This Can't Be Happening: Chapter 17

After two days on the island, Bernard became a permanent fixture during their stay. Ashlyn confronted her mom about the man who was only twenty-eight years old. Her mother informed her that she was grown and was going to do whatever she wanted.

On the last day of their vacation, they were leaving the rental, and Kendra paused, "I forgot Behati's stuffed animal."

She handed Carly the baby and ran back into the house to retrieve the item. Then they loaded up and headed back to home.

*****

The house was empty, but she still possessed the keys. She let herself in just as she had done for many years. She sighed. So many memories flooded her mind. All the amazing moments she shared with Mark before trouble crept into their relationship.

All those years she held out for a man when she already had a good one. "Fuck," she said to herself. How can I fix this? Is there still a chance? She wondered.

She went into the kitchen, and something caught her eye. There was a small black box sitting on top of a box of chocolates. Her feet marched over to the counter where the items were. She looked at the card, "I want to spend a lifetime with you."

She gulped. She saw the note with reservations at a fancy restaurant in New Tampa. Then she saw the box. She opened it and saw the rock, "Hold the fuck up!" she commented, "How you gone buy this bitch a bigger ring than the one you gave me?" she asked before she slammed the box down.

****

Mark stood in front of Chima's desk, "Tonight is the night."

Chima squinted, "What's tonight?"

"I got the ring."

His eyes widened, "Oh, okay,"

"Come on, man. I was hoping you'd be happier for me. For us. The four of us."

Chima stood. He made his way to Mark, "Congratulations. I'm happy for you and Kendra."

Mark glowed, "I know she's going to say 'yes.'"

"Why are you so certain? Just curious."

"She may be pregnant again. You noticed that she didn't drink any **** while we were on vacation?"

"I thought it was because of the breastfeeding."

Chima thought about the moment the condom failed him and how his DNA marinated in Kendra's yoni. Low key, he was ecstatic. He smiled, "That's great, man."

****

The cameras rolled. They decided to open a channel together highlighting the meals they prepared. It was an instant success. They were making oxtails, cabbage, rice, and peas. And in the oven, Kendra had a Turtle pound cake.

After filming, Kendra breastfed Behati. Ashlyn downloaded the film and sent it to the editor. After the girls were sleeping, Ashlyn poured a glass of wine. She offered Kendra a glass, "no thanks," she said refusing the drink.

Ashlyn made a face, "No peer pressure but what gives? You have plenty of breast milk stored. Have a drink."

Kendra sighed, "I cannot."

Ashlyn's eyes widened, "No fucking way."

She nodded, "I am."

Ashlyn smiled, "Mark must be so happy. The baby is Mark's I'm assuming."

Uneasily she smiled and nodded, "We're happy. I think he's going to propose tonight. He told me to get dressed nice."

Ashlyn hugged her, "This is what you want, right?"

Kendra nodded, "Yes."

*****

She was sharply dressed. She sat at her desk looking at the expense report Chima gave her to file. The office door chimed as it opened. She had seen the woman before. "How may I help you?"

"I need to see Chima."

"I'll see if he's available—"

Charlene marched past the woman and before she was stopped, the door opened. Chima stared at them. He sat back.

"I'm so sorry," his assistant said.

"It's okay. Charlene, to what do I owe this pleasure?"

She smirked, "I hope you don't mean that sarcastically."

"Why would I?"

"It's no secret that you opposed Mark and I getting married. I picked up what you were putting down in your little shady-ass best-man speech."

"You got me all wrong. And if you felt triggered. You need to examine yourself and ask why?"

"Okay, Dr. Phil."

"I don't know what you're talking about. I've been your greatest champion. Even though you've not been the nicest to the woman I love."

She huffed and rolled her eyes, "I just don't understand how a fine-ass black man like yourself could do the unthinkable."

"Just stop."

She sucked her teeth, "I'm here because of this." She showed Chima the box with the ring inside.

"Damn! That's some ring. Nicer than the one he gave you."

She glared at him, "This can't happen."

He shrugged, "Looks like it will. And why do you have that?"

"I took it, duh. I'm not going to let my marriage go. And I need you to help me win Mark back."

Chima chuckled until he laughed boisterously, "No," he replied flatly.

Her hand rested on her hip, "No?"

"Mark loves Kendra."

"He loves me."

Chima stood, "He loved you. He loves Kendra. So, bring that ring back to Mark's."

