Brothers and Wives: A Novel

by Cydney Rax

  If you’re always reminding someone else of their faults, what makes you think someone else won’t remind you of yours?

  This still, small voice tries to talk to me, but I don’t want to listen right now.

  “Hey, everyone, the food is ready.” I yell as loud as I can and pray that they all come down soon. I am so ready to get out of the house. We’ve been holed up here for two days, and I need to see more than the inside, the backyard, and my front porch.

  We all eat breakfast together without incident except for Dani, who whines that she can’t eat pancakes because it’ll make her glucose level higher. Instead of going upstairs to eat like she suggested before, Dani actually comes downstairs and makes herself buttered toast and eats half a banana. When I’m done eating, I ask Vette to wash the dishes and she agrees.

  I run upstairs and notice that LaNecia is right behind me. She follows me into my room.

  “Hey, what’s up?”

  “Nothing,” she says, but I know better.

  I think for a minute. “I am about to go to see my doctor and I want you to ride with me.”

  “Jeez, do I have to?”

  “Yes, you do. We need to talk. Plus I can use the company.”

  She says okay. We drive over to Memorial Hermann Southwest and sit in the waiting room. The hospital seems busy with extra activity, probably from people who suffered injuries during the storm. After one hour, the nurse calls my name. She checks my weight and blood pressure and asks me a few questions. I’m left alone for another ten minutes, and then Dr. Patterson, an elderly, distinguished gentleman who could double for Sidney Poitier, finally comes into the examination room.

  He asks about my bleeding and tells me we should do x-rays right away. I am directed to the x-ray room, where I fill out more paperwork, and I go lie down in a very dimly lit room next to a few intimidating-looking machines.

  “We’re doing an ultrasound today,” says the attendant, who instructs me to get undressed. I try to think positive thoughts while I lie on my back. I shudder when the attendant squirts this clear-looking gel on my belly. The ultrasound begins, and she studies the images she can see on a monitor.

  When we’re done, I’m asked to wait again in the room where LaNecia’s been sitting.

  “Why it takes so damned long?”

  “Look around. I’m glad they didn’t cancel me. Plus we can talk while we wait.”

  “Talk about what?”

  “How on Earth did you end up going in the refrigerator and choosing to eat that yogurt that someone else already started eating?”

  “Huh?” LaNecia says.

  “Stay with me now. From what I hear, Scottie was eating that Dannon yogurt, but somehow you were trying to get some, too?”

  “Oh right.” She blushes and observes the waiting room. It’s packed with women and kids. She winks at me. “Um, Anya, it’s not like I was trying to eat his yogurt on purpose. It just kind of ended up in my hand. Yogurt is crazy like that; you know what I’m saying?”

  A woman sitting next to us takes one look at LaNecia and scoots over a few inches.

  “Dumb bitch,” LaNecia says under her breath. “What the hell, I don’t give a damn what people think. See, it’s like this. I don’t care what anyone says, the man is still feeling me.”

  “Are you positively absolutely sure?”

  “Cross my heart and I’m probably gonna die, Anya. Why you think I’m after him so tough? It’s because something is still there.”

  “Does Dannon know it?” I wink at her.

  “Apparently not. Dannon’s too busy trying to think it’s the only brand of yogurt on the shelf. But most guys like a variety of flavors. Today it might be strawberry, tomorrow it could be pineapple. But you can’t tell that to some folks.”

  “Too much yogurt can make you sick, you know what I’m saying?”

  “Bottom line, Scottie’s going to have to pick one flavor,” LaNecia says with determination in her voice. “And stick to it. Don’t mix ’em together. None of that.”

  I hear my name called, and I promise LaNecia that I will try to keep it as brief as possible.

  Dr. Patterson asks me to have a seat in a tiny consultation room that only has a desk and a couple of chairs.

  “What’s wrong with me?” I ask, getting to the point.

  “Mrs. Meadows. There’s good news and bad news. There are quite a few large fibroids in your uterus about the size of a cantaloupe.”

  I stiffen. “And?”

