The Devil Is a Lie

by ReShonda Tate Billingsley

  Nina and Todd hadn’t talked—really talked—since before they broke up. How in the world could she have a civil conversation with him now? A mean feeling came over her. “Girl, I am too angry to talk to Todd.”

  Rene moved over to the sofa, right next to Nina. “Okay, I know I’m a fine one to talk, but it’s not healthy to harbor all this negative energy.”

  Nina looked on in amazement. Since when did Rene talk like that? “Excuse me?”

  “No, I’m serious. I’ve been reading Iyanla Vanzant and she says—”

  “You can read?”

  Rene turned up her lips. “Okay, Mo’Nique, enough with the jokes. I’m for real. Iyanla is my girl. She says negativity blocks your blessings.”

  “Wait a minute, weren’t you just telling me to cut Pam the other day?”

  Rene had to concede that point. “Okay, so I’m only on chapter four in Iyanla’s book. You can’t expect a miracle transformation in four chapters. Seriously, think about it. I think talking to Todd is your best bet.” Spurred by her positive idea, she walked over, grabbed Nina’s purse, and began digging around in it. She pulled out Nina’s cell phone and handed it to her.

  Nina stared at the phone without making any move to take it. Maybe Rene had a point, though. Todd used to be reasonable. Maybe he still was. Maybe if she offered him a settlement, he would decide it was better to take her up on her offer than to risk walking away with nothing.

  At this point, that seemed to be her best option—her only option, really. Nina took the phone from Rene, punched in Todd’s phone number, and prayed for a miracle.

  22

  Todd always thought money would make his life so much better. After all, things between him and Pam had been good when he was making money. He had even attributed all of their current problems to their lack of money. But now, watching Pam drag in more shopping bags made him question that belief.

  “Pam, have you been shopping again?” Todd asked. She had bags from Saks, Nordstrom, and Neiman Marcus and several bags with store names he didn’t recognize. “How many times do I have to tell you? We haven’t gotten the money yet. How are you spending it before we even get it?”

  “I just picked up a few things,” she said carelessly. “I wrote a check. If it bounces before our money comes in, we’ll just pay the returned check when we do get the money.” She reached down and pulled an emerald green silk Diane von Furstenberg dress out of a Nordstrom bag. “I’m going to look sooo good in this one.” She held the dress up to her body. “You won’t be able to keep your hands off me,” she purred.

  He wanted to jump off the sofa and put his hands on her right now—around her neck. This was unbelievable. “Pam…” Todd threw up his hands. “Have you ever thought that the judge might rule against us? What if he…Oh, just forget it.” Talking to her wasn’t going to make any difference. He went back to watching ESPN.

  “You need to lighten up,” Pam said, tossing the dress across the sofa. It slid off the back and onto the floor. She didn’t bother to pick it up. Todd blew out an exasperated breath. The dress was probably hundreds of dollars and she’d tossed it like it came from the Dollar Store. “We are millionaires, baby.” She walked over and began rubbing his head. “Face the fact.”

  “We aren’t millionaires yet,” he reiterated, moving out of her reach. Suddenly, he wished he was back on the road traveling. At least that way he didn’t have to deal with her.

  She pushed his head. “That’s just a technicality. Now, stop trippin’. Let’s go out and celebrate.” She danced around the living room, stopping in front of the TV and blocking his view. “I’m in the mood to party.”

  Todd picked up the remote control, pointed it around her, and flipped the television off. “I have to go to work. I’m working for Kenny tonight.”

  She frowned. “Work? You’re kidding, right?” She waited for him to answer. When he didn’t, she continued. “Todd, we do not need to work anymore.”

  He stared up at her. He wanted to tell her that they didn’t work in the first place—only he did.

  Pam sat down on the sofa—as if they needed to be eye to eye so she could reason with him. “Babe, I know you feel bad that we are taking money from Nina. But you’re entitled to it. And don’t think for a minute that if the tables were turned, she wouldn’t do the exact same thing.”

