“Well, that was Jodie who called. She invited us to Mya's birthday party, so I'll stop by there for a few hours.”
“I'll go with you.”
Michelle loved spending time with James, but he was fatigued. She could see the tiredness in his face. “James, you need to rest.”
“I wanna be with you.”
Alexander knocked and poked his head in. “You ready, partner?”
“You go ahead, Alex. I'm hanging with my baby tonight.”
“All right, partner. See you on Monday morning. Have a good weekend, Michelle.”
He shut Michelle's office door and headed for the elevator. As he waited for the doors to open, Amaryllis walked past him on her way to her desk.
“It was nice meeting you, Amyrella.”
She stopped dead in her tracks then turned to look at him. If it was something Amaryllis hated, it was having her name mispronounced or misspelled. As she made her point, her neck danced. “It's Amaryllis; A-m-a-r-y-l-l-i-s. Write it down and make a note of it, okay? And for future reference, if you can't remember how to pronounce my name right, I suggest you ask before you just let anything come out of your mouth.” She turned and walked to her desk and sat down.
The elevator doors opened and Alexander stepped onto it. “I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you. I think you have a beautiful name”
Amaryllis looked at him like he was being a nuisance. “Why are you still here?”
On that note, Alexander pressed the DOWN button and the elevator doors closed.
Amaryllis realized that Alexander had left solo. That meant that James was still behind closed doors with Michelle. She went to Michelle's door, pressed her ear against it and heard laughter.
“Oh, I almost forgot, I gotta show you this beautiful card that you and I got in the mail today,” Michelle said.
“You and I as in us?”
“Yep, it was delivered here by priority mail. I'll read it to you.” Michelle showed James the front of the yellow card decorated with white lace.
“Very pretty, who's it from?” he asked.
“I'll read it and then you tell me who you think sent it, okay?”
“Okay.”
“The card reads as follows:
Dear James and Michelle, you don't know me, but my mommy has told me all about you. She said you both were kind, considerate, selfless and most of all, you are Christians. She said that a lot of the attributes she sees in her parents, she also sees them in both of you. She told me that Miss Michelle has played a very important part in making sure that God answered my parents' prayers by sacrificing her favorite thing: chocolate. Mommy says that not only are Miss Michelle and Mr. James good people, they're also good friends to have, and my daddy totally agrees with her. So, I have a very important question to ask the both of you. Think about it, because it's really, really, really important. Will you be my godparents? I love you already, Baby Burton.”
Michelle looked at James who was mesmerized. “Well, do you know who the card is from?”
“Wow, Mickey, I'm blown away. Yeah, I know who it's from. Chantal and Michael's little bun in the oven.”
“Yep, you guessed it. The little bun wants an answer. So, what's it gonna be? Do we accept?”
James smiled. “Are you kidding? How can we turn down this awesome responsibility? Of course, we accept.”
“Oh, James, I'm so happy you want this. I was praying you'd feel this way.”
“This will be good training for when God blesses us with our own little bun in the oven.”
“Honey, I can't wait to become pregnant with your child. Just the thought of walking around with a part of you inside of me is exciting. Even when we're apart, I'll still have you with me.”
“You know what, Mickey? Having you in my life confirms that God is alive, real and in control of everything. And I know that He's got favor on my life, because I've done some sinful things back in the day, but to know that He's forgiven me and blessed me with you, puts joy in my spirit. I'm so happy that He allowed one of His angels in eternity to be made into flesh form and brought her into my life to become my wife.”
Listening outside of the door, Amaryllis wanted to scream. James was supposed to be saying these words to her, not Michelle. Why should her sister have all the good things in life? Michelle had her own business, her own house, plenty of money, beauty and brains, plus she was Daddy's favorite. And to top it off, she had a man who practically worshipped her. It wasn't fair.
Back inside Michelle's office, Michelle stood and walked around the desk and sat in James' lap. “Wow. What beautiful words.”
James saw tears streaming down her face. “Don't get mushy on me. You know I can't handle that.”
“I'm sorry, baby, I can't help it. I didn't know that love could be this wonderful. When you first approached me that night at church, love was written all over your face.
“And at that exact moment, I knew you were mine. I knew God couldn't be so cruel that He'd allow you to walk into my life then walk out of it. Many nights, I dreamed of our future. We'd be sitting in a park, having a picnic or walking hand in hand on the beach or sitting in a restaurant staring into each other's eyes over a candlelight dinner. God hasn't created a word that expresses how much I love and adore you, James.”
