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  The first thing she did is call her best friend Alison. "Ali I just caught Lawrence fucking Roberta in my bed."

  "Where is that no good bastard?"

  "Who cares? I'm calling off the wedding, there's no way I can marry someone like that."

  "I know honey; we can talk about it when I get there. I'm on my way now, Rissa. Do you want me to bring you anything?"

  "I need a stiff drink Ali?"

  "I'll stop on the way and pick something up."

  Clarissa looks at her bed in disgust; no way is she ever going to sleep in it again. She goes into the kitchen for trash bags and brings them back into her bedroom. She pulls all the bedding off her bed and puts it in the garbage bags. Clarissa didn't stop there; she gathers Lawrence's clothes and puts them in garbage bags too.

  She has three bags ready when she hears the doorbell. She opens the door to see Alison carrying two sacks. Clarissa takes one of the bags and carries it into the kitchen. Inside the sack were four bottles of liquor and a six-pack of Coke. She's remains silent as she watches Alison empty the other bag, which contains the final ingredient of Long Island Ice Tea and the makings for nachos.

  "Ali you're a godsend, there is nobody in my family I could call who can truly understand how hurt I am."

  Ali hugs Clarissa and steers her out of the kitchen. "How far did you get with removing Lawrence's stuff?"

  Clarissa laughs and cries at the same time. She sits down at the dining room table and lets the floodgates of her emotions loose. "Why did he do this to me Ali? I'm a good person."

  Alison sighs before sitting down. She's been childhood friends with Clarissa, and she has been a witness to more than one of Roberta's vicious attacks on Clarissa. Roberta is a rotten, evil heffa who needs a serious beat down. At the behest of her parents and aunt, Clarissa always has to be the bigger person and mends the riff until the next time Roberta wants whatever Clarissa has. "Rissa I know nothing I can do to relieve your pain. I'm going to whip up some nachos and drinks, and we're going to sit back, relax, and forget about Lawrence and Roberta."

  Clarissa wipes the tears from her face; she's never going to cry over a man again. "He should have been the one, the one I would marry and have children with. How could I have been so foolish?"

  "Rissa you didn't do anything wrong, Lawrence and Roberta are at fault."

  "She isn't the only woman in Lawrence's life." Clarissa gets out of the chair, retrieves the manila envelope from the coffee table and hands it to Alison. "I've been riding a cloud with pleasure from the negotiations with Rosscom. When I get back from lunch, these photos are on my desk waiting for me."

  Clarissa stares off into space as Alison looks at the photos. "I can't say that I'm madly in love with Lawrence, but I thought I could trust him to be my husband and the father of my children. What hurts worse is that my sister hates me so much that she takes pleasure in ruining my life. I don't know if I can be the bigger woman this time. Roberta has crossed the line, and I don't think I'll ever be able to forgive her."

  Alison has some ideas of what to do about Roberta, but she keeps them to herself. "Are you almost through in the bedroom or do you need my help."

  "I have a few more bags of trash to sack up, and then I'll be done."

  "Finish what you were doing Rissa and I'll take care of everything in the kitchen. I know that it's hard to imagine a better time right now, but girl you just had a near miss."

  Clarissa hugs her lifelong friend. Alison has been better to her than her own sister has. "Thanks Ali, I don't know what I'd do without you."

  "Sweetie, that's what friends are for, to help you when you're down or in trouble."

  Clarissa finishes the task of filling up garbage bags when her anger arises again. How could she let him store so much of his personal items over her house? Then reality slaps her in the face again because they were to marry in a few weeks. Lawrence has been practically living with her for the last six months. This makes her wonder how long his relationship with Roberta has been going on. As soon as the Salvation Army opens in the morning, she would drop off Lawrence's clothes.

  She fills five garbage bags, and Clarissa didn't know how she would get them to the Salvation Army. By the time she drags the bags into the living room, Ali put a drink in her hand. "She took a sip of her drink before sitting in her easy chair. "This is great, you were a little liberal with the rum, but I don't mind. Just keep the drinks coming."

