THE OTHER WOMAN: When Shit Hits The Fan

Valerie pulled into Darnella’s driveway.  It had been a week since she decided to give her one last chance and Darnella had called her saying she had something she needed to tell her something and she couldn’t do it over the phone.  Valerie just prayed that it wasn’t what she thought it was.   Things were just starting to look up, she couldn’t take any more disappointment.

            Valerie gave a deep sigh.  She got out of the car, walked up the driveway, and rang the doorbell. 
            “It’s open!”  Darnella called.
            Valerie opened the door and was greeted by a trail of candles and rose petals leading down the hall towards Darnella’s bedroom. 
            “Darnella?”  Valerie called.  She sat her purse down and slowly followed the trail.  The door to the bedroom was slightly cracked and she could see a glow coming from it.  As she opened the door farther she discovered candles lit in various places.  Soft music played in the background. On the bed was a heart made out of rose pedals.  In the center was a manila envelope with OPEN ME written on the front.  Valerie looked around.  She didn’t see Darnella.  She slowly walked over to the bed, picked up the envelope and opened it.
            It was all of the necessary documents to file for divorce.
            “I told you I would make things right.”
            Valerie turned around to see Darnella standing in the bathroom doorway wearing a tiny lace bra and panty set with a robe and six inch heels.  Her hair was pulled into a bun on top of her head.  She smiled at Valerie.
            “Is…is this for real?”  Valerie asked looking down at the papers again.
            “As real as can be baby.”    Darnella walked over and took the papers from her hands and placed it on the dresser.  She sat on the edge of the bed and pulled Valerie onto her lap.
            “I love you so much Val…”  She said kissing her softly on the lips. 
            “I love you too.”
            “I’m so sorry for everything I’ve put you through this past year.  You have been more patient then I could have ever imagined.  I know you’ve been fed up with this whole situation.  I know you felt like just giving up.  But the fact that you stuck around makes me love you more now than I ever have.”
            Darnella reached into the pocket of her robe and pulled out a small velvet box.  She opened it, showing Valerie  the most beautiful princess cut diamond ring.
            “Darnella…”  Valerie started.
            “I love you Val… and I don’t care how long it takes me to make up for everything I’ve done.  I wanna spend a lifetime making you happy…”  She took Valerie’s hand.  “Will you marry me?”
            Valerie’s hand flew to her mouth.  She was speechless. Was this real?  Was this really happening?  All she could do was nod.  Darnella slipped the ring on her finger.  All Valerie could do was stare at the ring and then at her.
            “I love you.” Darnella said running her fingers through Valerie’s hair.  She cupped her face in her hands and kissed her passionately.  She rolled her onto her back and climbed on to of her.  Valerie pushed Darnella’s robe from her shoulders and pulled it the rest of the way off.  She reached up and cupped her breast, massaging them in her hands. 
            Darnella pulled the straps of her bra down and unhooked it, letting her full supple breast free.  Valerie kissed her nipples softly before taking them in her mouth.  She slipped a hand into Darnella’s thong and between her legs, stroking her clit with finger.
            “I love you so much Darnell…”  She whispered.  “So much…”
            “I love you too…”  Darnella moan as Valerie slipped one, then two fingers inside of her wetness.  She tightened her muscles around them and began to ride.  The more she rode, the wetter she got.  By the time Valerie pulled her hand away her fingers were covered in her juices.  She placed them to her lips and sucked it off, then pulled Darnella’s head to hers and kissed her.
