Brothers and Wives: A Novel

by Cydney Rax

  Dani’s referring to a poker slot machine we’ve rented for the weekend. Most people who start playing the machine stay on for hours. Maybe I can lure Dani back to the machine in a few minutes.

  “I’m good, Dani. Thanks for asking but enough about me. If you want to get to where I am, you’re going to have to put in a lot of work. I feel kind of weird talking to you about these things.” Why should I give this hussy tips on how to make her relationship last? Maybe it’s because I feel if she’s truly happy with Scottie, she won’t ever want Neil again.

  “Since my mama went back to Cali, I feel a void. And I enjoy listening to other women who’ve been there and done that. Maybe I’m selfish. And maybe I’m just scared that what I did to you may one day happen to me.”

  “That’s probably the most honest thing you’ve ever said to me, Dani. I don’t know if I should do a cartwheel.”

  “Hold off on the cartwheels. I–I dunno. I may act big and bad, like I have it all together. But I do get … I get scared sometimes. Am I ready to be a wife? I guess I’ll have to get over my fear, because we’ve already reserved the reception hall. We’ve hired a caterer and a photographer. I have to look at dresses in a week or so. It’s so overwhelming. Maybe we should have a summer wedding.”

  “Well, why are you rushing it?”

  “You think we’re rushing it?”

  “Doesn’t matter what I think, Dani. I’ve heard of couples getting married within weeks of meeting. And they’re still together.”

  “What? A whole month later?”

  “Yeah, impressive, huh?”

  “I just don’t want to do a Britney Spears. If I’m only going to be deliriously happy for forty-eight hours and then have a change of heart, I may as well do something different.”

  “Tell you what. I have a book that talks about what to consider before you get married. I’ll lend it to you if you’d like.”

  “Why, I’d like that a lot,” she says with a curious gaze. “Thank you, Anya. You’re a gem.”

  “It’s no biggie.” I excuse myself from the den and go search the bookshelves in the library until I locate the manual.

  “Here you go. You and Scottie should start answering all these questions. Don’t let him get away with not telling you his take on every issue. It’s better to know beforehand what you’re getting yourself into.”

  “Hmm, for the record, Scottie and I have already discussed some of these in length. We’ve agreed to split the chores. If he makes a mess, he’ll clean it up. I’ll handle the kitchen, the laundry, and things like sweeping and mopping. He’ll be my Mr. Fix-It and oversee all electronic things, small repairs, and hanging pictures and televisions.”

  “Where do you plan on living?”

  “My lease is up at the end of January; we’ll rent a bigger place in the same complex. He and I want to buy a house, but we won’t be ready for that until we’ve saved for a couple of years.”

  “And how will you handle finances? God knows that could easily become an issue if one of you loses your job. It’s not pleasant to think about it, but you gotta do it.”

  “Maybe I’m naïve, but even now, it’s not like Scottie is wealthy, but we manage to do the things we both want to do. He knows as long as I get my pedicures and manicures and can buy a couple of new outfits and matching shoes every few months, I’m straight. Thank God for child …”

  I laugh and pretend like I don’t know she’s thankful for child support. Knowing that a chunk of my hubby’s salary goes to Dani every month is something that hurts every time I think about it. Our house could use a few repairs. And I’d love to be able to pay off Neil’s ride in half the time, but that’s not going to happen.

  “Moving right along,” Dani says. “Um, may I ask you a question? Something off-topic?”

  “Shoot.”

  “I know we’ve had our ups and downs and I can honestly kind of figure out why, but one thing I don’t understand is why you seem to welcome me in your home lately. Remember, at one time, actually a few years ago, you specifically told me, and I quote, ‘You don’t belong here,’” she says in this masculine-sounding voice. I do not talk like a man. “‘And this is the last time you’re setting foot in this house.’ Unquote.”

  “People change. So do feelings and circumstances. I had to do what needed to be done based upon what was happening back then. And if it took putting tons of space between us, and making you understand about the boundaries of Neil’s and my relationship, that’s how it had to happen. Call me the ‘B’ word, and tell everyone I’m a nut.” I shrug my shoulders. “Besides you’ve never worn a miniskirt and boots to my house again. So I’ve lowered my guard a bit.”

