Society Wives (25 page)

“Okay, hon. This is what happened. Mike and Andrew were pulled over last night, but were arrested because they found a gun and more than three hundred and fifty thousand dollars cash inside of the car.”

Vonnie's heart felt like it stopped, and then plummeted into the pit of her stomach. Her bottom lip trembled. Tears pooled in her eyes.

“What?” Vonnie thought about all of their financial problems and dropped her head back against the head rest. She recalled Mike telling her that he would take care of everything. It must have been much worse than he admitted. Mike was taking desperate measures. Trisha was talking, but Vonnie only heard bits and pieces of what she was saying.

“This sounds crazy and so unlike Mike. But Andrew, that's another story.” When Trisha mentioned Andrew, Vonnie paid attention. “Apparently the police have been watching him, but he's always managed to elude them because he doesn't come out much. Both of their lawyers are here and are pushing to get them in front of the judge ASAP so chances are, they will both be arraigned sometime this evening or possibly tonight.”

“Thanks, Trisha.” Vonnie's voice was small. She wiped her tears. “I'm heading over there now.”

“Okay, but you may have to wait a while.”

“I don't care. See you soon.” She tossed a twenty dollar bill on the table, covering her few cups a tea and a hefty tip.

Vonnie was happy that her husband was alive, but her heart pounded rapidly at the thought of him sitting in a dank cell. He probably felt a little more comfortable with Andrew being with him. She wondered why they had been stopped, but then thought about the fact that in Jamaica, Queens, there wasn't much a black man had to do to be arrested.

Suddenly she was angry at Mike all over again. What stupid thing had he done to end up in jail? How dare Mike place them in such a predicament? What if he was convicted and sent to prison for a long time? What would happen to them? Their life? Their home? Noelle? What would the wives think?

Chapter 38

Pearson

When Niles walked out of the room, Pearson rolled over and watched him leave. She was thankful, but felt horrible for him having to babysit her the way he did. Although she had barely been able to lift her head from the pillow the entire day and was probably dehydrated because of all of the throwing up she'd done, yet she craved another drink. She didn't want to think about her mother dying. She didn't want to anticipate how that loss would make her feel.

Pearson wrestled all Niles' efforts to make her better, refusing the water he tried to force her to drink and pushing away the soup he'd made for her from scratch. She even rejected the BLT he tried to feed her piece by piece, which was her favorite.

Pearson reached under her bed and felt for the flask she had hidden there. When she couldn't reach it with her hands, she leaned farther until her head was nearly touching the floor.

“Looking for this?”

Pearson jumped up, whipping her head in Niles' direction. Her breath caught as he stood near the end of the bed dangling her flask. She hadn't even heard him enter the room. Niles shook his head. Ashamed, Pearson looked away and gnawed on her bottom lip.

Niles took a deep breath and sat on the edge of the bed. Neither of them spoke and Pearson could feel the heaviness of what both of them wanted to say.

After a while, Niles got up and repositioned himself next to her. Pearson turned her back to him so he wouldn't see her tears if she started crying. She knew when she caused him pain and hated being the source because she never knew how to soothe him.

Niles slid behind her and spooned her, wrapping his arms around her tight. Pearson's tears came despite her efforts to keep them at bay. She sniffled quietly as if she could succeed in not alerting Niles to the fact that she was crying. Niles held her tighter.

“Pearse,” he whispered softly. She cleared her throat, but didn't respond. “I can't say I know exactly what you are going through. I can only imagine how much it hurts.” He paused, apparently waiting for some acknowledgement. Pearson remained quiet. “It hurts me to see you in pain, but I cannot—I will not stand by and watch you drink yourself to death.”

Pearson's body shook as the tears rushed her. The lump in her throat made it hard to swallow. Niles turned her over and let her cry into his brawny shoulder. Pearson sobbed until her eyes dried out. The release took some of the weight off her, but she still desired the numbing that affects that liquor afforded her.

“I need you to promise me something,” Niles said.

“What?” Pearson looked into his eyes.