            Darnella climbed off of her and pulled Valerie to her feet.  She turned her so that he back was facing her and began to undress her, stripping her down to her bra and panties.
            “Can I have you Val…?”  She asked kissing her neck.  She reached around and cupped her breasts.  She massaged her nipples through the fabric.  All Valerie could do was nod.  Darnella unclasped the bra and pushed it from her shoulders.  She cupped her breasts once again, kissing her neck and back.  She directed Valerie to climb on the bed and get on her knees.
            Valerie did as she was told.  Darnella pulled her panties down, off and tossed them aside.
            “You are the most beautiful woman in the world to me Val…”  She said massaging Valerie’s ample cheeks and slapping them.  She dropped to her knees and came face to face with her pussy.  She kissed the insides of her thighs before easing two fingers inside of her, while sucking on her clit.
            “Mmmmm…”  Valerie moaned biting her lip. 
            Darnella sucked and fingered her until she was nice and wet, just like she liked it.  She climbed to her feet and went over to the shopping bag containing the toys she had bought earlier that day.  Amongst the dildos of various sizes, she had purchased her own strap.  She had gon a little crazy buying toys.  Why not?  She wasn’t going to have to hide it from Trent anymore.           She stepped into the harness and adjusted it so that it fit just right.  The she came up behind Valerie and position herself between her legs.  At first she simply teased her, put just the head in.  Then inch by inch she eased inside of her, pulling back out every time. 
            “Please baby…”  Valerie moaned.
            Darnella eased the strap into her.  She got a firm hold of Valerie’s hips and began hitting her with a slow steady, stroke.
            “Ooo shit…:  Valerie moaned.  She buried her face in the comforter, grabbing two big handfuls of it.  “Go deeper baby…”
            “Hmmmm…like this…”  Darnella fed her every inch of the strap in long, deep stroks.
            “Ooo fuck…just like that baby…fuck this pussy…”  She threw her ass back at Darnella and began riding the strap faster.
            “Whose is it?’
            “It’s your baby…shit…it’s all yours…”  Valerie reached between her legs and began rubbing her clit as Darnella proceeded to fuck her.  She gripped and pulled on the comforter until it and the sheets were halfway off the bed.
            “Ahhhh fuck!!!”  She screamed into the pillow.  “Shit baby…I’m coming…”  A body shaking orgasm engulfed her body, leaving her shaking.  Just when she thought she was done, another one crept up on her.  She had come twice and was gearing up for a third when Darnella pulled out of her.  The next thing Valerie knew, she was being flipped over onto her back.  Darnella wrapped her legs around her waist and entered her once again.
            “I love you…”  She breathed into Valerie’s ear. 
            “I love you…I love you too…”
            This time Darnella took her time and made sweet love to her.  She catered to every inch of her body with special care.  Valerie gave her just as much in return.  As they laid in each other’s arms afterward all Valerie could do was stare at her.
            “What?”  Darnella asked, running her fingers through her hair.
            “Nothing…I’m just happy…I never thought this day would come…it’s a little overwhelming.”
            “I told you I would always come back to you Val.”  Darnella held up her hand that now glistened with the engagement ring.  “And now…you never have to worry about me leaving again.  I’m all yours.”  They shared a passionate kiss.
            “Now…”  Darnella said rolling over on top of her.  “Are you ready for round two?”
            Valerie dipped her finger into her pussy and placed it to Darnella’s lips. 
           “You tell me if I’m ready.”  She said as Darnella sucked her finger clean.
            “Well in that case…”  Darnella said disappearing under the covers.  “Let’s go.”

