Chapter 7
Nicole managed to smooth things over with Rashad enough to cause him to forget about their most recent stumbling blocks and concentrate on moving into their lovely new house. It had been a whirlwind few days. And Nicole was so exhausted from unpacking boxes and setting up the new house that she was ready to collapse at the end of each day.
“I’m tired as hell. But I’m happier than I’ve ever been,” she told her husband before he went to work. Rashad wanted to put in a few hours that morning, since his daughter’s first birthday party would be held later in the afternoon. He stood in the bathroom watching Nicole. She was seated in the Hollywood tub completely immersed in warm, soothing water with white bubbles and surrounded by firelight candles that smelled of vanilla ice cream and caramel.
“I’ll admit, you looking hot in that tub.” He licked his lips and stared.
* * *
Nicole felt like she was starring in a big-budget film and she was the featured celebrity.
“Thank you, babe,” she said. She raised a glass of champagne toward Rashad. He smiled down at Nicole’s glistening breasts. He quickly removed his clothes so he could join her.
“Damn, you look fine yourself,” she told him. “I have the sexiest husband in Houston. Well, make that in all of Sugar Land. We’re moving on up.” She laughed and sipped from her glass.
“Man, it doesn’t take much for you, huh?” he said. He quietly slid into the tub filled with bubbles. The whoosh of hot water completely covered him and instantly soothed him. Nicole was sitting in front of Rashad. He reached over and cupped her breasts. His hands were magical and felt so good on her. She maneuvered her body and turned around until she was facing him. She wanted to look Rashad deep in his eyes. The more she stared at him, the more she wanted to pinch herself. No wonder her best friend refused to associate with her. Shyla’s actions hurt at first. But Nicole didn’t care. Not anymore.
She sighed in contentment and began to clean Rashad’s hairy chest with a soapy sponge.
“I finally feel like a queen. And I love you, Rashad Eason.”
“Love you, too.”
“You’re my king, my Santa Claus, my sugar daddy, all rolled into one.”
“Oh yeah?” He smiled at her. He liked how that sounded, even if it seemed like she was describing someone else.
“A lot of people dream about having something amazing for years or even their entire lives. And a lot of times that’s all it ends up being—a wish. But everything I want is here. It’s now. I’m so happy that I’m afraid one day I’ll wake up and it’s all going to be over, because it was just a five-minute dream I had that felt real. But, no. This is my reality.” Nicole pressed her lips against his, stuck her tongue in his mouth, and kissed him. She sucked on his tongue and moaned when he lowered his hands and massaged her vagina. Waves of pleasure rolled inside of her. It felt so good she could barely speak. “And I-I’m so grateful and so thankful, because when I—when I think about it, I might not deserve all of this. I probably didn’t stay on a straight and narrow path to get everything I have.”
“You didn’t play your position; you took your position.”
“Ouch! That sounds so horrible, as if Kiara was at the top of a mountain and I climbed up next to her and knocked her off.”
“But isn’t it true?”
“I know one thing. I won’t take the entire blame for how we hooked up.”
He could only laugh and agree with her. People wanted what they wanted, and at times they didn’t care how they went about getting it.
Nicole’s voice was quiet and reflective as she splashed more water on Rashad’s chest. “Right way, wrong way; point is, I want to hold on to everything I have and never let it go. Because some goal-oriented people might die and never, ever see even a little bit of what they wished could happen during their lifetime.”
“Yeah, you are one lucky chick. But every Cinderella has that moment when the clock strikes midnight. The carriage turns back into a pumpkin and her prince has to take back his rented tux.”
She tossed her head and laughed. “You’re so silly, Rashad. I’ll tell you like I told my former best friend. I won’t let any negativity rain on my parade. I’m happy. And I plan to stay that way.”
She sank deeper into the tub, closed her eyes, and Rashad realized he’d been dismissed.
* * *
Later that afternoon approximately a dozen children gathered at Chuck E. Cheese’s. Even though Jazzy wouldn’t turn one until the next weekend, Kiara had decided to throw the party ahead of time.
