How Did I Get Here: A Novella Read online

  “Hey nerd number two, next to my number one”, Lisa hissed sarcastically rubbing on Longs chest. Longs whispered in her ear so that he could come to the car and make parting words with Preston.

  “Hey black man, you know what it is, Lisa got some tricks planned for me to help her out with so give me a holla once you get settled in at home.” Preston and Longs both knew they both weren’t going to say anything to each other once Preston’s car started to head back up Winchester Pike.

  “Alright man, take it easy and I got some viruses I need you to check out on my laptop, I’ll call you.” Preston had a sign of defeat on his face………. Now he had no choice but to go back home and listen to his wife, to pick right back up where they left off this morning.

  IV

  “Alright, if that’s the way he wants to play, then we are definitely going to have a long talk or his behind can sleep on the couch for the rest of the week. He is going to stop disrespecting me and treating me like I am one of his little brothers or sisters and understand that I am his wife!” After Preston not answering any of Delight’s calls all day she was frantic and really didn’t know what to do with herself. All day she was cleaning and grocery shopping so that everyone could eat and enjoy home once the kids got out of school. There really wasn’t much else going on during the day, besides taking care of the house. Once everyone was gone the only thing to look out for was to make sure none of the teachers called for any of the boys. “I don’t know what I would do with more than two kids,” she thought. “All of this cleaning after them, my husband, and the dog is a fulltime job. I don’t see how any mom has the time to work when there is so much that needs to be done on the home front. But, I do know one thing… once Preston Brown gets through that door; he is going to have more than a little bit of explaining to do. I am tired of this bull crap every week. He is just going to have to understand that God does not like the way he is treating me and that is not the intention in God’s plan. As a matter of fact, I am so frizzled I think I am going to have to call his mom”.

  “Stop, because I already know what you’re trying to do”, Preston yelled bursting through the door before Delight could press talk on the cell phone. Shocked at his entrance she dropped the cell phone, and suddenly regurgitated her anger towards him.

  “Let me tell you something Mr. Brown, I don’t know who you think you are or what kind of game you are trying to run on me, but it is going to stop and stop right now! I did not walk down the aisle with you and move a quarter of the way across the country with you so that you could treat me like crap for the rest of my life. So whatever attitude you just walked in with, you better just turn it right on around and go out that door, change it, and come correct!” Delight snapped.

  Now, this was something that Preston could not take. As a man he could not just let a woman in his own house just wiggle her finger in his face and talk to him like she was running the joint. “What if my dad and brothers were looking at me right now,” Preston thought. “They would just be like who trained this fool and where is his manhood?”

  For Preston, at this point there had to be some leverage shifting and it all had to lean towards him. There was no way that this could go down like this all day long and there be no say so from the king! Preston just could not fathom the thought of being “down-graded” in front of the boys and his dog. He just put his hands down on his face, took a deep breath and sighed, “I am going to take a walk around the complex and when I get back I hope that at least dinner is cooked and that I can actually walk into a peaceful house to enjoy for at least fifteen minutes.” Preston walked out and closed the door gently trying to keep himself composed so that they would not have another one of their frequent outbursts in front of the kids and have the dog choosing sides of who to bark at first.

  Taking a walk was always a relaxing feeling for Preston. He could take in all of the sights and breathe easily. Most of the people that were outside always had a kind word to say or at least waved from time to time. The lakes were very beautiful during the summertime and the only thing that spoiled the mood was the maneuvering around the goose dung that existed all around the area. “Man, I don’t even see how women live with themselves! If it’s not one thing, it’s always another. This world is crazy. I am sure that all of those preachers that I thought had it perfect at the crib are definitely getting chewed out just like I am. There is no such thing as a woman who can keep her mouth closed. I wish that I could just snap my fingers and have Halle Berry appear for a few hours and snap back whenever she began to get on my nerves.” Preston felt that he cooled down enough and was ready to go back inside and face the music that awaited him inside his own castle.

  As soon as Preston opened the door with the kids having their backpacks on the floor inside the kitchen Delight snapped, “Well, I hope you got the stupidness all out of your system and that you are ready to eat and stop acting like an immature punk!” Preston could not believe that after having such a pleasant walk where strangers were smiling that he was about to succumb to this melee that he tried to distance himself from to begin with.

  Delight would not be denied that she ruled the household and that Preston had no choice but to comply. She knew it would be a struggle for him, but she figured that after a couple of years of marriage that he would finally get the point. What frustrated Delight even more was that he would not engage in the conversation once she demanded a response. If there was anything that Preston could do to tick off Delight more than swinging on her it was the silent treatment. Knowing that she could talk more than a little bit, she just could not contain herself to be quiet and drop the subject once Preston shut down internally. The more she talked to bring Preston in, the more it drove him to shut Delight out.

  Preston could not think of anything else to do except go upstairs forget about dinner and pray in the closet for a better day tomorrow. As Preston got down on his knees to pray he knew it was the only thing that could shut Delight up. Once the “G” word came up that was the only thing that could draw a stalemate for an argument in the Brown household. But before Preston uttered the first word, the phone rang………….