******

            “I think you are making a mistake man,”  Rodney said as Trent turned onto the road where he lived.  “I wish you would reconsider.”
            “Man I can’t just sit back and let another man take my woman!  I know that muthafucka is over there.  And his ass his mine.  I’ll be damned if I let him fuck my wife in my house, in my bed.”
            “If you are gonna confront this man, leave the gun in the car.”
            “I’m not gon shoot him, I’m not stupid.”
            “Man if you walk in there and see that man you don’t know WHAT you are gonna do.”
            “Listen Rod, I got this okay?”
            “Alright man.  But I’m staying my black ass in the car.”
            “Fine.”
            As they neared the house Trent spotted the all too familiar car.  The closer they got the more his blood began to boil.  Darnella had nerve.  A lot of fucking nerve.  How dare she bring another nigga into the house they shared?  How dare she fuck him in the same bed they use to make love.  This shit was just not going to fly.  He parked on the curb turned off the lights.
            “Are you sure about this?”  Rodney asked again
            “Yea…”  Trent got out of the car and put the gun in his holster.  All he could see was red as he walked up the driveway.  The anger he felt was overwhelming.  I was afraid her really might shoot this man.  But it was too late to turn back now.  He put the key in the door and opened it.  The first thing he saw was the trail of candles, most of which a burnt out, leading to his bedroom.  He followed them, making sure not to make a sound.  He could hear moaning and the sound of the headboard tapping lightly against the wall.
            “Shit…fuck…”  He heard Darnella moan.  As he neared the slightly ajar bedroom door he could see his wife’s naked ass bouncing up and down on the naked body beneath her.  His fists clenched.
            However, the closer he got the less angry he became, but the more confused.  Something was wrong here.  While Darnella still had her back to him, he stepped into the room.  It was then he realized that the person beneath his wife, wasn’t a man… but a woman.
            “WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS!!!”  He yelled.
            Darnella almost jumped out of her skin.  She fell off of the bed and hit the floor with a loud thump.
            “So this is who you are leaving me for Darnell?”  Trent yelled pointing at Valerie who was pulling the sheets up to her chest.  “Another bitch!”
            “Who the fuck are you calling a bitch nigga!”  Valerie snapped forgetting about the sheets and hopping to her feet ass naked, strap dangling in front of her.
            “You are the only other bitch I see in this this room.”   He stared towards her but Darnella stepped in between them.
            “What are you doing here Trent?”
            “What am I doing here?  THIS IS MY HOUSE!!!  What the fuck is SHE doing here!  You gay now Darnell?  What is this shit?”
            “This shit is reality,” Valerie said.  “THIS…”  She said pointing at Darnella.  “…is my woman.  Has been for a year.”
            “You been fucking her for a year Darnella!”
            Darnella was silent
            “Answer me!”  Trent snapped grabbing her by her arm.
            “Yes!”
            “Why!  How could you do this to me!  To us!”
            “I wasn’t happy!”
            “Then why the fuck didn’t you talk to me!  For God sakes Darnell, we took vows!”
            “Do you know how hard it is to talk to you Trent!  You act like a bitch sometimes!”
            “Excuse me for actually loving you!  I didn’t realize showing affection and emotion made me a bitch!”
            “That’s not what I meant…”
            “That’s what you said.  I am your husband!  I tried to give you everything you wanted.  I was good to you Darnella!  I was damn good!”
            “Obviously you weren’t good enough…”  Valerie muttered folding her arms under her bare breasts.
            “SHUT THE FUCK UP!”  Trent snapped at her.  He turned to Darnella.  “How long you been fucking her in my house?”
            “Tonight was the first time…”
            “How many other women have there been?”
            “She was the first.”  The room was quiet.  Then Darnella said.  “I’m in love with her…Trent.”
            “And what about me!                                                                                                            
            “…I care about you…  I love you…but I’m not in love with you anymore.”
            Trent covered his face, trying to hide his tears.  “How could you do this to me Darnella…”
            “I’m sorry…  but this is for the best.  It would be selfish of me to stick around knowing how I felt.  You deserve to be with someone who can love you just as much as you love them.”  Darnella walked over to the dresser and picked up the divorce papers and handled them to him.  “It’s over.”
            “Six years Darnella.  I gave you six years of my life. I gave you all of me.  Are you really willing to throw away everything  we built for this woman you’ve only known a year?  What am I supposed to tell our families?  Our friends?  Our church family?”
            Darnella was silent.
            “You really think this is gonna work out with her?  She can never do the things for you that I can.  She can never give you what I can give you.”
            Again Darnella was silent.   Trent snatched the divorce papers from her hands. 
            “Fine.”  He said.  He started towards the bedroom door, but stopped.  He turned to Valerie.  “You really think you won don’t you?  You really think that are getting a prize.”  He laughed.  “She will never stay with you.  If she cheated on me with you what makes you think she won’t cheat on you with someone else.  I mean didn’t it take her a year to leave me for you?  It’s only a matter of time.  You can laugh now.  Enjoy it while it lasts.  But I’m the one who will be laughing later.  Bet that.”
            Trent threw Darnella a dirty look.  Without another word, he exited the bedroom.  A few seconds later, they heard the from door slam.  And shortly after that, they heard tires squealing as he drove off into the night.

THE OTHER WOMAN: Dont Cry Over Spilt Milk

            “Hello?”