Jazzy, Myles, Kiara, and Eddison arrived first, and from the moment they set foot in the venue, she and Eddison were nearly glued to each other’s side. Like true partners, they consulted with the party coordinator and checked on all the details together.
“You’re so good at daddy-day-care duties,” she told him.
“I’m glad you think so.”
“I wish we could have had our own child, sweetie.”
“It’s not too late for that to happen,” he assured her. “Meanwhile I’ll have fun treating these kids like my own.”
When Rashad and Nicole walked in with Emmy on her hip, she surveyed the room. Kiara had reserved one long table decked out with green, lavender, and pink balloons that nearly bobbed against the ceiling. Numerous party favors were arranged at each child’s seat. And a three-layer cake decorated with edible crayons bearing Jazzy’s name prominently sat at the middle of the spread.
“Nice job, Kiara,” Nicole remarked once she made sure Emmy was seated in the center of the other children. “It’s all about the kids today,” she said. “Thank God she’s only one and she doesn’t realize where she’s at.”
“There is nothing wrong with my daughter having her party at this place.”
“Umm, if you say so. But I really thought you’d pick somewhere a bit classier.”
“Girl, I’ll bet when you turned one, Chuck E. Cheese’s would have been an upgrade for your family.”
Nicole laughed. “We’re not talking about me. It’s all about that precious little Jazz and how she’s forced to sit at these sticky-topped plastic tables and the non-working video games.”
“You are exaggerating. And why would you care where Jazzy has a party?”
“I want her to be happy.”
“Why aren’t you concerned about your own happiness, Nicole? You schemed your way into getting that man that you were so desperate to have. It seems that nothing else would matter to you after that. But obviously you are the type who is never satisfied.”
Nicole was startled by her remarks.
“I don’t like what you said. Take it back.”
“And I didn’t like all the shit that you did by sleeping with my husband. Take that back. Oops, I guess it’s impossible to do that, because it would mean Emmy would instantly disappear from sight. Like a cheap magic trick.”
Nicole glared at Kiara, unable to believe she’d just sunk so low as to target her daughter. Suddenly the joyful squeals of children interrupted them. The kids were laughing, running, and having the time of their lives. She decided to back off.
“I’ll ignore your little statement. And just know that I didn’t mean harm about this joint. I always thought you were the sophisticated, snobby type and I just thought you’d go all-out—”
“Nicole, I didn’t mean what I said about Emmy. I don’t like you judging my decisions. The point is, the kids are having a good time, alright? So, please go get yourself some pizza and a beer, and relax for a change. You look really stressed out.”
As soon as Kiara turned around, she saw Rashad. And he was headed toward Eddison.
“Damn, if it’s not one thing it’s another.” She quickly approached the men, who’d just engaged in conversation.
“What are you two talking about?” she asked.
“I was just asking Mr. Osborne if he’d been hitting any new bars lately. You know, Houston is always opening up a new place to drink and get your swerve on.”
“Rashad, please. I know what you’re trying to do, and it’s not going to work.”
Eddison faced Rashad. “Yeah, man, I heard that you called my lady and implied that I’m down-low, or something to that effect?”
“Are you?” Rashad asked.
“If I was, it definitely wouldn’t be any of your business.”
“If you were, then you need the shit beat out of you.”
“Rashad,” Kiara pleaded, “we are here to celebrate our daughter. Not interrogate me and my man. I’m going to have to ask you to leave. Right now.”
“I ain’t going nowhere. I am here for two reasons: to be with Jazzy . . . and to keep my eyes on this fake P.O.S.”
It took everything inside Eddison not to smash Rashad in his face. He came close to losing it, but he held his composure. He avoided Rashad the rest of the night, but he couldn’t help but notice the questioning looks that Kiara kept giving him. Looks that made him wonder how much longer he could withhold the words he needed to tell her.
When Rashad had the first opportunity, he pulled Kiara to the side. He grabbed her arm and led her to a corner.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“I wanted to tell you thank you for organizing this party. I didn’t contribute that much.”
“Oh, you did. You paid for this and that helped.”
“You always know how to get my money, don’t you?” He smiled like he was impressed.
