Skeletons (3 page)

5

Santana

T
he migraine had taken over my mood as I sat in my office staring at the monthly expense report on my desk. I tossed the report to the side and leaned back in the leather chair closing my eyes trying to relax. Jovanna was one lucky bitch to be in South Beach in the middle of a Midwestern winter while the rest of us were stuck in cold, snowy St. Louis. Even though we gave her a hard time about marrying Justin, I was happy that she found someone to love her. Mike and I use to be in love, but lately it felt more like we were just going through the motions of being married. We’d been together since high school, before we even knew who we really were, and I think that was the problem between us now. We didn’t know who we were without one another; I was always Mike’s Santana and he was always my Mike.

Tabitha rushed into my office, her four inch stilettos clicking on the hardwood floor as she moved, “Hey, sorry that it took me so long, but the line was crazy at Walgreens today.” She said handing me the pills. “How are you feeling?”

I frowned, “I’ll be fine.”

Tabitha sat in the chair in front of my desk crossing her thick thighs, she sure knew how to wear a skirt. I wondered how many heads she turned at Walgreens. I smiled.

“What’s wrong?”

Shaking my head as I swallowed the pills, “Nothing, I was just thinking.”

“Do you need to take a personal day Santana because you are starting to scare me?”

“No, I am fine Tab; did Glenda get you those receipts yet?” I asked.

“She said that she’d get them to us today after lunch.”

“I don’t understand why it takes her the longest to get the receipts up here to us. Everyone knows that they have to be turned in on the twelfth of every month and yet I always have to wait on her.” I fussed as I rubbed the back of my neck, “I can’t do my job unless she does her job.”

“Would you like for me to send an email requesting all receipts need to be in our office on the twelfth working day of the month with no exceptions?”

“Yes, go ahead and do that.”

“Did you and Mike get out this weekend?”

I rolled my eyes at the question, “Girl please.”

“You two act like you are an elderly couple.” She giggled, “Live a little!”

“What did you get into?”

Tabitha threw her long brown weave over her shoulders, “We went to The Loft on Friday night, I had a breakfast date Saturday morning, Saturday night I got together with the girls for drinks at The Melting Pot and from there we headed to The Drunken Fish to hang out, eat sushi and drink sake.”

“What time did you get home?”

“I got home last night because we all slept over at Natasha’s house until after four in the evening then we went to dinner and from there I picked up my car at the Metro Link station and went home.”

“I don’t see how you do it girl.”

“Do what?” she laughed that carefree way that most twenty-six year old, single, childless women laughed, “That was mild.”

“Did you meet any guys?” I asked with a raised eyebrow.

As usual she shrugged her shoulders and simply said, “No.”

I didn’t understand Tabitha, she was a beautiful girl with smooth, flawless dark skin, big brown eyes and a body that would make Beyoncé have to step her game up yet she was single. Tabitha wore nothing but designer clothes and shoes, carried the latest designer bags on the market and drove a nicer car than I did, all on an assistant’s salary. It just didn’t add up; maybe someone’s man was taking care of her and she had to keep it on the down low.

“You should come out with us sometime Santana.” She suggested.

I looked up for the expense report, “I don’t want to be the old person in the club.” I laughed.

“You act like you are in your fifties Santana, you are only thirty-four -years old and you don’t look a day over twenty seven.” She smiled, “I’m serious you should come out with my friends and I one night.”

“Okay, I’ll think about it.” I lied.

“Great, as a matter-of-fact we are all getting together for my birthday in two weeks and I’m going to be sure to send you an evite.” She smiled as she rose up to leave, “Please don’t stand me up.” She winked and switched out of my office door.

I’d forgotten all about my migraine until I looked at my cell phone and saw that I had a text message from Mike

Have you seen my Blackberry?

Rolling my eyes I texted him back:

You left it on your night stand—remember me telling you to make sure that you didn’t forget it this morning?

