I sigh heavily, but keep that glow of optimism on my face so our friends and family don’t think anything is awry. But something definitely is. My intuition punched me in the gut and told me Brix wasn’t coming. I can’t believe he’s letting me down yet again.
When eight officially rolls around, I take a breath and make an effort to save face by saying, “I’m so sorry, everyone. Brixton got caught up at the hospital and is running a little late.”
“Alittle?” his father says aloud, then chuckles.
His parents ain’t helping the situation at all. Short of rolling my eyes, I say, “Yes, unfortunately, so eat, drink, and be merry. We’ll engage in other festivities when he arrives.”
“Woo, thank you, Jesus!” Laureena says. “I’m in here ‘bout to die of starvation. Move, Evie,” she says, shoving her. “I need to get a plate.”
“Dang! The food ain’t going nowhere, Laureena. Calm down.”
“Easy for you to say. You been eating since you got here. Us well-mannered folk were holding out until the guest of honor arrived.”
“Yeah? How’d that work out for you?”
“Chile…” Laureena rolls her eyes and skips using the tongs to pick up a roll. She grabs one with her hand and goes on to the fried chicken.
As the line forms at the buffet, I step out onto the front porch, willing myself to breathe. The embarrassment is choking me like a too-tight turtleneck. The fact that Brix is not here yet, or hasn’t even bothered to call, is killing me. Of all the nights for him to be late, why did it have to be this one? Where the heck is he?
I dial his cell.
He doesn’t answer.
I call again.
Same.
When I get the voicemail, I consider leaving a message, butI have no more hope left that he’ll get that either. It’s a good thing I’m too angry to cry, or our friends and family would see me crumble right before their eyes.
“Cyn, don’t tell me he ain’t coming,” Laureena says with a mouth full of food. I was so deep in thought, I hadn’t realized she’d come outside. She’s my friend and coworker who shouldn’t but knows all of my business. Whenever Evie isn’t available to listen to me vent, Laureena’s the one who lends me an ear.
I tell her, “No, I don’t think so.”
“Did you talk to him?” she asks and takes a hefty bite out of the chicken breast. The crunch resounded in my ears like I’m the one chewing.
“No–can’t reach him.”
“Dang! It wasn’t supposed to go down like this.”
“Tell me about it. Anyway, can you do me a favor and let everybody know they can leave after they finish eating? I’m going to go upstairs. Don’t really feel like talking to anybody else or explaining anything.”
“I’m so sorry, Cyn.”
“It’s all good,” I tell her, because at the moment, itisall good. This day, our fourth anniversary, didn’t bring my marriage closer, but it brought me clarity. It told me what place I held in Brix’s life, and I wasn’t about to play in the background of my own reality. It was time I moved on and chosemeinstead of waiting for someone else to do it.
welcome to christenbury hills!
Gated communities, tree-lined streets, manicured lawns and elegant multi-car garage homes, condos and fancy apartments.
That’s what you’ll find in Christenbury Hills – a large, fictional town in North Carolina created by Author Tina Martin – where black middle-class and wealthy people thrive, live, work hard, and love even harder. Black excellence comes naturally in a place where we’re celebrated and appreciated. It’s a city rooted in culture and resilience. It offers city, country, and mountain vibes and many people know each other.
The inhabitants of this city have their share of problems, but it’s nothing love can’t solve. And like many cities, there are good areas and areas that are a lil’ sketchy, but they’re not prevalent enough to ruin the great economic and social standing of the city.
The mayor of this beautiful town is the ever-so-fine, Rufus Tisdale.
You can become a resident by joining their Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/christenburyhillsnc
chapter one.