“I get what I can get, alright?”
“I like that about you, Kiara. I always have. You’re strong, determined. And you look like you are back to your pre-pregnancy weight.”
“What it’s to you?”
“I like that you’re taking care of yourself, managing your life, the kids.”
“Oh, well, thanks.”
He looked like he wanted to say more but she cut him off. “How’s married life, player?”
“I ain’t a player.”
“Now, that’s hard to believe. You cheated on me, a decent woman who really loved you, but you’re faithful to that little wench?”
“Hey.”
“Hey, nothing. It’s true.”
“What? Are you still hurt? I-I’m sorry about that, Kiara. I never wanted to hurt you, babe. I know I messed up a good thing.”
She could not look him in the eye. It was rare that she allowed herself to display the hurt she had endured from their turbulent marriage. She assumed that she’d gotten stronger from not being around him, and she wanted to always present herself as such.
“Oh well, Rashad. It’s all water under your whorish bridge.”
Her words stung, and now he was the one feeling emotional. “It’s probably too late now, but I’m not the same man, Kiara. I’m a better one. And I have you to thank for that.”
“Don’t thank me for anything.” She shoved his forehead and pushed him against a wall. “Thank yourself for causing the shit that broke us apart. Now, go somewhere, sit in the hoe corner, and think about everything you’ve done.” She left him alone and returned to the party.
* * *
Rashad and Jerry were at a construction site installing track lighting into the ceiling of a middle-school gym. Rashad liked to get down in the trenches sometimes and assist with the dirty work. He stood on the seventeen-foot-tall orange extension ladder, his tools gathered in a belt that was secured around his waist. Jerry was standing underneath the ladder attending to other duties.
As Rashad took a big step on the ladder, he tried to reach toward the ceiling at the same time; freakishly, his right foot slipped. Without thinking, instead of gripping the ladder, he shifted backward and lost his balance. He felt himself helplessly falling. Rashad reached out in desperation, trying to grab the ladder but he overreached. His hand barely grazed the step. But it was too late. In no time he was airborne.
Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!
Rashad grunted when his body struck the wooden floor. He’d fallen twelve feet. His legs were tangled like knotted wire. He winced and wailed.
Within seconds Jerry crouched over Rashad.
“Boss Man, are you all right?”
Rashad nodded. Then groaned, “My back.”
“Can you sit up?”
He tried. But as soon as he struggled to raise himself, he quickly plunked back on the floor.
“Call my wife,” he struggled to tell Jerry. “Hurry. Dial eight-three-two . . .” He weakly recited the other numbers.
Soon Nicole was on the line. Jerry placed her on speaker.
“Hey, Jerry. I was in the middle of doing something. What’s up?”
“It’s Rashad. He’s been hurt.”
“What? Hurt how? Is it serious?”
“He’s laid out on the floor. He fell off a ladder.”
“How the hell did that happen? Did you call an ambulance?”
“He wanted me to call you first.”
“Well, that’s crazy, call 911,” she huffed. “Where exactly is he?”
Jerry provided Nicole with the address. Then the sound of many voices echoed in Jerry’s ear as he tried to talk to her.
“Where are you, Nicole?”
“I-I’m taking care of some business.”
“Okay . . . how soon can you be here?”
“I, um, I’m on my way,” she told him. Then thought, I need to do something real quick.
“Where exactly are you?” Jerry asked.
Nicole hesitated, then hung up. She was at the Galleria Mall waiting in line at Neiman Marcus. She was about to buy three pairs of Christian Louboutin shoes that she’d had her eyes on for weeks. And when she learned that the store finally had her size in stock, Nicole grabbed her keys and wallet. On the way to the store, she told herself this purchase was a congratulations gift to herself for convincing Rashad to buy their first home. When she first arrived in the shoe department and told the salesman what she wanted, she trembled when she tried on each pair: a pair of black patent-leather red bottom pumps, scuba studded black leather booties, and beige python-embossed pumps.
The final price would add up to nearly three grand before tax. It would be her first time ever owning a pair of Loubies. Yep, she thought as she caressed the top box of the shoes she was about to purchase. This shy little girl who used to run around barefoot in Alabama has finally arrived.
