Married on Mondays Page 12

  Foxy cried louder. It dawned on her. She’d lost her best friend. She tossed the photo albums in a hefty black garbage bag, then tossed them in the trash.

  Maybe her sister DéJà was right. Foxy should choose before she lost her man and her mind. She’d been so consumed with her situation, Foxy had forgotten to check on Victoria. No need to call now. Today was sisters’ day, and they’d see one another at church.

  CHAPTER 29

  Victoria

  Pray

  Listen

  Wait

  Sit still

  Fast

  Meditate

  Do unto others

  Parents

  Siblings

  Lovers

  Breathe

  Repent

  Confess

  Give thanks

  You are

  Blessed

  Victoria arrived at church before Sunday school. She sat in the third pew with her purse on the bench to her left and her Bible to the right. Other adults sat in front, beside, and behind her. Victoria’s purpose for arriving early was to reserve seats close to the altar for Foxy and DéJà to join her in prayer during service.

  “Be faithful unto the Lord. What does that mean?” the teacher asked, standing before them.

  Victoria hadn’t answered or asked questions of the pastor’s wife, who was also the teacher. She wondered if the pastor’s wife was faithful. What was her definition of faithful? Her sins? Had her husband slept with any members of the congregation?

  The woman seated next to Victoria’s Bible said, “That means we must adhere to our duties to the Lord and not put our needs… sexual needs or our desires… before His, and we must keep our promises to Him. We must fast and pray to cleanse our souls for Him. And we should yield not to temptation.”

  “Anyone else want to add to that?” the teacher asked.

  Victoria listened to the other comments. Each person had their own interpretation of what faithful meant. Were their definitions tailored to suit their lifestyles? Victoria hadn’t dwelled on the meaning until now. She had an obligation, a duty, and a responsibility to do right by Naomi. Her not doing right by Naomi also meant she wasn’t doing right by the Lord.

  As Sunday school ended, DéJà and Foxy walked in and sat on opposite sides of her. Foxy wore a beautiful red and gold sleeveless dress. DéJà had on a basic black dress with short black lace gloves. They hugged. Teary-eyed, Victoria said, “I love you, guys.” They might not have agreed on certain things, but Victoria was happy her father had made sure his girls were close.

  “Love you too,” they said in unison.

  The pastor preached about the Sunday school message: being faithful. Foxy quietly stood, went to the altar, and knelt during the sermon. People stared. Victoria held DéJà’s hand, stood. They knelt on opposite sides of Foxy.

  Silently Victoria prayed for her sisters, her mother, their mothers, their dad, and their spouses. She prayed for Rain, his parents, and she prayed for herself. Tonight she’d tell Naomi the whole truth.

  CHAPTER 30

  DéJà

  The sermon was fitting for you two,” DéJà said, unlocking her car.

  Foxy sat in the front passenger seat. Victoria sat behind Foxy.

  “I’ll admit that,” Victoria said.

  Foxy replied, “No comment.”

  DéJà drove east along North Shoreline Drive to their favorite spa. “Church always makes me feel high-spirited. I can’t wait to take off my clothes and get on the massage table for two hours.” She’d soon tell the masseuse, “Harder, faster, deeper, harder, faster, deeper.”

  “I’m getting a mani, pedi, and a facial,” Victoria said. “Foxy, what are you having?”

  “A coffee ground thigh wrap, a brown sugar body scrub, and massage,” she said.

  “Oh, that’s what I should’ve gotten,” DéJà said.

  White gauze soaked in coffee, then lined with wet coffee grounds was the best treatment for eliminating her hard to get rid of cellulite on the backs of her thighs. The first time she tried the coffee ground thigh wrap, DéJà had immediate results. She threw out her expensive cellulite creams that didn’t work.

  “So what moved you to the altar?” DéJà asked, looking over at Foxy.

  “You want to hear me say you were right? Is that it?” Foxy asked, staring at her.

  “No, that’s not it. I just asked you a question.”