“I thank you for courting me the way God commanded you to. I really wanted to wait for my wedding night to give my husband my special gift and often, I prayed for a man who's loving, kind and patient, and look who I got. Not one time has sex been an issue with you and I'm so grateful for that. It's your obedience to God that causes my happiness.”
Michelle wiped tears from her eyes. “I'm going to tell you something that you probably don't know.” She placed James' open palm on the center of her chest and looked into his eyes. “You literally hold my heart in the palm of your hand.” James' face was just as wet as Michelle's and she mocked him. “Don't get mushy on me. You know I can't handle that.”
“I'm outdone, Mickey. I don't know what to say behind that.”
“Isn't it good to know that we were made for each other?”
James stood up and brought Michelle to a standing position with him; then he held her hands, bowed his head and closed his eyes. “Father God, James and Michelle here. We thank you for what you've done for us. We bless your Holy name, Lord, and we honor your presence in our lives. For as long as we live, Lord, we'll never be able to thank you enough for your loving kindness. And we pray, Lord, that as we embark on the next phase of our lives as husband and wife, that you will continue to keep your arms of grace and mercy all around us. We praise you, Lord, and we worship you. We thank you for your Holy Spirit that's constantly guiding our footsteps. We love you and we reverence your name.”
Hearing James' prayer ticked off Amaryllis so much that she didn't know what to do. She walked back over to her desk and felt like tipping it over. She looked at the clock on the wall that read 5:50
P.M
. The clerk said the pictures and puzzle would be ready at six o'clock. She grabbed her purse and keys, then walked to the elevator. She turned around and looked at Michelle's closed door. “Pray all you want. I got something for y'all.”
When Amaryllis got home from the Photo Mart, she went directly upstairs to her bedroom and locked herself inside. She sat on the bed and opened the package. The two photos of her and James were very clear. She looked at a photograph of James lying naked on his living room sofa with his eyes closed and his hands caressing the breasts of a naked light skinned woman with long blond hair who straddled him. Her back was to the camera, but James's face was fully exposed. The second photograph was of James in the same position with his eyes closed, but the woman was leaning forward. In this photo it wasn't clear whether they were kissing or talking to one another.
Amaryllis unwrapped another package that revealed the first photo made into an eight by ten puzzle. She took the seven-piece puzzle apart, then started to put it back together again. Amaryllis decided to anonymously send one piece per week to Michelle leading up to her wedding. The very last piece of the puzzle would be mailed to Michelle two weeks before she was to walk down the center aisle. Amaryllis brought the last piece of the puzzle to her lips and kissed it. She looked at it and smiled at James' face. Since she hadn't been able to steal him away from Michelle, Amaryllis became angry with him and decided to ruin his life. A picture is worth a thousand words, Amaryllis wondered how many words James would come up with to get out of this mess she was about to place him in.
Chapter 10
The first piece of the puzzle arrived on a Thursday evening at Michelle's town home. Coming from work, Michelle and Amaryllis were entering the living room after getting the mail from the mailbox. Michelle threw her purse on the sofa and kicked off her heels as she glanced through the mail. Amaryllis walked into the kitchen and pretended to get something to drink while watching her sister do her sorting.
When Michelle recognized a bill, she'd put it at the back of the pile. “Bill, bill, junk mail, bill, ooh, a check, junk mail, bill, bill.”
The ninth envelope stopped Michelle's flow. She looked at a white letter-sized envelope with her name and address written in calligraphy and in gold ink. There was no return address, so Michelle wondered who it could be from. Amaryllis watched as Michelle tore open the envelope and pulled out a sheet of paper. Enfolded in the paper was a piece to a puzzle that showed someone's feet.
Michelle frowned at what she saw, then read what was typed on the paper.
You like to drink Kool-Aid, I like to
drink wine. Here's the first piece to a puz-
zle, That will surely blow your mind.
Michelle frowned and studied the puzzle piece. Why would someone send her a picture of feet?
Amaryllis walked into the living room and asked, “What are you frowning at?”
Michelle gave her the letter and puzzle piece. “Look at this.”
Amaryllis didn't have to read it to know what it said, but she did it to humor Michelle.
“Girl, what's this?”
“I don't know. It came in the mail today.”
“Where's the rest of the puzzle?”
“Only one piece was in the letter.”
Amaryllis looked at the puzzle piece of James' feet. “Don't worry about it. It's probably just someone playing games.”
Michelle took the letter and the puzzle piece from Amaryllis. “Yeah, you're probably right.” She put the letter and the puzzle piece in the envelope and took it upstairs to her bedroom.