Nicole’s excitement rapidly turned to guilt when a nagging feeling tugged at her. She stood behind two other customers who clutched several boxes in their hands.
“Hurry, please hurry. I have an emergency,” she said out loud, hoping the sales associate could hear her.
After waiting a brief moment, Nicole was able to swipe the credit card that Rashad had given to her for emergencies. Minutes later she raced out of the store and hopped into her ride.
Nicole expertly hid her purchases behind the driver’s seat, covering them with a thick blanket. Finally! She felt ready to perform her wifely duties.
When she arrived at the construction site, the first person she spotted hovering over Rashad was Kiara.
The sight of the woman made Nicole hot with rage. She leaped out of the Jeep and stormed over to the tiny crowd of people that had gathered.
“Mrs. Eason, sorry we’re just now getting here. A train got us jammed up,” the EMS attendant explained. “Which hospital should we take him to?” He was addressing Kiara, who appeared distressed as she tried not to caress Rashad’s shoulder. Eyes closed, he lay there moaning every few seconds. He wasn’t talking and hadn’t seen her arrive.
“Um, I’m thinking Sugar Land Methodist will work,” Kiara blurted without thinking.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Excuse me, sir,” Nicole interrupted. “I’m the current Mrs. Eason. You need to go through me, not her.”
The man shrugged like it didn’t matter. He quietly asked his coworker to help lift Rashad onto a gurney.
“What’s going on? Where are you taking him?” Nicole asked.
“We’ve been consulting with this nice lady since she got here. She said to go to Sugar Land Methodist, so that’s what we’ll try to do. We’ll make sure they have space for him there first, and if they do, you’re more than welcome to ride in the vehicle with us or you may follow behind and meet us there.”
“Of course I’m going with him. What type of wife do you think I am?”
“You’ve already shown them what type you are,” Kiara wearily answered. She felt distressed and regretful about her ex. “I always warned Rashad that he tried to do way too many things on the job. He feels he has to wear every damn hat at Eason and Son, and he never should have tried to do this type of work.”
Kiara told herself that she was no longer in love with Rashad. But all she could think about was Myles and Jazzy. An achy lump developed in her throat. They’d had some rough patches during their years together, but if she stopped acting stubborn, she could admit there’d been more good times than bad.
She pulled herself together and decided to travel to the hospital with Jerry, who had contacted Kiara when it seemed like Nicole wasn’t sure when she’d show up.
Kiara climbed into the passenger seat of the company van and slammed the door. She buckled her seat belt and looked around. It had been ages since she’d sat in this vehicle, and she remembered the day she and Rashad drove it home from the dealership.
“Wow, Jerry. We’ve been through a lot, haven’t we? I can’t remember one time when you haven’t been there for us, Rashad, our family.” She warmly patted his hand as he drove toward the hospital. “Thank you so much.”
“No! Kiara. Thank you. I was scared you’d hang up on me when I called since this really isn’t your problem. But you handled the crisis like a true champ.” Jerry laughed bitterly. “If Rashad pulls out of this and learns that you were there when he really needed someone . . .” He could barely finish his sentence. Kiara wanted to hug him. They sped along the streets in their quest to be there for Rashad. She knew her ex-husband assumed that she despised him. But moving on didn’t always signify hate.
After Rashad was admitted and rolled away to get examined, everyone sat in the waiting room. In time, they were relieved to learn that he wasn’t permanently damaged by the accident.
The attending physician provided Nicole with an update: “The muscles surrounding Rashad’s spine were sprained.”
“What does that mean exactly?” she asked.
“There is no immediate cure for the type of injury he sustained.”
“What?” Nicole leaped to her feet, on the verge of flipping out. “I mean, I don’t understand. No cure? Is he handicapped?”
“In time he will be back to normal. But he needs to take several anti-inflammatory medications and get plenty of rest. We can also do some icing techniques to ease the pain. And depending on how well he recovers, he might have to go through long-term physical therapy.”
