Changing Faces (19 page)

Chapter 25

W
HITNEY

A
S SOON AS
the OR staff person pushed Taylor’s bed down the hallway, Charisse and I decided to get something to eat. Mr. and Mrs. Hunt weren’t hungry, and believe it or not, Cameron had gone back to the office. He’d mentioned something about some meeting he couldn’t miss but his words had sounded sort of bogus. Although, maybe I was just being paranoid because of everything Taylor had shared with me. Still, I didn’t think it was right for him to leave until she was in recovery. It just seemed to me that he would want to know she was all right.

“So, what are you going to have?” Charisse said as soon as we entered the cafeteria.

“Not much, so maybe just a ham and cheese omelet.”

“I am really shocked at you,” she said.

“Well, you shouldn’t be, because I’m really serious about my weight this time.”

“I know, but Whitney you know how many times you’ve said that before.”

“Why do you always do this?” I said, walking past her and picking up a tray and silverware.

“I’m only trying to keep you on top of things. I know it might seem harsh, but the more I remind you of all the times you’ve failed, the more you’ll want to prove me wrong.”

No, what I
wanted
was to put out a contract on her. I wanted someone to silence Charisse once and for all. And for the life of me, I don’t know why I kept tolerating her. Although only a few weeks ago, she’d seemed to have changed. She’d appeared to be a much better person and I’d been happy about that. But now the true monster in her was back and I didn’t like it. I was afraid she was going to make me tell her something I might later regret.

I told the cook what I wanted and Charisse ordered the same thing, only she added wheat toast and orange juice to hers. Then we paid for our meals and found a table near the window. The day was sort of gloomy and the forecast called for rain, but I was still hoping the sun would shine instead. Days like this sometimes depressed me, and right now I didn’t want to feel that way. I wanted to remain in good spirits for Taylor.

“No matter how I try to understand this, I just don’t get it,” Charisse started, and I just looked at her.

I could tell she wanted me to respond to whatever it was she was talking about, but I ignored her.

“You know what I’m saying?” she continued. “I mean, can you believe Taylor waited all this time before going to the doctor?”

I ate a forkful of my omelet and scanned the room. There were quite a few people coming in and I wished I could go sit with any one of them. What I wanted was to separate myself from Charisse because the woman was clearly on a mission.

“Whitney, do you hear me?”

“I hear you, but what do you want me to say?”

“I don’t know, maybe that you feel the same as I do.”

“But the truth is I don’t.”

“Well, I don’t know how you couldn’t,” she said, drinking some juice.

“Because unlike you, Charisse, I care about Taylor.”

“I care about her, too, and that’s why I feel so strongly about this. I’m angry because she could have caught that tumor before it got so big.”

“Yeah, but what’s done is done and now we have to move on.”

“You just don’t get it,” she said, buttering her toast. “You really don’t.”

“Oh, I get it all right. I understand perfectly.”

“No, I don’t think you do.”

“You know, it’s not even worth arguing about, so let’s just end this.”

Charisse glanced away from me and I could tell she was hot. But I didn’t care. As a matter of fact, I was planning to leave her sitting here just as soon as I finished my meal.

“So, what’s going on with your new man, Rico?” she said.

“Everything’s fine.”

“So, is he serious about you?”

“From what I can tell,” I said, and I was glad I hadn’t introduced him to Charisse. I’d invited Taylor and Cameron over last weekend and the four of us had had dinner and then gone out to a jazz club. I’d purposely not told Charisse about it because I hadn’t wanted to be bothered with her.

Still, I decided it was time for me to ask her a few questions. “And what about you and Marvin? I mean, is he still not going to church with you?”

“No,” she said, and I could tell she was irritated. She never liked when the loaded gun aimed in her direction.

“Well, that’s really strange. Especially since Marvin has always done whatever you instructed him to do.”

“You make it sound like he can’t even think for himself,” she said.

And I cracked up laughing.

“Well, that’s how it always seemed. Because ever since I can remember, you’ve been bossing Marvin like some play toy. And interestingly enough, I’ve never heard him complain about it.”

She stared at me and I wanted so desperately to tell her what Taylor had told me. That Marvin thought she was unstable and wanted to leave her. But I knew I couldn’t let on that I knew anything and I kept quiet.