Amaryllis was grinning from ear to ear. It was a game all right. A game that Michelle wouldn't win.
A week and a day later, the mailman brought the office mail to Amaryllis' desk. She saw the gold lettering on an envelope and smiled. There was also a box from Blessed Events Consulting, addressed to Michelle. Amaryllis wondered which of the two she'd give to her sister first. Michelle was excited about the wedding invitations and would probably tear the box open before opening any other mail. Amaryllis placed the envelope with the gold lettering in Michelle's mail basket on her desk and she placed the box of invitations in the center of the desk. Michelle was off at court and if she was having a good day in the courtroom, as she always did, those new findings would definitely destroy her mood.
At 3:30
P.M
., Michelle exited the elevator. “Hey, sis, how are you?”
Amaryllis stopped typing and looked at her. “You're in a great mood.”
“Yes, I am, and it's because Price & Associates won the Henderson case today. Life can't possibly get any better than it is right now. Everything is absolutely perfect. If God never did anything else for me for as long as I live, what He's done already is more than enough.”
“Good for you, Michelle. I wish I had your attitude,” Amaryllis said, knowing that Michelle's carefree mind-set was about to do a three-hundred-sixty-degree turn.
“Get to know God and you can have it.”
“Whatever,” Amaryllis replied disrespectfully. Michelle was always throwing God in her face.
âYou really need to be in church, Amaryllis.' âYou need to get saved, Amaryllis.' âYou should ask God to bless your food before you eat, Amaryllis. ' âCome to church with me and James, Amaryllis. '
“Has a gorgeous minister called today?”
“Nope. But there's a surprise waiting for you on your desk.”
Michelle smiled. “He sent roses, didn't he?”
“Why don't you take a look?”
Michelle walked into her office and saw the big blue box and shouted with joy. “Yay, my wedding invitations are here.” She anxiously opened the box and pulled out a single invitation. Suddenly, her grin turned upside down and she hollered out. “Oh, my goodness. What is this? How could this happen?”
Surprise, surprise, surprise.
Amaryllis was at her desk with the same silly smile as Gomer Pyle often wore on television. She composed herself then jumped up and ran into Michelle's office. “Michelle, what's wrong?” Amaryllis played the role of a devoted sister, ready to do combat with whatever was ailing Michelle. Michelle was stunned at what she was reading, and couldn't say anything. Amaryllis walked over to her and asked again. “What's wrong?”
Tears were streaming down Michelle's face. “My invitations are ruined.”
Amaryllis took the invitation from her hand and read it. “How in the world could they mess this up?”
“The question is why is your name on there at all, Amaryllis?” Michelle wasn't the least bit suspicious that her baby sister was the culprit.
“Sweetie, sometimes these things happen.”
“How?”
“Since I was the one who actually placed the order, maybe the lady just got the names mixed up.”
“Well, I'm gonna find out.” Michelle snatched up her telephone and was getting ready to dial when Amaryllis stopped her.
“Michelle, you are in no mood to talk to anyone. Let me handle this for you. Besides, you're too nice. When I get through with this company, they won't know what hit them.”
Amaryllis took the telephone from Michelle and told her to dial the number. After a couple of rings, someone answered. “Yes, who am I speaking with? Yolanda, this is Michelle Price and I've just received my wedding invitations. Heck no, I'm not pleased with them. Because you screwed up the entire order, that's why. No, that's not what I faxed you. Hold on a minute.”
She motioned for Michelle to get the copy from her file cabinet. Michelle gave Amaryllis the manila envelope. “Yolanda, I'm holding in my hand what my secretary faxed you. I told you, what? Listen, Yolanda, my wedding is less than seven weeks away. I want this order corrected and sent to me within the next three days. And if your company can't get a simple name right, then maybe you shouldn't be in business. And just so you know, I sue companies that try to get over on people. You've got three days ... Yes, that's fine.”
Amaryllis hung up the telephone and looked at Michelle. “See, problem solved. Your new and corrected invitations will be here in three days, and Yolanda's gonna eat the bill. You'll be receiving a refund check.”
Michelle looked at her sister in awe. “I'm so glad you're on my team. I thought you were gonna get ghetto on her.”
“If you weren't sitting here, I would have. But since you won't let me cuss, you missed out.”
Amaryllis picked up the box of wedding invitations. “I'm sure you don't wanna look at these anymore, so I'll shred them.”
“Thanks, sis, and please don't mention this incident to James.”