  Todd decided to finally say what had been on his mind all day. “Pam, it’s bad enough we hurt her in the first place. Now to do this, it just—”

  She put a finger to his lips. “Shhh. It’s just that you’re such a sweet man, and really, that’s what I love about you. But you will never in your life get another opportunity like this. We’re not talking chump change here. It’s millions. Once you get your half, Nina will still be left with millions. Please,” she huffed, spreading her arms wide. “We’re doing her a favor by keeping her from having to figure out how to spend twice as much money.”

  Todd sighed heavily. The sad part was, he knew Pam really believed that.

  He was about to reply when his cell phone rang. It was lying on the coffee table in between him and Pam, so instinctively her eyes went to the phone. They both noticed the name at the same time: Nina Lawson. Todd silently cursed for never removing her name from his address book.

  Pam cocked her head. “Why is she calling you?”

  “I don’t know,” Todd said honestly. He hadn’t talked to Nina since the meeting at the lottery office. But somehow he wasn’t surprised to be hearing from her. Nina was the type of woman that, when angry, couldn’t rest until she got her feelings off her chest.

  “Well, aren’t you going to answer it?” Pam said with an attitude.

  He wanted to, but definitely not in front of Pam. He knew his girlfriend wasn’t about to go anywhere. So he decided to let it go to voice mail. Except Pam snatched up the phone, pressed the Talk button, and handed it to him.

  He shot her a hateful look before taking the phone. “Ummm, hello?”

  “Todd?” Nina’s voice sent chills down his spine and he couldn’t understand why. Todd held himself in, trying to make sure not to reveal any emotions to Pam. But how he wished he could turn back the hands of time and make things right with Nina. He’d been such a fool.

  “Yeah, this is Todd.”

  “It’s Nina.”

  He tried to keep his voice flat. “Hey, Nina.” He was expecting to hear cold, hard anger in her voice. He was pleasantly surprised when he didn’t.

  “Look, I’m sorry to bother you.” She paused. “I wasn’t even sure you had the same cell phone number.”

  “Yeah, it’s the same. Been the same for five years.”

  Pam crossed her legs and folded her arms to let him know she wasn’t going anywhere.

  “Look, I know I was a little nasty the other day, but this whole lotto thing and not being divorced caught me off guard,” Nina continued.

  “That’s understandable.”

  “And, well, ummm, I was just hoping we could go sit down somewhere and talk.”

  Todd didn’t know what to say. He knew she wanted to talk to him only because of the money, but still, the thought of them finally holding a civil conversation was overwhelming.

  After the breakup, she’d been so hurt that they’d never talked, despite his repeated attempts to contact her. So in a way, they’d never really had closure.

  “That’s cool.”

  “Okay. Ummm, how’s tomorrow?”

  “That’s fine,” he said neutrally, keeping an eye on Pam.

  “Okay. Eleven at the Starbucks on Highway Six?”

  “That’s good.”

  “All right. I’ll see you then. Oh, and Todd, can you leave your girlfriend at home?” Nina hung up the phone before he could reply.

  Todd hesitated before removing the phone from his ear. He set the phone back on the table, casual as could be. Pam was wagging her foot impatiently.

  “Well?”

  “Well, what?”

  “Don’t play. What did she
want?”

  No way was Todd going to tell Pam that Nina wanted to meet, because she would make sure she was right there, breathing dragon fire. “She just wanted me to reconsider fighting her for the money.”

  “Ha!” Pam cackled. “She must be crazy.” She thought for a moment, replaying their conversation in her head. “I didn’t hear you tell her she was crazy.”

  “I told her I would think about it.”

  “Ain’t nothing to think about.”

  She wasn’t his keeper, and he was getting mighty tired of this conversation. “Just drop it, Pam.”

  “No, I will not just drop it. Don’t make me call that wench and give her some of my north-side ghetto girl.”

  “You have a north-side ghetto girl?” he asked sarcastically.

  “Oh, you got jokes.”

  Todd stood up and grabbed his UPS shirt off the back of the chair. “Pam, just leave it alone. Nina was upset and just wanted to know why I was doing this. I let her vent and she ended up hanging up the phone on me.”

