Chapter 7
When we got backto Florida, the last thing I wanted to do was separate from Gentry. Our week in Honolulu had been everything I thought it would be. After the first day, we were able to get out and explore the island. While we did so, we talked and learned so much about each other. Just about everything I wanted in a spouse, he encompassed in some way. Knowing that everything he wanted he found in me was overwhelming as well.
I could tell that he had his doubts about Clayton though. He respected what I said about the situation and didn’t say a negative word about it. I liked that. He couldn’t form an opinion until he’d met Clayton and seen how we co-parented. I’d already called Clayton to let him know that we needed to talk. Honestly, I had my doubts as well. I didn’t feel like this would go over well.
Truth was, I didn’t truly think this all the way through. I wanted a man to love and cherish me and had completely blocked the fact that I would actually have to live with him from my mind. While I believed Gentry would be an amazing person, I didn’t want my kids to be uncomfortable, especially Kizzie. Dakota would be fine with whatever.
Clayton would definitely have a problem with his children living in a house with a man he didn’t know. I was prepared to allow the children to stay with him and my parents for a little while until he was a little more comfortable with the situation I put us in. This was all my doing, so I was willing to compromise.
Gentry was on the fast track to get me under his roof. I understood that shit totally. Had I not been on birth control pills, I would definitely be pregnant. He’d nutted inside of me nearly every time. I knew it was just because he could. We were able to let our guards down and not be so cautious about everything since we were married.
He was so affectionate and sweet, but I knew that was the after marriage haze we were both in. It was time to live in the real world, where all sorts of issues could arise. That would test our ability to deal with each other’s attitudes and opinions. I wasn’t looking forward to it, but I knew it was inevitable.
He’d gone to his clinic to check on a few things, and I told him while he was gone, I would go and talk to Clayton and see my babies. Movers had already been called to pack up my place, and they would be starting in a couple of days. I was excited about my future with Gentry, but I was nervous about this talk with Clayton. I hadn’t regretted anything I’d done in a long time, but I felt like this would be the biggest regret of my life.
When I pulled into the driveway and saw the kids playing in the backyard, I smiled brightly. I missed them so much. This was the first time I’d been away from them for over a week. They were jumping up and down when they saw my car, and Clayton was laughing as he watched them. He wouldn’t be laughing in a minute.
I got out of my car as the kids ran to me and stooped to the ground to greet them. “Mommy!” Kizzie yelled. When she got to me, she threw her arms around my neck. “I missed you so much!”
“I missed you too, sweetness! Goodness. It feels like it’s been forever since I last saw you.”
“I know!” she said as she released me.
I scooped up Dakota as he laughed. “Hi, Ma-Ma!” he said as he giggled.
In my peripheral, I could see Clayton standing there with a smile, watching us interact. I looked up at him and smiled. “Hey, Clayton. How did it go this week?”
“Hey. It went great. You look refreshed as hell,” he said then laughed.
If only he knew. I gave him a slight smirk and set Dakota on his feet. He and Kizzie ran back to their miniature playground, and Clayton and I made our way to the back porch. Since it was Saturday, he knew I wouldn’t be taking them with me today. I usually picked them up on Sundays when he had them, unless it was during the week.
“So how was your trip?”
“It was great.”
“Mm hmm. What’s up? You know I can tell when you’re nervous or if something is bothering you, G.”
“I uhh… I met someone. His name is Gentry Fleming, and I would really like to introduce the kids to him.”
He frowned slightly. “The veterinarian?”
It was my turn to frown. “Yeah. You know him?”
“Naw, but my boy takes his dog there for his shots and shit. I’ve heard his name multiple times, because his dog is old and goes frequently for one thing or another. Y’all serious already?”
I glanced at my ring and said, “We’re married, Clayton.”
“Man, quit fucking playing with me, girl,” he said as he snatched my hand from my lap. He stared at the ring for a minute then looked back at me. “You for real?”
“Yeah. I…” I closed my eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. “I went through Arranged Hearts and was matched to him. We met at the altar. I spent this past week getting to know him on our honeymoon, and?—”
“Hol’ on. So you lied to me? Since when we do that shit? We talk about everything, Giselle. Why didn’t you tell me beforehand?”
“I didn’t want anyone to talk me out of it. I truly believe he is the man I was supposed to meet and eventually fall in love with.”
He slid his hand over his face and shook his head. “I don’t believe this shit. You actually think I’m cool with him meeting my kids and living with them?”
“I know you would want to meet him first. That’s a given. I was hoping you would be okay with them meeting him. I prepared myself for what I thought your response would be. I know this seems fucked up, and I’m sorry. I didn’t tell anyone other than Yunique and Vegas.”
“So nobody was there?”