            “Is this Valerie?”
            “Who wants to know?
            “My name is Jennifer.  I work at the CoCo Lounge.  Your friend is here and she is really drunk.”
            “My friend who?”
            “Um, I don’t know her name.  She’s about five eight, brown skin, shoulder length hair…”
            “Darnella?”
            “I don’t know…she said her husband left her, then you left her…”
            “Yea…that’s Darnella.  Shit!”
            “She’s a mess right now.  I don’t know what to do with her.  Can you please come get her?”
            “Tell her to call her husband.  I’m not fucking with that.  Bye.”  Valerie went to hang up.
            “Wait!!!”
            “What!”
            “She specifically asked for you. She’s in hysterics over here crying.  She’s been in here at least three times a week in the last couple weeks just tossing the drinks back.  She’s majorly depressed right now and I really think you should come get her.  It’s not my business what’s going on with you and her, but I don’t think you would be able to live with yourself she drove out of this parking lot and got into an accident.”
            Valerie ran her fingures through her head.  The ;ast thing she wanted to do was see Darnella.  But this girl was right.  She wouldn’t forgive herself if something happened to her.
            “Alright…I’m coming.  Just don’t let her drink anymore.”
            “Okay.”  Valerie hung up and crawled out of bed.  She slipped into a tank top, a pair of sweats and her flip flops.  She grabbed her keys a then she was gone.
 

******

            Valerie looked around the crowned club for Darnella.  She made her way towards the bar where she thought she might be.

            “Hey!  Someone called me to come pic up my friend?”  She yelled over the music.
            “I DID!”  Jennifer yelled back.  “SHE’S OVER HERE!”  She pointed towards the end of the bar and Valerie made her way over.  Even from her position she could tell that Darnella was fucked up.  She was slumped over the bar stool, hair all over her face.  Valerie wondered exactly how much she had been drinking.
            “Darnella get up.”  She said shaking her.
            Darnella laid there for a second then slowly lifted her head. 
            “Valerie?”
            “Yea…it’s me.  What the hell is wrong with you?  How much have you been drinking?”
            Just a little bit…”
            “Look at you!  This is more than a little bit Darnella!”  Valerie pulled her off of the stool.  She wobbled.  If Valerie hadn’t caught her she probably would have fallen over.  “You should be ashamed to be this fucking drunk.”           
            “I’ve miss you Soooo much Val…”  Darnella breathed in her face.
            “Don’t talk.”  Valerie said covering her mouth.  “Come on.”  She draped Darnella’s arm around her shoulder and dragged her towards the door.  By the time she got her outside, Darnella had passed out and was nothing but dead weight.  She had to end up getting the bouncer to help load her in the car.  This was going to be one long night.
 

****** 

            Darnella slowly opened her eyes, sat up and looked around.  It took a second for her to realize where she was.  The pain for her headache was so intense that even her hair was hurting.  What the fuck had happened last night?