“He never complained because he’s content with our relationship. Marvin knows what it takes to make me happy and he knows how to be a good husband…oh, but I’m sorry, you wouldn’t know anything about that, now would you? Because the truth is you’ve never had one.”

She was cutting me in two but I tried to hold my peace.

“I don’t know why I ever became friends with you,” she said, and even though no category of rudeness was beyond Charisse Richardson, I was still a bit surprised by what I was hearing. I don’t think I’d ever heard her go this far before. But I wouldn’t let her speak to me like this and get away with it. Not when I’d finally stood up to my mother and sister just three weekends ago.

“And the feeling is mutual, Charisse. Once upon a time I thought you were a good person and a great friend, but I stopped thinking that a long time ago. And to be honest, the only reason I didn’t cut you off is because of Taylor. She’s the one who kept defending you and insisting that I shouldn’t.”

“Well, Taylor shouldn’t have done me any favors, because I outgrew you right after college. And the only reason I didn’t end our friendship then was because I felt sorry for you.”

“Sorry?”

“Yes, sorry, Whitney. You’re a truly pitiful person so I’ve always sympathized with you. I tried to be there for you because I knew no one else would be. That is, with the exception of Taylor, who I’m sure feels sorry for you, too. I mean, what in the world would Taylor and I have to gain by being friends with someone like you? You eat everything you see, you can’t keep a man, and the only reason you have such a good job is because of affirmative action. Because who on earth would choose to put a two-hundred-fifty-pound black woman or any fat woman for that matter in a management position? I mean, it’s not like that can be all that great for business. If anything, someone like you could turn people away just from disgust.”

“You know what, Charisse, you’re nothing but a two-faced, conniving little hypocrite. Here you run around claiming to be saved, claiming to know Jesus, but yet you’ve hated your own daughter since the day she was born. And don’t get me started on the way you’ve treated Marvin like he was some animal on the street or how your own son is afraid to bring home his friends because he never knows when you might humiliate his father. Just about every parent in our neighborhood knows about that, but you’ve been too stuck on yourself to see it. Although maybe the reason you act like this is because your own mother can’t stand you. She never loved you when we were kids, she doesn’t care anything about you now, and I finally, finally understand why. You’re just not a likable person and I’m sure you deserved every ass-whipping she gave you.”

“You are one miserable fat bitch, Whitney, and nothing you do will ever change that,” she said, standing up. “And in case you haven’t figured it out, this Rico character is only temporary, too. Because if the man looks as good as you claim he does, he couldn’t possibly be serious about you. I mean, please, he might be using you for sex, but that’s where it ends. That’s where it’s always ended with every man you’ve been with,” she said, lifting her tray from the table.

Her words had trampled me but I wouldn’t let her leave without having the last say.

“After this, I just might tell Marvin everything. As a matter of fact, I should call him at his office right now.”

“And when you do, you’d better start watching your back every second,” she said, and stormed away.

By now, heads were turned in our direction and I couldn’t help feeling embarrassed. I also couldn’t believe Charisse and I had argued so loudly and so severely. We’d spat a ton of venom at each other and it was obvious that the animosity between us had been building for years. It was as if we couldn’t wait to toss criticisms back and forth, hoping to hurt each other at the core of our being. Still, I felt a sense of relief and like a major weight had been lifted from my soul. I was glad that I no longer had to stomach Charisse and her idiocy.

I sat for a while longer and then I pulled out my phone so I could call Rico. I was glad to have Charisse out of my life forever, but her words were still stabbing me slowly yet surely down the center of my back. I couldn’t erase the mental tape of her insisting that Rico couldn’t be serious about me or that she’d been so quick to call me a “miserable fat bitch.” I think it bothered me because I was afraid she’d been right on both counts.

When I dialed the number, Rico picked up on the first ring.

“How are you?” I asked.

“I’m good. And you?”

“I’m okay.”

“Is Taylor all right?”

“She’s in surgery but Charisse and I came down to get something to eat. But I’m going back up there when I hang up with you.”

“Are you sure you’re okay, because you don’t sound like it.”

“Charisse and I had a huge argument and our friendship is over.”

“Why? And when did this happen?”

“Just a few minutes ago. We both said some terrible things, but nothing we can ever take back or would want to.”

“That’s too bad, because you guys were friends for how long?”

“Twenty-six years.”

“Man.”

