Vows of Deception: Something old, new, borrowed, and BLUE... (3 page)

Shaniece Jones, deep down was just a misunderstood teen going through some issues that she didn’t know how to react to. After several attempts the one thing that seemed to be a sore spot for her was that her mother was a flaker. She disappeared when she was four years old leaving her with her maternal grandmother. Her father only gets to spend time with her every other weekend. According to her he has never married nor had a steady girlfriend that Shaniece has known about. Recently some girls had started to tease her because she didn’t have a mother. Picking at her because she is what most would call a tom-boy because of how she dressed. When she only wears what she is given. Since the picking started it has escalated to them referring to her as being gay. Spreading vicious rumors that has everyone in the school whispering about her.

Shaniece retaliating with violence is what landed her in the children’s wing of the behavioral hospital. She refuses to be a snitch so instead of going to the officials over the school she fights instead. Her father didn't have a clue of what was going on with her so her grandmother checked her in. Mainly because the school suggested it. The family claims they want to see her get some kind of assistance for her anger issues. Beejay says that’s why he has been seeing her to help with those issues and recently her explosions have gotten worst. Danielle couldn’t imagine not having a mother around and the kids at school to start picking fights too. The thought alone of going through that much at such an early age sounded extremely tiring.

“Shaniece, I think we have made some great progress with our sessions. What do you think?”

“I guess so.”

“You don’t think we have?”

“I mean, we talked but that still doesn’t stop what goes on when I leave here.”

“Is there anything else besides school that bothers you?”

“No. I just wish I had a mother in the picture. You know?” Danni nodded her head in encouragement for her to continue. “Never mind, that’s stupid.”

“That’s not stupid Shaniece. That’s natural to want your mother around.”

“I don’t want her. I wish I was never born.”

“If you were never born we wouldn’t have met. And I like you already. You remind me of myself when I was coming up. I know your father wouldn’t want to hear things like that. As well as other family members who care about you. You can’t mean any of that Shaniece.”

“…” She shrugged her shoulders. Danni’s heart clenched at the sight of the girls silent tears in her office. Her problems didn’t mean squat when a young girl was suffering tremendously over feeling unwanted. Much like herself in her marriage. She couldn’t help the natural motherly instinct to wrap her arms around Shaniece and rock her like she was her very own.

“Shh, it’s okay sweetie. Everything is going to be alright.” Danni cooed. Even though it was against all the rules to get so attached to a patient, she couldn’t help herself. Before long the time had come for her to get her things together to be discharged. They had embraced for the remainder of the session not saying anything else.

“Can I see you when I come back?” Shaniece asked in an innocent voice that further tugged at her heartstrings. Her own deeply rooted issues with feeling wanted or needed moved her to comply.

“Sure you can sweetie. In fact, I am going to do you one better. Here is my card with my office number on the front and my personal cell on the back. I will get with Mr. Beejay to see if it’s alright if I see you from time to time. We don’t want to make him feel unwanted, it may hurt his feelings.” Danni cracked a joke that actual made the girl smile.

“Okay.”

“You can call me anytime. No matter whether it is just to talk or whatever.”

“Thank you.” That seemed to brighten Shaniece’s day even more for her smile was so bright she was showing all of her pearly whites.

“Let’s get you packed up. Your ride should be here soon.”

“Yes ma’am.” Once she was out of her office, Danni collapsed in her chair concerned about her home life now. How can she be of assistance to someone else if her own household is in turmoil? Her own happiness was in the rafters with no safety net below to break her fall.

“Come in.” Danni called out to the knocker. In walked Shaniece with a beautifully silver haired lady. “Hello.”

“Hello. I’m Rita Jones, Shaniece’s grandmother.”

“I am Danielle the counselor over Shaniece’s care since she has been here.”

“I’ve heard great things about you when I talked to Niecee over the phone.”

“Oh really?” Danni looked at Shaniece. “And here I thought you didn’t really like me.” She joked.

“…” Shaniece looked shocked that she would think that.

“I’m just kidding boo.” The two ladies laughed while Shaniece smiled.

“I gave my number to Shaniece so she could call me. Technically that is against policy but I felt compelled to keep in contact with her. I pray I didn’t step out of bounds.”