“Everyone showed up because Vegas told them. I didn’t know that until the wedding day when I saw them. Mama said it was my responsibility to tell you, so she left it up to me. I should be the one you heard this news from.”
“You damn right, and I should have known before now. When you filled out the fucking application, you should have told me. I can’t believe you would do something like this without taking me and the kids into consideration.”
“I took the kids into consideration. I already know that they will love Gentry. I’m sorry I didn’t take how you would feel about them being around him like this until afterward.”
“Yeah. That’s why yo’ ass nervous. I don’t like this shit, Giselle, not one bit. When can I meet him?”
“Let me text him.”
He slowly shook his head as I sent a text to Gentry. “What time frame are you looking at to be living with him?”
“Next weekend. The kids can stay with you and Mama until you’re more comfortable. I will still see them every day. While I want them to move in when I do, I’m willing to compromise on that since I sprung this on everyone, especially you. For the record, I really am sorry, Clayton. We’re better than that.”
“Well, I ain’t so sure about that no more since you withheld that shit from me. You knew I wouldn’t agree with it. Whatever you do with your life is your business, but when it involves these kids, it’s my business too. I’m just tripping that you didn’t think about that shit. You know how protective I am of them, and you used to be the same way. I’m not so sure now.”
“I’m still protective of them. Don’t question my motherly instincts, Clayton. My only fuck up was not talking to you about it.”
My phone vibrated. Going to it, I saw a message from Gentry. Whenever it’s convenient for him. I’ll make it work, baby.
“He said whenever it’s convenient for you.”
“Tonight. I’ll take the kids to my parents. My mom’s been begging for them to come spend some time with them.” He shook his head again and said, “Meet at Harry’s at six. That’s three hours from now.”
He stood from his seat and called for the kids, completely dismissing me. I knew I deserved that shit, so I didn’t say a word about it. When the kids got to the porch, I gave them hugs and kisses and promised to see them tomorrow. Clayton got them in the house and practically slammed the door without saying another word.
When I got to the car, I called Gentry. “Hey, baby,” he said when he answered.
“Hey. Tonight at six at Harry’s.”
“Okay. I’m on my way home now. You okay?”
“I’m a little nervous. He was angry, but I get it. I fucked up by not telling him.”
“He wasn’t disrespectful, was he?”
“No. He just kept repeating that he thought we were better than that. I hate I didn’t tell him.”
“Okay. Try to be cool about it, baby. There’s nothing you can do to change things right now. You coming here to change?”
“No. I’m just gonna shower at home, and I’ll go home with you after dinner, if that’s okay.”
“Of course it’s okay. You just don’t wanna be distracted. That’s why you ain’t coming here before we go.”
“You’re absolutely right. We can’t be late. That will only add salt to the open wound.”
“Hmph. You right about that. Can I at least pick you up? After we eat, I’ll take you back to get your car.”
“Yes. Please be on time, Gentry.”
“I will. I know how important this is. See you at five thirty, baby.”
“Okay. Bye.”
I ended the call, and the tears came out of nowhere. I’d made a mess of things, but I could only pray things would work out for the best. As I drove, my phone rang. Looking at the screen in my car, I saw it was Gentry. I sniffed and tried to pull myself together before answering. “Hello?”
“Don’t try to sound like you okay. I learned enough about you this past week to know this is killing you. It’s gonna be rough at first, but it will all work out. I’m going to do my best to be understanding of where he’s coming from. I don’t have kids, but I can imagine how protective I would be if I did.”
I wiped my eyes as he said softly, “I got’chu, baby. Don’t worry.”
“Thank you, Flem. I’ll do my best not to worry. I’ve been praying in my spirit already, so I’ll continue to do that.”
“I’ll do that too.”
“See you in a couple of hours.”
“A’ight, baby.”
I ended the call and only cried more. Gentry having my back and being understanding of my situation meant everything to me, especially after knowing this was my fault. While I was busy blaming myself, it was like the spirit of God spoke to me. Had he known beforehand, you wouldn’t have met Gentry, because he would have never been okay with this.
I took a deep breath and thought about what I heard in my soul as if someone were sitting next to me. It was loud and clear, and I knew that it was right. Clayton would have said a resounding, hell naw, and I wouldn’t have done it. I would still be alone and miserable in my love life, craving the man I had now.
Things had to work out. If they didn’t, there was no way I would sacrifice my children for Gentry. I didn’t want to let go of the man I felt God blessed me with. I could only pray that God would touch Clayton’s heart… soften it to see how much Gentry already meant to me and how I wouldn’t jeopardize my children’s security and safety for my own desires.
While I thought he should have known that already, what I’d done wasn’t something I would have normally done. I was a planner. I was far from spontaneous and didn’t take risks. I’d done just that when I married Gentry, so Clayton didn’t know what to believe about me.
Taking a deep breath, I whispered, “God, please intervene.”