“Oh my God, are you serious?” Nicole rubbed her temples and cursed. “It sounds worse than I thought . . . I never expected any of this.”
“Welcome to marriage,” Kiara calmly told her. “The land of expecting the unexpected.” She was standing nearby in the dimly lit hallway and was anxious to hear Rashad’s prognosis. She quietly stepped into the room.
Nicole couldn’t look Kiara in the face. She was thinking that the woman had to be filled with glee. She’d been blessed with the healthier Rashad while Nicole had to deal with his ailing, sickly side.
Nicole turned and begged the doctor, “Are you sure about this? What if it’s just a simple backache? My back would hurt like hell when I was pregnant. I’d pop a couple of extra-strength Tylenols and call it a day.”
The doctor gave Nicole a stern look. “You can’t compare a pregnancy backache with the tragic accident that happened to your husband. Rashad is almost forty. If he’s been working hard labor nearly all his life in construction, he may have done damage to his back without realizing it.”
“If that’s true, then that’s messed up. I can’t believe this is happening to me.”
“What’s happening to you,” the doctor replied, “could be a whole lot worse. At least he doesn’t have to have major surgery, young lady, he isn’t paralyzed, and he didn’t even break one bone . . . or die.”
A somber hush fell over the room.
“I’m sorry you seem stressed by the prognosis, young lady, but there has been some damage, Rashad’s in a lot of pain, and right now he needs your support.”
“Poor thing,” Kiara remarked. “I truly hope Rashad pulls out of this. I know he will. He is so active and likes to keep moving. When will he be able to receive visitors?” she asked the doctor.
“Yeah,” Nicole spoke up. “I was wondering about that, too, but there was so much confusion and . . .”
The doctor ignored Nicole and began quietly speaking to Kiara.
Outwardly Nicole tried to appear strong and act interested in everything that was going on. But inside she was fuming. And embarrassed. For a rare moment she wished that her mother was by her side. Nicole could use some emotional support, but trying to reach out to Evelyn, or even Shyla, would make her feel stupid and weak. Nicole decided to keep her hurt feelings to herself and prayed for her husband to get better—fast.
* * *
That evening Nicole was the first person to visit Rashad. His hospital stay was scheduled to last a couple of days at least.
She held her breath and timidly entered his private room. She almost gasped when she saw him. Propped up against several pillows, Rashad wore a wrinkled blue smock. An IV tube was attached to his arm. His face was ashen, but when he saw Nicole, he managed to crack a weak smile.
“Hi, husband,” she said in a tiny voice.
Rashad tried to raise himself up, but quickly slumped back when the task felt too difficult for him.
“Are you crazy, babe? You are in no condition to be trying to sit up. I’m so mad at you I could scream. What were you thinking?”
“It’s good to see you, too,” he said in a hoarse voice.
Nicole leaned over and kissed his cheek. She’d never seen her man in a state of weakness before. And it scared her. Rashad seemed human. And she quickly realized that what Shyla had told her about marriage was the truth.
“Did you bring my laptop?” he asked.
“What? What are you talking about?”
“I thought I told you, or I told somebody, to bring my laptop up here.”
“That sounds crazy. What would you want that for? To try and do some type of work while you’re here? Rashad, you are getting to be ridiculous.” Fear of the unknown made Nicole agitated. She clutched her purse and repeatedly banged it against her side.
“This is crazy,” she continued. “We haven’t been married very long at all, and this is what we gotta go through?”
“Excuse me? Did you just call me ridiculous? Do you think I want to be here, Nicole?”
“I, um . . .”
“Listen to yourself and then tell me who’s being ridiculous.”
And so the arguing began.
“Why’d you even try to climb a damn ladder in the first place?”
“You can’t tell me how to do my job. I know what I’m doing.”
“Do you realize how stupid you sound? If you really knew what you were doing, you wouldn’t have fallen on your ass like a rookie.”
He gritted his teeth and tried to sit up and lean over to smack her, but she jumped back in disgust. The more Nicole watched her banged-up husband struggling, the more she felt like she was the one who’d gotten injured.