            She slowly pushed back the covers and stood up.  The second she did, she felt like she was about to heave her insides.  She ran into the bathroom and hovered over the toilet.  The pain from the burning in her throat was a killer.  Every time she thought she was done, she was right back at it.  When she was finally able to stop throwing up, she flushed the toilet and leaned up against the bathtub with her head in her hands.
            “Oh God…”  She moaned in misery.
            “That’s what happens when you drink until you pass out.”
            Darnella looked up to see Valerie standing in the doorway with her arms folded
            “What are you doing here?”
            “How do you think you got home Darnell?  You sure as hell didn’t drive.  The bartender called me and practically begged me to come pick your ass up because you were so fucking drunk.”
            “Please…don’t yell at me.  My head is pounding.”
            “Serves you right.  This is the last place I wanna be right now.  Your “husband” should be here taking care of you, not me.”
            “Don’t bring up Trent.  I don’t wanna talk about him.”
            “Fine.   Then do you wanna explain to me why you’ve been down at that bar so much lately?  I’ve never know you to drink that much Darnella.  Last night you were completely off ya ass….”
            Darnella didn’t say anything.  She just rubbed her temples.
            “I’m talking to you Darnella.”
            More silence.
            “Fine.  Fuck you.  Take care of your damn self.”  Valerie stormed towards the door, but stopped when she heard Darnella crying.  For a long time she just stood there, trying to convince herself to just leave and not look back.  But it was never that simple.
            “What Darnella?”  She asked walking back over to her.  “What are you crying for?”
            “You don’t care…just go…”
            “Dammit Darnell if anybody cares about your stupid ass it’s me!”  Valerie yelled.
            “Don’t yell at me!  I told you my head was hurting.”
            “Somebody needs to yell at you!  Look at you!  You look pathetic right now…”
            “BECAUSE OF YOU!!!”  Darnella yelled at her.  “I’ve been driving myself crazy thinking about you Val!  Do you know how much it hurts to have the woman you love ignore you!”
            “Yes Darnella!  Yes I do!”
            “I never ignored you!  You knew my situation!”  Darnella slowly pulled herself to her feet.  “I couldn’t talk to you or see you all the time because I’m married.  You did it out of spite!  You know that I love you Valerie!  You KNOW that shit!  If you have to question it then you don’t really love me…”
            “I don’t love you?  Are you fucking kidding me!  I have dedicated a year of my life to you!  To only YOU!   I put aside my dignity and my pride to be with you.  I let so many chances at REAL happiness pass me by to be with you.  And you have the muthafuckin audacity to tell me I don’t really love you?  FUCK YOU DARNELLA!  Fuck you and everything you stand for!”
            Valerie stormed out of the room.  Darnella stumbled after her.
            “Val don’t go…”
            “Get away from me Darnella.  I should have just left your ass at the club last night.”  She snatched up her jacket and keys and headed for the door.
            “Please don’t leave me again!”  Darnella begged dropping to her  knees on the floor.
            “What do you want from me?”
            “All I want is you Valerie.  That’s all I’ve ever wanted.  I know how much you’ve sacrificed to be with me and I love you that much more because of it.  You just have to give me a chance to make things right…”
            “I gave you a chance.”
            “We;; I’m asking for another one.  Please Valerie…all I need is one more chance…”
            Valerie just looked at her.  She didn’t know what to do.  Of course the part of her that still loved Darnella was screaming yes.  But the part that was fed up, the part of her that was still logical when it came to this woman was screaming HELL FUCKING NO! 
            She knew that she could do better just as well as she knew she deserved better.  Was she really so desperate for love that she was willing to continue to be Darnella’s mistress?  Did she really not want more for herself?
            But in the end the part of her that loved her deeply gave in.
            “This is the last time Darnella…”  She said picking her up off of the floor.  “If you can’t commit to me then I’m done.”
            “I promise…”  Darnella said.
            Valerie looked at her for a long time, wanting to believe her yet again.  She was slightly disappointed in herself for giving in.  She so desperately wanted this to work with her and Darnella.  If things continued to take a turn for the worse…she wasn’t sure how she would take it.

****** 

            As Trent rounded the corner on the street to his house, he noticed a car backing out of his driveway.  The same car he had seen parked at an apartment when he followed Darnella a few weeks back.  Although he had never seen her go inside the apartment, he had to wonder what she was doing there.  Why no one ever opened the door and let her in, even though they were clearly home.  Or why she left crying every time.  He had assumed that things were over with her and this mystery man, but it was now clear that they were back on.