  “Yes, it is,” Victoria chimed in. “Admit you want to hear both of us give you credit.”

  “Okay, I admit it. But am I wrong for wanting what’s best for my sisters? You’re both married to good people. If you change your ways, you can work things out. I want you two to have happy marriages like Acer and I.”

  Foxy adjusted her seat belt. Stared out her window. “I prayed for peace. I do want my husband back. And,” she paused, then said, “I’m ready to have a baby.”

  Victoria shouted, “That’s what I’m talkin’ ’bout! Let it be a girl. I’ma name her Precious.”

  How dare Foxy try to give their father his firstborn grandchild. DéJà hadn’t considered having a baby, but she’d bet that would make Acer happy. Her too. Starting today, she’d stop taking her birth control pills.

  “Too much estrogen in the family already. No girl,” DéJà said. “I want you to have a son. We will give him a nice, strong name like Solomon Brown. People will look up to him all his life. You have to dig deep in your gut and add bass to your voice to pronounce Solomon.”

  The name Solomon was a suitable first name for Foxy’s last name. DéJà would name her son Adam Acer Mason Montgomery-Dawson. Adam would always come before Solomon, with his birth, in the Bible, and with their father. Naming her son Adam would give him his own identity. The name Acer would make her husband happy. Ending his name with Montgomery-Dawson would allow him to know how to identify with both sides of his families.

  “Listen at you, guys. I’m not close to getting pregnant. I haven’t had sex with my husband in three years. I have to stop taking the pill, then wait three months to get the contraceptives out my system. I have to talk to Dallas. And I have to see where Winton’s head is. If we can’t work things out, I’m not having his baby.”

  Good. Foxy’s procrastination would give DéJà the time she needed to get pregnant first. DéJà said, “A woman has the power to salvage her marriage. You can do this. But by the time you do all that, that just means you’ll get pregnant on the first try.”

  They all laughed as DéJà valet parked at the spa.

  DéJà’s prayer at the altar had been answered. She’d prayed that her sisters turn away from the negativity and darkness in their marriages, embrace what was right, and see the light. Victoria and Foxy honestly had good-hearted spouses who needed their help in order to have a change of heart.

  CHAPTER 31

  Foxy

  The scrub and massage were exactly what Foxy needed. She drove DéJà’s car from the spa to the mall. They started their shopping spree in their favorite store, Spectacular Stilettos.

  Foxy picked up a pair of yellow leather slip-ons with brown and red snakeskin-covered heels. “I have to have these.”

  “Let me see the heel,” DéJà said, getting a closer look. “No, you don’t. Put them back. The snakeskin is too thin. You’ll only wear them once, maybe twice, before the heel starts to peel. And you can never wear these while driving.” DéJà reached for Foxy’s shoes.

  “I protect my heels. I wear flats while driving; you know that. This is a battle you will not win,” Foxy said, handing the shoes to the clerk. “I’ll take these in a size eight.”

  Victoria held up a pair of clear open-toe stilettos with cherry metallic heels and the same style in green apple. “Which ones?”

  Foxy and DéJà both pointed at the green apple–colored shoes.

  DéJà bought a pair of bright purple and green stilettos with a shimmering gold heel. She didn’t solicit her sisters’ opinions. She said, “Omega Psi Phi and Mardi Gras rolled into one, baby.
You can’t beat that.”

  It was customary for each of them to buy one pair of stilettos each week, and their next tradition was to split up for an hour, shop on their own, and buy something special for one another.

  Foxy headed to the jewelry store for her hour. She picked out diamond-encrusted Xs and Os charms that represented the love she felt for her sisters. “Gift wrap three of these for me, please. Separately,” she said.

  She stopped outside a kids’ clothing store. Watched mothers shop for their babies. Strolling the mall, she noticed babies in beautiful carriages and pregnant women. She loved the way the expecting mothers glowed and was especially fond of the men holding hands with the pregnant women. Foxy glanced down at her flat stomach wondering if she’d get stretch marks.

