Less Than Perfect Circumstance (5 page)

I remember her staring at the card and then back at me. I was still dressed
in business attire, which
either made my gesture more accepting, or she ha
d just decided to take a chance;
after all, what had she to lose. Early the next morning when I reached the office, her resume and cover letter sat in a folder
in the center of my desk

probably the only thing the previous secretary had done right since she was hired. Hiring Camille was one of the best professional decisions I had ever made.

“Denise, hey, this is Trevor. I was calling to see if you want
ed
to meet for lunch today.”

I wasn’t surprised when Denise didn’t answer my call. Her mornings at work were often inundated with managers meeting, supervisors meeting, or whatever meetings they felt she was needed to be a part of. After leaving my message, I clasped my hands behind my head, stared into the morning sky, and escaped in deep thought, which was later broken when my cell phone vibrated across the tabletop and fell into my lap. Startled, I responded without looking at the screen.

“This is Mr. Harrison.”

I
glanced at my watch realizing I
had only fifteen minutes to entertain whoever had decided to interrupt my silence.

“Sup man? I wasn’t expecting you to answer,” Kelvin stated with the still obvious sound of excitement in his booming voice.

“I almost didn’t. Oh, thanks for waking me up,” I said sarcastically.

I heard Kelvin’s voice and was suddenly revived. Kelvin had that effect on me. 

“Don’t tell me you’re falling asleep on the job,” Kelvin joked.

“Of course
,
I’m not. I’m working from home today.”

“Why? I
s everything ok?”

“Everything is just fine, Kelvin,” I responded.
Does something have to be wrong for someone to take time away from the office? Better yet, why is he asking if everything is ok, when it should be clear to him that not everything is?
I thought.

“You know you suck at pretending, right?”

There were times I felt Kelvin knew me too well.

“Pretending? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

I got up from the table, walked inside the kitchen, and poured another glass of wine.

“Yes, pretending everything is fine,”
Kelvin
repeated for clarification.

“Nothing is wrong. I took today off so I can have some time to myself.”

I knew what Kelvin was fishing for, but I wasn’t in the mood to entertain him. Somehow, Kelvin suckered me into it.

“Trevor, I am always telling you to talk to me when something bothers you. For some odd reason, you still find it difficult to open up to me.”

“We can’t get into it right now, but there are some things I need to say.” I glanced at his watch and continued. “I have a 10:30 conference call with Wesley and a client.”

“Ok. Listen, I have a meeting today from three to five, then dinner with a few execs until seven, after that I am free. Can I call you around eight thirty?”

“Ok. I’ll be here.” 

“Alright, I am heading to baggage claim. Enjoy your ‘me time’ until later.”

“Talk to you then. Hey, that’s Wesley on the other line. Enjoy your day, and I am glad you had a safe trip. Love you.”

I paused and waited for Kelvin to reciprocate.

“Love you, too.”

∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

“Hey Wesley.”

“Good morning, Trevor. I got your message from Camille earlier.”

“Ok, great. Did you get in touch with Mr. Millington?”

“Yes. Actually, I did. You landed the account, man.”

“Are you kidding me?” I joked, my voice filled with excitement.

“No, I wouldn’t kid about something like that. He raved about the ideas you
presented. Mr. Millington, who for whatever reason
insists that we call him Curtis, decided a second meeting wasn’t necessary.”

“Man! That’s awesome.”

I brought the wine glass to my head. When I placed it on the countertop, it was empty.

“I informed him you were not in the office today, and that I would relay
the message to you. Of course, h
e wanted to congratulate you personally.
”

“So, I should expect a call?” I questioned.

“No. You’re having dinner with him and his wife on Wednesday at five. His secretary will call you with the details tomorrow. I hope you don’t have anything planned.”

My first thought was to share the news with Kelvin; however, if I waited until later, we would at least have something other than our separation to talk about. I thought about how much time I had devoted to the idea of working for the Millingtons.

“Are you there, man?”
Wesley interrupted. “Listen. Congratulations! Don’t forget, we have to celebrate as well.”

“Thanks, Wes. I got you.”

“Cool. Enjoy your day off. See you tomorrow.”

When I ended the conversation with Wesley, my phone indicated a missed call from Denise. I was so lost in the excitement that I didn’t hear the phone beep. 

You have one new message. First new message:
Trevor this is Denise. Brandon is making reservations for us at Le Petit Poisson for one p.m. If I don’t hear from you by twelve thirty, I will assume that you did not get this message. Love you
.

CHAPTER SEVEN

AS MUCH AS YOU ACCUSE ME OF CHEATING

Belinda

We had been planning our Caribbean escape for about six months, and as the day drew closer, we became overwhelmed with excitement.  The Parrot Cay Resort in the Turks and Caicos Islands was stunning stunningly beautiful. The waters were sapphire-blue, the services were faultless, and bodies were tanned better than any that could have been bought at a day spa, or gotten on basking in the sun on a beach in south Miami. The men, too, were exotic, with equally perfect tans and gym bodies. I couldn’t buy, but there was nothing wrong with
window shopping
. There was definitely no harm in looking at these men who had no problem parading their stuff, and I took pleasure in doing just that.

