed to do the moment she punched that time clock. Because if she didn’t and messed around and let somebody else catch her pushing that straw up her nose, she would take that fall on her own.
Taking Da’ Bitter Wit’ Da’ Sweet
As promised, I stopped by my in-laws place on my way home. And to my surprise, I saw Eric’s vehicle parked in the driveway, directly behind his mother’s minivan. So, I braced myself for the unknown and proceeded toward the house. Mrs. Kathy, who happened to resemble the late actress who played Louise Jefferson on the sitcom The Jeffersons, greeted me with a warm hug and a smile.
“Come on in, darling.”
So, I kissed her on the left cheek and said, “How are you doing?”
“Well, my sugar has been rising a little these last few days, but other than that, I’m fine.”
“Have you been taking your diabetes medication?”
“Yes, I have. But, I still have a weakness for moist chocolate cake and butter pecan ice cream.”
“If you know like I know, you’ll leave that stuff alone, before it kills you.”
“Oh, hush, girl. You sound just like your father-in-law.”
“Where is he, anyway?”
“Sitting in the den with Eric.”
“Where’s Kimora?”
“She’s back there too. So, come on,” Mrs. Kathy insisted, as she led me in that direction.
And as soon as she made my presence known, I smiled and greeted both my husband and my father-in-law, who seemed like they were engrossed in their conversation. But, of course they spoke back. And as I made my way farther into the den area, I noticed that Kimora was sound asleep on the sofa next to Eric, so I quietly crept over to her and gave her a kiss on her forehead.
“Please don’t wake her,” Eric begged me in an irritated manner.
“I’m not,” I assured him and then I took a few steps back from him and her both. Judging by his facial expression, it was obvious that he didn’t want me too close to him. And since he was very polite with his words, I gave him exactly what he wanted.
But as I stood there and looked at him, I was becoming more furious by the second. So, I let out an exasperated sigh and asked him if I could speak to him alone in private. He immediately obliged and accompanied me outside on the back patio. And not even a second after we were alone, he wanted to know what it was that I wanted to speak with him about.
“Well, for starters I want to know why you refused to come home last night,” I began to tell him. “Because if it had anything to do with me not showing up here last night for dinner, then you’re being very immature and blowing this whole thing out of proportion.”
“Faith, please don’t stand here and lecture me. You, of all people, knew how important it was for you to be here to celebrate Valentine’s Day with me and my family last night. But instead, you chose to be at work.”
“Oh, Eric, please don’t play the work card on me. You knew I had a mandatory meeting to attend.”
“Yes. And I also know that you attended the after work cocktail party, too.”
“You’re absolutely right. But, it was work related,” I lied.
“Bullshit, Faith! That party wasn’t work related and you know it. So, stop it with the damn lies!” he replied as the pitch of his voice got louder.
“Look, I’m not lying. And please stop raising your voice.”
“You know what? I can’t stand here and listen to this nonsense anymore,” he continued as he attempted to storm back into the house.
But, I stopped him in his tracks by grabbing a hold of his arm, which probably wasn’t a good idea because he looked back at me with the ugliest expression he could muster up and said, “Let me go, please!”
“Well, are you going to stand here so we can finish our conversation?” I asked.
“I’m not in the mood to talk anymore. So, let me go.”
“But why are you always running away when I want us to have a discussion?”
“Because you’re always catching me at the wrong times.”
“You know what Eric? You are so pathetic!”
“Tell me something I don’t know,” he replied sarcastically.
So, I struck back at him and said, “And you wonder why we can’t ever resolve our issues.” And then I released his arm.
I stood there and watched him walk back into his parents’ house as if nothing had transpired between he and I, which, of course, made me cringe. But instead of flying off the handle and making a scene, I marched back into the house and made my way into the kitchen, where I found Mrs. Kathy wiping down her kitchen countertops.
“Need some help?” I asked.
“Oh no, honey. I’m fine,” she insisted.
“So, what’s on the menu for tonight?”
“Leftovers.”
“Oh, yeah, where’s my plate?”
“It’s in the fridge.”
“Where exactly?’ I asked her as I scanned the entire refrigerator.
&
nbsp; “It’s on the second shelf, behind the yellow salad bowl.”
“Oh, okay. I see it now,” I informed her, relieving the container the instant I closed the refrigerator door behind me.
“Wanna warm it up?”
“No. I’m going to take it home with me and warm it up later.”
“You sure?”
“Yes, ma’am. I’m sure,” I replied in a manner of assurance. So, she handed me a plastic bag to carry the dish in while we continued our little chat. We talked for at least another twenty minutes before I threw in the towel.
Engaging in a conversation about what stores had sales this week wasn’t exactly what I would deem to be a juicy topic. So, I kissed her and called it a night. And on my way out, I asked Eric if he wanted me to carry Kimora home with me, but he insisted on bringing her himself. So, I let him have his way and left.
Teresa had been weighing heavily on my mind from the minute I left work today, so I got her on the phone immediately after I settled in at home.
“How are you doing?” I asked her, expressing concern.
Responding to my question, she said, “I’m okay.”
But, the weight of her tone told me differently. So, I questioned her sincerity. “Are you sure? Because you don’t sound like you are.”
“I’m just tired. That’s all.”
“Have you eaten?”
“Yeah, I stopped by Subway on the way home and picked me up a sub.”
“How was it?”
“It was good.”
“So, what have you been doing since you got home?”
“Nothing but watch a little TV. But, that’s about it.”
“Have you tried to call Darren?”
“Yeah. And I just found out he changed his number.”
“And how do you feel about that?”
“I feel hurt and betrayed.”
“Do you need me to come over and sit with you for a while?”
“No, I’ll be fine . . .” she began saying, but her voice faded out as if she had been distracted. “Wait, hold on,” she continued, and set the receiver of the phone down on a hard surface. And then a minute later she picked the telephone back up and said, “That’s my brother Eugene. So, let me call you back.”
“He’s there at your apartment?” I questioned her.