“Promise me you will keep letting me in.” Pearson shook her head. “Don't shut me out. And for your sake, chill out on all the drinking before you get to a point when you can't turn back.”

“Niles, I—”

“Don't!” Niles gently placed his finger to her mouth. Pearson looked away. “Okay.” She turned back to him.

He wiped away her tears with his thumb and then kissed her eyes. Pearson folded her arms around him and squeezed him tight. She'd do anything for him, including slowing down on her drinking even if it meant having to face her pains head on. With him she could do it or at least she felt like it could be possible.

“Okay!” Niles said, his tone sounding lighter. “I have plans for us tonight. I figured both of us needed to do something to get our minds off all the stuff that's been going on.”

“What's that?” Pearson smiled. It was small, but she was making an effort to pull herself out of her slump. She glanced at the clock and then glanced up quickly. “Aren't you supposed to be gone by now? You have a gig in Chicago tonight.”

“I cancelled.”

“Why?”

Niles looked at her as if the answer should have been obvious. “Did you really think I was going to leave you here the way you were?”

Pearson turned away at first. “Well, where are we going?” She didn't bother trying to convince Niles that she would be fine without him. Once his mind was made up that was it.

“We are going to a comedy show.” Niles got up from the bed and stood proud and reached for Pearson. “Remember how we used to always go to comedy shows when we first got together?”

Pearson took his hand and stood with him. “Yes. I remember following our favorite comedians around to all of their performances. That was fun.”

“Tonight should be fun.” Niles pulled her into his arms.

“Yes. That would be nice.”

“Wait right here.” Niles disappeared and came back with a large box. “I picked this up after I got the tickets to the show.”

Pearson scrunched her brows. “What's this?”

“Open it,” Niles coaxed.

“That's why I disappeared earlier.” Pearson dropped the box on the bed and ripped it open. Inside there was a black dress and a brand new pair of boots. “Thanks, baby.” She kissed Niles and felt like the passion that had taken a back seat in her recent turmoil could possibly return.

Niles held his hand out to Pearson once again. She rolled her eyes playfully and took it. Leading her to the kitchen, he pointed at one of the stools behind the kitchen island where she sat while he prepared a bowl of soup and watched her eat. After that, they got ready for their night out on the town.

Hanging with Niles helped tremendously. Pearson loved how he entertained her with his silly antics. She threw her head back and laughed at his re-enactments of scenes from the comedy show.

“Niles!” she said with a naughty smile. “You are a fool!”

Niles laughed with her as he mimicked a funny gesture from one of their favorite comedians.

Pearson was bent over. “Stop!” I can't take anymore.” She put her hand on her chest and tried to stop laughing, then suddenly clenched her knees together. “Ahhh. I have to pee!” Pearson ran in the direction of the powder room, giggling all the way.

She stumbled a bit along the way and thought about the fact that she'd only drank wine during the show, except the few shots of cognac she slipped in when she went off to the bathroom and when Niles left to bring the car around.

She enjoyed the burn of the potent amber spirit created as it slid down her throat. She popped dinner mints after each shot to mask the scent.

Niles' attention had been trained on her the entire night. Pearson melted each time she looked up and noticed him stealing adoring glances. He ran his fingers along her cheek and took her by the hand, giving her loving squeezes.

When they got home, Niles spun her around taking her in.

“Um! You know you can give any twenty-something woman a run for her money.” He looked her up and down and smiled, admiring her figure.

“Thank you,” Pearson said, trying to get her footing. The spinning made her dizzy.

Niles loosened the cufflinks on his shirt and placed them on the dresser. Stepping out of his shoes, he slid them against the wall. The entire time, his eyes were on Pearson as she undressed, trying to keep steady.

Pearson didn't want to disappoint Niles, but she was getting sleepy. She felt the stirring in her stomach from the mix of wine and cognac and prayed she wouldn't have to vomit. The liquor made the night funnier, more enjoyable, but now it was hitting her. Pearson was slipping into that familiar place that she usually yearned for, but tonight she didn't want to be taken under. She didn't want her memory to fail her.