  Alison brings in an enormous two-gallon pitcher of Long Island Ice Tea and a glass. She goes back into the kitchen bringing out a tray of nachos sitting them on the coffee table. "What's a drink without some munchies?" Alison picks up her glass, taking a swig before addressing Clarissa. "I can tell by the look on your face that you're through shedding tears, and your anger is resurfacing. I can get my shovel from my car; I know some places in Boggy Creek where they'll never find the bodies."

  Clarissa genuinely laughs for the first time this evening. There's a saying about close friends going to jail with you. She finishes her drink and pours another one. She sits on the floor in front of the coffee table and starts stuffing her face with nachos and jalapeño peppers. "These are the bomb Ali."

  Alison nurses her drink as she sits there monitoring Clarissa's alcohol intake. One good thing they're not going anywhere this evening, nor would she allow her friend to drink herself into a stupor either. "Okay give me the lowdown."

  Clarissa sipped her drink before relaying the details to Alison. "Ali I was so proud of myself today, I finally sold Lariat Games to Rosscom. I came home after receiving those incriminating photos of Lawrence to come up with a game plan for kicking him to the curb. I went into my bedroom and found Roberta folded up in a human knot as Lawrence lost himself in her body. You should have seen the look on his face Ali. He was shocked and surprised to see me, but Roberta didn't seem so surprised. It makes me wonder, is Roberta the one responsible for sending me the photos. I called and left a message for Mother and Daddy telling them my good news. The only thing I can think of was that somehow Roberta spoke to Mother and decided to set me up."

  "You do know that Lawrence's affair with Roberta has been going on for some time, right."

  "No doubt, Roberta seems to know what Lawrence likes. I did get some satisfaction seeing the jar of body butter connect with her head. I hope it didn't break, that jar cost me $25, and it's certainly worth more than my sister."

  Alison couldn't help from laughing; the thought of Roberta being hit in the head with a jar of body cream seems funny. She starts laughing to the point where she couldn't stop. "Did you leave a scar?"

  Clarissa starts laughing too, "A permanent scar on that heffa's forehead would remind her to leave other women's men alone. Clarissa turns her landline back on before looking up the Salvation Army's phone number in the phone book. Just as she's about to dial the number her phone rings. "Hello."

  "Clarissa where have you been? I have been trying to reach you for two hours."

  Clarissa catches her breath as she hears the urgency in her mother's voice. "What's wrong Mother? It must be serious if you're calling me?"

  "Roberta has been in an accident, and she's been asking for you."

  "Is she going to live?"

  "What kind of question is that? She has a broken leg and a few cuts and bruises. Now how soon can we expect to see you?"

  "Well since she's not on death's door, there's no way that I'm coming to the hospital to see that trick." Clarissa hangs up the phone and snatches the cord out of the wall. She did feel guilty for talking to her mother that way, but she couldn't help her feelings.

  "What's going on Rissa?"

  Roberta's in the hospital, apparently, she's been in an accident and my mother wants me to come see her. I'm having too good a time to stop and visit her. She's not at death's door, and she'll still be at the hospital tomorrow."

  "You don't have to go to the hospital, but you should call her."

  Clarissa starts getting angry again. Are you actually sugge
sting that I call her after what she did to me?"

  "She's in the hospital for goodness sake, just call her room and see if she's okay."

  "Why should I do that? If she were standing right in front of me, I would strangle her. Maybe I'll call her tomorrow." Clarissa ignores Alison and turns her attention back to the nachos when she feels the vibration of her cell phone. She pulls it out of her pocket and looks at the caller ID. Her Aunt Helen is calling this time; she turns her phone off and puts it back in her pocket.

  "Who's that on the phone?"

  "Nobody. Are you going to mix up another pitcher of Long Island Ice Tea?"

  "Somehow I don't think you need another drink."

  Clarissa sticks her tongue at Alison as she leaves the room. She wouldn't call the hospital, but she could send a text message to her brother. Clarissa jumps when she hears the impatient knocking on her front door. Clarissa looks out the peephole only to see the worry in her Aunt Helen's face. She opens the door quickly and ushers her aunt into her home. "Hello Aunt Helen, I should have known that Mother would send you or Daddy over."