  V

  “Hey, what up Rafiki!” Preston answered the phone in relief. Rafiki was Preston’s twin that has done everything with Preston ever since their birth. Rafiki was a little darker, taller, and teeth shown to be a little bit whiter. The man was just sharp and the two of them together in the same place was something to marvel. The two of them would have gone to the same college together, but Rafiki fell in love with his “baby’s momma” and decided to stay home in Jersey. Needless to say, the relationship didn’t work out and Rafiki was now paying back student loans and working to get himself back into college. “Man, I was just thinking about you, what’s good?” Preston began to walk outside to get out of Delight’s hearing range.

  “You know me man, I just keep it gangsta, never sleepin’ and tryin’ to get this paper.”

  “I heard that, I still can’t get Delight to even get a part time job to help me out and she only doing the school thing just one day a week. I mean this is ludicrous! How does this sound? Grown woman with two kids and all she’s obligated to do is go to school one day a week! Not to mention we on food stamps and Medicaid. I could see if we were both ballin’, but we both in school. I could have done this all by myself. So I’m just like I’m ready to be out and find someone that’s at least trying to help me and not sit on me. She brings up all of this God stuff, but doesn’t know she’s sinning by sitting on her butt when God gave her the ability to get out there and work!” It felt good for Preston to vent a little bit instead of just arguing with himself day after day and Delight thinking he’s crazy when she catches him off guard.

  “Brother, that’s why I am just fooling around with these freaks that are trying to help me out. If they don’t want to help me pay child support, then I am out. Like your boy, Tyler Perry say, I can do bad all by myself. These bills are crazy and I am just looking for a rich chick wi
th family so that I can inherit my cut. But anyway, I got some vacation time coming up and I want to come on through. I was thinking about next weekend if that’s cool with the both of you?”

  “Word! That’s what’s up, because right now I need somebody to kick it with and Delight isn’t doing nothing but trippin’ out tryin’ to argue with your boy every chance she get. So yo, do it like this, come in Southwest from Philly on a Thursday morning and roll out like on a Monday afternoon. That should work real good around my class schedule. Because as soon as you get in here, I am out like a “choo-choo” train steam rolling out the door.”

  “Alright my brother, I will do that on -line like right now and email you the confirmation.”

  “Alright man, just holla at me when you get ready to come through.”

  “Alright man, be easy.”

  “Peace.”

  As soon as Preston disconnected his Blackberry, put it in his cargo pocket, he saw Delight dart out of the blinds of the window as he proceeded back to the front door. “So what did Rafiki want”, she asked in a surprisingly subtle tone.

  “Oh, he said he’s going to be flying in next week so get the house cleaned up like you know how to and stay out of sight”. Preston knew it sounded somewhat harsh, but he needed some type of statement to push her buttons so he just let it come out as vague as he needed it to be.

  Delight’s eyes began to narrow and Preston knew it was on now! “So you did not think to consult me or even say let me check with my wife?”

  “Look, girl as far as me talking to you right now that will wait until I am re-energized tomorrow and besides he finally got some vacation time at his new job and you know we really only get together once or twice a year.” Preston that was not a smooth move at all. Now you know you just fueled the fire and all of the peace that you have just built up is about to be diminished.

  Delight tapped her fingers on the kitchen table and let out a devilish laugh. “Oh, okay I see where this is going; you want to make a b%$# out of me, well now you have her! Kids go upstairs while I talk to Daddy and make sure that you turn the video game up real loud, because we are about to have some very intense fellowship.”

  Preston’s heart began to thump a little bit, because he didn’t know what kind of rabbit she was about to pull out of the bag, but whatever it was he needed to be ready!

  VI

  As Preston waited in great anticipation of what the next emotional flare-up would be he played it “cool” like he was filing his nails and breathed easy like he was just in a normal occurrence. He was a firm believer in the “don’t let them see you sweat” technique. Although he could play such a role with the best of them, Delight knew that it was his coping mechanism for pressure situations. In essence, she had him right where she wanted him; quietly sitting down and no place to flee.

  “So did you really think that this stuff you pulled would actually go uncontested,” Delighted interrogated. As she spoke to him she gently walked in tight circles around him while Preston just posed even more cavalier. “So, you just wanted me to show my tail and now you got it. This is another issue I have with you; when it comes to your family everything is okay, but let Delight’s family say their coming… it turns into World War III. See, this is what I’m talking about with you. When you do the same thing it’s okay, when it’s you that’s the problem you never want to admit that you are wrong. You’re not right! You are not right!”

  Preston would just not act phased at this point. His main concern was when she was going to be done, because no matter what she was saying it was not stopping Rafiki from visiting Columbus. But, out of spite Preston replied, “That’s because when my family comes over it is only for a few days, but when your people come it’s always a month, three weeks, or something crazy like that. You already know my introvert rule; if they are here for more than four days it’s time to hand them the broom!”