  “Your options are to either ignore them because they aren’t fatal, but you’d probably get tired of dealing with these lengthy menstrual periods.”

  “You’re right about that.”

  “You can treat them with medicine and shrink them, but they could return. Another option is to have surgery, and get a complete hysterectomy, which is the only guarantee of complete removal and no more bleeding. You wouldn’t be able to have any more children. And you’d immediately go into menopause. Let’s see, you’re only thirty-nine. You’ll turn forty …”

  “In December. Goodness, this isn’t anything I’ve ever expected.”

  “Well, there’s always a reason when our bodies don’t function properly. I recommend that you think about it and let me know your decision. Surgeries are scheduled on Tuesdays. You’ll have to come in to a consultation a week or a few days beforehand.”

  I’m listening yet not listening to my physician. Why, of all things, does this have to happen? A pang of sorrow burdens my heart. I am saddened that I only gave Neil one child, our wonderful daughter, Reese. I had a miscarriage years ago. That baby would have been the son that Neil desperately wanted. Then Neil got Dani pregnant with the son that is now his world. It sucks. I know I have to think about things, and share this shocking news with Neil.

  Dr. Patterson gives me some literature and wishes me well.

  On the way home, we’re rolling along in my SUV. Most of the major streets are blocked with debris that got tossed around from the storm. Tree branches and leaves are strewn all over, forcing us to drive around the clutter. So many signs are completely ripped off of shopping center marquees. And the Popeyes sign now says “opeyes.”

  LaNecia keeps shifting in her seat, mesmerized by the devastation seen through the window.

  “So,” she asks me. “What did the doctor say?”

  “Um, stress. I’m dealing with a lot of stress, family stuff. So if I eat right and exercise and take it easy, that bleeding situation will come to a halt.”

  “Hmm, I’m glad to hear it wasn’t that serious.”

  “Nope,” I say in a high-pitched cheery voice. “Not serious at all. Hey, I’m more concerned about you, though, LaNecia, because I know for a fact you didn’t register for school. And now that the storm has hit, HCC is temporarily closed. I was on the Net the other day; if you missed the August deadline, you could have registered for the second start. It’s only a twelve-week term. You need to be checking into that.”

  “Oh, Anya, my mind isn’t on school.”

  “Well, it oughta be. C’mon, it’ll be good for you.”

  “Why are you doing this?”

  “Doing what?”

  “Why are you so concerned about my world when you just got the shittiest news you could ever hear?”

  “W–what are you talking about?”

  “I may be young, but I’m far from dumb. We waited so long that at one point, I couldn’t hold it any longer and I needed to find the ladies room back there in that doctor’s office. And when I walked down the hallway, I passed by a closed door and heard you talking. So obviously I’m going to be curious, listen and try to hear what’s going on. I mostly wanted to see if y’all’s session had ended so we could leave. But that’s not what I heard. You gotta have an operation. That’s serious. What if you die?”

  I shoot LaNecia one of my “Are you crazy?” looks. “First of all, young lady, you have no business listening to my conversation with my doctor. My health is my own private business.”<
br />
  “And whether or not I go to school is my business. This is my life and I’m tired of people trying to tell me how to run it. I’m twenty years old. I’m grown. Living in my own apartment with a job. I don’t need anyone trying to convince me I need to be in school. Time-out for school.”

  “Well, excuse me. I was only trying to help.”

  “I appreciate your help….”

  “If you really did, you’d take my advice and do more with your life than just run after a man who clearly doesn’t want you.”

  LaNecia gasps. She grabs her purse with one hand and the passenger door handle with the other. “Let me out.”

  “No. Wait. I’m sorry.”

  “Too late for that, now pull over and unlock the doors or I’ll jump out—and I will jump out. Remember, I’m crazy LaNecia.”

  “You may be crazy, but I’m not and I will not unlock the doors. I told you I’m sorry, so accept my apology and stop talking nonsense.”

  LaNecia chomps down on her teeth so hard I hear them click.

  What’s up with this family? Nobody listens. Nobody learns. Everyone has to go to the school of hard knocks to get some sense in their head.

  “I’m not kidding, Anya. I don’t want to be in this car with you right now.”

