Green Eyed Monster

In My Feelings

Gypsy leaves and I feel taunted. She plays innocent, but she knows my situation with Solomon. It's not the words that come out of people's mouths that say the most; it's the expression and intent behind the words they say that you have to pay attention to.

Gypsy came over as if she and I were bonding because she had nothing to do with Mrs. Tolbert. However, the moment she knows Mrs. Tolbert and I aren't close anymore, she eases in and replaces me. Planned? Definitely not, because I had no clue Solomon's presence would bring so much division into my life. Still, she pounced on the opportunity presented.

I've learned in life that you can never really put your guard down. Granted, people change for the better, and most really try to be good, but we are who we are for the most part. From the day I moved in I sensed Gypsy's niceness wasn't genuine but stipulated. If I could offer her nothing, she'd have nothing to do with me, and up until now, I've been correct. It wasn't until I had gossip for her to spread on Mrs. Tolbert and me, and then Lola's and my triangle with Solomon. What I sensed when I first met Gypsy is that she envied my being single and able to move into this neighborhood.

Mrs. Tolbert told me of all the elaborate house parties Gypsy had, especially when her husband was alive. Also, Mrs. Tolbert once told me, "She seemed neighborly at the time, but now looking back, she did it to scope everyone out. She wanted to appear as if she and her husband were perfect. Everything we thought or did, somehow, she thought and desired a grade above us all. For example, if she had hardwood floors and heard you had teak wood floors, she'd remodel her home with cypress floors. She invited us over to learn what we did or had and then outdo us."

Granted, her home is modeled to perfection. I'd need a million dollars to make my home more lavish than hers, but my house wasn't what she wanted. Being around her, I've learned it's my relationship with Mrs. Tolbert she's coveted all along, but my father taught me to play stupid.

My father told me,  "Playing ignorant of people's trickery goes a long way. The longer they perceive you're naive to their schemes, the more wickedness they'll reveal about themselves."

I'm up early this morning. I hear a car engine, so I look outside, and it's Roger bringing Mrs. Tolbert home. Seems as if she can barely walk as he escorts her to her front door. Roger looks very handsome but sad. 

They enter her home. It's then that I decide to win her trust back. I get dressed and go into town. Our florist sells very exotic flowers. Mrs. Tolbert once told me her favorite was double black hellebores, which she only finds here at our florist from time to time. I enter the florist, and they have single and double black hellebores today. After spending a mini fortune on a bouquet, I return and go straight to Mrs. Tolbert. Roger opens the door and greets, "Hello. May I help you?"

    "Hello. I'm Mrs. Tolbert's neighbor, Mae Mitzit. I live there. I thought of her when I went to the florist today, so I picked these up for her. I know she loves them."

    "Please come in."

Roger looks wonderful up close. His skin is youthful and flawless. He seemed older from a distance, but he's probably 50 at the most. He smells great.

Soon, Mrs. Tolbert shouts, "Roger, who's there?"

    "It's your neighbor, Mrs. Mitzit."

    "Ms. Mitzit." I interrupt.

Smiling, he nods my way then heads toward her voice. I remain by her door until they call for me. Although Mrs. Tolbert acts young, her home is very old-looking. It's well-kept, but the walls and floors are made of dark wood. She has a museum of family photos going up her staircase and on her huge fireplace mantle. She has a rocking chair next to her fireplace. It appears ancient, yet expensive and sturdy.