“It’s unfortunate but actually we should have stopped being friends years ago. I hadn’t paid much attention to it before, but now I know we haven’t liked each other for a while.”

“But twenty-six years is a long time. A long time to be friends and then just say forget it.”

“Maybe, but I know for a fact that this is a good thing. Life will be so much better now that I won’t have to deal with her. I won’t ever have to listen to her madness or try to figure out what her problem is. I realize now that Taylor is my only real friend.”

“Honestly, I don’t know what to say.”

“Nothing, because I’m fine with this.”

“Then I guess that’s all that matters.”

“So, what are you doing this evening?” I asked, wanting to change the subject.

“Since you’re planning to be at the hospital, I’ll probably hang out with a couple of my boys. Other than that, I’m not doing much of anything.”

“But we’re still on for tomorrow, though, right?”

“Yep.”

We paused for a few seconds and then I spoke. “Oh well, I’ll let you get back to work so I can go check on Taylor. I want to be sitting there when the doctor comes out to talk to us.”

“No problem. But call me when you hear how she’s doing.”

“I will. Speak to you later.”

I dropped my phone in my purse, took my tray over and sat it on the belt leading into the kitchen, and walked toward the exit. On my way out, I spied a cluster of desserts. German chocolate, which was my favorite, strawberry shortcake, pecan pie, coconut pie, and a few others. After that ugly fiasco that had evolved between Charisse and me, I was tempted to stop and purchase one or two of them. But I decided it was time I doubled my determination. I decided that my emotional ups and downs were not good reasons to eat what I knew I shouldn’t.

I was proud of myself for finally doing the right thing when it came to food.

Chapter 26

T
AYLOR

I
HEARD NURSES CHATTERING
with each other and monitoring their patients but my eyes were too heavy to open. It had taken me a minute to remember where I was, but now I knew I was in the recovery room. My body felt like lead and I was already experiencing a bit of throbbing in my abdomen. But still I lay there quietly. That is, until I began crying uncontrollably. My chest heaved up and down, tears rolled down my face, and I sniffled repeatedly. I hadn’t thought much about it before, but I remembered doing the same thing when I’d had my tonsils and appendix removed.

“Taylor, are you okay?” one of the nurses asked.

“Yes,” I said between breaths, still trying to open my eyes.

“Are you having a lot of pain?” Dr. Green said.

“No…I…always…cry…after…I’m…put…under.”

“Oh,” he said, slightly chuckling. “You’re having an allergic reaction. You should have told us.”

“I’m…sorry,” I said, now crying more intensely.

“There’s nothing to be sorry about,” he said. “We just want to make sure you’re okay.”

The nurse held my hand and Dr. Green continued talking to me.

“Are you sure you don’t have any pain, because if you do, we would prefer to give you something before it escalates.”

“I’m throbbing a little, but it’s not that bad,” I said, finally settling down and speaking more clearly.

“Then I’ll get it for you now,” the nurse said.

When she walked away I turned toward Dr. Green, who looked to be writing something down on a chart.

“So, did everything turn out okay?” I asked him.

“Everything turned out wonderfully,” he said, smiling, and I thought my heart had stopped beating. “The fibroid was a big one but there was no malignancy and we didn’t have to take your uterus.”

“Thank God,” I said with tears pouring down my face again. This time, though, it wasn’t because of the anesthesia, and instead I was thrilled about what he was telling me.

“So, as I mentioned in my office, it’ll take you two to four weeks before you’re completely healed, but other than that you should be fine. You should start seeing a major difference with your menstrual cycle.”

“Thank you so much, Doctor.”

“You’re quite welcome. I’m glad we were able to get this taken care of so quickly for you.”

“I am, too. I’m so relieved.”

“I’ve already spoken to your family and you should be heading up to a room in a couple of hours. Also, I’ll be by first thing tomorrow morning to see how you’re doing.”

“Will I be able to go home?”

“We’ll see. But chances are you’ll be here until Sunday.”

I knew he’d mentioned that I might have to spend two nights, but I’d still been hoping it would just be one. It was true that it had only been a few hours, but I was already missing my own bed.

“I’m going to get out of here,” he said. “But be sure to tell your nurse if you need anything.”

“I will, and thanks again, Doctor.”

“We’ll see you tomorrow,” he said with that same enchanting smile of his, and I was sorry that he was seeing me without makeup.