Hitting send I began trying to remember the last time Mike and I even touched one another in a passionate way, but I couldn’t even remember. It is not like we have a bad relationship, but it just lacked passion, fire and desire. Before we had the kids and settled into this pseudo life we had enough passion to burn down the entire city of St. Louis and some of Chicago too. We were one another’s first and only lover so everything was so new and we spent hours just exploring one another. I remember when we first got married we would go to bed together and wake the neighbors every night, but now I’m in bed by nine o’clock and he is in the den watching ESPN until after midnight. Sex has become more of a chore than a desire like cleaning out the refrigerator. We only had sex once a month if that and most of the time my mind is on planet Venus and his is on Mars—we were no longer connected.

“What are you doing for lunch?” Tabitha smiled as she poked her head into my office.

I looked up from my work and frowned, “I’m not sure, maybe I’ll go to Subway and get a foot long.”

She laughed, “Oh you are so boring, come have lunch with my girlfriend and I we are going to Charlie Gitto’s.”

“You’re eating Charlie Gitto’s for lunch?” I questioned, “No you two go ahead, I have some phone calls that I have to make during lunch and I’ll ruin the hour.”

“Come on, live a little, you can make those calls any time Santana.” She urged.

“No, you two go ahead and go without me, maybe next time.”

Tabitha let out a heavy sigh before she turned to leave.

I really didn’t have any phone calls to make I just didn’t want to go to lunch with two extremely beautiful, 20-something girls while I was a married woman in my thirties. Watching the men drool over their every move while they barely noticed me while I sat back and look like their aunt who was giving them advice; that would’ve been torture.

While eating lunch, alone in my office I received a text message from Mike:

Please make me a dentist appointment, my tooth is killing me.

6

Asteria

P
andia finally arrived just after Keisha washed Mrs. Alexander’s hair; I was working on inventory when she flew past me.

“Good morning Pandia.” I said annoyed that she didn’t bother to speak to anyone.

Pandia and I were twins, but we didn’t look nor did act anything alike; she was short with plenty of curves like our mother, I on the other hand, take my height and athletic build from our father. We both were fair skinned with honey colored eyes like our mom, but Pandia opted to wear colored contacts whereas I did not.

I could tell that Pandia was having one hell of a day as she styled Mrs. Alexander’s hair so I left her alone. I stepped out on the back patio and lit up a cigarette, leaned back and closed my eyes. Just as I began to relax, Keisha stepped out.

“Can I borrow one?” she asked pointing to my cigarettes.

I handed her one and my lighter then went back to relaxing.

“Why doesn’t Pandia like me?” She asked matter-of-factly.

I opened my eyes, “How do you know that she dislikes you Keisha?”

She blew smoke, “I’m not stupid, everyone knows that she hates me, but I just don’t understand why.”

“She thinks that you are unprofessional, arrogant, lazy and that you don’t belong here.” I said bluntly, “But I think that you are talented and with the right mentoring you will go far.”

“How is she going to call me unprofessional when she brings her problems to work with her? I don’t have any issues with Pandia, but I swear one day if she comes at me the wrong way…”

“Keisha, you can’t let people get to you girl, you have to just do you and forget about what other people say or how they feel about you.” I interjected.

Once again she blew smoke, “I am not who she thinks I am.” She put her cigarette out and walked back into the salon.

Just as I was walking in behind her my cellular phone rang, it was from a private number and only one person called me private.

“Hello.” I answered.

“Damn baby last night was amazing; I could barely make it out of bed this morning.”

Smiling I said, “You better get your ass up and get to work, I’m not taking care of a man.”

“Stop with all of that girl, I am on my way to the station now.”

“You be careful out there Officer Stevens.”

He moaned, “You know that I love it when you call me that. Girl you are going to make me turn this car around and come up there and fuck the shit out of you in one of those swiveling chairs.”

“I dare you.”

He got quiet for a minute, “Where is your sister?”

He never asked about Pandia.

“She is doing hair, why?”

“I was just wondering.”

“She was pissed off this morning.”

Sighing heavily he said, “Yeah, but damn baby you put it on me. I may have to wife you one day.”

“Sounds like a plan.” I smiled then Pandia walked out, “I have to get back to work; I’ll talk to you soon.”

“Who was that?” Pandia asked.

“Damn you nosey sis.” I smiled as I handed her a cigarette.

I could see the sadness in her eyes; sitting next to her I put my arm around her as she leaned her head on my shoulder. “Tell me all about it.”