  “Well, where are you going, huh? Have you taken a look outside? The city of Houston is in a state of emergency. I don’t see any buses running. We’re at least fifteen miles from my house….”

  “I don’t care.”

  “Then you are crazy!”

  “Just because I don’t like to be talked to any kind of way doesn’t mean I’m crazy.”

  “And just because I say something you don’t like doesn’t mean you have to do something so extreme. Let me make it home. Then you can get in your own car and do whatever you want. Deal?”

  She leers at me and rattles the doorknob.

  “If you break it, you’re paying for it.”

  LaNecia sighs loud, like she wishes I’d shut up. But she releases the door handle and stops making silly threats.

  It takes us an extra twenty minutes to get to my neighborhood, and when we pull up in front of the house, I am more than relieved.

  “Thank God, we’re home. We’re alive. We made it through the storm last night,” I say to LaNecia, trying to ease her anger with me. “Sometimes we should look at what’s most important and let go of petty things.”

  “Yeah,” LaNecia says. “I agree. That’s why I’m accepting your apology.” She is talking to me but steadily watching Scottie, Dani, and Brax, who have all just emerged from the house. They pile into Scottie’s Escalade and drive off.

  “The truth is, I need you, Ms. Anya. And I can’t be battling with you. I have something to prove. And if I have to, I will use you to make my point.”

  “And what point is that, LaNecia?”

  “That I am worth loving even if Scottie can’t show me that love.”

  — 8 —

  LANECIA

  I’m Sick of You Leaving Me

  It’s early afternoon in mid-September one day after the storm hit. LaNecia is standing in the front entrance of her apartment with the door wide open. One hand is lodged on her hip; her other hand grips the cell phone. She’s yelling into the receiver.

  “This is serious. I’m not playing. My entire building lost power, plus my windows blew out and shit is everywhere.”

  “Dang, cousin. Does it look like anything is missing?” LaNecia loves that Scottie seems concerned for a change. He knows she lives on the first floor of an apartment located in a lower-income neighborhood. She’s afraid looters may have come stolen what little possessions she had.

  “That’s the thing, Scottie. I’m too scared to walk around and see what else has happened. I’m telling you I barely set one foot in the apartment and I can see from here that the living room bay window is now just a shattered memory, no pun intended.”

  “Okay, um, let me get Dani situated first and I’ll make my way over to your spot. Hold tight.”

  Damn. Ugmo bitch spoils everything. But at least he’s going to leave her to come see about me. LaNecia thinks for a moment and calls Scottie again.

  “Um, when you come over, don’t bring anyone else. I’m embarrassed my place looks so jacked up.”

  He says okay and she hangs up the phone, happy that he’s coming over, but distressed that Ike may cost her some money.

  If I would’ve gotten renter’s insurance like people told me to, maybe I’d have money to get a new television. She shakes her head at all the mess. Soaked carpet, window fragments, and some tree leaves and mud are stuck on the HD television.

  LaNecia sits in her car and waits for Scottie.

  After he arrives, they examine the entire apartment. There’s enough natural light streaming from outside to make a quick inspection of the outer rooms, which include the living room, the dining room, the kitchen, and both LaNecia’s and Karetha’s bedrooms.

  “All this ain’t too bad,” Scottie says after assessing the damage. “Only the living room got messed up. A tree fell against your bedroom window, but it’s not like you can’t sleep in there.”

  “Ha!” she says looking aghast. “Ain’t no way I’m staying here by myself, Scottie. How about if I stay with you?”

  “You’re asking the wrong person, baby girl.”

  “But …”

  “Hey, I’m sure Anya and Neil won’t mind having you there till your apartment maintenance man fixes that window. When is Karetha coming back?”

  “Hell, I can’t get the bitch on the phone. Cell phone circuits are still messed up. Some calls go through, others don’t. If she’s tried to call me, I’m sure she’s wondering what’s happening back home.”

  “Look, try not to stress. Karetha will be fine in College Station. And if you want, you can hang out with me for the rest of the evening. If the lights aren’t back on by tonight, you may as well stay over with us.”

