Those Green Eyes

“I love this one! We needa buy these before they sell out! He’s going to look like such a fly-guy!”

He chuckled to himself. His pointer finger guiding the baby t-shirt and matching shorts guaranteed unfit for the body of a newborn into the digital cart.

“Thank God, we have Prime babe! That 2-day shipping is everything.”

With all of me, I loosened the tightened corners of lips relaxing my dark brown eyebrows from their furrowed union. Like usual he was so elated and engulfed by his own fairy-tale of fatherhood that he failed to notice my sheer disgust. I mean honestly if we were at an art gallery, my face, the submission, he would have no choice, but to see it graffiti-ed across my forehead.

“Those are adorable Terrance! You’re gonna be such a good Dad!” I exclaimed, masking my disdain with a smile.

“Thank you babe, I am so excited. It’s T-minus two-days. We’re having a baby!” Terrance replied thrilled.

He shifted his body weight from the left side of the bed toward me. Grabbed my cheeks in his hand and planted his wet lips on mine before standing up to head to the shower.

Clack!

I wiped remnants of the wet saliva from my brown two toned soft lips. Grabbing my bright yellow cell phone I hovered my face over the screen. Unlocking the phone, I beamed with excitement .

Nine mixed texts, one phone call, six notifications on Instagram, and zero replies from me. I love it when they become properly obsessed.

 I hated it. It’s been just shy of 9 months since I felt the warmth of his palms on my body and I missed him. I missed his intoxicating scent. I missed his weightlifting laugh. I missed the alluring heat of his gaze emanating from his forest green eyes. I missed the way I felt with him. I missed his attentiveness.

He was everything Terrance was never born to be.

But, the prostate cancer Director put in a special request for temporary transfer for him to Berlin with a $50,000 advance bonus, fully furnished flat with a Hollywood view of the city, more than generous meal allowance, luxury company car, and full funding to continue his research.

How could Xavier say no? Truth is I wanted him too. What about me? What about my needs? Careers come and go but me, I am forever and eternal. Being in love with two men comes with its challenges.

Before I could slip my finger to the green message icon my phone vibrated. American Airlines notification flashed on my screen. November 18, 2024 Bora Bora, French Polynesia confirmed 1st class seats with a mid-morning departure, 10:15 AM. It was September 12 and I was due to give birth in two days. Thank God!

What’s the plan, what’s the plan, what’s the plan, I thought to myself. I needed to muster up a plan to pacify Terrance while I was away. Terrance was so easy to lie to after the first few months. I mean it’s as if he practically begs for me to do it. Like an itch you can’t reach to scratch,but your body remembers the relieving sensation as you’re just shy of drawing blood. Well maybe that’s just me. I can be a little…dark at times. How can one revel in pleasure without the contrast of pain.

I figured Terrance out officially in 2 months. I was still dating Xavier when I started blessing Terrance with my presence. I had him trained, and on my schedule in three weeks, boring! The thing about Terrance is he needs me. My lies so gracefully fulfill that need. With each and everyone I grow stronger. Terrance is reliable and predictable. Unlike Xavier, Terrance does not ignite the passion, yet I still love him. Xavier took a bit longer to settle into my schedule. He was a tougher nut to crack. Once I figured him out I paid off five credit cards, maxed out my investment accounts, and built up two savings accounts to maintain me for the next 20 years. Terrance brings in a satisfying amount of money, but Xavier exceeds Terraces salary. Plus Xavier does not want children. Which is why we hit it off so well. I do have the slightest desire for them either. Yet here I am.

I replied to all Xavier’s messages. Added my passport information into the departure ticket. Xavier is a calculated man. So my lies must be dressed differently. If I was a gambling woman I would bet money Xavier will ask about the ticket. I always remain one step ahead.

The primary bathroom opened and the stench of wintergreen invaded the air. A wave of nausea overwhelmed me, propelling my body from the bed. After relieving myself Terrance had a glass of ginger ale on the oak nightstand to settle my stomach.

“Babe, are you okay? I thought it was lemongrass that gave you nausea. I want you in my arms, but I don’t want you to feel miserable all night. Let me prepare the guest suite. You always sleep better there when you’re sick.”