  “Preston that is besides the point and you know it. You are not the only one that has a right to make the rules in this house. We both live here and my name is on the lease just like yours-“

  “But mine is on their first!” Preston interrupted. “Besides, whose pay stubs do you think they took to use on the rental application? Not to mention that I am the one who has to go out every other week and get a cash advance while you scream up and down every time we get into a financial jam, like you’re going be able to do something about it.” Preston could just feel the rage building up inside, and out of nowhere he picked up a plate full of chicken and flung it into the living room giving the dog a reason to choke on a chicken bone.

  Delight began to cry and just walked out of the house to gather her emotions. Preston never knew why she always went outside if she was the one always starting the heated conversations. She paced back and forth fidgeting her fingers and looking up and down rapidly. Finally, she came back in and dropped the bomb on Preston. “I’m two months pregnant”, she spoke softly.

  “Say, what,” Preston said in bewilderment. “How are you going to be pregnant and you’re on the pill? I already know what you are going to say, you forgot to take them one day. You know my pops told me about women like you. Always throwing up the baby game to get out of a situation. Anyway, I take care of mine. So are we going to be having twins tomorrow? Well, isn’t this a happy family? Two college students, on food stamps, two kids, with one in the oven, and only one working a part-time job. The classic black family of the new millennium,” Preston spoke sarcastically.

  “Well if it’s what God wants, then we have no say in the matter. We’ll be alright. I just want you to start respecting me like I am your wife, that’s all”, Delight spoke apologetically.

  Preston clapped his hands in applause, “You know what, this conversation is over and Rafiki will be here and the brothers will do it up like no other! Good night.” Preston stomped up the stairs and plopped himself on the bed to go to sleep without taking a shower. Delight was so mad at him all she could do was sit downstairs and watch television until she fell asleep.

  VII

  Prestoncouldn’t believe it’s been a week and a half that went by that fast and Rafiki just called him from the airport to say he landed. Prestoncouldn’t head down I-270 fast enough to get him. All he could think about was how much fun they were going to have and catch up on old times and get the latest scoop on what’s what back in Jersey.

  Preston drove up the passenger pick up aisle and saw his brother with a big grin on his face. Preston stopped the car and popped open the truck so Rafiki could load his bag. “What’s up man, how was the flight?”

  “It was only fifty minutes and the turbulence was none. I told you, if I had the money I’d make the trip to Columbus every weekend” Rafiki retorted reclining his chair in the front seat to relax. “So where are we going to kick it? You know your boy gotta get it in before he go back. The last time I was out here was for your graduation from O-State and the honeys were looking right. That’s what I need a college educated lady that I can have a “non-ghetto” conversation with. No arguing, but talk about something that just matters in the world.”

  Preston rubbed his chin, while concentrating on the highway. “Alright, this is what we’ll do, first we’ll hit a couple of the bars at Easton, sip some down and then we’ll fly right and hit something on

  Morse Road

  or 161.”

  “Hey man, you know me I’m down for whatever and I know it’ll be on this weekend. So you think you going to be able to get the hall pass from the wifey?” Rafiki knew that Preston might stutter on this point, but had faith Preston would cook up a good excuse. Rafiki always admired the way that Preston could strategize and critically think as easy as water leaking from the faucet.

  “You know what, this is what we’ll do. We’ll chill, do the family thing the first day, that way she can get all of the trippin’ out of her system and if she isn’t done by then it’s even more reason to get out and party.” Rafiki liked that idea and that made him marvel at the ideas th
at Preston could come up with to make everyone settle down; even if it was fake. Preston was his number one pick for president (even if Senator Barak Obama was looking like he had a chance of becoming the first black president).

  “Alright, sounds like a plan my man. Now let’s go see the family and play with the nephews.”

  VIII

  The weekend trip was going pretty good and instead of staying indoors one day, Preston and his brother decided to stay in for a couple of days. The family games were great and the drama was down to a minimum. At least all of the outbursts between Preston and Delight were behind closed doors. That was the way Preston always preferred it. He couldn’t stand the way that Delight’s family always televised their business in front of everyone at family gatherings, baptisms, weddings, or anything else public for that matter. Preston just could not fathom the thought of getting into another intense argument in front of his family members with her. One, it would just make her look bad and two, it would make everyone question Preston’s judgment in his selectivity. Preston pondered all day when he should tell Delight what him and Rafiki had planned. Preston just get it over with now. The longer you wait the worse it will be; so just tell her before she decides to make any other plans. You know how women are when it comes to having company and family.

  As Preston began scraping leftover mashed potatoes and corn into the dog’s bowl he decided to let the bomb drop. “Uh, Delight…Rafiki and I are going to be stepping out tonight to get some drinks and do the brother thing. I know it’s short notice, but I have to let him enjoy himself as far as the night scene and let him see some lights and action. He leaves early in the morning and it’s his last night so that’s what we’re going to do.” Here we go…Preston said to himself with his back turned towards Delight.