  Arriving at their favorite restaurant in the mall, Foxy joined DéJà and Victoria who were already seated. She placed her gift bags on the chair beside her. After lunch and before ordering dessert, they would exchange presents.

  “The usual, ladies?” the waiter asked.

  “Yes,” DéJà said. “And bring a bottle of champagne. We’re celebrating.”

  Foxy and Victoria frowned at DéJà. “Don’t ask,” Foxy said, looking at Victoria. She picked up her bags, handed DéJà a black bag and Victoria a white one. She kept the red one. “I don’t want to wait. Open your gifts now.”

  DéJà covered her mouth, then removed her bracelet from the box. “Foxy, this is beautiful.” DéJà extended her arms for a hug.

  “Foxy, what in the world were you thinking?” Victoria asked. “This is too much.” Victoria leaned toward Foxy with open arms.

  “From my heart to yours. I have one too. We’ll wear our bracelets to symbolize our sisterhood and everlasting friendship.” DéJà fastened Victoria’s bracelet. Victoria fastened Foxy’s and Foxy did DéJà’s.

  “Okay, I can’t wait either,” Victoria said, handing Foxy her gift.

  Inside a small pink box was a small pink crystal baby bootee with a gold bow.

  DéJà stared at Victoria. Narrowed her eyes. “No, you didn’t.”

  Victoria frowned. “Didn’t what? She wants a baby so I got her something special.”

  Inside the box DéJà gave Foxy was a small sapphire crystal baby bootee with a platinum bow.

  “Great minds think alike,” Victoria said.

  DéJà stared from the corners of her eyes at Victoria. “We do not think alike. What is in those other bags you have?”

  “None of your business,” Victoria said, moving her bag to the chair beside Foxy.

  “Okay, you two,” Foxy said. “This is the easy part. I love both bootees. And regardless of what I have, I’m covered on both ends.”

  While the waiter poured three glasses of champagne, Foxy’s cell phone buzzed. She said, “I have to take this, it’s Dallas.”

  “Don’t answer it,” DéJà said, grabbing Foxy’s wrist. “He’ll ruin our celebration.”

  Victoria crossed her fingers, placed them over her heart, shook her head, then mouthed, “Do not answer the call.” She jingled her bracelet.

  “I have to,” Foxy said, excusing herself from the table. “Hey.”

  Dallas sighed heavily in her ear, “I need you to bail me out.”

  “Bail you out of what? What now? Not another DUI,” she said, scanning for a semiprivate area to talk in the crowded mall.

  “Jail. That’s what. I’m in Crème City Jail.”

  “I’m on my way,” she said, rushing inside the restaurant.

  Foxy picked up her purse, placed the two baby bootees back in their boxes, then in her purse. “Thanks for the gifts. Can’t stay for lunch. Gotta go.”

  DéJà stood, blocked her exit. “Foxy, no. When are you going to let go of Dallas? He’s a grown man. He can take care of himself. Sit down.” DéJà handed Foxy a glass of champagne.

  “Your prayer at the altar, remember that?” Victoria added.

  Foxy ran out of the restaurant. She had driven and fortunately the keys to DéJà’s car were in her purse. Her sisters would have no problem getting home. They shouldn’t drink and drive anyway. Acer or Naomi could pick them up. Foxy rushed downtown.

  Dallas had never been arrested. Why was he in jail? “Oh, my God, no.” Almost running a red light, Foxy slammed on the brakes. She thought about the soaked wedding albums. “Winton wouldn’t have.”

  CHAPTER 32

  Foxy

  One curveball after another, Foxy had no control over Dallas’s actions, but she’d never leave him in jail. There were too many black men already incarcerated. Dallas was a good man, a loving father, and had never been to prison.

  She sat in the bail bonds office shaking her left leg. “Please hurry.”

  “These things take time,” the bondsman said. “Calm down. It’s just an attachment for a DUI.” An unlit cigar dangled from his lips. “I need five thousand dollars cash, and what are you going to use for collateral?” he asked.