Although I wondered why another man’s perception of me even mattered when I was completely committed to Cameron. But maybe it was because only hours ago Cameron had reconfirmed his position on getting married. He’d made it clear that he didn’t want to do it.

However, I was at the point where I didn’t want to live like this anymore. I didn’t want to continue dating a man I might never have a future with. It just wouldn’t be beneficial to me in the long run, and while I didn’t want to do it, it was time I gave him an ultimatum. He could either propose or find someone else to be with.

As planned, I’d been moved to a room on the third floor and two nurses were getting me situated. An IV was still in my arm so they could administer pain medication, but they were no longer monitoring my heart rate or blood pressure. The aching, unbelievably, was still under control and I was hoping that it stayed that way.

“Here’s a fresh container of ice water,” a male nurse said, pointing toward the bed tray. “But let us know if you need anything else.”

“If I could, I’d like to have a Sprite or something later on,” I said.

“I can get it for you now if you’d like.”

“That would be good. Thank you.”

“I’ll let your family know they can come in now.”

I flipped on the television and was glad I’d remembered to request a private room. My insurance, of course, wouldn’t cover it, but I had no problem paying the difference. It was so well worth it when it came to having visitors, not to mention when it was time to get some rest.

“Hey, sweetie,” Mom said, walking in and kissing me on the cheek. “How are you?”

“A little tired, but I’m fine.”

“Hey, little girl.” Daddy beamed and I smiled at him. I knew he was just as relieved as I was.

“Hey, T,” Whitney said, rubbing my arm. “Didn’t I tell you everything was going to work out?”

“That you did.”

“Your mom and I prayed almost the whole time,” Charisse said. “We knew God would take care of you.”

“I’m really glad you did,” I said, but saw Whitney rolling her eyes. I knew immediately that she and Charisse were into it again.

“So, did Cameron call while I was in recovery?” I asked no one in particular.

But Charisse quickly answered, “No, we haven’t heard from him.”

“He said he had an important meeting,” Mom added, probably trying to defend him. Either that or she was trying to keep me cheerful. Since I’d been a child I’d shared just about everything with Mom, but for some reason I hadn’t told her about Cameron and how rocky our relationship was. I hadn’t wanted to admit that at thirty-eight, I still hadn’t found my soul mate.

“I’ll call him in a little bit to give him my room number,” I said, trying to seem okay with the fact that he hadn’t bothered to wait with the rest of them. But deep down, my feelings were hurt, because there was no meeting I could think of that should have been more important than me.

We all chatted for maybe ten minutes and then Whitney told me she would come back in a couple of hours and Charisse said she would see me in the morning. Mom and Daddy left the hospital to go have a late lunch, but they were coming back to check on me before heading over to my place to spend the night.

One of my nurses came in to see how I was doing and I asked if I could have some medication. The ache in my lower stomach was starting to heat up and I wanted to numb it before it got worse. Afterward, I lay there for a while, debating whether I should even call Cameron. In my heart, I truly wanted to, but my brain was telling me I shouldn’t. My brain insisted that if he really cared about me, he would be here. At the very least, he would have called to see what was going on. Which actually shocked me because this wasn’t like him. The Cameron I had always known was extremely attentive and considerate, that is, until the last few weeks, so the idea of him having another woman was starting to eat at me. I’d thought about the possibility a lot as of late, but mostly I pushed it out of my mind without taking it seriously.

I lay there continuing my debate and then my male nurse walked back in.

“Well, aren’t you the special one,” he said, sitting down two bouquets of flowers on the ledge in front of me.

“They’re beautiful,” I said.

“Here’re the cards,” he said, first passing me the one from the huge arrangement and then the one from the smaller vase.

“Thanks for bringing them,” I said.

“I was happy to do it.”

I started to open the first envelope and wondered if Cameron thought paying a florist was actually going to justify his absence. If he did, he was dead wrong, because if anything I was more upset.

But when I pulled out the card, I was speechless.

It read, “Know that I meant every word I said this morning and please get well soon. Skyler.”

This just didn’t seem real and I could barely comprehend Skyler’s new attitude. I reread his message and then opened the second card. This one was from the entire office. I smiled when I thought about how nice it was for them to think of me, but then a cloud of sadness drooped over me. I’d been sure that at least one of these was from Cameron.