  Not taken in by Clarissa's calm demeanor, she sits on the sofa waiting for Clarissa to join her. "Have you been drinking?"

  Clarissa squeezes her forefinger and thumb together to convey just how little alcohol she has been drinking. "Just a little tiny bit."

  Alison comes into the living after hearing the knocking on the front door. "Hi Miss Helen." She gives Clarissa's aunt a hug.

  "Hello baby how's your mother doing?"

  "Uhmm, she's doing great she leaves for her cruise to the Bahamas on Sunday." Alison looks back and forth between Clarissa and her aunt and decides to vacate the scene. "Looks as if you two need to talk. Good to see you again Miss Helen."

  "Coward!" Rissa yells at Alison fleeting back.

  "Rissa, would you mind telling me what's going on? Henrietta tells me that you're refusing to go see Roberta at the hospital."

  "Junior sent me a text, evidently Roberta is doing OK and currently sleeping. So there's no reason for me to leave the comfort of my home this late at night."

  "What's wrong?"

  "I'm sorry for my lousy attitude Aunt Helen. I just don't feel like having company right now."

  "I'm not a fool Rissa, you've been drinking, and that, is not like you at all." Helen could see the emptiness in Clarissa's eyes, and she refuses to leave until she finds out what happen. "What did Roberta do this time?" Clarissa sits on the sofa beside her Aunt and tells her everything.

  After hearing all the gory details, Helen comes to a quick decision. "I think you should stay with me for a couple of days. Once you've have a chance to clear your mind you can determine what you're going to do."

  "I've already come to a decision Aunt Helen. My company is safe; Rosscom takes over operations of Lariat within the next couple of weeks. I have a month to vacate this place before the new owners take up residence." Then she thought of Julian Ross's riveting proposal. If she decides to accept his offer, she would have to move to Chicago. Chicago just may be far enough away from her family. "Someone has given me an appealing offer today. I wonder if Julian Ross's proposal is still available."

  "What about the job in Atlanta?"

  "I did accept the position with another company, but plans change and I'm not moving to Atlanta after all."

  "You owe your parents an explanation; you just can't tell them that the wedding's off and disappear."

  "I'm sure that Mother could care less, but you're right about Daddy. It would hurt him if I moved to another state without an explanation."

  "Are you going to tell them about Roberta's part in this love triangle?"

  Why did everyone go out of his or her way, to protect Roberta? Well for once, she's going to get her upcommance. "Yes I am! I’m going to march over to my parents’ house and tell them the truth about their slutty daughter and how I caught her screwing my fiancé.”

  Helen gives Clarissa a frown of disapproval. "They'll want to know what happen between the two of you, but don’t you think that’s a little drastic? Just tell your parents that you and Lawrence can't work out your problems."

  Clarissa’s fury begins to spike again, "I understand perfectly, you want me to cover for Roberta again. I’ve been covering for her all my life. You seem to forget that I’m the hurt party in this little scenario. For once, my parents are going to hear the truth about Roberta. I think that moving away from Orlando is just what I need."

  "Rissa, honey, you can't run away from life.” Helen grabs Clarissa’s hand to get her attention as she tries to find a way to tell her about Roberta’s accident. She isn’t in a frame of mind to listen, but Robert’s life is on the line. “I want to tell you something, the doctor did find spotting on the Roberta's x-ray. Roberta has an aggressive form of Leukemia she may have a chance with a bone marrow transplant.

  “What!” Clarissa’s feelings for Roberta were complicated. Just a few hours before, she caught Roberta screwing Lawrence as if the world would end. Now it's quite possible that Roberta needs Clarissa to save her life. The whole situation is unfair. There's no way she would allow her sister to die. Especially, if she can save her, but she isn’t feeling generous right now.

  “You need to go talk to your parents. You should have been told something long ago. It may help you to understand your dysfunctional relationship with your mother and sister."