  Her leg shook faster. “Cash? Collateral?” She hadn’t thought about that. It was Sunday. The banks were closed. She couldn’t use her house. She refused to use her business. “I’ll be right back,” she said.

  “I’ll be right here,” the bondsman said.

  Foxy walked a block to the automated teller machine. The only debit card in her purse was for her joint account with her husband. She had no choice. Take the money or leave Dallas in jail overnight. She keyed in her pin number, then withdrew five grand. She’d redeposit the funds first thing Monday morning.

  Returning to the bondsman’s office, she handed him the money and the registration to her car. “Here. This ought to do.”

  He glanced at the make and model of her luxury car. “Sure will,” he said smiling.

  She paced while he typed on his computer. He handed her a paper. “Take this across the street.”

  She’d done as he’d instructed. Had to wait in line. Wait for more paperwork to be processed.

  “Number two twenty-seven,” blared over the intercom.

  Almost three hours had elapsed between the time Dallas had called her and for her number to be called. She hurried to the counter, spoke to the clerk behind the glass window. “How much longer before I can bail out Dallas Washington?”

  The clerk smiled, then said, “Wow. Are you sure you’re here for Dallas Washington? This is a first.”

  “What’s a first? What? Don’t tell me I’m in the wrong place?”

  He shook his head.

  “Stop procrastinating,” Foxy said. “Tell me what’s a first. Did I do something wrong? I haven’t done this before.”

  Four years married to Winton plus the one year she’d dated him, Foxy hadn’t been to a city, county, federal, or state prison. Had no desire to be in the environment. The closest she’d come was serving jury duty.

  The clerk smiled. “He’s already been bailed out.”

  Had she heard him right? What he’d said made no sense. “Who bailed him out?”

  “Attorney Winton Brown. Can you believe it was an error on his part? His assistant forgot to file the paperwork so the courts issued an attachment on his client.”

  “Forgot my ass,” Foxy said. “If DéJà would’ve kept her mouth shut, none of this wouldn’t have happened. And Winton, that bastard. He didn’t have to do this.”

  The clerk frowned. “Hey, aren’t you Brown’s wife?”

  “Depends on who you ask,” she replied, storming off. Foxy drove to Dallas’s house, let herself in.

  Dallas met her at his front door. He hugged, then kissed her. “I love you.”

  “You don’t love me! What the hell just happened here?” Foxy asked, throwing her purse and DéJà’s car key on the sofa. “I waited forever to bail you out to find out you were already out. Why didn’t you call me?”

  He laughed. “At first I was ready to kick Winton’s ass. But sitting in that cell gave me time to think. I can’t be mad at you or him. Now, if I were Winton, I’d be disappointed in myself if I were mistreating a woma
n as good as you. But I know how men think, and regardless of how screwed up our relationships are, we do not want another man sticking his dick in our woman. After all the years we’ve been together.” Dallas frowned, hunched his shoulders. “You think he knows about us?”

  Foxy hadn’t told Dallas what her sister had said. She figured Dallas didn’t need to know. Foxy followed Dallas to the bedroom. “He knows for sure now. Big mouth DéJà told him. This is her fault.”

  “What?”

  “Well, she told Acer and Winton overheard.”

  “Your sister needs to mind her own damn business,” Dallas said, sitting on the bed.

  “Don’t go there. DéJà is going to be DéJà.”

  “Yeah, and you can talk about her but I can’t. And you’re going to defend her to the end. What she did was intentional. But none of that matters now. Today you proved again that you are my lady for life. Let’s go out and celebrate.”

  Foxy scratched the back of her neck. Was her relationship with Dallas destined? The moment she felt she wanted to have a baby for her husband, she was sucked into a tornado of emotions that flung her to Dallas. “Celebrate what?”

  “Never have I had a more loyal friend than you. This is my way of saying thanks. Can’t hang a price tag on what you won’t do for me. I feel great! Let’s go.”