His Wife

Chapter 23

I was having a hard time trying to control the trembling that was threatening to take me over. I felt my legs take me away from the doors of the balcony as I rush to get away from the scene of Dan and Estelle kissing.

Once inside the room where Myra and a few other guests were now milling about sharing drinks and talking I walked up to the makeshift bar that houses an impressive display of liquor and slips into an empty seat.

I hope I was controlled enough when I saw Myra excuse herself from the small group she was with and came to stand by me. I hope I was composed enough. I look at her and plastered a smile on my lips as she slips behind the bar and asks if I would like something to drink.

She had already placed a glass on the counter and was adding ice before I could refuse. I just sat and watch as she pours champagne syrup and gingerbeer soda into the glass and slide it to me.

"Not to worry I know you're expecting," she smiles and I blush.

I was not surprise that she knew after all the two other people involved were her children so to speak. How could she not know about the third wheel?

It's that I wish I too known the full extent of what I was getting into and being here in the home of my husband's lover who happens to be the daughter of his adoptive parents was the extent to which I would have liked it to be. It would have been nice if someone had cared to give her the heads up.

I took a swallow of the refreshing mix to refrain from responding and glance about the room which was furnished with a matching sofa of mountain green that added to the earthly aesthetic.

On the wall were water paintings of various tones of brown, red, blue, and grass green. A glass top center table sat on a brown rug, in the corners were gold-encrusted flower stand that held aromatic orchids. The curtains at the windows were color the exact color of the sofa.

I turn back to her as I place the glass on the counter. She was busy sharing that she had spoken about me with Mama and was rather happy that Mama was so fond of me.

I found myself wishing someone had told me a few things so that I in turn would not be bombarded by all the surprising details that came with my charade of a marriage. I tried to smile as she chatted away and gradually I felt somewhat slightly comforted that Myra was being hospitable to me considering that maybe she was once hoping her daughter might have been Dan's wife.

I was fortunate I had not gone pouring out my heart to him. I would only be making a fool of myself. I need to place it firmly in my head that I am only a part of this affair because of my baby. I was only one end of the love triangle and was by no means going to allow myself to be part of a family feud.

If push should come to shove which of us would be left standing, the family and the sisterly lover or the baby mother pretend wife? I knew I stood no chance. Dan never made me no promises other than to secure the well-being of his child and ensure he played his fatherly role down to the last letter.

If only he had done so without marrying me. Why the hell did he marry me? It was clear he and Estelle were not planning to end what they have going on. She still wanted him and me being in the picture with a baby was by no means hindering her.

I was caught up in trying to concentrate on Myra and channeling my wondering thoughts when I heard a voice say.

"Leslie? Leslie Winslow?"

I turn to the voice and stare at the young man that beams at me his black charismatic face a mask of delight and pleasure. I was a bit puzzled until he said.

"It's me, Kameel Richards."

I could not hide my shock as I stare at the now tall and robust figure of the lanky boy who had been my next-door neighbor.

"No way," I laugh looking him up and down appreciatively from his neatly trimmed hair, straight lean attractive face, to his black shirt that fitted to his broad chest and light jeans that fitted just as perfectly to his lean hips.

I got up and walk into his hug rather happy to see a long last friend. I remember how much fun we had playing cricket and dandy shandy with his brothers and my siblings when Mum allowed it. I remember having a crush on him and how nice it had been to have someone in our community who paid us any attention as my mother's reputation often had us the children suffering for her infidelities. We had often had to suck the sour grape of our mother's lifestyle.

"It's so great to si yuh," I said with delight as we embrace.

"I must admit it's a great pleasure on my part," he returns, and the way he said it caused me to blush as I pull away.

I tucked my bang behind my ear as it had now fallen over my forehead and smiled as I nibble my bottom lip. I had not expected to see him looking so fine and manly or even looking at me with such blatant appreciation.

I was reveling in his attention when I heard Myra said, "Kameel I was not sure you were still coming considering your call earlier."

His eyes went from me to Myra and I turn to face the woman who stood staring at us with outright interest.

"I did not want to leave Stella hanging," he replied. "Speaking of Stella where is she?"

Probably playing tonsil hockey with my husband I said silently as I reached for my glass and finish off its content. The thought of them kissing sends me back into another bout of miserable brooding.

"Probably with her dad and Julian, he wanted to speak with them for a bit", Myra answer.

"So beautiful how come I never know you're friends with Stella?" he said turning to me.

"She's not," a voice said from behind us and I turn to see Estelle walking up to us. "Mum I could use a strong one." When Myra turns to the task she stops by Kameel and leans into him and said a little too sweetly. "Leslie here is Dan's wife."

The look of shock that reflects from his face had me staring back at him questioningly. Then it dawns on me if Kameel was here at this rather private and intimate gathering he was no doubt very close to the family and knew of Daniel's and Estelle's relationship.

A rush of shame pooled itself in the pit of my stomach at the fact that Kameel would know that I was caught in the middle of Daniel and Estelle's affair. Somehow I saw myself standing in my mother's footstep her past reputation cloaking itself about me. It seems I was someone who was not averse to embedding herself into other people's love life.

I want to drive that thought out of his mind but how could I? Anyways what did it matter I was indeed a third wheel. I look away from him and mumble I need to use the bathroom and rush away before I could be instructed where to find it.

I wish the ground would open up and swallow me this very instant. Would I ever get away from all the drama that was surrounding me being Daniel's wife or walk a path that did not lead me back to Ilene's lifestyle?

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Howdy Doo peeps.

Leslie's childhood friend popping up amid all this drama bringing forth emotions from the past to mingle with those of the present is surely not what she was expecting when she decided to support Daniel, but in life, we have to expect the unexpected right?

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