  “She is so selfish. All that money and she wants to deny you what’s rightfully yours.” Pam reached down and picked up her shopping bags. “You know what my answer is? I’m going to try on my new stuff.”

  Todd could only shake his head as Pam sashayed into the bedroom.

  23

  Nina tapped her fingernails nervously on the table, tucked in the corner of Starbucks. She couldn’t believe how antsy she was. She’d been surprised at how readily Todd agreed to meet with her. She’d been even more surprised that the anger she was harboring toward him didn’t seem to be as strong as it once was. In fact, if she didn’t know better, Nina would think what she was feeling was butterflies in her stomach.

  “It’s just nerves,” she mumbled. She just wanted all of this drama to be over.

  Nina glanced up at the door as Todd walked in. He still had that swagger she’d fallen in love with. It was obvious he had put a lot of care into how he was dressed. He wore a black V-neck linen shirt and brown khakis and looked as handsome as ever. Nina shook off her thoughts. She was here to get his hand out of her pocket. She made eye contact as he walked toward her. He looked nervous, like he wanted to smile but wasn’t sure he should.

  “Hi, Nina,” he said as he approached the table.

  “Todd,” she responded, careful to keep a strictly professional demeanor.

  “How are you?” he asked.

  “I’m fine.”

  “Ummm.” He shifted nervously. “Would you like some coffee?” he asked after noticing the table was empty.

  “Yes, I’ll take some.”

  “Do you still like the Caramel Macchiato with two Splendas?”

  She winced. He knew her so well. Down to how many sugars she liked in her coffee. “That’ll be fine.”

  “Okay, then. I’ll be right back.”

  As he walked up to the counter, she couldn’t help wondering where they went wrong. They were so in love. Or at least she used to think they were. Maybe they’d married too young. That’s what her grandmother used to say.

  Her grandmother had really liked Todd, but she’d spoken out against them getting married. They were too young and hadn’t experienced other relationships. Nina hadn’t paid any attention. Maybe if she had, she and Todd could have gone their separate ways and then eventually found their way back to each other.

  Pleasant thoughts soon led to other thoughts. For Nina they always did. As she watched Todd waiting in line, her mind roved back to the past—to Christmas Day, 2007, the day her world began to unravel.

  Todd had appeared fidgety all day long. They opened their gifts before heading over to her grandmother’s. Todd tried to get out of going, claiming he needed to go into the station. But when she offered to tag along, he nixed the idea.

  When they arrived at her grandmother’s house for dinner, Nina was so uneasy, she actually shared her concerns with her sister.

  “Why you walking around looking all pitiful?” Yvonne asked. “What’s wrong with you and Todd? You guys have barely been talking.”

  “I have no idea what’s wrong.” Nina peeked through the curtain and watched Todd on the back porch, talking on his cell phone. He looked like he was in an intense conversation. “Something is up. He’s been trying to get away from me all day long.”

  “Awww, naw. Uh-uh. No, ma’am. You know what that means?” Yvonne asked, her voice too loud.

  Nina put her fingers to her lips. “Would you keep your voice down? And no, what does it mean?”

  Yvonne leaned in like she had a big secret. “What’s today?”

  “Christmas?”

  Yvonne planted her hands on her hips. “A holiday. He’s trying to get away and see his chick on the side.”

  “Whatever, Yvonne,” Nina retorted. Yet that didn’t stop the sinking feeling in her gut.

  “Don’t be a fool,” Yvonne said. “Ain’t no stores open. Even Walmart is closed. Ain’t no place for him to go but to see a chick, who’s probably trippin’ that he’s not there and so she’s giving him all kinds of fits.” Yvonne pointed toward the back porch. “And I guarantee you, he’s gonna come back in here with an excuse on why he needs to leave, and he won’t be back until late tonight. I know cheating guys, and he has all the signs.”

  Sure enough, Todd came back in with some story about Lincoln having a personal emergency. He was out the door before Nina could protest. Nina debated following him, especially because Yvonne kept calling her stupid for not doing it. But she eventually decided that if she didn’t have trust, she didn’t have anything. And just like Yvonne said, Todd didn’t return until well after dark.