We took advantage of our trip

all expenses included. We partied all night, slept most of the day, and drank whenever we could. The
weather had been perfect since we arrived. The one night of rain lasted less than twenty minutes. It came in the middle of the night, and the next morning, the sun came out like clockwork.

We were looking forward to our getaway, and none of us wanted it to end. When we got an unexpected phone call about Ingrid’s father’s hospitalization, we were saddened both by his sudden illness and the abrupt end to our fun-filled plans. Three days on the islands was such a tease.  

Shayna, Julie, Ingrid, and I returned from our girlfriends’ retreat a few days earlier than our itinerary suggested. Ingrid’s father was taken to the hospital to undergo triple bypass surgery. Since the girls and I were vacationing together, we decided to return together to show our support. We could have
stayed,
only it would h
ave been difficult to enjoy ou
r vacation days not knowing what awaited our return. Plus it wouldn’t be as fun withone of us missing. 

Shayna and I enjoyed a quiet limousine ride from the airport. The house seemed quiet and deserted as the limousine pulled into the driveway.

Guess he’s out taking advantage of our time apart
, I thought as Shayna and I walked towards the door. The driver followed behind with luggage in both hands. I opened the door and stood in the foyer.

“Honey, I’m home.”

I rested my purse on the small table next to the coat rack, picked up a stack of mail
and leafed through them hastily

nothing but bills.

“Shayna, have the driver leave the luggage here and give him this.”

I handed Shayna a $100 bill for a $25 limo ride and walked toward the stairs. 

“DaMarcus, are you here?” I called out once more a
s I started up the steps.

There was no answer
. When I reached about halfway, I heard a noise. It sounded almost like kids horse-playing when they knew they shouldn’t be.

“Honey, is that you?” I asked, trying to sound calm as not to alarm whoever was up there.
Who else could it be?
I thought.

“Belinda, what
are you doing?
Should I call the police?” Shayna asked with a hint of fright in her voice.

“T
hat’s not necessary. The alarm
was still set when we walked in.”

As I reached for the doorknob to the bedroom, the door swung open.

“Honey, you’re back early.”

DaMarcus stood in the bedroom doorway in boxers and a t-shirt, and a towel around his neck. He looked surprised.

“Didn’t you hear me calling for you? Why didn’t you answer?”

In my mind, I questioned the startled look on DaMarcus’ face.

“No, I didn’t. I… I was in the shower,” DaMarcus stuttered.

He looked at me, anticipating my next question, already searching for a response the idiot he thought I had become would believe.

“Lyn,” Shayna yelled from the bottom on the stairs. “Is everything ok?”

“Yes, Shayna. E
verything’s fine.”

“Wait, your trip doesn’t end for couple more days,” DaMarcus said suspiciously.

“Yes, I know. Ingrid had a family….”

Before I could fin
ish my response, I looked past
DaMarcus and at the figure standing in the bathroom door. I walked past him, removed my stilettos, and tossed them towards the closet. In the midst of my charge, I caught myself, stopped, and then turned to face DaMarcus.

“So, this is why I couldn’t reach you?” I asked with my hands akimbo, almost daring him to respond in the affirmative.

“I can explain,” DaMarcus offered.

“Oh… my… God!” The words fell from my mouth in pieces as I tried to gather my thoughts.

“Belinda,” the intruder shouted, standing with her hands across her chest, looking, if not feeling, ashamed.

“Taylor Duncan.
”

I turned, tilted my head, and looked at DaMarcus with disgust and disappointment on my face.

“Lyn, I’m calling the cops.”

Shayna stood behind me with her cell phone in her hand, but the hand she would use to dial the number was busy picking her jaws up from the floor.

“What the hell is going on in here?” she shouted with a you-got-caught look on her face. She wasn’t certain
who
she was directing her question to.

“Won’t you try answering that one, DaMarcus?” I da
red, scanning
the room for something to hit him with.

“Yeah, DaMarcus answer that one,” Shayna repeated.

I gave Shayna that not-now look, and then directed my attention back to DaMarcus

“Belinda, it’s not what you think. I can explain,” Taylor offered.

This heifer is a damn mind reader,
I thought.

“This should be good. You mean you can explain why you’re standing there, naked, in my bathroom, in my house, with my husband? Oh this is going to be a good one.” I said, and laughed to keep myself from crying, or doing anything irrational.

I grabbed at Taylor, but before I could reach her, I felt DaMarcus’ hands around my waist, keeping me from giving Taylor the death-hold I so desperately wanted to.

“9 – 1 – 1,” Shayna shouted each number, staring DaMarcus in his face.

“Don’t you have somewhere you need to be?” DaMarcus asked rhetorically.

He knew Shayna wasn’t going anywhere.

“Honey, it’s not what it seems,” he continued.

Taylor and DaMarcus owed me an explanation, and
Shayna felt just as entitled. My heart sank
,and
I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t escape DaMarcus’ grip.

“Let me go,” I demanded.