“That is very sweet of you. I really appreciate it. I am sure her father won’t mind at all.” Rita smiled. "Now her guardian will be another story all together." Rita looked at Shaniece and she looked away guiltily.

“Oh." Danni really didn't know how to respond to that. "Do you have any questions for me Mrs. Jones? Have any concerns you would like to discuss?”

“No, I just want what’s best for my grandbaby. Nothing more, nothing less.”

“Well if there is nothing else. I will see you at our next appointment Shaniece.”

“You can call me Niecee.”

“Well alright Niecee.”

“Bye Miss Danni.” Danni received another big hug.

“Bye sweetie. You be good okay?”

“I’ll try.”

“Do more than try. For me?”

“Yes ma’am.” And with that she was gone. Now it was time to face her own drama on the home front. She didn’t know whether to investigate more or let bygones be bygones. Decisions. Decisions.

****

IS YOUR BELOVED HUSBAND A WOLF IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING?

Danielle decided after receiving the current email that she would investigate on the sly. Search his office, check phone bills, and check his clothes for random scents or makeup traces. The more she searched the more frustrated she became with herself for allowing an anonymous tip put distrust in her husband. Her husband? Who she had only seen in passing since he has returned from his business trip. When he first returned Danni tried to keep up a hard front because she was still hanging on to a shred of doubt that Lamont was living foul. Anything that would answer why he had become so reserved with her.

The little things were unnoticed by him now. Nothing got his attention anymore. Something different with her hair, new perfume, new outfit, make-up, or no make-up he would just give her his signature bland kiss on the lips. No soul-melting make out sessions. Boring. Boring. Boring. Maybe it was her that he wasn’t attracted to. She had gained a few pounds. Maybe thirty pounds over the past two years when things really started to change. The gym invitation from Beejay, that she had been ignoring for so long, was what she needed. Lamont always claimed he liked her thick shape but her midsection had formed a pooch.

Danielle noticed she at least didn't have any rolls. Hips, butt, and bust is what she used to be. Now she could add bigger thighs, softer tummy, and puffy face. Although none of the flaws she recently thought about took away from her natural beauty, the thought that they could be unattractive to her husband made her want to change them. First thing was first though. She needed to apologize to her husband for how she spoke to him as well as for what he didn’t know. The fact that she doubted his loyalty over some speculations that had no merit was beyond demeaning.

“Hi honey, I was just calling to see what time you were coming home. I prepared us a nice dinner. Please call me back.” Danni worked hard on cooking one of his favorite meals. Steak and red potatoes, with a side of apple pie. The wine was chilling just waiting on her other half to make his appearance.

“Hey Lamont. I know we left things on a bad note last week. Well I left things on a bad note by stepping completely out of character. I really want to apologize for that. Could you just call me and let me know that you’re alright. I am starting to worry a bit.” Danni was beyond worried that something terrible had happened to Lamont. It had been three hours since her last voicemail and he had yet to come home or call back.

“Lamont?” Danni questioned when she heard the door open.

“Who else?” He asked with some annoyance evident.

“You couldn’t return any of my phone calls or texts. I was worried sick.”

“Please save the nagging. It’s been a rough day. What did you want anyway?” He finally asked after looking through a few pieces of mail.

“So you didn’t check any of your messages?”

“Goodnight Danielle.” Lamont walked away without a backwards glance. Danni was left stunned out of her mind. Something wasn’t right and she was going to get to the bottom of it. This wasn’t normal. No man was that damn busy. He had something to hide. She was convinced more now than she was before that something was going on.

“What’s good Danni?” Natalie answered her phone call.

“I need your help.”

“Who do I need to whoop?”

“Your brother-in-law, if I find out he is stepping out on me.”

“What?!” Nat shouted so loud she had to remove the phone from her ear. “I mean why would you say something like that?” She asked nervously.

“Let’s just say, woman’s intuition.”

“A woman’s intuition has been wrong before too. Do you have any idea with who if he was?”

“Not a damn clue but I am going to find out.”

“Wait now. Let’s not do anything drastic. What would all of a sudden make you assume he is cheating?”

“He won’t touch me and I have been receiving emails anonymously hinting things about him. Normally I just ignore them and move on. The very first one I received I saved. It has attachments that I assume is pictures and a video.”