  They argued a bit, but she ended up letting the issue drop. Things returned to normal—until a week later. New Year’s Eve. Todd once again appeared fidgety and all but refused to go anywhere. He told Nina he just wanted to stay in, but the way he was acting, it was like he just wanted her to stay in.

  Then, at eleven thirty on the dot, the doorbell rang.

  “That’s strange,” Nina said. She and Todd were sitting on the sofa, not talking and half-watching a movie. “Who would be at our door at this hour?” She stood to answer the door.

  Todd bolted from his seat and raced to the door. “I’ll get it. Can you run into the kitchen and get me a beer?”

  Now, Nina might have been naive by her sister’s standards, but she wasn’t a fool. The look on Todd’s face told her that her husband was terrified at the thought of who was at the door. So she marched right behind him.

  He stopped and turned to her. “What are you doing?”

  “Who is that, Todd?”

  “I don’t know. Can you just go get me a beer?” he pleaded. He tried for a no-big-deal smile. “Probably somebody looking for directions.”

  “Then open the door and let me give the directions.”

  “Nina…”

  When the doorbell rang again, Nina pushed him aside and opened the door. A leggy, beautiful woman with long wavy hair stood at her door, dressed in a turquoise party dress and strappy sandals.

  “May I help you?” Nina asked. She couldn’t be sure, but she thought she heard Todd groan behind her.

  “Is Todd here?” the woman asked.

  “He is.” Nina looked back at Todd, who was standing behind the door, petrified. “May I tell him who wants to see him at eleven thirty on New Year’s Eve and for what?”

  “Tell him it’s Pam, and no, you may not ask what I want,” Pam replied with an attitude.

  Nina was shocked by her brazen attitude, but quickly regained her composure. “Then you won’t be talking to my husband.”

  Pam dismissed Nina with a wave of her hand and called out over her shoulder. “Todd! Todd! You betta come to this door before I get to talkin’!”

  Todd looked like he wished he could disappear as he stepped into sight.

  “Hey, baby,” Pam casually said.

  Baby? Nina felt her heart constricting.

  “Pam, what are you doing?” Todd as
ked.

  Pam planted her hand on her hip. “What does it look like?”

  “Somebody want to tell me what’s going on?” Nina said as she struggled to maintain her composure.

  “Yeah, Todd, you wanna tell her?” Pam defiantly crossed her arms.

  “I can’t believe you just showed up at my house,” Todd hissed.

  “I guess you thought I was playing,” Pam responded, wiggling her neck. She motioned toward her body. “I look too good to be sitting at home by myself on New Year’s Eve ’cause my man is too scared to let his wife know the truth.”

  “Pam, don’t do this.” He had a combination of fear and pain plastered across his face.

  Nina was so stunned that the part of her that wanted to jump this girl and beat the pretty off of her couldn’t even focus. All she could think about was the harsh beauty that had come knocking at her door. “Todd, what truth do I need to know?”

  “Nina, baby…” he began.

  Pam cleared her throat and glared at him.

  “Pam, can I talk to my wife, please? Alone.”

  She pushed her way inside. “Yeah, we can talk to her, all right.”

  That’s when Nina lost it. She hadn’t had a fight since the fifth grade, but at that moment, beating this home wrecker down was her sole mission in life.

  “One Caramel Macchiato,” Todd said, snapping Nina out of her nasty trip down memory lane. He handed her the cup as he sat down at the table across from her.

  Nina took it and mumbled, “Thank you.”

  “I was really surprised to get your call,” Todd said. Oblivious to her shift in moods, he looked nervous as he fingered the rim of his coffee cup. At the same time, he almost looked happy to be there with her. She had to be reading too much into his expression. He was happy, all right, she thought darkly. Happy that he was about to steal half her money.

  Nina tried to erase the painful memories from her mind and focus. “I was hoping that we could talk like two civilized human beings,” she said before taking a sip of her coffee.