            Trent slowed down enough to try and get a look at who was in the car, but he saw nothing. 
            “Shit!”  He had half a mind to follow the car and confront this son of a bitch.  But instead he pulled into the driveway and turned off the car.  He got out and walked up to the front door.  Before he could get the key in the lock the door opened.
            “Did you change your mind…”  Darnella started opening the door with a smile.  When she saw that it was Trent her eyes widened.
            “Expecting someone else?”  He asked pushing past her and going into the house.
            “What are you doing here?”  Darnella asked slamming the door.
            “This is my house remember?”
            “The last time I checked you moved out.”
            “Who were you looking for just now.”  He asked sitting his keys on the table.
            “Nobody.”  Darnella fell back on the couch and cut on the television.
            “Who the fuck just left here Darnella!”  Trent demanded coming and standing in front of her.  She crossed her legs and stared at with an I don’t give a fuck face.  All that did was piss him off.  He grabbed her by her wrists and pulled her to her feet.
            “Get your fucking hands off of me!”
            “Tell me who it was!!!”
            “Fuck you!”
            Trent was angry enough to hit her but he could never bring himself to do something like that.  He let Darnella go and walked away from her.
            “I want a divorce!”  Darnella said from behind him.
            Trent froze.
            “I’m not happy Trent.  And I haven’t been for a long time.”
            “Who is it?”  He asked.
            “I’m not telling you.”
            “Do I know him?”
            “Does it matter who it is?”
            “So you’re leaving me for somebody else?”  Darnella could hear the tears in this voice. 
            “Yes…you can keep everything you bought.  I don’t want anything from you.”  She slipped off her wedding ring and band and handed it to him.  “I’ll pack up my things and I’ll be out by the end of next week.”
            “Darnella please…”
            “I can’t do this anymore.”  Darnella sat the rings on the coffee table.  “I never wanted to hurt you Trent.  I know you probably don’t believe me but I honestly care about you.  And I didn’t know  how to tell you… there was never a right time…”
            Trent put up a hand to silence her.  For a second, Darnella thought he was going to say something.  But he didn’t.  He was silent.  He did even look at her.  He simply picked up his keys off of the table and headed for the front door.  Darnella felt sorry for him.  Part of her wanted to console him but she knew it was no good since she was the one causing him to be in pain in the first place.  So she stood there.  She stood and watched as the fought back tears on his way out the door.  She watched him get into his truck.  And she watched him drive away. 

THE OTHER WOMAN: It All Falls Down

Trent hung up the phone and sat back in the couch.  He rubbed his temples.  Maybe this was a sign that he needed to just let Darnella go.  She hadn’t even called or text him in the entire week in a half that he had been gone.  If she was so concerned, if she didn’t want him to leave, she sure had a funny way of showing it.

            “Did she answer?”
            Trent looked up at his best friend Rodney and simply shook his head.
            “What you need to do is go home bruh.  Look at you, you look like a sad ass puppy.”
            “How am I supposed to look man!  My wife is cheating on me.”
            “No you only SUSPECT that she’s cheating.  You don’t have any proof.”
            “Really?  I left home over a week ago.  She hasn’t contacted me once.”
            “She’s a woman.  You know how stubborn women are.”
            “We haven’t had sex in weeks.”
            “Ouch…”
            “And on top of that…she forgot our anniversary.  Now if I was the one that forgot I’d be all types of no good bitch ass niggas.  She came home ten o’clock that night.  I know damn well she wasn’t working and I know it didn’t slip her mind.  Now what could have been preoccupying her thoughts and time so much that she would forge the most important day in out marriage.  Maybe getting’ dicked down by another nigga.”
            “Don’t you think that’s a little far fetched?”
            “Man…I don’t know what to think anymore.  I feel like my marriage is on its way to being on its last leg.  Its more than just forgetting our anniversary or lack of sex…she’s been distant for months.  I can tell she doesn’t wanna be here.”
            “Has she actually said that?”
            “No…but she ain’t acting like it.  Something is up.  I know it is.  And I’m gonna find out what.”
            “So what are you gonna do?  Track her every move?  Tap her phone?”
            “Precisely.”
            “You crazy man.”
            “How?  This ain’t no different from the shit women do to us.  I love Darnella.  She’s the woman I want to spent the rest of my life with.  I just wanna understand what the fuck is going on with her…with us.”
            Rodney looked at him.  He could tell that his friend was hurting.
            “Alright man.”  He said slapping his knee.  “If you are serious…I might know a guy that can help you.”
            “Thanks man.  I appreciate it.”
            “No problem.  Let’s just hope for the best.  I’d hate to see what would happen if your speculations turn out to be true.”
            “To be honest…so would I.”  Trent leaned forward and rested his head on his fists.  It was a shame that he was about to go to these lengths to find out what was going on with his wife, all because she wouldn’t give him any answers.  Maybe he was over-reacting.  Maybe he was wrong.  He didn’t know.  If he was, he was man enough to admit it and apologize.  But if he was right…there was going to be hell.