“Oh no. Are you serious?”

“Yep. I will get to the bottom of this. You just wait.”

“Let me help you sis. Why don’t you come over or I can come to you so you won’t be alone?”

“Girl, I’m good. I just wanted to tell someone of my suspicions just in case I commit a crime and have to go to jail. I have bail money stashed away in my closet.” Danni tried to crack a joke but neither one of them laughed.

“Don’t do anything rash Danni.”

“I can’t make any promises. I will talk at you later Nat.” Danni disconnected the call with a new found determination to get something’s done. If her search came up empty and he wasn’t cheating, no one had to know she suspected him of doing so. She could be woman enough to admit she was wrong, if in fact she is wrong. There was only one way to find out. One way was that email that was saved on her computer at work. Danni just prayed she will be able to withstand violence if it is bad.

After Danielle got it set in her mind what she was going to do next she assumed the duty of cleaning the kitchen. Putting the cold, forgotten dinner away in Tupperware containers and into the fridge. Beejay would appreciate a home cooked lunch versus what they normally eat. It wouldn’t be the first time and Danielle wasn’t sure if it would be the last. Considering her insubordinate mind taking on such sinister thoughts of bodily harm if the outcome of her investigation turned up not in Lamont’s favor, it was only natural to plan her last meal. Her last meal as a free woman that is. That honestly was one of the reasons she took on a profession such as the one she has.

Anger management issues that ran deep as the blue seas. Being bullied in school made her sensitive in ways that most folks couldn’t attempt to comprehend. Because she was on the healthier side of the track unlike most girls, the boys called her names. After the first few boys she served up in second, third, and fifth grade, no one took it a step further than words. Even though her hard front kept her from shedding tears in the faces of those who wanted so badly to hurt her, it still didn’t stop the hateful words. Words really do cut deeper than most actions. Only a handful of girls actually tried to result to physically attacking her but they soon figured out that was a mistake.

Years after elementary passed is when she started to appreciate her bigger size because she had the boobs before the stick figures she came up with. Having a big booty was in style while other girls tried to pad their front and back to compare themselves. The resentment of being teased in elementary didn’t vanish just because the boys found her attractive. Oh no, it became worst because she wasn’t planning on giving them the time of day. They only wanted one thing and she knew that from jump. Her daddy kept her hipped to the game of the ratchet mouth hoodlums that wanted to cozy up next to her.

Shutting them down on numerous occasions caused them to revert back to calling her names. Instead of calling her out on being overweight they would now call her stuck-up, snooty, and most importantly a grade A bitch. Whenever it was said out loud, Danni would hold her head up high and give it some flavor. ‘The best bitch. I can give ya mama pointers if you like.’ That always shut them up. Who likes ‘yo mama’ jokes? Especially in front of other people that were sure to laugh. Needless to say, she never dated anyone her age. Anyone she saw was always a good two or more years older than she was. Secretly of course. Even those handful of prospects only lasted so long since she wasn’t putting out or opening up.

Meeting Lamont in college was something straight out of a typical romance novel. Boy meets girl. Girl tutors boy. Boy is popular. Girl is not. Boy pursues girl after countless refusals. They finally start to date and the rest is history. The only thing is lacking is the vows they made seem pointless now as she lets her suspicions get the best of her. It is true that she could be asking for trouble by looking. ‘Seek and you shall find’ is the saying. So be it. She needed answers.

Upon opening the saved email, Danielle thought for sure this was some type of joke, spam, or something else sinister. Just when she was going to delete and forget about it, the name of one of the pictures caught her attention. The files name was Lamont&her.jpg. Instantly her heart started to pound, ears started to ring, and hands began to itch. Anticipation was going to kill her if she didn’t appease her curiosity. Saying a small prayer to herself she braced herself trying to calm down her breathing. Quickly she locked the door to her office for she didn’t want to be interrupted or heard by anyone if this made her angry. Why hadn’t she read the attachments the first time? For sure she would have opened it up then.

