3. A Night Out

The response to my text came back immediately. "I'll be there shortly."

I still felt a mixture of sadness and anger, but primarily revengeful! I couldn't stop the fall of my tears as they leaked from under my closed lids. When I opened my eyes, they landed on the ripped-up check at my feet.

"The nerve of him to offer me money! Like I'm some cheap prostitute!" 

This swirl of mixed emotions came in and out of my heart and mind as to how he cowardly abandoned me on our anniversary day for an ex-girlfriend, Susan Hubbard! I'm so furious right now!

“How could he treat me this way! After I put up with his crappy family and all of his bull in this marriage!”

My ride was on the way, so I hurried and went into the bathroom. I looked into the mirror, seeing the mascara running from my eyes down my cheek. I hop into the shower to clean up. I want to look my best for my night out in town.  I patted myself dry, moisturized my skin, and found the sexiest dress. I brushed my hair and secured it with several pins at the crown of my head. I peered into the mirror and noticed the swelling around my eyes had gone down. Anyone would notice the slight puffiness under my eyes; I packed on more concealer to camouflage that I had been sobbing.

That’s when I heard the doorbell rang.

I went down the staircase and opened the front door, and I saw this lean figure standing by this red BMW coupe parked in my driveway.  I smiled as I approached the car and was greeted with a hug and kiss on my scented cheek. It felt good to have someone else's arms wrapped around my body to comfort me.

“Can you come inside? I’m not quite ready.” 

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, very sure. Holland isn't coming back here. So don't worry." 

"Amanza, did you see this? After I rang the doorbell, I noticed this little gift-wrapped box on your front lawn, so I went to pick it up."

"Oh, that's why you were standing by your car. What is it?”

Once we got inside, I opened the gift box wrapped in the same material as the jewelry box for the ruby necklace he held in his hand when I saw him on the news program. Inside, it contained a pair of beautiful sapphire earrings. 

“Wow! Are these beautiful earrings for you? They are the perfect color for your eyes. How did they get outside on the front lawn? Did you know they were out here? I’m assuming they must be your anniversary gift?” 

When I saw them, I became even more disgusted. I couldn’t speak about it because I knew they must have been a gift he was planning to give Susan Hubbard. Holland must have dropped them in his haste to leave me to be by her side.

"DISGUSTING!" I said, taking the box and tossing it in the trash. I grabbed my purse. “Let’s go; I'm ready to leave.” 

“Wait, Amanza! You just threw away a very pair of expensive, beautiful earrings. What is going on with you!” 

“I don’t want them in this house! They are trash, in my opinion!" 

“No, I’m sure they were meant for you. I’ll just take them out of the trash."

''Don't you dare! Who side are you on?!"

"I'm going to sit them here on the counter.” 

 “Let’s go!” I opened the solid mahogany door, and we left as we got in the car and drove away.

“Where do you want to go? So I can put the address into my GPS.”

“Straight to the hotel here in the city." 

"Are you serious? I knew you wanted a good time, but I wasn't thinking that way. Okay, you got to tell me what’s going on. I was surprised you called me. We haven’t done something like this since you got married. After three years of marriage, I thought you would be in the thralls of celebrating your anniversary with Holland.” 

“You’re right; I haven’t done anything. But that’s about to change tonight!” 

“This is your anniversary tonight? What about your husband?”

“What about him?”

 Is it over between you two?”

I hunched my shoulders.

“Something must have happened between the two of you. Did Holland do something?” 

“I don’t have a husband. I have a man I’m married to. If he were concerned about me hanging out, he would be here if he did.  Do you see him anywhere around?”

“Well, no....” 

“Exactly! This is all about me and you tonight!”

 “I’m livin’ it up tonight with you.” 

“Okay, well, let me take you somewhere nice. So you can let off some of this steam.”

****

They arrived at Eminence Hotel, which was for members only. It has a nightclub, with exclusive shopping and excellent food. They serve you bubbly and play music in the background while the wealthy come and spend countless dollars.

"I'm starving and can use a strong drink! Let's go have dinner first."

"Whatever you wish."

After dinner, I felt tipsy. We went shopping, and I tried on the latest shoes, clothes, and accessories. As a platinum customer for years, I already own all the classics, but as the old saying goes, a diamond is a girl's best friend. I finally started having fun trying on whatever I wanted; I had held back from doing what I loved for three years. So tonight, I drank expensive champagne and danced. 

“Oh wow!  Amanza, you look so pretty in that dress. See, this woman I know is stylish, sophisticated, and glamorous. I never understood why you had to hide who you are from Holland. You are charming and smart just the way you are. You’ve changed so much trying to be a plain Jane just to make him happy.”

When Holland’s name was mentioned, my mood shifted, and I rolled my eyes. “Please don’t mess up my good buzz by saying his name. I can’t believe after all this time, three long years, he doesn't love me and wants sloppy seconds! I don't want a man who will criticize me and try to put me down if he wants to think that I'm cheating on him! Well, be my guest! It was only two hours ago that he was accusing me of cheating on him. Can you believe that?” I said tearfully.

"No," Arms swirled around me, holding me tight and letting me cry.  

“Ah, sweetheart, don't cry. How could that be?  What’s wrong with him? That's so absurd and foolish! Considering how much you loved him and have been devoted to your marriage, how can he fix his mouth to say such dumb, idiotic things to you?.”

“What's worse is that Holland's ex-girlfriend is back.”

“What do you mean back? Back in the city, or are you saying they are back together? Wait! Did you see them together?”

It's not just rumors. I wish it were, but when I met him at Rochesters for our night out to celebrate our anniversary. I saw Holland with her. He was wining, dining, and grinning up in Susan Hubbard's face like I didn't even exist in his life." 

"What! Amanza, no, you must be mistaken. Not on your anniversary." 

“She is his first love; you can tell he can’t shake her and has lingering feelings for her. The man forgot all about it; it was our anniversary today. Ever since Susie returned, he's been spending much time with her. “

“Oh wow! How low can you get? Amanza, you know how I feel about you. And I tried to be respectful of your decision. But he’s the lowest of the low, in my opinion!” 

All I could do was sit there and cry when I saw them. “It hurt so bad! I never knew pain like this before. He’s my first true love.”

“I'm so sorry this is happening to you. Don’t tell me anymore. It makes me want to hurt him seriously. Let’s not talk about it anymore. You know, I’ve never liked or trusted Holland. Why have you stayed with this man as long as you have? I don’t understand.  Now that he’s left you all alone on your anniversary, aren’t you ready to leave him? You don’t need him for his money or material things…and you don’t have any kids for this man. What’s holding you with him?”

“Wait. I got a text. Let me read it. It might be from Holland.”

 I read the text message I received.

 It was from Susan Hubbard.

After Reading the text, my heart slammed against my ribs.

"Amanza! Is everything okay?" 

My hands trembled as I tried to hold onto my phone, staring at the words. 

“I’m pregnant with Holland’s Child. We need to talk, Susie.”