I let my head sink between my shoulders. It was showtime! Terrance was right on cue with his response. If I showed any visible signs of discomfort in a certain way I would have that man moving like a Muppet in the eighties. He needs me. Without me he would be miserable.

“I’m so sorry Terrance. I don’t know why I felt so sick…so quickly. You always know exactly what to do,” responding with puppy dog eyes.

His face beamed soaking in the confidence I activated with my gentle lies. Perfect!

He grabbed my arm, guiding me into the guest room, placing my cell phone on the marbled night stand.

“Feel better babe. I’ll come check on you in a few hours,” Terrance uttered.

“Terence, I love you,” blowing a kiss in his direction.

Sealed it perfectly! I put some melatonin into his body wash. He wouldn’t be awake until the morning. Between the melatonin and half-baked I love you, he’ll sleep like a baby. Thank God!

The door slowly shut. I turned on the guest smart TV. Grabbed my phone to call Xavier.

“Hi baby,” answering in a deep voice.

I felt his energy immediately. I relaxed my body onto the Egyptian sage silk sheets.

“I miss you baby,” he added.

The sound of his words caressed my eardrums. My belly twisted a bit. I tapped the diffuser to usher in the soothing scent of eucalyptus. A much more acceptable oil.

“I miss you too Xavier,” responding with enthusiasm.

“Did you receive the tickets?” Xavier asked.

Told you, calculated.

“When are you going to start shopping? I have everything planned. I want to celebrate us,” the words dripped off his lips like honey.

Xavier was a bit more complex than Terrance. He required acute attention. He is calculated.

“I will start tomorrow. I’ve been under the weather lately. I think I’m starting to get sick,” I hesitantly stated.

Xavier jumped in Doctor mode. He lives for this shit. 3..2..1.

“Did you take you—“

“Xavier, I am okay, relax,” cutting him off before he went into one of his little rants.

“Okay baby, I’m sorry. I am concerned. You’re not feeling well and my mom isn’t either”

“I’m okay Xavier.”

I had to shift the conversation. I could easily see where the direction was headed.

“Is she okay,” asking with a concerned tone.

“I am not sure, baby. She said it must be something she ate. She said she hasn’t been sleeping too well either. She complained about weird vivid dreams of going fishing with Auntie Erica. You know she hates the water.”

Xavier’s mother was a holy woman. One of those mothers who made her request by sprinkling crafted scriptures. A master manipulator If I saw one except she used Jesus, I didn’t need to.

“Don’t worry I feel alright. So, tell me about this vacation,” in an assuring tone.

Have to reign ‘em in. Men are like dogs. They possess the mind of a sheep with a fractured will of a stubborn goat. But, I never allow their innate nature to deter me from getting everything I desire. We talked until I fell asleep.

My water broke early that morning. I delivered the baby sooner than anticipated. Eh I am relieved it’s finally here. I am dying to set my appointment with Dr. Keisha to give me that mommy makeover ASAP. The appointment must allot enough time to recover for my secret trip.

I have my lie all ready for Terrance. I’ll begin prepping him in 2 weeks, all in accordance with my schedule.

I barely looked at it after it came out. I had a natural birth, no c-section. You know they try to coerce certain groups of women into having unnecessary c-sections. Not me. I picked a great Douala and a wonderful doctor, plus I always have my way.

Some hours passed. Opening my eyes, my vision slightly blurred. I saw Terrance asleep in the corner. The nurse walked over with it in arms and handed it to me. Her eyes bright waiting for some expected and appropriate new mother reaction. As soon as the nurse settled it into my arms.

I gasped.

My heart sank down to what felt like my toes. Sweat began to ripple down my face. Glassy half opened green eyes stared back at me.

Green eyes.

“Rachel those eyes, those green eyes. He is just as cute as he wanna be. Who carries that gene in your family. Those eyes are gonna cause y’all some problems. Yea, baby. What a beautiful baby,” shaking her head.

I sat there numb and motionless. No one on my side, nor Terrance’s side of the family has green eyes.

Only, Xavier.

The end.