His light brown face was red, making the freckles on them stand out even more, and his thick, curly hair was matted, as if he had just gotten out of bed and hadn’t combed it.
I climbed off my stool and headed to the corner of the living room where there were more items.
“Calm down, Clayton. I saved a few items for you, just enough to make sure that you get a fresh start. I even folded them for you. Whether you want them or not, I’ll let you decide. I left you a couple of suits and some old clothes; you’re gonna need them while you’re out on the streets begging,” I explained icily.
“What are you talking about?”
“You’re not only about to be out of a marriage and a house, but you’re about to be out of a job too.”
“You have lost your mind, girl! Aria, I need to speak with my wife alone, if you don’t mind.”
My sister twisted her lips and folded her arms over her chest. Then she started singing Beyonce’s song “Irreplaceable.”
As she continued to sing, I pointed to the boxes that literally were to the left, as the lyrics Aria sang indicated. If it was not so sad, it would have been humorous.
“Yeah, I’ll bet you’re gloating over this. You never did like me.”
“Because, unlike my sister who has a gigantic heart and believes the best of everyone, I saw right through you the minute that I met you. You think you’re cute with ya high-yellow ass and curly hair. You thought every woman should fall at your feet and be grateful for the attention you paid them. I saw how you’ve looked at me, her friends, and even your students. I knew it was only a matter of time before you hurt her, but I’m glad she didn’tallow you to crush her spirit. You weren’t shit, you ain’t shit, and you’re never gonna be shit, Clayton!” Aria spat.
She was still in college when Clayton and I started dating. I married that man six months after meeting him, and I was a recent college graduate. He had never been my professor, but I had seen him around campus. He was one of the newer professors who all the girls adored. Imagine my surprise when I was the one who caught his eye. My sister was in her sophomore year, and she had more time at the university to see him than I did.
Eventually, I learned that he married me because the board and the dean were encouraging him to get married for appearance sake. They wanted him settled down, and they thought married life would dissuade the interest of their students. His mentor thought it was a good idea because it would help when it came to promotion and consideration for chairing departments.
“I’m not here for you. This is my home. You can leave. Now all I asked is for you to give us a minute!” he shouted at my sister.
In the sweetest, lowest voice that I could muster, I replied, “No, that’s not going to happen. She’s not going anywhere; you are. You’ve cheated all these years, and I foolishly looked the other way, praying that you would get it together one day. You never did. But now I know that you’ve got one woman pregnant, and you’re screwing one of your students. Now, the rest of the faculty and the dean will also know once I hit send on the emails I have composed.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You don’t have to, but they will when they see the evidence.”
“Baby, I haven’t messed with any students.”
“Clayton, I’m done. I have bought your lies for years, but no more. All the cheating that you did, I accepted every excuse you gave for being around those women, especially the ones whowere your colleagues. I accepted that you all were working on departmental goals.
“I even accepted the biggest lie of all, that the one woman who you brought in my home repeatedly was your little cousin. You made a fool of me, flaunting her in my face and allowing her to be at family functions where everyone else pretended she was a cousin too. Now that you got that woman pregnant, y’all can have your happily ever after because I’m done. I’m glad I didn’t take your punk ass last name,” I spat angrily.
“Please, Del.”
“No, I’m over it, Clayton. The only please I have for you is please get your shit and get out.”
“You want me out?”
“I didn’t stutter. I was very clear.”
“If you kick me out, who the hell do you think will want your big ass?”
I inhaled deeply as Aria flew toward him. I grabbed her arm. “No, little sister. That’s what he wants. He wants to see us act like a clown so that he can get the upper hand. Not this time, sir. Get out.”
“I’ll get out. But your big, black ass will be lonely in this house, listening to your cousin and your sister. Nobody wants you. They’re jealous of what you have. I’ve told you that a million times, and you’re too stupid to get it. You’ll be all alone in here without me. I’m the best thing that ever happened to you, Delaney. Nobody wants you but me. Take a look in the mirror and tell me what you see,” he declared, grabbing me by the shoulders and turning me to face the mirror.
Clayton did not expect me to speak the words of affirmation that I spoke over myself. The more I spoke, the more he released his hands from my shoulders, and I felt the weight of years of oppression dropping away too.
“A bold, powerful, courageous woman with the strength to take her life back, protect her dignity, and walk with her head held up in pride. I see a full-figured, plus-size woman with dangerous curves that you could never handle. I see a dark-skinned, gorgeous beauty who knows her worth, and one who knows that you could never afford her. That’s what I see.”
“That’s an illusion,” he hissed. “I see a woman who never knew how to please her man, because she was no good in bed. I see a woman who did nothing but sit around on her fat ass after work, eating everything in the kitchen. I see a woman who forced her man to cheat because she was too sorry to take care of him. That is why I never wanted you.”
“Let me clock his ass just one time, Sis, just once!” Aria was seething. She lunged toward him, and he stumbled backward. “Scary ass,” she stated.
