Tamika Davis

Lydia had a sinking feeling in her gut that she couldn't shake. She tried to ignore it and finish her work but that sneaking suspicion wouldn't let go. She wasn't sure who or what she should be worried about. She called her daughter's school to make sure all was well there. Lydia called her parents house and they were fine as well. She went back to doing her work and would make more calls during her lunch break. Twenty minutes had passed and Lydia's cell phone rings. The voice on the other end of the phone asked to speak with a Mrs. Lydia Matthews. Lydia spoke and let them know that they were speaking with Mrs. Matthews. The caller proceeds to let her know that her husband has been in a terrible accident and that she should meet him the the hospital. Lydia hung up and began to smile. She has been unhappily married for 8 years now to Jason. Lydia was hoping that this would be the end of her misery. If Jason bit the dust she would collect a fat insurance check and a new life, stress free. She got in her car and got to the hospital as fast as she could. She parked and went in through the ER and asked for a Jason Matthews. The clerks at the desk told her that there was no Jason Matthews brought in to their ER. Lydia explained how she received a call telling her they had brought her husband into the ER because he was in a terrible accident and they didn't know if he was going to make it. They checked again to be sure and asked Lydia could he be checked in under another name. Lydia grabbed the chart from the woman's hand and scanned the list for possible names she may know. Lydia heard a woman sobbing uncontrollably nearby. She heard the doctor say, "I'm so sorry Mrs.Shapero, we did everything we could but your husband didn't make it."
Lydia looked at the list and saw the name Joseph Shapero and her heart sank. She dropped the chart and almost fainted. The nurse asked her if she was okay and if she needed some water. Lydia got herself together and told them she got the call by mistake. Lydia went to her car and cried hard. Joseph Shapero was a man she had been seeing for about 7 months. It killed her that Joseph had died but it hurt even more that he was married. He kept that a secret from Lydia. After a few minutes Joseph's wife came outside to get a bit of fresh air. Lydia got out of the car, approached Mrs. Shapero and asked her if she was alright. The woman replied," no I just got the worst news of my life. My husband just died but he left me with a death sentence as well. I was on the phone with him this morning after listening to a voice mail from the dr's office telling Joe he tested positive for Aids."
Lydia couldn't believe her ears. She was praying that she heard the woman wrong but she didn't. Lydia fainted right away. She had slept with Joseph a few times unprotected so she knew it was a good chance she may be infected. After Lydia fainted, the woman made a call. Hello Jason, you were right. Lydia and Joseph are having an affair. I played everything out just like you said, the scene here at the hospital was priceless, thanks to my friend Jacob. Lydia was a mess when she thought Joe was dead, but when I brought up the aids she hit the deck like a ton of bricks. I will deal with Joseph when I get home, thanks for the heads up on what's been going on. Your wife is still here on the ground, should I wake her or just leave her here?"
"Just leave her there, when she wakes up she'll head home and I will be serving her up some divorce papers. Thanks for all your help and best of luck with whatever you choose to do with your marriage. You deserve an emmy for your performance today", joked Jason. He and Mrs. Shapero both had a good laugh before hanging up.