“If you are so smart, why are you in here looking all pitiful, huh? I’m so mad at you for being careless—”
“Shut it.”
“You shut it. The more you talk, the dumber you sound. I don’t want to have to worry about your ass every single day that you’re gone, Rashad.”
Her voice grew louder, which made Rashad attempt to sit up again. But he couldn’t.
“I’ve been doing this type of work for years.”
“No one would ever know it by the bandages all over your body.”
He sighed. Weakly laughed. What was he doing arguing with her from a hospital bed? “Nicky, these bandages prove the work I’ve done for years is hard and dangerous, yet I lived to tell about it.”
“Oh God! You sound as crazy as you look. I don’t want to hear any of that.”
“Wow, where’s the compassion?”
“I’m too annoyed to be compassionate, you fool. Next time be more careful is all I’m trying to say. Think of me. Think of the kids and take better care of yourself while you’re on these dangerous and hard jobs.”
Nicole almost wished she could call a nurse and get her own blood pressure taken. She took a few deep breaths and decided to lighten up. By the way he was wincing, she could see Rashad was still in some discomfort. Perhaps his medication was making him cranky. But she realized that even when her husband was healthy, some days she felt like she was in a war zone. Their arguments were silly, but brief, and always exhausting. Nicole turned her attention to Rashad.
“Babe, time out. Please, let’s not fight. It’s making me tired. I really just wanted to see you. Make sure you’re all in one piece. I hate hospitals. They smell bad. It’s depressing to be around sick people. And to be truthful, I am smart enough to realize that your job has safety risks. I-I don’t blame you for falling, because accidents can happen to anybody, at any time, no matter how cautious you are.” She paused and stared at him. His being hurt made her feel an indescribable pain. The only thing she could do was back off and let her heart slowly refill with love for him. “Babe, you look a hot mess, and I’m probably not making things any better by fussing at you.” She leaned over and kissed his dry cheek.
“That’s the most truthful thing you’ve said all day.”
She smiled and gently stroked his hair. “How are you really feeling?”
He sighed. “I’m alright, considering what could have happened. Can’t wait to get the hell up and out of here.”
Nicole nodded. She decided it made no sense to try to win an argument. It was too late to change what happened.
“Rashad, as long as you’re here, you might as well enjoy this. At least you can feel good knowing that for twenty-four hours a day, they wait on you hand and foot. I’ll give ’em that much credit.” She paused and contemplated their future. “I’m assuming you won’t be able to go back to work right away. Is that going to affect any of your projects? You know you have critical deadlines coming up.”
He said nothing and pretended like he was too busy watching television.
“Did you hear me? Am I right? Will you miss out on any projects because of this?”
“Is that all you care about, wife?”
“Um, well, no—”
“Because from where I’m sitting, you seem to be more concerned about me going back and stacking my papers than you are about me getting better. The company will function even if I’m not there.” He took the remote and turned up the TV volume.
She snatched it from his hand and muted the sound.
“Hold up, Rashad, you’re taking this all wrong. As long as you’re here in this place, where many people are in great pain, I know that things aren’t right, but if they let you out, then it means you’re on the mend. The prognosis is good and you’ll be returning to your normal life. That’s what worries me—”
“Nicole, I found out why you couldn’t reach me the second Jerry told you I got injured.”
“But I came as soon as I—”
“Believe it or not, I have been able to do some things since I’ve been here. And when I had a moment to myself, I checked my phone. It took a while for me to get a cell phone signal in here, but I finally got through. I listened to a voice mail from my credit card company. A courtesy security alert. Large purchases were made at Neiman Marcus, which ain’t the norm for my Amex. And they wanted to make sure no fraud was going on. I called ’em back and found out someone used my card to buy expensive-ass designer shoes . . .”
Nicole grabbed Rashad’s hand, lifted it, and kissed it several times before letting it go. “Babe, I’m so sorry. I know it sounds crazy. But it all happened at a bad time. I swear, the timing was fucked. I was already at the cash register. I couldn’t just abandon everything like that. We were almost done,” she explained. Her cheeks reddened, which made her feel even more embarrassed. She prayed he’d understand and know that she really did try to get to him as soon as she could. “And you shouldn’t have bothered yourself at that moment trying to check a credit card purchase. It wasn’t that important.” Her voice sounded hollow and empty as her words slid to a strained silence.
