Chapter 4
Kayla
The good thing was that Paula Daniels was behind bars. She confessed to trying to murder Cedric, and the focus had been taken off of me. Jacoby was delighted that Cedric was recovering well, but the unfortunate thing was that I wasn't.
I wanted to forgive Cedric for all that he'd done, but I couldn't. I couldn't find the right time to speak to him about his affair with Evelyn, and now that he was home, I didn't want to be in his presence. So instead of staying in the house, I moved my things out of Trina's apartment and went back to a hotel room. This time, I had money in my pocket, and I withdrew a substantial amount of money from Cedric's bank account; money that could assist me, until I decided what to ultimately do. The divorce papers that he'd sent to me, right before he was shot, awaited my signature. I wasn't sure if I would sign them, but for now, the papers sat on the table in the hotel room, along with several checks that I'd written to take care of his bills, along with mine. With Cedric unable to handle things, I took the initiative to make sure everything was taken care of. He was very organized, and as I searched his office, I found a list of his monthly expenses that needed to be taken care of. I also found a list of the numerous payments he transferred to Evelyn's account, and additional payments he sent to other women's accounts as well. I didn't know who any of the women were and some of the deposits into their accounts could have been work related.
The house that his receptionist lived in had Cedric's name on it. After he kicked her out, he'd planned on renting the place. At $5,000 a month, it was obvious that she hadn't been living in a shack. Evelyn was the one who had gotten duped. Her loft was nice, but in no way could it have been like the house Paula had lived in. Speaking of being duped, that applied to me too. There were hotel receipts from when Cedric was out of town. He paid for dinners, plays, cars, and then some. He damn sure wasn't cheap when it came to giving money to his mistresses, but they all were required to put up with his mess. What I discovered was there were plenty of women who seemed willing and able: willing to hurt me and destroy our family, like Cedric was.
Since Jacoby decided to stay at the house with Cedric, I felt a little better. I didn't want Cedric being alone, so what I did was hire a maid/nurse's aid, Cynthia, who was capable of taking care of him. Ever since he'd been home, I stopped by to check on him. Some days he didn't know I was there, other days he would see me but wouldn't say much. According to Jacoby, he said he and Cedric were starting to talk more. He said they had a few positive conversations, and Jacoby had asked me when I was coming back home. At this time, I wasn't sure.
I entered Cedric's house through the front door. Jacoby was sitting on the couch in the great room, watching TV with Adrianne. They both smiled when they saw me.
“Hey, Mama,” Jacoby said, standing up.
So did Adrianne. She reached out to give me a hug. “Hello, Mrs. Thompson. How are you?”
“I'm doing okay. What are you all watching on TV?”
“ESPN,” she said then playfully rolled her eyes. “We're going to the movies in a little bit. Would you like to go with us?”
“No, not today. Maybe some other time, but thanks for asking.”
Cynthia came into the room to join us. She wiped her hand on an apron and nudged her head toward the kitchen. “May I speak to you for a minute, Kayla?” she said.
“Sure.” I followed her into the kitchen, where she was preparing a meal. Whatever she had in the oven smelled delicious. I could tell it was something sweet. I'd definitely try whatever it was, especially since I'd lost so much weight in the past few months. My curves were starting to disappear and this was the smallest I'd been since college.
Much shorter than I was and a bit on the chubby side, Cynthia stood in front of me. She gave me a piece of paper and showed me Cedric's phone. “This woman called four times for Cedric. She didn't want to leave a message, but she sent a text telling him to call her, once he was better. I just thought you may want to know this. Also, another woman left a message for him. It was very sexual, and I assume she doesn't know what happened.”
I took the phone, and sure enough, one of the numbers belonged to Evelyn. I guess she must have figured out that Cedric wasn't really dead. I thanked Cynthia for the information.
“No problem. Mr. Thompson has been asleep for most of the day, but the last time I checked on him, he was up watching television. I think he's starting to feel better, because I heard him laugh when speaking to Jacoby. You have a very loving son, but sometimes he walks around here in a daze. I ask if he's okay, and he says that he's fine. I think this whole thing with his dad is kind of troubling him. But it's good that he's been here for his dad. They seem to like each other's company, and all in all, you do have a good son. Your husband, however, is a little demanding. But that's okay. I know how to deal with him, and when I offer him my fist, he laughs.”
“Thank you for the information, Cynthia. I think Jacoby will be fine, and he is a good kid. I wouldn't have him any other way. As for my husband, good luck with him. That's why I'm paying you extra, because I know he's a force to be reckoned with.”
We laughed and Cynthia agreed.
“Now, what's for dinner?” I asked. “If you made some more of that delicious lasagna you made the other day, I'm staying.”
She lifted her finger and switched it from side to side. “Listen, girlfriend, I may be an Italian woman, but I also like to experiment with soul food. I'm cooking a delicious pot roast, mac and cheese, candied yams, and greens. My cherry cobbler is in the oven, and I can't wait for you to taste that.”
“I think you may have to leave the soul food to me, but we'll see. Let me go talk to Cedric. The conversation that I have with him will determine if I'll stay.”
I walked past the great room where Adrianne and Jacoby seemed to be enjoying each other's company. As I slowly made my way up the stairs, I stopped to take a deep breath. I wasn't prepared to look face to face with Cedric since he'd been shot and today was no different. But after I paused, I continued up the stairs and into the bedroom. I was pleased to see him lying on his side, sound asleep. The TV was on, and I turned to see who the person was on TV yelling. It was a commentator on ESPN, talking about sports. I couldn't believe that his foolishness had caught my attention. So much so that when Cedric called my name, I barely heard him.