With tears in her eyes and heartbreak in her voice Pandia began to tell a story that I have heard many of times before; a story about how her husband was running around on her and how she was going to leave him and find her a new man that would treat her right. I sat and listened to every word she said all the while knowing that she was not going to leave Keith, he would have to be the one to leave.

7

Jovanna

Q
win’s party was a success, the vendors showed up on time, the DJ had the music pumping, and people were on the dance floor dancing or in one of the beds mingling, and Qwin seemed to be enjoying his self while in one of the VIP suites surrounded by young ass and big breasts. I had to admit to myself that I pulled off an event that they would be talking about for a long time and this would put me even further on top of the game.

“Hey girl this party is off the chain!” Tasha came up to me dancing to the music.

“Thanks, how is Qwin enjoying himself?”

“Girl, with all of that ass in his face he is doing very well.” She laughed. “They are in there making it rain, but I remember back in the day you use to make it thunder.”

Shocked that she said that out loud I grabbed Tasha by the arm and pulled her close, “I am not that person anymore; I don’t like to be reminded of those days.”

“I’m sorry girl; I guess the Nuvo got me twisted.” She laughed as she danced away.

While watching the party from the back of the room a waitress came up to me with a drink on her tray.

“This is for you.” She said putting the drink in my hand.

“I’m sorry, but I didn’t order anything.”

“I know, but the gentleman at the bar told me to send you this on him.” She said pointing past the crowded room towards the bar.

“What is this?” I asked.

“It’s a Tom Collins.” She yelled. “He said that it is your favorite drink the bartender has never heard of this before so we had to ask the gentleman how to make it.” She laughed.

Grabbing the drink I stormed through the room looking for Tasha, she was the only person here who would’ve known that I use to drink Tom Collins. I found her in the VIP room with Qwin, grabbing her by the arm and pulling her to a corner I spat, “Is this your idea of a sick joke?”

Confused she yanked away from me, “What in the hell are you talking about?”

“The Tom Collins, you sent me this drink!” I fumed.

“I didn’t send you shit, you are tripping.”

“You didn’t send me this drink?” I asked again showing her the drink.

“No, but I see that you still get down with Mr. Collins though.”

Handing her the drink I stormed out of the room to find Tony who was sitting at the bar chatting up some man.

“Did you happen to send me a drink?” I asked.

“No doll, I know that you don’t drink during an event.” He said. “Why what’s wrong?”

My eyes scanned the room as my heartbeat beat louder than the music, “Nothing, I’m just ready to go home.” I answered with my eyes still scanning the crowd for a familiar face, a face that I knew I didn’t want to see.

The next morning I began packing my bags when a knock came at the door.

“Good morning, I have a package for you.” The concierge said handing me a white envelope.

Thinking that it was the final payment for the party I took the envelope and put it on the nightstand and went back to packing. I called Tony who was nursing a hangover and told him what time to meet me in the lobby.

“Yes mother.” He moaned.

After hanging up with him I sent a text message to Santana and Asteria:

The party was the shit! Who throws the best parties in America? I DO! I’m tired and homesick, our plane leaves at twelve and I’ll be back in STL by three-thirty. I’ll call you when I get in.

Love You!

Attaching two pictures from the party I sent the text message and walked out on the balcony for one last look at paradise. I walked back inside and picked up the envelope turning it over and almost losing my sanity when I read to whom it was addressed to:
MARQUITA
. Pulling the note out of the envelope I read the finely written letter:
YOU OWE ME.
Ripping the letter into shreds and flushing it down the toilet I picked up my phone and dialed Tasha’s number.

“Listen you stupid bitch, I don’t know what you are trying to do but I don’t appreciate it!”

“What in the hell are you talking about Jovanna?”

“The drink last night, the letter today please don’t act dumb.”

“First of all, I told you last night that I didn’t send you that drink and I’m telling you today that I didn’t send you a drink and I didn’t send you a letter.” She shot, “It was not me.”

“Who else knows about this?”

“I don’t know, but it is not me!” she said then hung up.

Running into the bathroom, I vomited my complimentary breakfast into the toilet bowl. I couldn’t get out of South Beach fast enough.