  Her face brightens. “Are you sure it’s okay, Scottie? I don’t want to mess up your evening in case you had other plans.”

  “Somehow I don’t believe that you don’t wanna mess anything up, but since this is an emergency, all my plans are canceled. I’m going to do something nice, which is making sure you’re okay. How’s that sound?”

  “Sounds like a great plan, Scottie. Ooo, can you take me to a movie, for real this time? Just the two of us?”

  “You’re always scheming, huh?”

  “I just want to have fun for a change. Life has sucked since you’ve been gone.” She gazes at him happily. “Remember how we’d go roller-skating on South Dairy Ashford? And we’d hit up Sonic and order fries and burgers and just sit in the car and talk?” She studies him. “Didn’t we used to have fun together?”

  “Yeah. Sure. Anyway, you gonna grab some overnight clothes so we can bounce outta here?”

  “Um, right. Come with me to the room. It shouldn’t take long.”

  Excited, LaNecia races to her walk-in closet and flings open the door. The closet is pitch-black. She automatically hits the light switch on the wall.

  “Dang, I forgot we have no power. Hold up a sec.” She runs to the kitchen and rummages through a utility drawer for her Maglite. Then she pulls out a tiny stepladder that’s next to the refrigerator and grabs it by the handle. Once she returns to the closet, she points the light at the top shelf of the high-ceiling closet.

  She unfolds the ladder and climbs a couple of steps until she manages to touch the small piece of luggage.

  “Need some help?” Scottie is so close she can feel his hot breath on her neck. “No, I got this, I think,” she replies in a soft voice and hands him the Maglite. He points the light at an angle that brightens up the closet. LaNecia lifts both her arms toward the shelf. Scottie bumps into her back trying to reach over her. The feel of Scottie’s flesh against hers makes her shiver, then moan.

  LaNecia turns around until she’s completely facing her cousin. Her mouth is now inches away from Scot
tie’s gorgeous plump lips. They lock eyes for a moment. LaNecia then moves out of the way and lets Scottie grab her overnight luggage. Sweating profusely, she steps off the ladder, rushes to the bathroom, and turns on the water faucet. She splashes water on her face and dabs it with a towel.

  Scottie sets the flashlight on the bathroom counter. “You gonna be all right?” he asks, then stares. She is standing in the bathroom dressed in her black lace bra and see-through panties.

  “I–um,” she says and falls into Scottie’s arms. “I’d feel better if you gave me a kiss, Scottie, I need this so bad. I need you.”

  “No, no, cousin.”

  “Please stop calling me cousin.”

  “That’s what you are.”

  “I don’t have to be.”

  “Baby girl, you can’t help but be my cousin. Now pack your bag, please, and let’s go. I don’t want to deal with this extra stuff.” He pulls himself out of her arms.

  But she throws her arms around his waist and squeezes him so tightly he lets out a gasp. “Mmm, mmm, mmm. That’s all I’ve been wanting.” With Scottie locked inside her grip, she puckers her lips and kisses him on the cheek. His body stiffens.

  “I know it’s been a long, long time and you have to get used to how I am again.”

  “Hmm.”

  “Tell me something, Scottie. When you were up in Michigan, did you fuck around with other girls?”

  “Huh?”

  “Don’t ‘huh’ me. Once you got settled in, did you hit the clubs, meet some girl that reminded you of me and have sex with her?”

  “Why would you ask me fool-ass shit like that?”

  “Because I want to. I know you love to have sex, so I figured that you were up there doing it with somebody.”

  “How about you?” he asks in a husky voice. “Did you fuck any guys after I left?”

  “Oh no, you don’t,” she says with a laugh. “You don’t have the right to be jealous and ask who I was fucking. You left me, remember?” She turns around and storms from the bathroom and heads back to her room. She finds a new shirt and some tight blue jeans and gets dressed. Scottie, who followed her from the bathroom, is now waiting in the doorway of her bedroom aiming the Maglite as he watches her pull her arms through the sleeves of a hot-pink blouse. She makes sure to stick her chest out while she talks.