The first picture was of him walking down a hallway of an expensive hotel it seems. The tux he wore was very familiar for he just wore it during their anniversary party. The time stamp on the picture confirmed that for her. Another frame showed the snow white beauty walking down the same hall casually looking behind her. The next shots were of them both disappearing behind the same door which could have been completely innocent. ‘He said he went to talk business with some colleagues.’ Danielle was steadily trying to convince herself that this wasn’t what it seemed. Deciding to send the video to her tablet instead of opening it on her computer, she wanted no evidence that she was doing personal stuff on a business portal.

The video showed them talking, smiling, and gawking at one another. Which could still be innocent until Snow White approached her husband of five years in an unprofessional manner. She was so close to him and he did nothing to put space between them. If anything he pushed up on her harder. From the camera’s angle in the corner she couldn’t tell exactly what was happening for they were toe to toe speaking peacefully. Lamont brushed the blonde tresses off her face and behind her ear. The once playful banter between the two took a drastic turn as an animalistic side of Lamont that Danielle hadn’t seen since college took over his normal poised self. With lightning speed Lamont swung his accomplice around by her shoulders slamming her into the large conference room table.

The vixen didn’t put up much of a fight in fact from the view it looks like she enjoyed the rough playtime. Danielle couldn’t believe her eyes as she watched her one and only love unbuckle his pants, letting them pool at his feet. Crudely lift another woman’s dress, ripping her thong off, and ramming into her without a care in the world. The untamed beast that boned this woman who wasn’t his wife was a site to see. Sadly Danielle was more jealous than she was furious in the beginning because Lamont was showing this woman his skills that she longed for. Both were careful not to kiss or leave any marks that would lead to suspicions of them being together. That much was evident. From the sight of them, this wasn’t a one-time thing and definitely wasn’t their first.

When he was ready to ejaculate he smacked the woman on the butt as a signal to assume the position, she did with ease. Dropping to the floor in front of him she accepted all he had to give. All those children wasted down another woman’s throat instead of deep inside of her womb where Danielle longed for them to be. Now that she had mindlessly watched Lamont’s indiscretions, one thing stuck out like a sore thumb. He didn’t use any protection. He always made sure she was on her birth control and would go so far as to wear a condom if she had recently started a new pack of pills. No matter how many times she tried to explain to him since she had been on the pill for so many years it would take at least three months for it to leave her system to become pregnant.

Not only did he cheat by sleeping with another woman that alone should have been the lick that killed old dick. NO! It was that the bastard had an intimate connection with this woman that he would raw dog her. At THEIR anniversary party, while Danielle was right down the hall. Then had the nerve to hold Danielle in place as they carried on a full blown conversation with his obvious mistress. Shafting her every chance he got with the little forced intimacy she gets from him. Danielle felt beyond cheated. She was feeling worthless, destitute, and lastly less than a woman. If she can’t keep her own husband happy then what was her purpose?

****

Danielle went through the rest of the week on autopilot. She didn’t attempt to get closer to her husband like she did before she discovered his infidelity. Nor did she crucify him on the spot. NO. She observed his dealings. Observed his emotions, inability to detect that something was off about his wife. The one he said his vows too was not acting her normal self but either he didn’t take notice or just couldn’t be bothered to care. Either way, Danielle felt even more hurt if that was possible. To the outside eye she pretended nothing was wrong and went about life as usual. When she arrived home, she counted the lies that spew from Lamont’s conniving mouth. Her self-esteem dropped to an all-time low seeing as he didn’t even attempt to initiate any intimacy between the two. That further alerted her that she had been carrying their intimacy for some time. Sadly it took something this tragic to make her realize it.

“Hi Mom.” Danni greeted her mother.

“Hi Sweetie.” Her mother embraced her in a hug that spoke volumes. “To what do I owe the pleasure of an impromptu visit?”

“Is it a crime to want to see my mommy?”

“No crime. But surprised nonetheless, yes.”

“I was just…”

“Don’t give me the ‘I was in the neighborhood’ bull either. You are never just in the neighborhood.” Lena chuckled while she busied herself making sandwiches without even asking Danni if she wanted one. “Do you have good news for me?” She suddenly stopped what she was doing to look at her daughter with so much hope. It broke Danni’s heart to see her mother so excited, anticipating being a grandmother. Only for her dreams to be crushed because it seems that will never happen.