  “I’ll never understand my sister and mother, and I’m tired of trying to understand them. This time I'm going to put me first.”

  ***

  Chapter 4

  Clarissa didn’t have a restful sleep last night; her mind keeps revisiting Roberta's betrayal, and the hangover didn't help either. At the last minute, Alison volunteers, to drop off Lawrence's things to the Salvation Army. Even her pounding head wouldn't let that stop her from dragging the bags to Alison's Van. She should feel guilty about disposing of Lawrence's things this way, but she doesn't.

  "Rissa call me if you need me. I'll come back and stay the night again if you need me."

  "I don't think Jonesy could spare you for another night. Thanks for listening. The alcohol and nachos didn't hurt either. Clarissa hugs Alison before walking back to her condominium. She can't hide out forever. She has to get a blood test to see if she's a match for Roberta. How can you love and hate someone at the same time?

  After taking a hot shower and eating a bowl of cereal to fortify her for what is sure to be a trying day. Clarissa calls her aunt to confirm that she would meet the family at her parents’ house after she takes the blood test at the hospital. She's walking on a tightrope right now, and she didn’t know how to keep from falling.

  She arrives at her parents’ house just before noon. Her eyes rest on the Crape Myrtles. The pink, white, and lavender blooms made her long for simpler times. She opens the door to her parents’ home to find her family waiting for her in the living room. The room is full of tension and Clarissa has a feeling that anger would ensue shortly. As always, her father is the first to speak.

  “Baby girl come on in and have a seat, your mother and I have something to tell you.” Raymond kisses her cheek before sitting next to his wife.

  Henrietta stares at her first-born child with trepidation. The things she has to tell her children today could damage their relationship forever. The situation with Roberta’s illness makes it essential now. "I know that Roberta is the reason for your breakup with Lawrence. I want you to try and put it behind you and forgive your sister."

  Clarissa could hear the words coming from her mother’s mouth, but she isn’t receptive to them. "Why should I? Roberta has been a serious pain in my butt since her birth. Why should I forgive her for sleeping with my fiancé two weeks before my wedding?"

  "You need to forgive Roberta because despite everything that happens between the two of you, you still love her. Roberta wants to be you so badly that she can't see how she's ruining her life. Roberta wants to take everything you have. I understand her hate; I use to feel
the same way towards your Aunt Helen."

  "Why? She’s your twin sister."

  Henrietta looks down at her hands before continuing with her story. Her husband puts an arm around her and nods for her to continue. “There’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you children. Clarissa it breaks my heart to tell you that Daddy isn’t your natural father.”

  “What are you saying?” Clarissa and her brother Raymond look at each other as if they cannot comprehend what their mother is saying. Their parents and Aunt Helen remain sitting, waiting patiently for them to absorb the news.

  Henrietta tries to offer comfort by squeezing Clarissa's hand. "You see, your natural father, James Wilson was in love with Helen, and he was one more thing that Helen had that I didn't. The night he was due to leave for boot camp, I took Helen's place and met him. I had sex with him, but before he left, I made sure that he knew that I wasn't Helen. James looked at me as though I was dirt under his feet."

  When I got home from my rendezvous with James, I couldn’t wait to tell Helen. In my eyes, Helen had everything, but this time I took something from her. When I told her what I had done her eyes filled with a kind of pain I never wanted to see again.

  Helen moved out of our parents’ home without any explanation. I knew the reason why; however, I didn’t tell my parents. I didn’t tell anyone about the changes my body was going through. I was seeing another guy by then; I liked him a lot, so I had to tell him that I was pregnant by another man. He loved me enough to marry me anyway...”

  Clarissa couldn’t take her mother’s self-pity speech. “I’m James Wilson’s daughter, aren’t I? Is that why you hate me so much Mother? Every time you look at me, you see your actions of deceit.” Clarissa looks around the room for an avenue of escape.

  Henrietta is at a loss for words. “I don’t hate you Clarissa, but you’re right you do have your natural father’s eyes. Every time I look into your face, I see James Wilson. That night his eyes were full of loathing. Pretty much like yours right now.”