******  

            Darnella wiped her eyes, dried her tears, and picked up the phone to call Trent back.

            “Hello?”  He answered.
            “Hey…”
            “Hey…”
            “You called?”
            “You wouldn’t be calling back if you didn’t see my number.”
            “Trent please…I don’t feel like the smart mouth…not tonight.”
            Trent was silent for a minute.  “Are you crying?”
            “No…”
            “WERE you crying?”
            “No…”
            “You are a terrible liar Darnell.”
            “What did you want Trent?  Was there a reason you called?”
            “Obviously you didn’t care enough to answer.”
            “I’m hanging up.  I don’t feel like hearing this shit.”
            “Of course you don’t.”
            “You know what Trent?  YOU left ME okay?  Not the other way around.  If anybody should be upset and snapping it should be me!”
            “You aren’t upset Darnell!  Not about us anyway!  You realize you haven’t called me not once since I left?  You haven’t made the effort to even find out where I was or if I was okay!””
            “You are a grown ass man Trent!  YOU left!  Did you want me to beg you stay?  Did you want me to stalk you and chase you down?”
            “YES!!!”  At least then I wouldn’t have to wonder if you gave a damn!”
            “If you gave a damn you wouldn’t have left…”  Darnella stopped mid-sentence.  She wasn’t going to do this.  “Why am I even talking to you?  When you are ready to talk to me like a man, and not a little bitch, then you can call me.”
            “So that’s how you feel Darnell?”
            “Yeah, that’s how I feel.  And as far as you leaving….stay wherever the hell you are cause right now, I don’t wanna even look at you.  If you come for the rest of your shit, do it when I’m not home.  If I happen to be there, don’t say shit to me.  Git ya shit, and get the fuck out.”
            Trent clenched his jaw as she listened to her.  For a long time, he was quiet.  He was having a hard time realizing that his wife of six years was just talking to him like he was some random nigga she had met on the streets.
            “Do you hear me Trent?”  Darnella snapped.
            “Oh I hear you.  But you make sure you hear me.  I hope this nigga you fucking makin’ you real happy babygirl.  You better enjoy it while you can cause when I find him, there is gonna be a problem.”
            “Good luck with finding this man Trent.”
            “So you admit it?”
            “I’m not admitting shit.  You so hell bent on me fucking somebody another nigga,  then you have all the fun you want trying to find him.  Goodbye.” 
            Darnella slammed the phone down. 
            Trent had made some valid points and she hated that.  She hadn’t called him.  She hadn’t been worried about where he was, if he was okay, or if he was even alive.  Of course the thought had crossed her mind, but she had never bothered to follow up on it.  He had every right to be upset. 
            But Trent was the last thing on her mind right now.  All she could think about was Valerie and the fact that she had broken up with her.  In the short two hours since she left Valerie’s apartment, she was a total and complete mess.  She couldn’t stop crying.  She had been calling and texting Valerie only not to get a response.  The reality of it all was a low blow.  This was what it felt like to be on the other end of the spectrum. 
            Darnella buried her hands in her head and began to cry again.
            Something had to give.

****** 

             Valerie looked down at her cell phone and pressed the end button to silence the call.  She turned it face down on the dinner table and heaved a heavy sigh.

            “What’s wrong with you?”  Her mother asked.