“Kayla,” he called again. I turned and saw him adjusting himself to sit up in bed. “Do you mind helping me with a few of these pillows? Bring me some of those pillows at the bottom of the bed so I can prop myself up.”
Just because I didn't want to come off as bitter, I did what he'd asked. I fluffed the pillows and placed them behind him. He appeared comfortable and smiled. “Thank you. And if you would please get me a glass of water, I would appreciate it. I think Cynthia has an ice bucket over there. My glass is right here on the nightstand.”
I didn't budge. I folded my arms and stared at him. “I don't mean to be rude, but let me say this to you. I am not starring in a role for
Diary of a Mad Black Woman,
so, therefore, you won't find me around here washing your tail, cooking and cleaning, feeding you or massaging your back for you. It pains me to fluff your pillows and get you a glass of water, simply because I don't appreciate all that you've done to me. I don't have to recall everything you did, but just so you know, the baby is a hard pill for me to swallow, Cedric. So was the affair with your receptionist, and let's not talk about all of the others. I'm here to make sure you're being taken care of by Cynthia. Also to see about my son, and to make sure the bills don't get behind. If there is anything pertaining to the bills that you would like for me to take care of, please let me know.”
Cedric let out a dry cough and then he wiped his mouth. He reached for his glass on the nightstand and reached out to hand it to me. “My mouth is dry. There is ice in the ice bucket and water in the bathroom. Would you please take care of that for me?”
I stood my ground. “No. I will let Cynthia know what you need, and since you're paying her well, I'm sure she will abide. Now, if there is nothing else pertaining to your finances, I'm going to go.”
Cedric didn't say anything else, so I moved toward the door. When he called out my name, I halted my steps.
“There is one thing,” he said then lightly chuckled. “No, two. Be sure to put aside some money to buy my baby some Pampers when he or she arrives, and buy yourself a wig, too. Your short haircut looks as bad as that attitude you got, and don't come here again until you figure out how to sympathize with me regarding this situation. Yes, I created a mess, but don't you stand there being all innocent and shit, like you're so gotdamn perfect.”
This bastard had my blood boiling. Yet again, I was the one to blame for his fuckups. I wasn't sure when he was going to fess up and take responsibility for what he'd done. I already admitted to how hurtful my lies about Arnez being Jacoby's father may have been, but I wasn't going to take the blame for anything else. I marched over to the bed and poked at his wounded chest. He squeezed his eyes, revealing that he was in a little pain.
“Buy your own baby Pampers, and you can keep on paying for all of those hoochies' pussies too. I have lost all respect for you, Cedric. A huge part of me wish . . . I wish you would've died!” I choked back my tears, realizing how difficult it was for me to say that to him.
He appeared stunned too, and this time around, his voice softened. “Don't worry about my finances. All I want you to do is sign those divorce papers and free yourself. After you do that, I assure you that you'll feel a whole lot better. Now leave so I can get some rest. I've had enough arguments with you. Quite frankly, they're not worth my time.”
I took a hard swallow and tried to gather myself to say something else to him that would hurt. Instead, I stormed toward the door and slammed it behind me. When I reached the bottom stair, I looked into the great room at Jacoby and Adrianne.
“Tell Cynthia I'm not staying for dinner. I hope the two of you have a great time at the movies. When you get home tonight, Jacoby, please call me.”
“Will do, Mama. Holla tonight.”
I left, feeling on edge. Every time Cedric brought up those damn divorce papers, it upset me. Every time I saw him, I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs and punch him a thousand and one times. But the truth was, for me to allow him to upset me like this, it proved that I still loved him. There was something inside of me that didn't want to let him go. I didn't want any of those other women to have him either, and I hated myself for still having feelings for himâno, for loving him. The hold he'd had on me needed a retirement date. I needed to retire him, but unfortunately, I didn't know how long his hold would last.
I was so wound up that, almost an hour later, I found myself following Evelyn as she made her way to the grocery store. She parked and hopped out of her car as if the paparazzi were waiting to snap a picture of her. She removed her shades and tossed her long hair from side to side. She was so busy trying to make sure everyone noticed her that she didn't even see me coming up from behind her. I tapped her shoulder. She swung around and frowned at my presence. Catching her off guard, again, I slapped the mess out of her.
“I'm not going to keep having these conversations with you,” I said, pointing my finger near her face. “Stop calling my husband and leave us the hell alone.”
I walked off, but this time, Evelyn came after me. I'd known her for many years, so I already knew that she didn't know how to fight. She was too worried about not looking cute, but that was the least of my worries.
“Your ass is going to jail,” she shouted then slapped her hand against my back. “You're not going to keep slapping me and getting away with it!”
I turned around and grabbed her neck. I squeezed it as hard as I could, causing her to weaken and almost melt close to the ground. She squeezed her eyes and scratched at my hands so I would loosen my grip. I did and that was when she grabbed her own neck and rubbed it. She was doubled over, trying her best to catch her breath.
“I swear.” She kept choking. “Yo . . . you are so in trouble. I am pressing charges today!”
“Do what you wish. Besides, I have money for a lawyer; how about you? Probably not, and trust me when I say it will be your word against mine. But if you want to resolve this little matter, and stop having these abrupt conversations, then leave me and my family the hell alone. The choice is yours.”
People going into the grocery store had stopped to look. But no one was about to interfere when it came to two black women going at it. I saw one lady reach for her cell phone, so I pushed Evelyn one last time. She stumbled, but managed to stay on her feet. I walked to my car and listened to her numerous threats. All they did, for the time being, was make me laugh. I felt as if I'd gotten some kind of satisfaction.