WRITTEN BY: TAMIIKA DAVIS

One of the ER workers found Lydia laid out on the ground and ran to her side. He scooped her up like ice cream on a cone, and laid her down in a bed. He tried waking her to find out who she was and what seemed to be wrong. He grabbed her purse and began looking for a wallet to get a positive id on her. Just then Lydia began waking up. She came to and found the man rifling through her bag. She sat up angrily, snatched her bag and scolded the gentleman for being in her purse. He explained that he was just looking for her id because he needed to know who she was. He then proceeded to ask her if she was alright and why she was at the ER? Lydia got herself together and told him she was fine and that she didn't need any medical attention. He pleaded with her to get examined just to be on the safe side. Lydia refused and stormed out of the ER. Once she got comfortable and put in her blue tooth she made a call to her primary doctor for an appointment. It was time to go home and try to pretend that she was okay. Her lover was dead, he had a wife and aids! This is one day that she wish was a bad dream. Once Lydia pulled up in the carport, Jason was ready for phase 2 of "Plan Payback". Lydia enters the house and is shocked once again. Jason has the house spotless. The table was set for two, candles, champagne, and smooth jazz filled the air. Lydia knew right then and there that the end was near because Jason never does things like this for her.
"Welcome home darling. Please take your seat and your meal will be served in just a few moments", says Jason pulling out her chair.
"How did you know I was going to be home this soon Jason", she asked cautiously?
"I called your job and they let me know you left the office for the day. So I figured, she must be heading home, it's not like she's going to be with her lover or anything", laughs Jason sarcastically. Lydia giggled back feeling like such a fool. She prayed the stress of today's events didn't show on her face. Jason went back into the kitchen to get the food. He tried his hardest not to laugh in Lydia's face. He had to give her credit for being able to keep it together while thinking her lover is dead and she may have aids. Jason brought the food to the table and laid it all out before Lydia. They had catfish, collard greens, baked beans, rice, candied yams, baked mac and cheese, cornbread, potato salad, and stuffing. Lydia was shocked at all he had put before her. She didn't have much of an appetite at first. Her stomach was a ball of nerves and she was weak with grief. Jason wanted to say grace before beginning their meal. He held hands with Lydia across the table and began to pray. "Dear Lord, I just want to thank you for this great meal I'm about to have with my lovely wife. God I know I haven't been the most attentive husband over the years but I'm ready to make a change Lord. I will cherish this lovely woman and give her everything her heart desires that's within my grasp. She's been a loyal, loving, and faithful wife, and I want to honor her from this day Lord. I thank you for another chance to get it right. I love Lydia and our daughter and we will build a strong foundation, together. In Jesus name, I thank you, Amen." Lydia excused herself, ran from the table and into the bathroom. She needed to collect herself once again. She splashed cold water on her face and sat on the edge of the tub to catch her breath. Jason was laughing, things couldn't have been working out any better. He was having a ball with the way he had Lydia feeling. He managed to stop laughing long enough to go to the bathroom door and check on Lydia.
"Are you okay honey? Do you need me to call a doctor", asks Jason sarcastically.
"Uh..no, I'm fine honey, I'll be out in a minute go back to the table", yells Lydia through the door.
"Okay honey, hurry back before our food gets cold", says Jason. He laughed on his way back to the dining room table. Lydia finally came back to the table and began making herself a small plate. Jason was eating and talking to Lydia, and she found it hard to even concentrate on what he was saying. He asked her a question and she would ask him to repeat himself. Lydia couldn't wait til lunch was over. It was the longest 45 minutes of her life.
"Jason, thanks so much for the lunch, it was delicious. I think I want to get some rest baby. I'm gonna go lay down a while is that alright with you", asks Lydia?
"Oh honey no, don't go to the bedroom just yet. I want to talk to you about something. Being that we are starting over, I want to put everything on the table", says Jason.
"Well, what is it Jason", asks Lydia curiously?
"Darling, I want to start by saying, I am so sorry for not being a loving, attentive spouse. I am sorry I haven't been the kind of man you needed all these years. I wouldn't even blame you if you wanted to go out and have an affair, but I'm glad you didn't. I do have a confession to make, I have been seeing someone but I'm not with them anymore", says Jason.
Lydia jumped up from the table in surprise. She didn't know what to say at that very moment.
"Hold on baby, before you say anything, I pray that you can forgive me. To prove that it's over I even brought the woman here so she can tell you herself", says Jason. It took everything in him not to laugh at Lydia's reaction to everything.
"What? You brought the woman here? Are you crazy Jason, where is she? You must be crazy to bring your lover here, to our home!", screams Lydia.
"Jessica, can you come out here please?", says Jason.
Lydia couldn't believe this was happening. It's been one hell of a morning and her afternoon isn't going any better. Footsteps were coming from the bedroom. The woman revealed herself to Lydia and it was no other than Mrs. Shapero. Lydia's mouth flung open and her eyes widened. Mrs. Shapero smiled and greeted Lydia. At that moment Lydia grabbed her chest, and stumbled back into her chair like Fred Sanford.

WRITTEN BY: TAMIKA DAVIS