May 13, 2022 | Evening
The sound of the jazz piano played Whitney's 'I Believe in You and Me' as my father-in-law walked us to the dance floor shared by other family members and friends.
Mr. Wilder couldn't even let our first step go in before he broke out the obvious Elephant in the room sitting in the Armani at the back table.
"I saw you and my son talking" his deep browns bore into me
Knowing that I couldn't stomach lying to my most active father figure, I sighed "It was nothing". Hopefully brushing it off would allow this dance to go smoother.
"Now, you know me better than that" he chuckled deeply as we continued to dance "What's the matter, babygirl?"
"I'm not sure" I allowed my weight to be released "I mean, I know it may still have to do with the conversation we had about two years ago but this past year and a half, he has just become so..different. He doesn't look at me the same, not with love at least. It's like his new Director position at his Tech Firm has got him all spazzed out." I felt myself become more cathartic than I anticipated and quickly wrapped it up "But, whatever it is, I'm sure we are going to work it out"
"Dayna, one thing I can tell you about my son is that he is not a quitter. And when he told me that he was going to marry you, he said 'Pops, I ain't going to quit'" he smiled in what seem to be the memory "And he is not going too, trust me"
"If you say so" I said with no faith at all.
My eyes would play tag between the floor and Robert sitting at our table, he looked so anxious that he could break out into a cold sweat at any moment. I kept seeing his eyes scan over to the door more often than not. My eyes followed his on-time glance to the door but all I could see were the natural LED lights draped over the entrance and the night's darkness inviting us outside.
I frowned at the thought of us both being distracted but it seemed as though his distraction had more of his time than mines. I excused myself from my father-in-law with a kiss on the cheek and made my way to the bathroom.
I needed some serious alone time.
The journey to the bathroom was the fastest I have ever witnessed myself get out of dodge from people. It was like The Universe created this secret path for me to not be seen by anyone on the way to there.
My Jimmy Choo's tapped across the floor rhythmically as I passed the first full length mirror before turning left to the stalls. Hopefully, I still look somewhat happy or wanting to be here. I quickly doubled back to the mirror to give myself a quick review of progress.
My thick, deep brown mane was brushed up into the sleekest of bun my hairstylist has ever performed.
I definitely need to tag her in my story.
I did my normal side to side view to take a look at my slender frame. My hips and thighs gave off the impression that I carry an extra 20 lbs in there somewhere. I was not conscious about shape, I enjoyed how my torso elongated any dress that I wore. That's why this pearl dress on my body made my inner color theory self happy as hell. I would say I'm closer to Gabrielle Union's complexion, and you know that girl can rock a white anything!
I lean a bit forward to get a deeper look into my pores and my round nose. My makeup is looking dewey across my cheeks and neck, down to my breast that spilled over a bit but nothing that gave a slutty vibe. I admired myself once more before taking myself to the stall to relieve what I had been holding in for a very long time.
I sat wondering, how could Robbie and I get this bad? We have always respected each other, even when we did not see eye to eye. Never has he treated me so cold. Never would I think that it was truly possible to live my life without him in it. I thought maybe at the 10 year mark that's where our marriage would have been a bump into the road.
I believe it has been about my new hours and how much I am being demanded of. I started selling commercial real estate with my firm in 2020. During COVID it seemed like such a risky idea, however with the market and the amount of people that were starting businesses. It became very lucrative for me.
Before I felt myself become more into a trance, I dried and cleaned myself properly before standing allowing the toilet to automatically flush. I checked my iPhone for the night and 8:47 pm flashed itself to me. This event was to end at 10pm and if I needed to get through the rest of this night. I needed to calm my nerves.
As I went and washed my hands, I perked up to thought of my THC vape being in my car. Robbie hated when I smoked outside of the house. Which is why we took separate cars. To think about it, he wasn't there when I got home, so I ended up meeting him here at the venue before our guests. I'm sure people started to notice.
My body began to get hot again, I needed to shake these nerves off. And fast.
As I walked out the bathroom, I walked directly into a person and with a familiar yelp, I saw that it was my mother-in-law.
"Oof!" she exclaimed stumbling back slightly
"Oh my gosh!" I matched her tone of excitement "I am so sorry!!"
"Oh Dayna? Baby, that's okay. Obviously, I wasn't looking where I was going" her hearty laugh destroyed the awkwardness between us. I always adored her laugh and her presence, her and Robert shared the same smile.
My face still hot from embarrassment "I do apologize, I was in such a rush and–"
"Something on your mind?" She inquired
Yeah, your son's a dick.
"No" I answered shortly
"Are you sure?" her motherly senses started piercing through me, I was almost about to crack but I got it together quickly.
"Yeah, I'm sure, just trying to stay clear of Uncle LaVerne" I made up quickly
"Oh!" she busted out laughing "You know Verne ol' crazy ass, don't pay him no mind. But, um, let me go ahead and get on in here, yo' momma about to bust" she giggled.
She stepped past me in her custom designed monochrome mint green pants suit. Robert's mom still looks like she is 45, but obviously we know that is not the case. Just like any lady, she stopped to look in the mirror. Black pixie cut extremely sheen, her eyes and smile was a blueprint for Roberts. She kind of put me in the mind of Vanessa Bell Calloway but a little juicier.
I shared a laugh before quickly turning on my heels, looking for the best way to get my keys and to the car.
"Dayna?" Mrs. Wilder interrupted my action plan
"Yes, Mrs. Wilder?" I asked turning around trying hard to mask my rushed demeanor
"Are you and Robert okay?" it's like she knew everything but just wanted to ask for her own confirmation
"We good, mom" I lied effortlessly, as she says she would like for me to call her that
Her eyes looked into me deeply for a few seconds more before her top lip curled into suspicion but she overcame it with a smile and nodded an 'Ok' before disappearing into the bathroom.
-
Author's Note:
Okay, I hope this chapter is nice. What ya'll thought about Uncle LaVerne? You think Dayna should just tell his parents? How are you feeling about Robert? What are your predictions and thoughts? Thank you so much!
- Portia Z
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Time Heals
Ficção GeralTo commit is to take the time to deny oneself constantly for the other. Dayna and Robert Wilder love each other, this is true. However, life comes with it's own time line and decisions have been made that they both can't seem to agree on. What seem...
