The Deal

Twenty-Eight-Bernadette

The home is quiet. Even when I entered minutes ago, it had been without sound. Even if it irks me, I seem to like it a little. But I can't say I did a good job just now with Imani. She made some interesting points though. What if I'm mixing her with someone else? God forbid that ever happens. Finally taking the wretched wig off my head to let my braids fall, I grab a can of Coke from the fridge. On my phone, I glare at the photo of Imani and her boss. My jaw tightens as I glare at it. Maybe she's right. I should send this to Krystal and expose her. Why should I let this cheater go scot-free?

I chug the soda, letting the icy drink quench my thirst. My fingers still hover over the send button on my screen. But the last time I spoke to her, she was down in the dumps. Whether good or bad, revealing the affair would do serious emotional damage and I don't want to feel terrified anytime I see the headlines talk about a suicide. I've also received a couple of text messages from Yvonne, asking if I'm alright, and whether I've had any trouble with Bill.

Muffled noises echo and fill my ears. On high alert, I move closer to the sounds and realize they are coming from the guest room. It sounds like Thabo and another man arguing. Sauntering closer, I lean my ear against the wooden door frame and hear Jabar's voice. My heart suddenly races.

".... Answer me, my man," Jabar says. "This time, you've got to tell me. Aren't you going to ask me what your wife and I were up to nights ago?"

"Like I said...no. I don't want to know. I mean, it's pretty friggin' obvious. You don't think I notice the side-eye stares she's been giving you, or the way her mood changes when you stand next to her?"

Jabar cackles. "I have that effect on women, bro."

"Yet, you're not man enough to handle them when they want to settle with you. Please. You won't even go back to Law school and try to finish where you left off."

"Whoa, chillax. We're way past that. I'm done trying to compare anything between us. All I want is for you to stand up to me for once."

There's a bit of silence in there and it makes me so uncomfortable even as I take another sip of my soda.

"Look at me, big bra," Jabar continues. "Tell me why you haven't asked me what your wife and I have been up to? Why haven't you bothered to find out?"

"I'm never bothered, you idiot. Alright? That's the thing. I've never been bothered with you charming and seducing all the women in my life. Because you always end up winning! There, I've said it. Can you leave me alone now?"

I furrow my brows, pondering the words of my husband. He was never bothered? What does he mean by that?

"Ag man. You never change, Thabo. What would mother think of you now? I'd say if she saw you talking like this, she'd only be—"

"Satisfied," Thabo says non-chillingly; I was not expecting that answer. "No. Justified is the right word. She'll tell you right in front of me, 'Didn't I tell you, Jabar? Your brother has always been a coward. He wouldn't budge. He wouldn't put up a fight. He'll just sit there and watch mother and father do these terrible things to his little brother. Like the coward, he's always been."

Jabar sighs. "Bro, are you telling me after the hell of a childhood we spent with them, you still haven't decided to change your old ways? Hasn't all the shit mom and dad said come back and haunt your ass?"

"Well, to be frank, no." Thabo scoffs. "I'm way past caring about the things those old fools said about me."

"Izzit?"

"Yes! I hardly think about them. You know why? Because they'll never look for us again. Let the past be forgotten. Isn't that what mom always said?"

Again, the silence between them lingers, and I'm caught with my breath held in my throat.