Nevertheless, I picked up the phone and dialed my firm.

“Martin, Sable and Wesson,” one of the receptionists answered.

“Hi, Naomi, it’s Taylor.”

“Oh hi, Taylor. How are you?”

“I’m doing fine. The surgery was successful and I should be home in a couple of days.”

“Well, that’s good to hear. Did you get the flowers we sent you?”

“I did and that’s why I’m calling. They’re beautiful.”

“I’m glad you liked them.”

“If you don’t mind, please let the partners know that I called.”

“I will.”

“Also, can you transfer me to Sharon?”

“Actually, she took the afternoon off since you weren’t going to be here,” she said, referring to my assistant.

“Oh, that’s right. She told me yesterday that she was going to, so just leave her a message asking her to call me at home on Monday.”

“Will do.”

“Also, is Skyler around?”

“Sure, hold on a minute. And you take it easy, okay?”

“I will.”

I listened to office music until Skyler answered his phone.

“Skyler Young,” he said.

“Hey. It’s Taylor.”

“How are you?”

“Well, they didn’t find cancer, so I guess I’ll live.”

“That’s great news. You must be so relieved.”

“I am. But the reason I’m calling is to thank you for the flowers. You certainly didn’t have to do that.”

“I know, but I wanted to.”

“Well, I appreciate it. They’re gorgeous.”

“Do you need anything?”

“No. I’m fine.

“Are you sure?”

“Positive,” I told him, and neither of us said anything after that. It was an awkward conversation and it was obvious that we were both slipping into unfamiliar territory.

“Well, I guess I should go, but thanks again, Skyler,” I finally said.

“No problem. I was glad to do it.”

“I’m sure we’ll speak next week.”

“I look forward to it.”

I hung up the phone and wondered what the heck was going on. Was Skyler being real or was he up to something dirty? Because the truth was, the man had never liked me and there was no way I could simply forget about that. There was no way I could forget that he’d always made things difficult for me. But on the flip side, I couldn’t deny that people did sometimes change for the better. Not usually as quickly as Skyler had, but they changed nonetheless.

I lay there once again, thinking about Skyler and the fact that Cameron hadn’t sent me anything. Worse, he hadn’t even tried to contact me. And what was I supposed to do about it?

Finally my curiosity got the best of me.

I dialed his cell number and he answered right away.

“Did you forget that I had surgery or is it that you simply just don’t care?” I began.

“Taylor? Baby, I was just about to call you. Did everything go okay? Did the doctor do the biopsy?”

“Everything went well, and no, they didn’t find any cancer.”

“What a relief.” He sighed.

“I can’t believe you,” I said, and at that moment I wanted to hang up on him.

“Why?”

“We’ve been together for a long time, Cameron, and even though you knew how worried I was, you couldn’t even be here for me.”

“Baby, you know I had a meeting. And I explained to you why I couldn’t miss it.”

“Yeah, but it could have been rescheduled.”

“It was important, Taylor.”

“More important than me?”

“No, but you know I’m trying to take my business to the next level, and I don’t have the luxury of putting off clients. Especially not the City of Chicago.”

“Okay, but why didn’t you come straight here when the meeting was over?”

“We met for three hours this afternoon and I’m just now leaving there.”

“I’ll bet.”

“Are you saying you don’t believe me?”

“I’m not saying anything.”

“Look, let’s not do this.”

“Why don’t I just talk to you later?”

“Can I bring you anything?”

“No.”

“Are your parents still there?”

“No.”

“They’re coming back, though, aren’t they?”

“Of course they are.”

“Well, I’ll see you in about an hour.”

“Whatever.”

“Taylor, I know you’re mad, but I really am sorry.”

“Good-bye, Cameron,” I said, and hung up.

I was so livid with him, and while I wanted to feel nothing except anger, my heart was crumbling into pieces. As much as I didn’t want to, I still loved him. If only he’d do what my grandmother used to say, ‘straighten up and fly right,’ we wouldn’t have to have these pointless arguments. I wouldn’t have to wonder if he was losing interest in me or whether he was sleeping with someone else.

I lay there for a few minutes, my mind in a whirl, then finally my eyes began to close. I could tell I was going to drop off to sleep, and this was a good thing.

It was good because at least for a while, I wouldn’t have to think about anything.