3. Trippin’ #2
Andrew cheated on Nadine every chance he got.
A successful surgeon, Andrew had banged every doctor, nurse, and physician’s assistant he could.
When Nadine was brave enough to confront him, he took no accountability.
She sought counsel in her pastors, who told her to just try harder to please her husband.
Despite doing any and everything he wanted sexually, Andrew’s insatiable need for pussy was never satisfied.
He wouldn’t stop with his wayward dick. He declared he was her husband; he was the head of the house, and he could do as he pleased.
When she begged him to stop, he put his hands on her like a coward.
It took only him putting his hands on her once for Nadine to take baby Alex and leave.
She was unemployed, homeless, and a single mother.
She had to start over, living with Tatum and Franklin for a brief time until she got on her feet.
They didn’t ask for a thing in return. She told herself that the next man she met, she’d never compromise. Ever.
When Nadine met Eddie, she thought she’d hit the jackpot.
Despite being a successful athlete, Eddie was kind, generous and attentive.
He had no obvious red flags and for a professional athlete; he was rather dull.
He was frugal, yet didn’t mind spending money where it counted.
He preferred staying home over the glitz and glamour of exclusive events.
Most of all, Eddie wasn’t out chasing pussy, even though women threw it at him all the time.
He only had eyes for Nadine. He fell in love with Nadine quickly and loved Alex like she was his own daughter.
He was the only daddy she’d known since she was six.
He didn’t rush marriage, waiting three years to walk down the aisle.
He was her world, and she thought that he was hers.
When it came to sex, Eddie didn’t push her. After Andrew, she wasn’t interested much, and Eddie understood. It wasn’t fireworks all the time, but it was satisfying for the most part. Satisfying was better than terrible in Nadine’s eyes.
Maybe Eddie wasn’t really satisfied at all. Maybe all men were the same.
Tatum reached out for Nadine’s hand, taking her out of her thoughts. Reluctantly, she eased her palm between Tatum’s. “Nadine, Eddie is not Drew. Not even close.”
Alisa added her hand to the pile. “Drew was a piece of shit in every sense of the word. Go talk to Eddie instead of making assumptions about what’s going on. Besides, all change isn’t bad.”
Nadine nodded, sniffing back tears. “You’re right.
I’ll talk to Ed. I promise. Maybe I’m just stressed, you know?
Maybe we both are. So much is going on. Alex acts like she can’t talk to me anymore since she’s in college.
EJ is getting big. Work is getting so stressful and time consuming that I’m missing out on EJ's milestones. Now, Eddie seems distant.” She squeezed Alisa’s hand.
“I am sorry for what I said, Lis. You have two great fathers for the babies who love you. That’s all that matters. ”
Alisa tossed her blond-streaked weave over her shoulder. “It’s ok. I know you’re just upset, even though I know it’s over nothing. I’ll forgive you. Eventually.” She gave a small smile. “Go talk to Eddie, Nadine before you call another meeting of the minds.”
“You’re right.” Nadine looked at the menu. “Maybe I’m tripping. Let’s just order some food.”
“Good, because I am starving,” Alisa grumbled. “And you’re paying Nadine. That’s the least you can do since you dragged us here. And you insulted my baby daddies!”
“Actually, she should pay for lunches for the next six months!” declared Tatum.
“That’s fair,” Nadine laughed. “I’ll pay. Only because I am not trying to starve my nieces…or should I say nephews?”
Alisa said nothing as she stared down at the menu. She had been so tight-lipped about the genders of the babies, making it damn near impossible for Tatum and Nadine to plan a shower.
“You still aren’t telling us the sex of the babies, are you?” Tatum teased.
“Nope. And honestly, it doesn’t even matter. I just want healthy babies. It’s a wonder that this even happened. I can’t believe after all those rounds of IVF, we have our little miracles.” Alisa’s eyes were brimming with tears.
Tatum squeezed Alisa’s shoulder in a side hug. “I can’t wait to see their faces. They are going to be beautiful.”
“Of course they will be! They got two fine ass daddies and a fine ass mama. They hit the genetic jackpot.”
Nadine rolled her eyes. “Hopefully, they’ll inherit some humility from somewhere.”
“Why should they be humble?” Alisa countered. “They will be rich, Black and fabulous. Speaking of which, Tatum, what’s up with you and your trio of fabulous men? You hadn’t given us the rundown in a minute. Everything all good?”
Tatum peeked over the menu. “We’re fine.”
“That’s it?” asked Nadine. Tatum had been suspiciously quiet about anything going on with her fellas for weeks. That was so unlike her. She hoped everything was alright.
“Yeah. Nothing much. You know, same ol’ stuff.”
“And what does that mean?”
“Deanie,” Tatum let out an exasperated sigh. “Let’s just eat so I can get back to work.”
“But Tate…”
“Deanie, let it go, girl.”
Alisa and Nadine looked at each other with suspicion, but they knew not to push Tatum, otherwise she’d clam up and not say a word. She’d let them know what the issue was when she was ready.
Nadine gave Tatum a slight smile. “Ok Tate. I’ll let it go.”
“Now that that’s settled,” Alisa clapped her hands. “Let’s talk about more of Eddie’s porn habits. Is he into threesome with pegging? Oh! Would he be into you wearing a strap? Because I can give you some tips like…”
Nadine held up her hand. “Alisa! Imma need you to shut up right goddamn now.”
“I’m just trying to help you out,” mumbled Alisa as she stared at the menu.
“You got one more thing to say before I renege on planning your baby shower.”
“Oh, about that,” Alisa hesitated. “Kadeem and Christophe don’t want you all to do a thing. They’re hiring a planner. Someone who did one of the Atlanta housewives’ wedding or something.”
“Well, we still can decorate the nursery,” suggested Nadine.
Alisa waved her hand. “Oh girl! Don’t get me talking about the nursery. They hired an interior designer for that too.”
“Wow, they are some true Daddy-Zillas.” Tatum chuckled.
“I told you. They are obsessed. But I don’t blame them.
I’m a little obsessed, too.” Alisa rubbed her belly lovingly.
Tatum and Nadine smiled. Seeing Alisa glowing and radiant as a mom warmed their hearts.
Especially because she had been ambivalent toward having kids, given her own relationship with her parents. Love had a way of changing a person.
“A little obsession isn’t bad, right?” asked Nadine. “It just means they really care about you. Shoot, I wish Eddie felt that kind of obsession.” Shoot, I wished I felt that kind of obsession, she thought.
“Be careful what you wish for,” Tatum warned, playfully nudging Nadine.
Nadine shuddered. Tatum’s harmless words shouldn’t have felt ominous, but they did. She didn’t know why.
“You ok, Nadine?” Alisa looked at her, worried.
Nadine shook her head, focusing on the menu instead. “I’m fine. Let’s just eat.”