Amaryllis closed Michelle's door behind her and headed into the file room to shred the invitations. She had thought about keeping one invitation for a souvenir but decided against it. Michelle was upset and Amaryllis found satisfaction in that. James, on the other hand, was destined to pay a bigger price.
Â
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Michelle reached for the mail in her basket. She saw the gold calligraphy lettering on an envelope and paused. She slowly opened the letter and saw another puzzle piece enclosed in a sheet of paper. This piece showed a part of a gray leather sofa and the left side of a light skinned person's back and butt. She read the letter.
Roses are red, Violets are blue. This
world is full of surprises, There's one
waiting just for you.
After shredding the invitations, Amaryllis came back into Michelle's office. “It's quitting time, Michelle.”
She saw Michelle sitting at her desk with one hand over her mouth. With the other she was holding the puzzle piece. Amaryllis walked further into her office. “Another letter?”
“Amaryllis, I think someone's stalking me.”
Amaryllis read the letter and looked at the puzzle piece. “Don't get upset. Let's take it home and put it with the other one and see what we've got.”
Once at home, they connected the two pieces. It was clear that a naked light skinned woman was straddling a man.
“Who in the world is sending this to me?,” Michelle asked Amaryllis.
“Michelle, it's probably a bridesmaid joke.”
Michelle thought about that. “You know what, Amaryllis? Jodie
is
the type to do something this crazy.”
“See, it's nothing for you to worry about.”
For now.
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On Saturday morning, Michelle had just finished vacuuming the entire town home when the telephone rang. “Hello?”
“Hi, Michelle, this is Tamara Brown from One Magnificent Moment. Your wedding gown has arrived along with your maid of honor, bridesmaid and flower girl dresses.”
Michelle was very excited. After yesterday's issue with the wedding invitations, she could use some good news. “That's wonderful, Tamara.”
“When would you and your ladies like to come in for your fittings?”
“How about today?” Michelle squealed.
“Fine, I'll make an appointment for one o'clock this afternoon,” Tamara said.
“Great, that gives me plenty of time to round everyone up.”
Michelle hurried upstairs and knocked on Amaryllis' door, then poked her head in. “Good morning, sis.”
Amaryllis was lying on the bed watching television in her usual funky mood. “What's so good about it?”
“The bridal boutique just called. Our dresses are in and we have a one o'clock appointment for a fitting.”
Amaryllis didn't respond to Michelle's exciting news. She kept her focus on the television.
“Amaryllis, did you hear me?”
“Yeah,” she answered nonchalantly.
“Aren't you excited?”
Excited for what? It's not my wedding.
Amaryllis hopped out of bed and went into the bathroom. “Of course, I am. I'm hungry. Can you make me cinnamon toast?”
“No, I'm gonna treat my ladies to breakfast at the Pancake House before the fitting, so get ready.”
Michelle went downstairs to her bedroom and called Jodie. “Good morning, Jodie, what are you up to?”
“Hey, girl, I'm making oatmeal for Mya. This little girl acts like she's a maniac. No one can say two words to her until she gets at least three tablespoons of this stuff in her belly.”
“Well, let her throw a tantrum just a little bit longer. I'll be there in an hour to take you two to breakfast, then we're going to the bridal boutique to try on our dresses.”
“The dresses are in? Ooh, I'm so excited.”
“I'm glad someone is.” Michelle was upset that her sister hadn't shared in her joy.
“What do you mean?”
“When I told Amaryllis, she behaved as though she couldn't care less.”
“So. Don't let that bring you down. This is all about you, Michelle,” Jodie encouraged.
“I know, Jodie, but she's my sister.”
“Like I said. So?”
“You don't understand.”
“No, Michelle,
you
don't understand. You're preparing to marry a man who worships the husk on your feet.”
“I ain't gat no husk on my feet.”
“Umph, umph, umph. Did you hear yourself, Michelle? You said, âI ain't gat no.' Aren't you a college graduate? You know better than that, Counselor.”
“Whatever. I still ain't gat no husk on my feet.”
“And she says it again. Anyway, back to your sister. This is supposed to be the happiest time in
your
life. You don't have time to pacify anyone who can't get behind you and support your mood. And I don't like your sister's attitude. I only met Amaryllis twice when I came to visit you at the law firm. Her attitude was very chilly both times.
“Even when I call your house, if she answers she's not cordial at all. Whenever I ask to speak to you, I hear a thump, like she throws the receiver. Amaryllis acts as though the whole world revolves around her, and I think she's jealous of you.”