Rashad rolled his eyes. “Did you want a marriage . . . to be a ride-and-die partner with me . . . or did you do it just for an expensive wedding . . . and a big pretty house that you wanted to show off to your haters?”
“Oh my God. I can’t believe you just asked me that. Because from what I recall, you told me that you were going to spoil me. Remember? You told me that you couldn’t make any major purchases for a girlfriend at the time because you were still married and going through a divorce. But that when it was all over and you got a wife, then you could splurge.”
Rashad shook his head. “Nah, I don’t remem—”
“The fuck you don’t. Your memory must have gotten jacked up along with your back injury. Because I can’t forget something like that. And it’s very unfair of you to make me think you meant what you said, when you really are el cheapo. I’ll bet you bought your bougie ex-wife whatever she wanted and never gave her hell about it.”
“Keep Kiara’s name out of your mouth.” His eyes bulged from his head.
“Why are you looking so crazy, Rashad?”
“Why you talkin’ about Kiara?”
“What? I can’t believe you actually said that to me!”
“I can’t believe you picked some fucking designer shoes over seeing whether your dude was dead or alive after falling off a ladder. That’s what has my face messed up from the chest up. Not a fall from a ladder, but the fact that my ride or die put herself first instead of making sure her breadwinner was still alive. And then thinking it was enough to go through a third party like Jerry to check on me. Why didn’t you drop everything to make sure I was good? Choosing shoes over me? That shit hurts me way more than my damn back.”
Rashad’s words hit Nicole like a flinging sledgehammer. She grabbed his hand and shook it. “Babe, I am so sorry for doing that. The shoes aren’t more important than you. I’ll even take them back to the store and get a refund if that’ll make you feel better.”
“If that’ll make me feel better?”
Her eyes lowered to the floor. It felt really bad for her to mess up on this level, especially when she knew that she really did care about him. “Please don’t be mad. I can’t stand it when you’re mad.”
He angrily snatched away his hand, pushed the volume button on the remote, and pointedly stared at the television. Family Feud was airing; Steve Harvey was cracking jokes and making faces.
“Babe,” she pleaded again. “I don’t want you to think I didn’t care about you. But in that moment, it didn’t sound like a life-or-death situation. And it wasn’t life or death, or else you wouldn’t be here. You’re in a doctor’s care and you’ll be better in time, so try to focus on the good side, not on the worst. I’m so grateful and happy that you’re alive, do you understand that?”
Right then a pretty nurse with wide hips, big boobs, and shapely legs sashayed into the room. Rashad’s face immediately brightened when he saw her. “Hey there. You decided to come back. I didn’t scare you away last time?” he asked.
The nurse and Rashad giggled and smiled as if they shared a private joke.
“I decided to come back because I just had to see what you want to order for your dinner, Rashad Eason.” His nurse beamed and handed Rashad a menu. “We have some turkey and dressing that’s out of this world. Would you like to add that to your dinner list?”
“Um, his wife can help him pick out his food.” Nicole walked over and grabbed the menu from Rashad.
“You need to be eating healthy, babe, and they got a lot of good stuff on here that sounds way healthier than turkey and dressing. Damn, I know you miss my cooking, and I sure wish I could cook for you while you’re here. But all that’ll change once we get you back home again. I’m going to make sure that you recover really well.”
“Is that right? I’d like to see that.”
“Stop playing.”
The nurse discreetly left them alone.
Nicole sat next to Rashad and eagerly reviewed the menu. She liked how she could feel as if she was doing something to show him that she was concerned.
“Babe, I think you should order some skinless chicken breast and peas, corn, and a nice garden salad. And then you can add a wheat roll and some water, iced tea, and apple juice. How’s that sound?”
“It sounds fine. Order for me, will you? Thanks.” He suddenly sounded more tired. And right then, Nicole grew sincerely worried. What was going to happen? She thought about the baby, working at her job, dealing with the new house, and not having her best friend to talk to. Life felt like it was too much to handle.
