Green Eyed Monster

Wrath Is Cruel

Mrs. Tolbert's suicide note traumatizes everyone. No one in her family attended her funeral except Roger, Maxine, and their two sons. A few of Roger's coworkers came to support him, along with me, Drake, and Trevor. Gypsy, Terri, and Ivey attended, and that was it. No one asked a pastor or priest to do a eulogy, so the funeral director said a few kind words, and that was that. Mrs Tolbert's home was put on the market immediately.

Now home, deep in thought, I reminisce on how loving Mrs. Tolbert was to Solomon. How loving she was to all of us. She was the nucleus of this very neighborhood. I see her warm smile and charming personality. I think of all the barbecues and heart-to-heart talks we all shared with her. I think of her baking pies and dressing up for Halloween for all the children when I first moved here. I thought she was so cool.

Roger stood out because he was so attractive, but Mrs. Tolbert had many dates. Her stories were so entertaining. She was so lively and fueled by pure, positive energy. Her life gave anyone present a sense of renewed life. 

All Trevor and, seemingly, all Solomon's young male friends adored her. But then the word of God. She'd preach you into doing good over evil every time. Who would've ever thought a monster secretly dwelt inside her?

Lola's still distant, nursing Solomon back to health, I'm sure. Oh, but how I long to know what he's feeling and thinking right about now. He was right. He told me on our fateful night that his mother was murdered. 

Poor Solomon. He will never be the same, and he'll never leave Lola. His heart can't take losing another woman he loves. Seems Lola lucked out. Hopefully, she can handle the task.

Six months have passed since Mrs Tolbert's death. A new family has settled into her home. Their name is Beaumont. Alexander and Marisa Beaumont. They have a small son. They're in their late twenties, early thirties. They seem neighborly enough. Gypsy has a barbecue and invites us all over. It's nice. Alexander is a Vice President at a large corporation.

A couple of months after the barbecue, Terri and Ivey put their home up for sale. It sold within weeks, and then they were gone. An elderly couple purchased their home. The Masons. We knew they wouldn't want a party, so I baked them my signature apple pie. Gypsy and I delivered it together welcoming them to the neighborhood. She and I leave their porch and decide to walk to the beach.

Gypsy asks, "So how's it been with Lola and King?"

    "You know, Lola doesn't trust me like that anymore, especially when it comes to Solomon. We've talked and prayed about it. She seems happy and positive as usual, but I say all that to say, I have no clue how they're doing."

    "Hmm."

    "I know that, hmm. So what have you heard?"

    "I used to thrive on hurting you, Mae."

    "Oh really?"

Chuckling, she answers, "Sadly, this is true, but today I don't. So, I don't want to tell you what I've heard."

    "It's okay Gypsy. I can take it. It's nothing compared to what I've endured thus far."

    "Well, through Terri I heard, after learning about Mrs. T's hidden hatred, Lola is afraid of you."

    "What? That's ridiculous!"

    "Terri decorated Ernest and Stacy's 16th wedding anniversary gala.

Terri said, "I saw Lola sitting in a dark corner, hidden away from everyone. I approach her, saying, "Looks like someone needs a friend."

Lola grins and then pats the chair next to her and says, "Please join me."