When he released me, I felt the aftertaste of the airplane snack rising in my chest. The chocolate colored walls seemed to have caved in, and immediately, the room seemed smaller than it really was.

“You mean this is all in my head?” I asked, pointing at the half-naked woman who had begun searching frantically for the rest of her clothing. I shook my head in disbelief.

“That’s not what I’m saying.” DaMarcus’ desperation showed. 

“Then what are you saying, DaMarcus?” I paused and waited for his response, which came too slowly. “I called you several times last night to tell you what had happened, only you were no where to be found. And if you’re wondering how I got here, and obviously you’re not, I took a taxi.”

I had to gather myself. I turned and headed back towards the bedroom door. The walk down the stairs to the living room seemed to take forever. With each step, I tr
ied to map out my
next move, but nothing I thought made sense. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do. So many things were going through my head, but if I didn’t pull myself together, I was goingto do something I might end up regretting. I couldn’t make a rational decision with DaM
arcus and Taylor in my presence

the thought of them wasn’t bad enough.

“Belinda. Belinda. Belinda,” Shayna was called
, but I didn’t have the strength to answer.

Shayna stood in the living room with one arm on her hip and the other pointing towards the stairs. Before I could respond, Taylor appeared fully clothed.

“Who is that, Belinda?”

Shayna waited for me to respond. When I opened my mouth, all I could do was breathe.

“Who are you and what the hell are you doing here?” Shayna asked, standing face to face with Taylor.

“Belinda, it’s not what you think,” Taylor responded, purposely ignoring Shayna’s direct questioning.

“Why are you still here? Why are you even standing here still talking to me? You don’t honestly think I have anything to say to you. I trusted you and thought I understood your relationship with my husband. And despite what everyone said, I gave you the benefit of the doubt. I even ignore
d
my own thoughts. I dismissed them as far-fetched, warped, impossible, because I trusted my husband.”

I turned and looked at DaMarcus. That word hurt coming from my mouth.

“Get the hell out of my house.”

It took every fiber in my body to stop me from tearing Taylor to pieces. Taylor turned and looked at DaMarcus, who stood frozen at the bottom step, unable to rescue her from the wrath I was unleashing on her. 

“What are you looking at him for?” I continued. “I asked you to leave.”

Each word I spoke was more wrapped in anger than the last.

“And if I have to ask you again, I promise you, it won’t sound as nice.” I turned my head towards the door. 

As Taylor walked out the front door, DaMarcus closed it behind her and stood with his forehead pressed against it. He turned and walked with his hands clasped over his mouth. His face was covered in guilt.

“Can we please talk about this?” he pleaded.

“We don’t have anything to talk about, DaMarcus.”

I tried to keep my breathing and my emotions
in tack. I was losing control.

“
You know what, you had better be gone before I get back
.
”

I grabbed my handbag and car keys
and headed through the kitchen
towards the garage. Shayna followed. 

“Where are you going?” DaMarcus asked, and begged me to listen. I turned, my face covered with hurt. I felt betrayed
.

“I’ll get the car.” Shayna reached for the keys and headed outside. “And just so you know…” she pause
d and looked at DaMarcus. “If it
was me, I wouldn’t believe a word that came from your mouth,” Shayna added and continued outside the door.

DaMarcus wanted to respond, but he didn’t have time to waste.

“How does it go this time?” I asked. “Wait, let me guess. Nothing happened, Lyn. She meant nothing to me. Please forgive me. Tell me, did I at least get it half right?” Trying to maintain composure, I turned towards the front door, and then continued. “Do all guys rehearse those lines just in case you get caught?” I was furious.

“What do you mean
‘
get caught
’
? I told you, nothing happened.”

DaMarcus’ voice was filled with frustration.

“Don’t even take that tone with me,” I screamed, pushing DaMarcus’ head with my finger. “You have nothing to be upset about. And while you’re at it, why don’t you tell me what really happened to the money in the savings account.”

“Here we go again.”

“That’s right. Here we go again. It’s always something with you. Please don’t let me find out you have been spending it on this heifer.”

“I told you what that money was used for. You obviously didn’t believe me.”

You’re obviously right, you damn liar
, I thought. I looked out the window at Shayna who was waiting at the car.

“DaMarcus, I have to go. I have to get out of here.”

“Where are you going? I think we need
to…….”

“Oh, now we’re thinking,” I interrupted. “
DaMarcus, w
hat do you want? You want me to forgive you?”

“I’m not asking for forgiveness. I’ve told you, I haven’t done anything.”

“Then I need to leave?
What you’re saying and what I believe are two different things right now.” I screamed.

The tears formed in my eyes, and swiftly rolled down my face.

“Maybe if you stop trying to run away and let me explain. Baby, yo
u’re jumping to conclusions

the wrong conclusions. Please calm down.”

“Don’t tell me to calm down,” I interrupted him again. “We took vows, DaMarcus. We made promises, one you just broke.”

“I haven’t broken anything. Aren’t you listening?”

The harder DaMarcus tried to get through to me, the more emotional I became.

“Will you let me explain?” he pleaded.