  “I see. I was just wondering. The whole thing made me feel so bad back then.”

  “Oh, right. It’s all about your feelings, huh, Dani.” I slowly shake my head and continue.

  “Personally, I feel whether you or I experience a good day or a bad day, we will never repeat the same day twice. I don’t stress out wondering if certain awful moments are destined to repeat themselves.”

  “Aw, so you just know, I’m not about to walk up in here scantily dressed specifically for someone else’s man?”

  “You better know it. It’s just not gonna happen.” My voice is calm, sure. I hope she hears what I’m saying and has the brains enough to read between the lines.

  “And another way to put it is like this: When I cook a great meal, one that I’ve done many times before, I will season the food, but no matter how hard I try, I can never exactly season the meal like the last time. The flavor is going to always be slightly different.”

  “I’m getting hungry again.”

  “Hush, I’m not done with my speech yet. Anyway, all I’m saying is that even if it looks like a certain awful day is trying to repeat itself, well, we already know how it’s going to end, right?” I leave Dani alone so I can enjoy my party for the rest of the night.

  Turning forty feels pretty good right about now—way more exciting, validating, and lively than I ever imagined.

  — 18 —

  LANECIA

  You Got It Bad

  Do you really think that just because you’re supposed to be getting married to my man on Valentine’s Day that it means anything? That y’all guaranteed to stay together? Forever? You are stupid if you think that February fourteenth means something. You’ll see.”

  Karetha gapes at her friend like she’s crazy. She knows that although LaNecia is rehearsing the words she wants to say to Dani, that type of confrontation is not likely to happen.

  “Necia, c’mon. You really think that lady is going to let you talk to her like that? Admit it. You’ve lost. Get over it. If I were you, I’d forget about Scottie, and go out again with Reginald Walden. He’s your age, he has the hots for you, and main point: He’s not your damn cousin!”

  LaNecia and Karetha are shopping in Frederick’s of Hollywood at Memorial City Mall.

  “Why is he marrying her? Why they gotta take such a drastic measure? Does she look pregnant to you? That’s the only reason two people rush to get married.” Large tears form in LaNecia’s eyes, making her pupils look glassy and oversize.

  “Oh, I get it. She’s having his baby but you …” Karetha whispers, “I’m sorry, Necia.”

  “You’re insensitive. That’s what you are. You’re supposed to brainstorm with me. This wedding cannot happen.”

  “Necia, I’m your girl, but I don’t want to be involved in messing up someone’s dream.”

  “You’re already involved. You’re the perfect distraction. Scottie won’t expect you to do anything out of the ordinary.”

  “I wouldn’t count on that. We’re thick as thieves. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s suspicious of me by now. I hate that, too, because Scottie and I were actually cool before you started flipping out like a gymnast. I wish he’d move back to Michigan. I hate to say it, but I really do.”

  “How can you say something so cruel?”

  “Ba
by girl, face it. You need a true sit-down with a professional who’s capable of helping you sort through this obsession. It’s getting painful to watch. And I’d think by now, you’d be tired of what you’re doing.”

  “It’s hard to describe or justify, but I feel what I feel.”

  “Go see a therapist. Like today, for real, Necia.”

  “I already know what they’d say. Get away from Scottie. Why should I pay good money to hear what I already know….?”

  “Oh, you actually do know you should leave him alone?”

  “Look, I’m not saying that. Don’t try and twist up my words.”

  “You got it bad, Necia. I swear to God.”

  Karetha reaches out to hug her friend, but LaNecia is too busy rummaging through the racks peering at camisoles, teddies, and negligees. She picks an outfit, scans the price tag, returns it immediately, and pretends like she doesn’t know it’s now falling off the hanger.

  “Men are weak. All a woman has to do is throw the pussy at him and he’s all hers. They cheat mostly because the opportunity presented itself. I just gotta set up the perfect opportunity.” A light sharply gleams in her eyes. “Hot damn. I’ve just thought of something I can do that’s so juicy Scottie can’t help but notice. Yep, that’s the plan I’ve gotta carry out. Thanks, Ka. You’ve been very inspirational today.”