She stared him down. He squinted. She pointed with a grin. "I didn't want to play dirty but I am."

He sighed deeply, "You still on that? Really?"

"Yes. I am. I can't lose my husband. And I know you don't want to lose your wife."

"Wow. You're a real bitch. But my wife isn't going to care about some random fling I had years before I met her."

"Mark would care. Since she was his girlfriend at the time."

He shook his head. A moment that got out of hand. How he wished it never happened. The woman in question felt equally guilty. She moved to Nevada weeks after.

"I'll just tell Mark myself."

"He'd never forgive you. He was crazy about that woman. You know she was pregnant when she moved away?"

His jaw dropped, "You're lying."

"I looked her up on Facebook. He's a handsome young strapping man. Just like his father. Very smart too. He'll be 16 next month."

"How do you know the kid is even mine? It could be Mark's."

She shook her head, "She never fucked Mark."

"Bull shit."

"Mark loves a project. That girl was a hot mess. I'm surprised you slipped and fell in it. He took pity on her. Now he wanted to smash, but she had her eyes on someone else. You played right into her hands."

Chima shook his, head, "Then why would she move away with my baby?"

"Come on Chima. Do you think she wanted to hurt Mark? He was helping her." Her tired ass felt guilty. So she left. And it's a good thing she did. Could you imagine your life with that troubled soul? She sucked her teeth, "Although, at least she was a sister, well, half sista."

He sighed, "You got one more time--"

"Relax. I'll leave your little brunette Barbie alone. So what will it be?"

"You're right. Fuck. What do you want me to do?" he asked with despair

****

Chima looked up Rochelle on Facebook. He looked through her photos. He saw the young man in question. His name was Percy. He was a handsome young man. Could he be my son, he wondered as he sat at his desk. How do I explain this to Mark? To Ashlyn?

He placed his face in his hands and thought about what Charlene wanted him to do. She told him to go to Mark's house and offer him a drink with a special cocktail. He would become drowsy and miss his date with Kendra. Then she could work her magic on him.

Chima huffed as the soles of his shoes pressed to the floor. "Fuck, I don't want to do this."

*****

He looked like he belonged on the cover of a magazine. Black dress slacks, a burgundy shirt with black stripes. The doorbell rang. His feet carried him to the living room. He opened the door and saw his wife, "What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to get the kids from school?"

"My sister is picking them up."

Mark made a face. He and his sister-in-law weren't on the best terms.

She stepped inside, "Where are you going all dressed up?"

"Charlene, it shouldn't come as a shock to you that I'm taking my girlfriend out."

"Well, shit, where y'all going to a gala, a ball, the Oscars?"

He rolled his eyes, "Not to be rude, but you are killing my vibe."

She chuckled, "Your vibe? Boy bye. You didn't have a vibe until I upgraded your ass."

He scoffed, "Okay. And what?"

She sighed, "I'm sorry. That was uncalled for."

He nodded, "I'm going to go grab my shoes. Feel free to let yourself out."

She watched him walk toward the bedroom. She pulled her phone out of her purse to call Chima who was supposed to have already been there with Mark liquored and **** up, "Negro, where the hell you at?"

"I'm not going to do anything for you. I can't. I'll talk to my wife."

"Chima, Chima!"

The phone was silent. Mark walked back to the living room, "You're still here."

She flashed her pretty smile, "Let's have a drink for old times' sake." She went to the kitchen to prepare the drinks.

He adjusted his tie as he looked into the mirror. "I'm planning to ask Kendra to marry me tonight."

She walked to him with a glass, "I guess that's what the little black box is all about on the counter."

He sipped from the glass, "Um, you made it stronger than usual."

She smiled, "Don't be a baby. We drank way heavier than this when we first met."

"I hope you're okay with everything."

She got closer. Played with his curls, "That's what I always loved about you. Most men wouldn't give a shit. They would have been married and with a baby on the way before saying anything."

He moved her hand, "What is this?" he asked. She was being too touchy-feely and had not been that way with him in years.

She smiled, "Just enjoy your drink."

He tossed it back. Made a sound of disgust, "All gone. Now—"

She studied his face. His eyes were glossy. She helped him sit. The room spun, "I have to--"

"Nonsense. I'll call Kendra."

Mark laid back on the sofa. Kendra took his phone and put it on "Do not disturb."

