Green Eyed Monster

Open Season

After Elgin and my talk he asked Pastor to let him preach the following Sunday. He had a now word from the Lord. He preached about confessing our sins to each other. Oh my, and what an awakening happened. By the end of service everyone was confessing sins, repenting, and falling out. Pinky confessed her envy to me. I forgave her. It was just open season on confessing sins! Elgin was walking around like he was Jesus Junior. At least 20 of us went out after church to fellowship. Everyone just felt free from telling their secret sins, then finally I'm home.

The quietness is uncomfortable. It's then I text Lola and Trevor telling them to come have Sunday dinner with their mommy. They both agree. They arrive half past six. Hyde's a man inside a 3 year old's body. Lola and Trevor greet me with a hug and kiss. Lola then looks down for Hyde. He's standing by the door with his little hands in his front pockets. His head is cocked to the side as he grimaces towards her. She sees him then covers her face huffing. Trevor and I are laughing uncontrollably. Angry, Lola cuts her eyes at us, then rolls them back toward Hyde.

She asks, "What's wrong Hyde?"

Pouting, he rolls his eyes up in his little head. Mouth now twisted with her arms folded Lola just stares his way. Trevor's now choking from laughter. Lola shouts, "Stop laughing Trev!"

I instantly cover my mouth and laugh into my hand. Still pouting, Hyde motions for her to come to him. She glances back toward Trevor and I. We cover our mouths and try and appear serious. She goes and stands over him asking, "What Hyde?"

He glances at us then scolds, "I pee peed on myself."

    "It's okay Hyde. That's why I put you on a diaper. I knew we had a long drive."

He whispers, "I'm too big for diapers."

    "Mommy knows, but we were rushing and you wouldn't use the toilet. I told you I wasn't stopping. Once we got on the road we were coming straight to nana's"

    "I'm telling daddy you made me be a baby."

    "Boy, be quiet! ...Mommy I'm about to change my baby's diaper. We'll be right back!"

Why did Lola say that. Hyde throws a stellar tantrum. He's screaming, "I'm not a baby!"

I fear my Trevor's going to die from laughter. He has to run outside for air. Lola's now laughing. Hyde drops his head in shame, sobbing. Lola feels horrible now.

    "Mommy's just teasing Hy-Dee. You're my big little man. I promise I'll never make you wear a diaper again. Okay?"

Lip poked out he nods and then nestles his face into her neck totally humiliated. I joke, "Give me my little man! Now I'm pissed! Don't embarrass him like that ever again!"

I go to grab him, but Lola snatches away saying, "Let me change him first mommy."

While she walks upstairs I watch glaring her way.  Trevor reenters the house, distracting me. Patting his chest he lets out a loud, "Woo! That boy funny as hell! I mean he acts exactly like King. It's crazy!"

We all sit for dinner eating and conversing. Firm, I then ask, "How's Solomon?"

Trevor's mouth is full of food when he stops chewing and just stares at me. He then cuts them towards Lola. She's smiling and interacting with Hyde, ignoring me a couple seconds. Finally she looks my way saying, "He's doing really bad."

Annoyed Trevor starts chewing the food in his mouth watching Lola. He then cuts his eyes to me. I say, "So sorry to hear that. What's he doing about it?"

    "What can he do about it?"

    "Relax. I'm just asking, but I know sitting home waddling in depression isn't the answer."

    "I agree, but who said he's doing that?"

    "Hmm, that's good to know. ...Well, why'd you say he's bad? Seems like he's handling it like a man."

    "Of course he is. He doesn't know how else to handle it except like a man."

    "Okay, am I saying something wrong? What's with the nasty attitude?"

Trevor interjects, "Yeah Lo. What's going on?"

Eyes filling with tears she answers, "Sorry mommy. It's just a really hard time right now. He's just not himself and it hurts. I'm just extra sensitive concerning him these days. I can't allow anymore pain in his life. I feel so obligated to protect him, but I'm so scared I'll fail."

Wiping her tears with his hand Hyde says, "Don't cry mommy."

She then bursts into tears saying, "I keep crying in front of my baby!"

Trevor jumps up to hug her saying, "Look at Hyde. He's a big boy! He understands. Right little man?"

He places his palm in front of Hyde for a high five. Grinning, Hyde's little chubby hand smacks his palm. We all laugh. Hyde starts laughing with us.

Lola keeps kissing his face saying, "Hy-Dee's my brave little man. Isn't that right, Hy-Dee?" He laughs with each kiss.

I then ask, "Why won't you let us help you?"

    "I will mommy. It's just been so crazy since Mrs T's death. King trusts no one. I had to lie to even come here. That's why I put a "you know what" on "you know who". I had to hurry out before he figured out the truth. It's as if he loathes this neighborhood period. Sometimes I wished you'd just move mommy."

    "This is my dream home Lola. I'm not going anywhere."

    "I understand, but understand I won't be lying to my husband anymore. He doesn't want us near Mrs T's home so we can meet out, but Hyde and me can't come here until King is better."

    "Is it the neighborhood or me he loathes?"

    "C'mon ma! Don't start that!" Trevor sighs.

    "Trev be quiet! ...Tell Solomon, I'm not Mrs T. You can trust me. I'm not a lunatic for him as he seems to think."

    "Mommy, where's this coming from?"

    "I just feel attacked, as if he's making you believe I'm his sick twisted nana, and I'm not!"

Head hanging, she mumbles out, "He's just upset right now mommy."

    "Look at me Lola!"

She shakes her head no. Trevor says, "Leave her alone ma."

    "Shut up Trev! ...Look at me Lola."

Lifting her wet face, I say, "I'm not Mrs T. I'm over Solomon. Okay? Don't allow him to destroy us, please! Okay?"

She nods then drops her head crying. I motion for Trevor to take Hyde out of here. He grabs him saying, "Let's go play."

Hyde happily goes with Trevor. I sit next to Lola caressing her back as she cries. She then says, "He still thinks you want him mommy. I understand as a woman how you feel, but I don't see everything he sees. He just has you obsessed with him. I'm sorry."

    "Why are you sorry? And do I look bothered?"

She looks into my eyes then shakes her head no. "That's because I'm not. After hearing the entire story I fully understand David and Solomon. As warped as it sounds to me, it's the reality they live everyday. That's how you comfort King. Let him know you understand him fully, but cunningly make him see that isn't you or your mommy's life. Mommy admits I was jealous he chose you initially. I mean what woman wouldn't be? He's damn near perfect, but I confessed how I felt and got my healing. Mommy is okay. I love you, Hyde, and Solomon. I pray one day Solomon, and even you will accept and then believe that."

We have a pleasant evening. Trevor follows Lola home. He tells me he's going to pretend he's too tired to drive home. He wants to spend the night at Lola's in case Solomon figures out they were in Indigo Beach against his wishes. I tell him it's a superb idea.