            “Nothing mama, I’m fine.”
            “Who was that?”
          “Nobody.”
            “It must be somebody.  They have been blowing up your phone all through dinner.”
            Valerie snatched up her phone and turned it off.  “There, are you happy?  They won’t call again.  Can we drop this now?”
            “Don’t talk to your mother like that.”  Mr. Johnson said.
            “I’m sorry okay?  I just don’t wanna talk about it.  I wish you could respect that.”
            “It’s that woman isn’t it?”  Her mother, Mrs. Johnson pried. 
            “Mom…stop.”
            “Well is it her?”  Valerie’s sister Tonya asked sitting her fork down and folding her arms.
            Valerie was quiet.
            “I knew it.”  Tonya said with a chuckle.  “I knew it.”
            “Kiss my ass Tonya.”
            “You look pathetic Val.  Chasing after a married woman?  Of all of the single women out here and you choose this bit…”
            “Tonya, you’re a stripper.  You take off your clothes and do God knows what else with random men for money.  You really think that you are the person who should be judging my character.”
            “I quit stripping six months ago.  Something you would know if you didn’t have your head so far up Darnella’s ass.”
            “You know what Tonya…”  Valerie started, jumping to her feet.
            “What?”  Tonya stood with her hands on her hips.
            “Both of y’all sit ya ass down!”  Their father snapped. 
            They glared at each other but sat down.  Mr. Johnson turned to Valerie.  “What’s the matter baby?”
            “Nothing Daddy.  It’s over.  That’s all you need to know.”
            “Well I for one am glad.”  Mrs. Johnson said taking a sip of her iced tea.
            “I’m sure you are mother.”    
            “I’m sorry Val but I told you that relationship was doomed from the start.  She’s married.  This whole thing was probably just a phase.  She got it out of her system and she went back to her husband.  And you…look at you Val.  She played you.  You were nothing but her toy.”
            “Mom no offense, but you need to mind your own business.  And for your information, she didn’t leave me.  I left HER.”
            “Even if that’s true, you’ll go back if she comes calling.”
            Valerie picked up her phone and got up from the table.  “Before you all go saying ‘I told you so’, maybe you should just remember this.  As wrong as it was, I loved her and I still do.  I’m put my heart and soul of the line and I got hurt.  Nothing that you say can ever change that.”
            Valerie stormed into the living room and out of the front door, rushing to her car.  She just wanted to get out of there.  That became inevitable when she put the key in the ignition and it wouldn’t start.
            “Shit!”
            She dropped her head in her hands and began to cry.
            As much as she tried to tell herself that this was the right thing to do, she just couldn’t deny the fact that it was killing her.  With every phone call or text message she received, she died a little.  Every time Darnella showed up at her house begging her to open the door, she was tempted to let her in.  Ignoring the woman she loved so dearly was the hardest thing she ever had to deal with.  But she knew it was something she had to do.  As much as it pained her to admit it…maybe her mother was right.  Maybe this was just a phase.  Maybe Darnella just wanted to have her cake and eat it too.  Maybe she was just a toy that Darnella pulled out to play with only when she was bored. 
            Whatever she had been to her… she knew it would be a long, long, LONG time before she simply got over her.

****** 

            “Ma’am, I think you’ve had enough.”  The bartender said.

            “I’ll tell you when…I’ve had enough.  Now pour me a fucking drink!”  Darnella said drunkenly.  She slammed her glass on the counter and pushed it towards the bartender.
            “I’m sorry, but you reached your limit six glasses ago.  I’m not giving you anymore alcohol.”
            “Do you know…what I’ve been through the past couple weeks?  Huh?  My husband left me.  You know what the bad part is?  I don’t even care about him leaving because I’m in love with another woman…Valerie.”
           She stopped and looked longingly at the empty glass.  “But she left me too…all because I dragged my feet with leaving my husband.  All she wanted was me and I couldn’t even give her that…I’m such a fool.  She won’t talk to me, wont answer my calls,…SHE WONT EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE I’M ALIVE!!!”
            She put her head down on the bar and began to cry.  The bartender just looked at her, not knowing what to say.  She wasn’t sure if she should call a bouncer or a psychologist.
            “Valerie!!!!”  A drunken Darnella cried loudly.  “Valerie…I miss you so much…I just…I just…”
            “Ma’am…you’re making a scene…”  The bartender said trying to silence her.
            “I don’t give a fuck!!!!  All I want is Val!!!!  Can you get me Val!  Tell her I’m sorry!  I was stupid!  All I want is Val!!!”  She buried her head and cried loudly.  People were beginning to stare and whisper.
            The bartender noticed Darnella’s cell phone on the bar next to her.  Somebody needed to come get this woman.  She picked up the phone and went in to the back where it was quiet.  There, she scrolled through the phone until she found Valerie’s number.  Remembering what Darnella had said, she picked up the phone in the office and dialed the number and prayed that somebody answered.