She undressed herself and then undressed him. It wasn't hard to get him excited. Her lips were on his rod. He saw her head through the blurred slits of his eyes. When she sat on his cock, "He gasped, no!"

"Yes, babe. You know that you have missed me." She leaned in to kiss his mouth. Then she had a great idea. She called Kendra. It went to voice mail. She made sure to leave a nice message.

"You missed me, right bae?"

He looked into her eyes. What was the spell she had over him? He didn't know. "Um hmm."

"I love you, Mark. You love me too?"

"Yes. Yes."

She humped wildly and felt his cock throb as she vibrated. They hummed in delight.

****

He couldn't eat. Even the sexy messages he received couldn't pull him out of his funk. After Ashlyn put the baby to sleep, she found him on the patio staring at the pool. "So, are you going to tell me what's wrong?" she asked staring at the side of his head.

"I don't know if I can."

"Of course you can. I'm your wife." He looked out of it. Tears welled in his eyes.

"Damn it Chima, what is it?"

He gave her the details. How Mark was involved with a young woman named Rochelle and how one night as Mark worked late, Rochelle stopped by their apartment. They stayed up drinking. It was all so innocent until a play kiss turned into so much more.

"There's a kid. He's fifteen." He looked at his wife. She looked upset but not pissed.

She took a deep breath, "You need to go to Nevada. If that is your son. You need to do what's right."

"You mean??"

"I mean, financially, emotionally. I'm not divorcing you over this. Just go handle your business."

****

Charlene's sister woke up early so she could drop the kids off at Mark's house. Carly was anxious to find out how things went the night before with her father and Kendra. "Thanks, Auntie!" they said as they got out of the car. She watched them walk up to the door and then she drove off.

Carly saw her mother's car, "What's mom doing here?"

"I don't know," replied Michael.

She unlocked the door. She gave Michael instructions to get ready for school so she could investigate. She saw the ring on the counter in the kitchen. She saw two glasses on the table in the living room. One had lipstick on it. A color her mother wore a lot. It was fuchsia. Carly's heart sank. She went to her father's bedroom door and opened it. She saw her mother lying in her father's arms!

"Dad! What is this?"

They woke up. Mark looked at Charlene who sat up with her breasts exposed, "I know I taught you to knock before you bust into grown folks' bedroom."

"Mom, what are you doing here? Why dad?"

"Carly, close the door," her mother fussed.

Mark shook his head in despair, "Last night was a mistake."

"No. It wasn't. You and I both made some mistakes. Let's leave all that in the past. Let's work on us. The kids will be okay with us staying together. Remember how distraught they were when we first told them about the divorce."

Mark nodded, "How do I know that you'll make an honest effort?"

"I will. I promise."

He smiled. He remembered how good things were in the beginning. He kissed her forehead. "Just let me talk to Carly alone first."

"You can talk to her, just remind her lil paper-thin ass who the parent is."

"Charlene, Carly isn't a little girl anymore. We must give her space to feel how she feels."

"You and this new age parenting. Whatever my parents said...that's what it was. Period. But whatever, let me get a shower."

****

It took him a while to go out into the kitchen. Charlene had already taken Michael to school. Carly refused to go.

Mark saw her sitting at the counter crying. "Hey, sweetheart."

"How could you do this to Kendra? Why dad?"

He shrugged, "I've only known Kendra for six months. Your mom and I have known each other since before you were born. I thought you'd be happy to see we worked things out."

"Having sex is not working things out." She stood up.

"Where are you going?"

"I called grandma. I'm going to stay there for a few days."

****

Hearing it once. She could never un-hear it. Her stomach ached. Her head throbbed. She cried all night. She couldn't even speak with her mother that morning.

She heard her front door open. "Get out!"

He closed the door, "Kendra."

"I get it. The lovely message of you two fucking while confessing your love made it perfectly clear that you are not getting divorced."

"I'm sorry."

"Just go. Go back to your disturbed marriage where only one of you cares about anyone but themselves."

That's not fair.

What's not fair, is you allowing me to open my heart to you and now going back for more **** and ****. Nothing has changed. She's still the same bitch you married."

"I'm sorry you feel that way."

"I'm not."

He stared at her, "I want to help with the baby."

"There's no baby. Gladly, I got my period. You would have known that if you were with me last night instead of fucking her."

He removed the key to her house from his key ring and then left.