  LaNecia continues searching for the most sensual and eye-popping lingerie she can find. She’s about to give up when she lays eyes on a fire engine red camisole halter with a plunging neckline and matching lace boy shorts.

  “How does this look?” She holds the outfit against her body. “You think this outfit is seductive enough to make a man lose his mind?”

  “Trust, if Scottie sees you in this, he may forget all about walking down that aisle with Ms. Frazier.”

  “That’s the type of encouragement I need to hear from you. Let’s buy this home-wrecking outfit and get the hell outta here.”

  December twenty-fifth comes and goes, and LaNecia manages to stay away from Scottie all that day and resists the urge to call and tell him about the present she bought.

  I’ll give him that time. Let me get comfy and then, bam, I’mma put something on his ass.

  A couple of days after Christmas, LaNecia goes to work at her second job; four days a week she puts in time at Sista Girl Nail Salon. Her booth is located at the far end of the shop, and she’s just finishing up giving a ten-year-old her first pedicure.

  LaNecia gets interrupted by the receptionist.

  “Hi, LaNecia, I seated your next customer up front.”

  “Okay. I gotta use the ladies room back here first, so tell her to have a seat and I’ll be there in a minute.”

  LaNecia asks the little girl to go sit with her feet underneath the drying machine; then she rushes to the restroom. When she returns to her booth and slides in her chair, she does a double take.

  “Dani?”

  “LaNecia? I didn’t know you worked here.”

  Dani stands up, but LaNecia waves at her. “Don’t leave.” She smiles. “You need a refill or a new set?”

  “New set.”

  “Okay, I’ll hook you up.”

  Dani eyes her warily. “This is a trip. Usually I go to the salon at the mall. It’s cheap and fast. But last time I went there, I walked out pissed. I got sick of the nail technicians looking at my toes and talking in a foreign language. I don’t know Vietnamese, but I can tell they’re gossiping about me. So I thought I’d go give ‘us’ a try, if you know what I mean.”

  Is Ugmo too good to let a black professional do her nails? She has some nerve.

  “Oh, girl, I know how you feel. You let black folks handle things and sometimes they just fuck it all up.” LaNecia laughs. “Like letting Kwame Kilpatrick be the mayor of Detroit. But like I said before, don’t worry. I’m going to take care of you real good.”

  LaNecia grabs one of Dani’s hands. “Ew, you got one helluva broken nail. How’d that happen?”

  “Well, it probably …”

  “Are you excited about getting married?”

  “Do you really care or are you just making conversation?”

  “I do care … about my cousin.”

  “Hmm, well, I would tell you, but I honestly don’t know what to say. I, um …”

  “Fine, you don’t have to answer. But I would like to ask you something.”

  LaNecia bares her teeth and engages Dani in small talk as she grabs a nail clipper to remove her acrylic nails.

  “So you’re supposedly in love with Meadows?”

  “I wouldn’t marry him if I wasn’t.”

  “And he’s the only man for you?”

  “Yes! Why?”

  “Just checking. I don’t want my cousin to get hurt. That’s all.”

  LaNecia takes her time doing Dani’s nails and digs for more personal information. By the time she’s finished, she knows she’s done a great job giving Dani a full set of white pearl French nail tips.

  “Hmm, not bad,” Dani replies as she stands at the cash register so LaNecia can swipe her credit card. “I actually like how they look. I wasn’t sure if I was going to give you a tip. But I’ve changed my mind.” Dani reaches inside her purse and smiles as LaNecia holds out her hand.

  “Keep doing what you’re doing to stay emotionally stable; life may just end up turning out good for you one day.”

  And Dani leaves the salon without a backward glance.

  A few days after New Year’s, when LaNecia knows for sure that Scottie isn’t at home, she pays a visit to the Meadows household. When LaNecia rings the doorbell, she’s greeted by Reese, who flings open the door and runs upstairs once LaNecia steps inside the foyer. The house sounds quiet, and it seems as if no one is around on this Sunday afternoon.

