SHORT STORY: If Only You Knew - PART 14

Shon

This should be the happiest time of my life. I’m having a baby and I’m supposed to be getting married. Leave it to James to fuck it all up. He’s been having an affair on me and when I presented my pregnancy test to him, this bitch ass n***a thought it was from Laila. If someone else was telling this story, I would say that they were lying, but sadly enough, it’s the truth. It’s cool though. I’ve been playing my position and waiting to make my exit. At this point, the only reason that I was sticking around was to get my shop paid off and he did that. I had every intention to end the relationship when we got back home from Anguilla. As a matter of fact, my contact with him was slim to none at first. When he finally opened his eyes and realized that I was falling back, he stepped up in a major way. He was practically buying my affection and forgiveness. Let’s be clear though. I’m not a gold digger. I don’t sit around waiting on a man to take care of me. I get out and hustle every day. However, James’s guilt was weighing on him heavy and I was interested to see just how far he would go to make himself fill better. If I had planned to stay with his ass, all of this would not even be necessary. But since I didn’t plan on marrying this bum, I let him set me up for the next chapter in my life. I sure did. Fuck ‘em! I could deal with a lot of things. Every relationship goes through trials and tribulations, but what I can’t forgive is a man that would stoop so low as to shit in my own backyard. I won’t forgive that.

Meeka hit me earlier and wanted to meet up for lunch. I was excited because right now, I am living for a good meal. Plus, we’ve been so busy at the shop that I hadn’t gotten a chance to lace her up on what’s been going on with me and James. As I pulled into Razoo’s parking lot, I could see Meeka with that red ass hair sitting outside by the water. The weather was beautiful and spring was starting to grace us with its presence. I had on a cute white fitted tee and some denim knee length shorts with my all white chucks. I didn’t feel up to doing my hair so I threw it in a ponytail topped it off with a white ball cap. Even dressed down, I was shitting on hoes. When I reached Meeka’s table I body froze up. Those eyes…that smile…that face…I couldn’t put my finger on it, but I knew I had seen this stranger somewhere before.

“Hey boo.” Meeka said as she greeted me with a hug and rubbed my belly.

“Shon, this is Brandon Burns. Brandon, this is Shon.” Meeka formally introduced us.

“I’ve seen you somewhere before, but I can’t put my finger on it.” I stated as I shook his hand.

“Have a seat Shon.” The stranger said with a voice like Barry White.

As we all made small talk, I watched him in admiration. The brother was fine as hell. He wasn’t dressed flashy or anything, but he was definitely pulled together. You could tell that he was rocking a fresh taper fade and it was lined up sharper than a machete. His facial hair was neatly trimmed up and he smelled of Unforgivable by Sean John. I must have been day dreaming because I felt Meeka nudge me and ask if I was okay. I managed to get myself together quickly and responded with a yes. Realizing that the waiter hadn’t come out to take our orders yet, I asked the obvious.

“No disrespect to you Mr. Burns.”

“Call me Brandon.”

“Ok. No disrespect to you Brandon, but why are you here? I’m confused.” I put it out on the table because despite his appearance, I was getting a weird feeling in my stomach.

“I’m here to warn you about your inner circle.” He stated while sliding a huge yellow envelope towards me.

“My inner circle?” I questioned as I scowled my face up.

Meeka threw her hand up signaling for Brandon not to say another word. She grabbed my hand in hers and went on to explain.

“Baby girl, I love you. You are one more than just my boss; you are one of my best friends. I’ve know you for about ten years now and I would never want to see you get hurt. I should have been honest with you, but I have been against you and James’s relationship from the very beginning. It was just something about him that didn’t sit right with me. I don’t know it if was his ego or the way he was always busy and never making time for you. When you told me that ya’ll were engaged, I took it upon myself to make sure my girl was not marrying a loser.” Meeka confessed as her eyes began to fill up.

“I couldn’t let you make a life altering decision without me knowing that he was truly a good guy and meant you nothing but good. Brandon is a friend of my cousin Jody. That’s a long story so don’t even asked. Anyways, I called in a favor and Brandon made it happen. Inside that envelope are pictures and recordings of James’s infidelity.” Meeka continued while tears streamed down her face.

I picked up a napkin and handed it to her. I told her to dry her eyes. If I’m not crying then she shouldn’t be crying either. I took the envelope and placed it in my purse and asked if they were staying for lunch or just stopped by to deliver the news. Both Brandon and Meeka looked baffled ass hell.

“Aren’t you going to look in the envelope? Don’t you want to see who he was cheating with?” Meeka screamed.

“Nah. No need for that. I don’t have to open up the evidence to know who the bitch is that’s in those pictures.” I said nonchalantly.

“Wait. Now, I’m confused.” Meeka said.

“You see. When I first sat down, I was unaware of who you were.” I turned my attention to Brandon. “I figured that you were just a fine chocolate brother that was friends with Meeka. However, the more I studied you, the more my memory recollected. Your name may be Brandon Burns, but you went by Samantha Hollingsworth on my trip in Anguilla.”

Both Brandon and Meek looked dumb founded.

“Pick your lips up because it isn’t that deep.” I laughed. “You are good at what you do Brandon, but I also pay attention to detail. When I first met you, you were wearing a cute little maxi dress that blew in the wind. On your fore arm was a tattoo of a heart beat that flat lined and the initials SHB.” I stated pointing to his arm. I also remembered the small scar just above your left eyebrow. No amount of foundation could hide your scar so it must have been an extremely deep cut.

“The way you pay attention to details and keep a photogenic memory, I should have you on my team Shon.” Brandon declared with a wink.

“Thank you Brandon, but it wasn’t hard to see there was something strange going on Anguilla. Laila had never mentioned her friendship with you. She normally tells me everything. Well, almost everything because she failed to mention that she was fucking my fiancé. I also figured out that you weren’t from Louisiana because every now and then you let that Texas twang slide in while you spoke.” I continued.

“Thank you for being such a good friend to me. I appreciate everything that you went through to keep me from making the biggest mistake of my life. James is a good guy and probably got caught up in the moment. Unfortunately, the way my life is set up, I don’t have time for that shit!” I looked Meeka dead in the eyes to give her confirmation.

“Trust me when I say I’mma be okay. After I release this pain that I’m feeling, I will be a new woman, but until then, it will be hell to pay!” I stated with confidence.