Tina's words kept me tossing all night. What was it about my husband that she wanted to tell me? Was it something I already knew or something I didn't? Perhaps she already knew about the divorce papers. Maybe Michael told her of his plans to divorce me before letting me know. But it made no sense. Why would Michael tell my best friend before me?
I couldn't help but think of what Tina had promised to tell me the following day. "I hope it's not something worse." I had had enough already. From the ecstatic news of expecting a baby, to divorce papers, and finally to a mystery lover Michael had. It was too much to suck in at once.
From the tone of Tina's voice, what she had to tell me sounded pretty serious. "It better not aggravate my misery," I hissed. I didn't know if I had the heart to bear any more sad news. Tina would have told me about it over the phone, but the cry of her six-year-old son interrupted our conversation, and she had to postpone it to tomorrow.
Tina was a single mother and life had been a real struggle for her, except recently when she got a good-paying job that paid her bills, her son's tuition, and extra money for general upkeep. I have known Tina since high school. After she was transferred to my school following her parents' separation, we connected almost immediately.
Tina had had her fair share of life's challenges. I remember how timid she was while in school, knowing no one at the time. I felt for her, after she shared her story one day in class, during a school project on family dynamics. I gravitated towards her, and we have shared an unbreakable bond ever since.
It wasn't long after we graduated that we both drifted apart. I went ahead to get my Bachelor's degree in real estate management from the prestigious Georgia State University, which was miles away from the culinary school Tina attended to become a professional chef.
Only a few years ago, just before my wedding, Tina had moved to the same city as me, due to work. We reconnected, and I made sure she was my chief bridesmaid at the wedding. It was then I realized Tina had a son, one she had not planned for.
Tina had told me of her failed relationship which had put her in the family's way. I wasn't one to judge, least of all, Tina, whom I knew had a rough upbringing. Ever since, I have always been there for her as a best friend would.
I finally drifted to sleep at dawn after a series of battles with my thoughts. It wasn't long before I felt a gentle tap on my back. I raised my head to see who it was. It was my husband. It wasn't like I was expecting anyone else to be in my matrimonial room.
"Hey," Michael said softly. I quickly wiped my eyes to be sure I wasn't dreaming. I wasn't. Michael was being nice to me. I should have known that the divorce papers and the mystery woman were all a prank like we've always done in the past.
"Hi baby," I replied with my baby-ish voice.
"I'll be traveling for a quick business trip. I'll return by the weekend," Michael announced.
I sat up, completely awake. I knew Michael would usually go on business trips during weekends to be back by the beginning of the following week but this time, the reverse was the case. I checked the little clock by my bedside. It was 7 in the morning.
"Was it not too early?" I asked myself.
I watched as Michael headed for the door with his travel box in one hand and suitcase in the other. Before he reached for the doorknob, I didn't know when my mouth opened to voice out the question going on in my head.
"Was it a prank?"
Michael turned back to look at me. "Was what a prank?" He asked.
I continued, "The divorce papers, was that a prank?"
"And why would you think so?" Michael questioned, his voice suddenly becoming rude.
Before I could say anything, he added, "I meant every word I said yesterday. My demand still stands." I watched him head out only to return a little while later.
"Make sure those papers are signed by the time I get back!" he commanded, pointing his index finger in my direction.
My heart fell. I thought Michael was going to say it had been a joke but here he was insisting I sign the damn papers. My eyes welled up immediately. I couldn't hold myself back as I let out everything my heart held, clutching my pillow as hard as I could.
At long last, I gathered strength to call Tina. We had agreed to meet up today. Tina returned my call after she had missed it earlier. She asked that I give her a little time to take her son to school while she joined me at Brews and Café where we would normally sometimes sit to have a cup of coffee.
I sighted Tina an hour later and raised my hand to signal where I was seated. I was happy to see her after a few days. I held myself from tearing up as Tina approached me. As she got to where I was waiting, she opened her arms to hug me, consoling me for the ordeals I had gone through.
"It's so good to see you, girl," I said after breaking off from the hug. Tina looked at me and saw the pain in my eyes. I wasn't the bright and cheerful-looking Mabel she knew. "I'm so sorry for what that bastard put you through honey. It's okay, I'm here for you, I promise."
Tina's words were soothing, and I was grateful for the friendship we shared. I couldn't wait to hear what she held back from me, what had contributed to my restlessness last night. "You have something to tell me bestie. What is it?" I asked Tina, going straight to the point.
Tina seemed like she struggled to let whatever she held out. Was it that bad? "Talk to me, Tina." I was growing impatient. Tina looked at me, not knowing where to start.
"I should have let you in on this Mabel, but it didn't make sense to me until last night," Tina began. Continue, girl! I almost screamed my thoughts out. I stuck my ears out, in anticipation of what would come out of Tina's mouth.
"I saw…" Tina's voice trailed off as she heard the buzzing sound of her phone, shifting her focus from me to her phone.
I watched as Tina picked up the call, her eyes suddenly growing wide with shock. " I'll be right there." I heard Tina say. "It's my son, Mabel. We will have to do this some other time," Tina told me after ending the call. Before I could ask what was wrong, Tina had already dashed out of the door.
I was worried. I remembered her son had interrupted our conversation last night and now again, she was being summoned by the school management to where her son was. I silently hoped it wasn't as serious as it looked. I knew Tina lived and breathed for her son and she would do anything to make him happy. He was the source of her strength after all.
I checked the time, it was past 11 in the morning. I got up to leave, seeing that the conversation did not pan out as expected. I made for the door, knowing that I would give Tina a call to check up on her son.
I made for my car, but my eyes caught a very familiar plate number. This was my husband's Mercedes! The car was just packed close to Brews and Café, but the driver had not alighted. I waited patiently to see who the driver was, hoping I was wrong.
Michael was not in town, and so I shoved the thought of seeing him aside. Stepping out of the driver's seat was Michael, in full flesh, locking hands with a strange woman who had alighted from the passenger's seat.
I didn't know when the environment I was in, started to spin, colors turned blurry as my back hit the floor, sending me into complete darkness.