Green Eyed Monster

Open Season

After Elgin and I talked, he asked our 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 the 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, and then finally, I'm home.

The quietness is uncomfortable. Soon, I'm compelled to text Lola and Trevor, telling them to have Sunday dinner with their mommy. They both agree. 

At half past six, they arrived. 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 her. Once she sees him, she clicks her tongue before covering her face. 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 stares his way. Trevor is choking from laughter when 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 me. We cover our mouths and try to 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 in 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. Now Lola's laughing, but Hyde drops his head in shame, sobbing. Lola feels horrible.

    "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 her glaringly.  Trevor reenters the house, distracting me. Patting his chest, he lets out a loud, "Woo! That boy is funny as hell! I mean, he acts exactly like King. It's crazy!"

While we sat eating and conversing at dinner, I asked, "How's Solomon?"

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

Annoyed, Trevor starts chewing the food in his mouth, watching Lola. He then cuts his eyes to me and 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 any more 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."

Bursting into tears, she cries, "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.

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

    "I will, Mommy. It's just been so crazy since Mrs. T's death. King trusts no one. I had to lie even to 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 wish you'd 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 I 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?" Lola whimpered.

    "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 m,e 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 and says, "Let's go play."

Hyde happily goes with Trevor. I sat next to Lola, caressing her back as she cried, and she said, "He still thinks you want him, mommy. I understand as a woman how you feel, but I don't see everything he sees. He 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 every day. That's how you comfort King. Let him know you understand him fully, but cunningly make him see that it's not your life or your mommy's life. Mommy admits that I was jealous when he initially chose you. 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.