For the first time ever, she regretted sneaking in extra sips. Pearson wanted to give Niles what he desired. He wanted her affection, but she wasn't sure how much she could coherently offer to him.

“Woo.” Pearson had made it out of her clothes and stumbled again.

Niles smile faded when Pearson fell into his arms causing him to lose his balance himself.

“Let's go to bed,” she said. Pearson brushed her hand across his groin and giggled. His erection responded immediately. Stretching her eyes wide, she raised a brow and concentrated on the bulge in his slacks. “Is that a sax in your pants or are you happy to see me?”

Their kiss was passionate, but she knew it was sloppy. Entangled in his embrace, Niles pulled her body closer. Pearson hoped she wouldn't pass out.

Chapter 39

Pearson

Before dawn broke, Pearson stirred, reached for Niles, and found his side of the bed empty. She sat up looked at the clock. It was after five in the morning. She felt a familiar thump pounding at her temples and rubbed circles around them. She pulled back the covers, whipped her legs over the side of the bed and took her time standing.

“Niles,” she called out, sliding her feet across the rug toward the bathroom. A glow of moonlight sifting through the window illuminated the way for her. Peeking in, she flicked on the light. Niles wasn't there.

Pearson grabbed her robe from the back side of the bedroom door. “Niles?” she continued to call out as she tipped around the house looking for him. She peeked out of the front window. All of his cars were still there. Pearson searched for him in the family room and was struck with the harsh stench of liquor. Broken bottles were strewn across the floor. Dried splash marks created ragged circles in the carpet and spotted the walls with lines. Pearson looked around in awe. Nearly three thousand dollars' worth of liquor had been wasted.

“Niles!” she yelled. There was still no answer. Racing around the first floor of the house, Pearson called his name repeatedly.

Finally Pearson noticed the door to the basement was slightly ajar. She pulled it wider and called his name some more. Pearson ran down the steps and through the basement, peeking in the media and work out rooms before she found Niles sprawled across the floor of his studio, on his back, with his sax still in his hand.

For several moments she watched his chest rise as he slumbered, thinking of the possibilities that drove him to break every bottle of liquor in the house.

Despite the scene before her, she thought about how much a drink could help her deal with Niles' disappointment when he finally woke up.

Pearson backed out of the room, turned and sprinted the two flights to the bedroom. She rummaged through the drawers of her walk-in closet and found a hidden pint of cognac. She twisted it open and took a long sip. Wincing, she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, looked at the bottle to see how much was left, took another sip and then twisted the cap back on and put it away. She slid to the floor and sat there waiting for her impending confrontation, accompanied by tears that wouldn't stop flowing. If she managed to become numb enough, she could handle the impending fight.

It wasn't long before she heard Niles' footsteps approaching. She hugged her legs, wishing she could simply disappear. Her heart thumped louder as he drew near.

Moving as fast as she could, Pearson reached for the bottle again as she tried to gauge Niles' steps. He was getting closer, but she believed she had enough time to take a quick gulp before he entered the bedroom. The burn soothed her as it went down. She closed her eyes to savor it for a short moment, but when she opened her eyes, Niles stood before her. His eyes were tight slits. Disdain dripped from his expression and he shook his head. Pearson looked from him to the bottle in her hand. Her body shrunk under the mass of shame.

In a swift motion Niles snatched the bottle from her grasp.

“I'm tired of trying to compete. No matter what I do, this,” Niles shoved the bottle in her face, “always seems to win.” He tossed it across the closet.

“No!” Pearson screamed flinching at the sound of it crashing.

Glass splattered everywhere and the odor filled the space. Niles turned his back and walked off, eating up the length of their large bedroom in just a few steps. Pearson ran over and grabbed him by the arm.

“Niles. Wait!”

He turned, snatching his arm from her grasp. The cutting look he gave her made her release him. “I can't wait anymore, Pearson.” His intent wasn't lost on her. He continued toward his closet on the opposite side of the room.