“I can try and call Nadia and see if she can help out while you’re gone. Maybe offer her a huge raise or something. And I can take a few days off of work to see about you, Rashad. I know all my sick leave is depleted, but it’s okay. We’ll get through this somehow. If I’m ride or die like I say I am, I may as well prove it, right?” She tried to laugh. “This isn’t going to break us. You will get better and we will get better, too.”
We just have to, she thought and went to find the nurse to let her know everything she wanted her husband to eat for his dinner.
* * *
That evening Kiara brought Myles and Jazzy over to Eddison’s house. He had invited them to eat dinner and watch a movie.
“You’re into Disney movies?” Kiara asked in a teasing voice.
Eddison chuckled as he set up their food on trays in front of the fifty-five-inch TV screen.
“Watching a kids’ flick is a nice distraction more than anything. Anything for the kids.”
Kiara smiled. “Eddy, I can tell something has been bothering you. Wanna talk?”
She reached inside the baby bag and pulled out Jazzy’s binkie.
“Nothing to talk about. Everything is alright. Let’s just chill together. I know you could use a little peace and quiet yourself. And this movie will help you to relax.”
She nodded, went over to her daughter, and placed a binkie in her mouth. The DVD started playing, but Kiara wasn’t in the mood to sit down and watch right then.
Earlier she’d called Eddison and told him what happened to Rashad. It amazed her that it didn’t seem to bother him that she’d gone to the hospital to see whether her former hubby was alright.
“I know you may not want to talk in front of the kids. But let’s have a brief minute in the kitchen.”
“No,” Eddison said. His voice was sharp. “I told you there’s nothing to talk about. Not right now.”
“Oh well, later then for sure, because you’re beginning to concern me. This isn’t like you, Eddy.”
“Who really knows what anyone is like?”
His cryptic remark left Kiara momentarily puzzled. She left him alone and took a seat next to Myles. She set Jazzy on her lap. They let Eddison wait on them hand and foot. He brought out hot plates of food and beverages and neatly arranged everything.
Kiara began to relax and enjoy the detailed attention he gave her. Some parts of him felt different, but the good parts of him felt the same.
After Eddison got through making sure their needs were met, he allowed himself to be yanked on his arm until he was sitting closer to Kiara. Their arms were touching, just like she preferred. She leaned over and gave him a quick kiss.
His lips were warm. Delicious. Soon they were making out. Myles paid no attention. And Jazzy closed her eyes and fell asleep ten minutes into the film.
Kiara stood up and grabbed Eddison by the hand. He followed her into the kitchen. She gave him a wicked look and lifted up her hands like she was a toddler. He obliged by picking her up and setting her on the kitchen counter. She immediately wrapped her arms tight about his neck. She clamped her thighs around the backs of his legs in a warm squeeze. Eddison grinned and pressed his chest against her boobs. They hungrily kissed each other until she began to giggle.
He growled and bit her on her neck.
“Oh, that feels so damn good.” She pushed him back and stared at him. “I’ve missed this. I have missed you.”
“I haven’t been anywhere. I’ve been here.”
“But you haven’t acted the way I’m accustomed to you acting, sweetie. Lately, you’ve been . . . different.”
He stared, nodded. “Kiara, I apologize. I haven’t meant to seem that way. And I’ve tried to make it up to you by cooking you this fabulous meal tonight. Did you enjoy my pot roast?”
“Yes, you’re getting pretty good at handling yourself in the kitchen.”
“And if I stick with you, I’ll be your potbelly stallion.”
“You can be my stallion all day long. Fat, skinny, whatever. I don’t mind it at all, as long as you stay true and stay mine. I need you, Eddison.”
“A lot of people need me,” he blurted. Eddison broke eye contact. His eyes glazed over; the disconnect had begun. He quietly pushed himself away from her and returned to the living room to finish watching the movie.
Kiara decided to let it go and kept telling herself, He’s my knight. The armor isn’t as shiny as it used to be, but somehow I’ll get it to shine for me, for us, again.