“Oh my God. What’s wrong Danni?” Lena rushed to her now tearful daughter. Danni didn’t even realize she had started to shed tears of sorrow until her mother wrapped her in her arms. The dam broke and so did her resolve. Breaking down into a full-blown sob. “Tell me, what’s wrong honey? Let me help you.”

“Oh mom. Lamont… He… Oh God.”

“Did he hurt you? What happened?” Lena shouted question after question. “I will kill that son of a bitch if he put his hands on my baby.”

“No mom, it’s not that.” Danni giggled a little from her mother’s sudden outburst of violence. Her mother hardly ever cursed but when she did, it was when she was at her whit’s end.

“I just found out Lamont has cheated on me.”

“No. Are you sure?”

“I’m sure.”

“How did you find out?”

“Someone sent me an email a while ago. Right after our anniversary party actually. It took me some time to even believe that it was real. I thought for sure it was a ploy. After a disagreement with Lamont and the doubts would never leave, I opened the email that I saved for whatever reason. Attachments were in the email with pictures and one video. I watched every ounce of his infidelity.” Danni started to cry again. “Mom, he didn’t even look sorrowful for his actions. After the deed was done, he straightened up like it was normal for him. Then had me at his side as he carried on a conversation with the woman he was just with.”

“I’m sorry Danni. I know that must have been hard for you to watch.”

“I don’t know what I am going to do.”

“What did he say when you confronted him?”

“I haven’t.”

“You haven’t? Well are you planning to address it or ignore it? Those are your only options at this point.”

“I should address it right?”

“Danni, you are your own person. A grown woman at that. You have to make the decision for yourself. The one that you will have to live with.”

“What would you do if this was daddy?”

“Before or after my crime of passion plea?”

“I’m serious mom.”

“So am I. Danni you of all people know how hard it is to have a quick temper. I fear if something like that ever happened between your father and I, there would be no turning back for my rage. In all honesty, I would be in a padded room with a little window in the door for visitors.”

“I thought that would be my initial reaction but I am too hurt to even consider it. If anything, I am blaming myself for his actions. Maybe there is something about me that lead him astray.” Danni shook her head sadly. “Then my feelings are even more hurt because he hadn’t even used protection with this woman. What if she ended up pregnant?”

“No protection? Screw pregnant, what about an STD sweetie? And how many others is he sleeping with? There are so many more questions and concerns you should have.”

“I know. I am so devastated. I am having a hard time deciphering which way is up at this point.”

“It’s going to take some time. Maybe you should stay here or get away for a bit to figure out what you want to do.”

“No mom, even though he probably won’t miss me if I didn’t come home, I have to face this situation straight up. There is nowhere else to run. I have to confront him.”

“Let me know if there is anything I can do. Set up a crime scene to look like an accident. Anything just call me.”

“Mom, you are a mess. There is one thing you can do for me.”

“What is that?”

“Keep this conversation between you and me.”

“No can do.” Lena quickly answered without hesitation.

“Mom!”

“Danielle!” Lena mocked. “I don’t keep secrets from my husband honey. I love you dearly but that is not going to happen. So if I was you I would get to the bottom of this before your over-protective daddy does.”

“Fine.”

Danni left her parent’s home with a lot of unkind thoughts on her mind. What was she going to do? How does she feel about her husband’s infidelity? Can she overlook him stepping out on her? Is this something that she could just get over for the sake of their vows? Technically he broke the vows they once said before God and their family. Divorcing his sorry tale would be well within her rights. Would it be right to walk away from a five year, legal, and Christian bonding union? She is pretty sure that the clinical response for something of this magnitude would be to seek counseling. If he did consider counseling, who could they go to? Everyone knows them in the community. They would be an embarrassment to their peers.

Danni decided to go to Lamont’s job to check out some things. For one she wanted to know how late he planned to stay at the office. Earlier in the day, he called saying he had some unfinished business to attend to. According to the lame introduction she recalled from their anniversary party, the snow white bimbo worked with him. Danni knew the saying far too well so if she continued to look for something, the worst was bound to jump right out and bite. Lastly she used to pop-up at his office all the time in the beginning for spur of the moment lunches or just to say ‘I was thinking about you.’ Out of the blue he asked her to stop, stating it wasn’t appropriate and people had begun to whisper. Speculating the only reason she did that was because she was insecure.