U Know What's Up

Chapter Four: Fan Of A Fan

SABTI POV

I was locking up CANVAS! The local art studio where I work, and was craving some really lovely cuisine. DeVante as usual is at the studio with a new artist so it gives me time to think about where we are in this marriage. I got in my car, drove up to Bethlehem's, an Ethiopian restaurant (I pre-ordered my food before) and walked inside.

Wow! It was busy tonight. Every table was filled and the order line was crowded. Luckily, my homegirl Fiji was working tonight so I could get my food and vamoose on out of here. She saw me and yelled aloud: "SABTI!"

I laughed and walked up to the pick-up line and grabbed my bag. I slipped her a $20.00 tip and kissed her on the cheek.

Fiji: We still on tomorrow night or is DeVante gonna trip about you goin' out?

Me: Please, he doesn't even know that I wear my wedding ring anymore.

Fiji: YASSSS!!! See you tomorrow night.

Me: See you boo, love you.

Fiji: Love you too!

I walked out, got in the car and proceeded to drive home when a car beside me honked. Oh no, not another vulture! I get that I'm beautiful and everything, but I'm married! Miserably married, but still married. I rolled my eyes, and sped off as soon as the light turned green. Twenty minutes later, I made it home and ate dinner...alone. This is getting routine, especially because this isn't what I got married for. Twelve years....twelve years and this is what it's come to!

I took a shower to clear my mind, but that didn't help either. I let out a frustrated groan as I lotioned down and got dressed in my pajamas. Then....CRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRACK!!!! I rushed outside to see the tree split in two, blocking the street and rain pouring dowwwwwwwwwwn! The lights went off, then on, then back off, then on again. There was no sense in calling DeVante because of the storm, and besides that he never answers my calls when he does his thing in the studio. I heard some tapping on the back door. I grabbed a fireplace poker as a weapon....you never know who could be out there at this time of night. I opened the door and SWUNG!!!

Chris: Woah woah, stop!

I looked up and saw that it was Chris! To say that I was shocked was an understatement.

Me: Christopher? What are you doing here? Do you know how scared I was? Do you know that you could have gotten hurt or even killed out in this storm!?

Chris: I do now, haha!

I playfully rolled my eyes and urged him inside.

Chris: I came here because apparently your house is the only one with power on the entire block. I was on my way to see my Mama, but my car got stuck behind a tree.

Me: Ohhh, so you had no choice but to walk, I get it. My husband would blow his fuse if he knew I let you in here like this, but I'll do it anyway. Would you like to stay the night here?

Chris: You sure? I don't want your husband getting mad at me---

Me: I'm cooped up here by myself all the time, it's no problem at all.

Chris: Thanks! I appreciate it, so so much.

I turned around to walk away so he could take off his clothes.

Chris: Where you goin', Sabti?

Me: I don't want to make you uncomfortable.

Chris: I don't mind.

I turned back to see him shirtless. I had never seen a man shirtless since DeVante. It was wrong for me to look at him but it felt right too!

Me: Come sit with me in the living room when you get done.

Chris nodded his head.

/

I was sitting on the couch yoga style and Chris sat across from me on the other side in nothing but his drawers.

Me: So uh....your Ma live far?

Chris: 3 hours away from me. What about your folks?

Me: My mom lives in Honduras and my dad lives in Australia.

Chris: Wow! Why so far?

Me: It's a long story.

Chris: I'm gonna be here til' morning, I don't mind.

A FEW HOURS LATER.....

It seems as though Chris and I have similar lives after all. His mother was beaten by his stepfather, and he grew up with a pretty rough life like me. I mean, sitting on this couch with Chris here with me makes me feel as though this man has known me all his life.

Chris: So how long have you been married to DeVante?

Me: Twelve years almost.

Chris: Woooooooow, I can't imagine. I couldn't spend twelve seconds with someone that much.

Me: When you're in love like I am, you'll manage.

Chris: How can you?

Me: How can I what, Chris?

Chris: Love your husband and he doesn't reciprocate those feelings? Shouldn't it go both ways?

I looked up at him, and he was right! The last time I checked, a marriage is 50/50. We do everything together including communication! How I failed to hold DeVante accountable for this is beyond me.

Me: I don't know. I love my husband.....

Chris: You love him enough to--- nevermind. This isn't my business. Uhm....do you have a pillow and blanket? It's getting very very late, you know.

I nodded, but he stopped me before I got to the closet.

Chris: You know I'm right, right?

I ignored him and handed him the pillow and blanket. He made himself comfortable on the couch and I retreated back to bed.

THE NEXT MORNING....

I woke up to the smell of eggs being cooked. Chris cooking? No way, I must be dreaming. I got up, went downstairs and saw that he made an omelete for himself, egg whites for me with pancakes and fruit on both plates. I could get used to this....DeVante has never made me breakfast before.

Me: Mmm, you really can cook!

Chris: Yeah, is that a shock haha!

Me: My husband never does this for me!

Chris: What? He doesn't cook for his beautiful wife? That's a damn shame, a real shame too baby.

Me:  Thank you.

Chris: No problem. Thank you for letting me stay the night with you.

We smiled and blushed at each other.

Chris: If you want to grab a smoothie or something, we can do that since we're friends now.

Me: I'd like that.

Chris: I put my number in your phone last night, remember?

Me: Yeah.

Chris: I gotta go in a few but I'd love to really see you again.

Me: Same here, Chris.

I got up, saw him to the door and we looked in each other's eyes before hugging. I know I have a husband, but Chris is giving me a lot more than what DeVante is: attention, and most importantly...respect.