Read Online B00B1W3R6U EBOK by Anna J. - Free Book Online Page B

and started to get dressed. Once again I couldn’t find my panties, and had to wonder what was up. Was this an invasion of the panty snatchers or something? It was like I was losing a sock in the dryer or something.
    “Monica, have you seen my panties? They’re not over here.”
    “Yes, I put them away for safe keeping.”
    “I need to put them on. I can’t go home without panties on. James will know I was out doing something I had no business doing.”
    “I need them. That’s all I have of you when you’re away.”
    “That’s fine, but every time I come here you keep them. You must have at least ten pairs of my underwear. How many memories do you need?” I was still getting dressed while we were talking, minus the undergarments. I just knew I needed to get home, and I didn’t have time to argue.
    “Are you mad at me?” she asked like she was about to cry.
    “No, sweetie. I’m not mad, I just want you to keep what we talked about in mind.”
    “I am. I just wish you could stay.”
    I gathered my suit jacket and hair barrette and made my way downstairs. She followed behind me slowly and I waited impatiently by the door although my face didn’t show it. I wanted to scream for her to move a little faster, but I didn’t want to hurt her feelings. When she got to the door she had tears on her cheeks, and I wanted to drop my bag and never leave, but I had to go.
    “Monica, don’t do this to me. I need you to be understanding.”
    “I’m fine, I just miss you already.”
    “I’ll be back, and I’ll call you when I get home. Just don’t cry, okay?”
    “You do love me, right?”
    “Yes, Monica, I love you.”
    “Okay, drive safely.”
    “I will, and I’ll call you.”
    She watched me until I got to my car. I waved at her as I pulled off and jetted home to be with my family.
    I said I didn’t want this, but for some reason I couldn’t walk away. She wouldn’t let me. An old saying that my grandmother used to say to me came to mind as I went well past the speed limit on the expressway: The first time you hurt me, it’s shame on you. The second time, it’s shame on me. All the times after that is plain foolishness. I felt like a fool too. I knew that all this would blow up in my face sooner or later. What you do in the dark will come out in the light whether you want it to or not.
    When I got home, James and the kids were in the den watching Finding Nemo on DVD. I kissed the kids on the cheek and said hello to James. He gave me a weak response, never taking his eyes off the television. I wasn’t in the mood for his bullshit, so I went on upstairs and hopped in the shower. When I came out, he was already in the bed reading a magazine. I tried my best to ignore him as I moisturized my body so I could put some nightclothes on and chill. I saw him peeking at my naked body, and I also saw him rise to the occasion. He better go to the bathroom and get to whacking, because ain’t shit poppin’.
    I stepped into my knee-length chemise and climbed under the covers. Turning my back to him, I chilled on my side and closed my eyes, thinking about how I was going to deal with Monica. I almost didn’t hear him talking to me until he repeated his question for the third time.
    “What did you say?” I asked with my back still facing him. I wanted this to be quick and done with.
    “I asked how was work?”
    “Fine,” and left it at that. He still wanted to talk, and I felt like we were playing Jeopardy with all the questions he was throwing at me.
    “Is the case coming along okay?”
    “Yeah.”
    “What’s with the short answers?” he said, a tad agitated. I didn’t even give a damn, and told him just that.
    “I’ve been wondering that same thing for the past four months.”
    “I told you I was stressed at work.”
    “That’s the same excuse I have then.”
    “You weren’t at work. I called there six times.”
    “And, what? You’re checking up on me now?”
    “No, it’s not like