Green Eyed Monster

That Fateful Day

After Mrs Tolbert told me her secret her health seemed to deteriorate with rapid speed . That buoyant, confident, outspoken but lovable woman I met was now gone. Lola told Trevor, Solomon is taking her condition extremely hard. To brighten her spirits they're celebrating Hyde's second birthday at her home.

Gypsy and I are actually something like friends now. I told her what Mrs T shared with me. Of course she already knew everything. Mrs Tolbert confided in her shortly after she moved here too. Gypsy's our helper. Being a part of our family today has he filled with glee.

Terri and her children arrive first. They were small babies when I moved here now her oldest son Quintin is 10. Her daughter Shelley's now 7 going on 25. And then there's the baby boy Bret who's now 4 years old. They're spoiled brats, but they greet me very polite as they enter Mrs Tolbert's home. Terri and Ivey both give me a kiss and hug, then head inside.

I feel a tug on my dress. I look down and it's Hyde only wearing his shirt. His sweet voice calls, "Nana!"

I pick him up asking, "Hyde, what are you doing out here alone? Where's your mommy?"

"No mommy! Nana!"

"Well, you got Nana."

He grins as I blow on his cheek. He's now laughing. I then see Lola frantically looking for him so I call out, "Lola!"

Hyde looks at me stunned. He then hugs my neck saying, "No, mommy! Nana!"

Lola rolls her eyes as she storms toward us. Hyde's now screaming in that high pitch, "No, mommy!" He's choking me now.

I ask, "What in the world is going on?"

Suddenly, Lola just starts laughing. Hyde's acting. He tries to peek her way, so she stomps saying, "Hyde! Stop playing!"

He leans back reaching out for her saying, "Wed pants."

"Those are pajamas, Hy-Dee. Don't you want to play with your friends?"

Lip poked out he nods. "Well look. They're all wearing pants. Let's dress up so we can play okay? As soon as they leave you may put on your red pants, alright?"

Smiling and nodding he hugs her neck saying, "Mommy."

"It's okay. Mommy's not mad at you."

I watch as they walk away. He lifts his head and then waves bye to me. Laughing I wave and blow him kisses.

Mrs Tolbert's home is packed. It's more so a family reunion than Hyde's birthday party. Everyone has come while Mrs Tolbert remembers them. I've noticed Solomon's been up under Mrs Tolbert all day. She whispers something to him. He gives a concerned look then remains sitting zoned out, staring into space. Seeing a tear fall, he then hurries upstairs. I inspect the room to see if anyone else saw him. No one follows him so I look for Lola. She's having a ball helping the children hit the piñata. I wait a few seconds more then I sneak upstairs. As I look in each room I call his name. The back room he'd spend the night in, door is cracked open. I take a deep breath and then knock as I call his name again. With a light shove I push the door open and he's lying across the bed on his stomach.

"Solomon? Are you okay?"

Without replying he walks into his bathroom, blows his nose, washes his hands, then reenters the bedroom. Through squinted eyes he looks my way then lies back facedown across his bed.

"You want to talk about it?"

"Mae, why are you here?"

"I'm concerned about you. Your nana told me everything."