  LaNecia’s instincts tell her to go look in the den. When it’s apparent that an NFL game is on, yet Neil is snoring on the sofa, she can’t believe her luck.

  She kicks off her shoes as her eyes dart back and forth around every square inch of the den. It doesn’t take her long to find Neil’s cell phone lying on top of a Persian rug as if he carelessly dropped it. She slips it inside her pocket and hurries to the first-floor bathroom. She closes and locks the door, then flips open Neil’s cell phone.

  LaNecia punches a few keys until she locates Ugmo’s cell number, then creates a text.

  “Hey u. I want 2 talk 2 u. Do u like Frederick’s of Hollywood?”

  LaNecia pushes “Send” and hopes Dani responds to Neil’s text right away.

  Neil’s phone buzzes within seconds.

  “I want to talk 2 u 2. What about Frederick’s?”

  “I got u a present,” LaNecia types. “And I want 2 c u … in it. Meet me in 1 hr at Houston Marriott Westchase.”

  “R u kidding?”

  “No. I miss u and want 2 talk 2 u b4 u marry my brother.”

  LaNecia’s heart feels like it’s about to explode. She’s never been this excited in her life. She sends another text indicating that a room has been reserved in Dani’s name and she can call and check if she wants. She asks again if they can meet and waits for Dani to reply with a yes. When Dani soon replies with “K,” LaNecia excitedly slips the cell phone in her jacket pocket again, rushes to put on her shoes, and then stands over Neil, who’s still spread out on the couch with his eyes shut. He looks like he’s in a damn coma.

  “Hey, wake up, Neil. I gotta tell you something.”

  “What do you want?” Neil moans as he rubs his eyes.

  “Your baby mama came by the nail salon not too long ago. And guess what she kept yapping about?”

  “The wedding?”

  “No, fool. You! She claims she’s still in love with you. But Scottie isn’t her first choice; she’s getting the next best thing by marrying him.”

  “She said that?”

  “Yes. She was telling me things I never thought I’d hear. It seemed like your girl had been sipping on something real strong,” LaNecia sputters, making
up things as she goes along.

  “Damn, that sounds just like her. When she drinks too much, all her true feelings come out. What else did she say?”

  “You know how men have that last fling before they get married? Yep, mmm hmmm. That’s exactly what she’s hoping to have with you, Neil.”

  Neil scratches his head and stares into space.

  “You don’t have time to think about this, Neil. I know you still care about this woman. Anyway, the main point is she knows I was coming over here today. She wanted me to tell you that she’s waiting for you at the Westchase Marriott. Right now!”

  “S–she did?”

  “Yes, the least you could do is drive on over and meet her.”

  “Where’s Anya?”

  “She’s gone. Reese is upstairs playing with Brax. And Vette is taking a nap,” LaNecia claims without knowing if it’s all true. “So go see what she wants.”

  “But why meet at a hotel? That doesn’t sound right.”

  “I already told you. She can’t let you meet her at her crib for obvious reasons. That’s why she picked a fancy hotel. And she said she’ll be wearing this red see-through lingerie from Frederick’s of Hollywood.”

  “She actually told you that?” Neil asks sounding skeptical.

  “Hurry, you’re running out of time. Now here are your keys. Go on!”

  The minute Neil leaves his house, LaNecia places a call to the reservations desk at the Marriott to confirm that they’re still holding a room under the name of Danielle Frazier. Once she knows the room is ready, and the rest of her plans seem to be in motion, she heads out the front door and unlocks the door to her car. She feels in her pocket for Neil’s cell phone and, satisfied, she speeds away.

  She sends another text to Dani. “R u there yet?”

  “Almost. Where r u?”

  “We’ll be together soon.”

  LaNecia breaks the speed limit to get to the Marriott. Before she gets out of the car she slips her digital camera in her purse and turns it on. LaNecia opens the door and tries to walk at a normal pace inside the hotel so as to not draw attention. The spacious, well-lit lobby is crammed with guests loitering and talking. She continues walking slowly until she spots Dani, who’s headed toward the reservations desk. LaNecia tries to remain hidden so she can watch what’s going on.