Reece
It has been three months, 90 days, 2,190 hours, and 13,1400 minutes since what happened at Suds-Richmond and I was back in Dallas. Once I told everyone my decision to leave, of course no one liked it, but they respected my decision. I wasn’t given a going-away party at the Richmond store, but Jamarcus, Pamela, Nena, and Crystal took me out to dinner, which I thought was sweet.
As for Troy, after my announcement, the two of us barely talked. We didn’t even look each other in the eyes when we had to discuss work matters. We were pretty much strangers around each other, which hurt so much. There were even times when I would stand in the office and cry because a lot has happened in there. I still couldn’t believe so much has occurred in such a short time. I just wished that the two of us could have had closure before I left.
Before leaving, Vanessa informed me that she wasn’t going to hire an office manager at Richmond in case I wanted my job back. Although Troy hated that idea, Vanessa felt it was best.
It was sort of odd to move back to Dallas, but a part of me was glad to since I would be around Nuicka again. Not only that, but it gave me a chance to rebuild my relationship with my parents. Although we still have a lot of work to do, we have been on the right track; that is all I could ask for.
I even decided to reach out to the editor of D Magazine to see if I could freelance for them. I needed to get back into pursuing my dream, which I have been able to do by booking two gigs.
As for my living arrangements, Nuicka and Cedric decided to take me into their place, but I did promise Nuicka that I would pay for the apartment that I couldn’t pay for before I moved. I felt bad since the eviction was also on her credit, so I wanted to do what was needed to make that right for her and Cedric.
Now, it was the grand opening of Suds Dallas, and I was pretty excited about it. Since I returned a month before opening, I helped with the planning for the grand opening. I also was able to do the social media promotion as well as land ads for several publications, including D Magazine to help spread the word about the new store. It worked, because the grand opening was pulling in a lot of cars.
Instead of me cashiering, I decided to do the social media work and publicity for the store. I figured I’d let Gina and Sami handle the customers. Training with those two has been amazing since they were able to quickly pick up on the register.
I looked around at the store, truly amazed to see how everything fell into place. Just a few months ago, the store was nonexistent; now, it looked just like the Richmond store. I sighed, wishing I would stop thinking about there, because it only made me think about Troy, which I didn’t want to do at the moment.
I stared at my parents, who were talking to Nuicka and Cedric. They jumped at the chance to come so they could check the place out. Not only that, but they were proud of Mark and Vanessa as well as for me with opening the store. Vanessa and Mark were coming in later with Samantha so they could see how the turnout is and to greet their new employees and customers.
I was about to go outside when I almost bumped into someone. She looked as if she was about to pop as she held onto her stomach.
“Oh my God, I’m so sorry.” I apologized as I held onto the woman.
She gave a sweet smile. “I’m fine, Reece.”
I stared at her, wondering who is this person. “Who are you?”
The woman continued to smile. “Don’t be alarmed, but I’m Deena, Troy’s ex-wife.”
I took a deep breath, wondering why was she here, and should she be traveling because she looked like she could be due any day now.
“Wow, Deena. How did you even know it was me?”
“Your picture is on the store’s website.”
“Oh. Why are you here? You look as if you’re due any moment.”
“I moved to Dallas two months ago. My job got transferred here.”
“I’m sure that was a huge adjustment for you.”
She shrugged. “I’m actually glad it happened. My family and I needed a change.”
“Why do you want to talk to me?”
“Before I answer that, can we talk privately, please?”
I nodded as we walked into the office that was located on the other side of the store. After we walked in I closed the door behind me.
“Okay, you wanted to talk, so let’s talk.”
Deena slowly sat down in the chair by the desk and smiled. “I’m not here to antagonize you, if that’s what you’re thinking.”
“I’m not sure what you’re doing. I mean, you randomly decided to talk to me? About what? Troy and I are no longer together.”
“That’s why I wanted to talk to you. I know Kari was the one who told Troy about you and the store. She admitted it after I dragged it out of her.”
“That’s not a shocker that she was the one who said something.”
“It doesn’t make things right though. She knew that would push Troy’s buttons. For that, I’m sorry.”
I sat in the desk chair thinking before I spoke. “I can’t change what happened. Besides, maybe it was good that Troy found out.”
“How so? It tore apart your relationship.”
“Because nothing good lasts forever.”
“That’s not true.”
“I’m not going to talk about my relationship with you.” I said as I got up.
“And you don’t have to; all I’m saying is that Troy is miserable without you. I know because I visited him at the store recently.”
“Why?”
“To tell him that I knew what Kari did and that he should talk to you.”
I sat down again, completely thrown off guard by what Deena just said. “Why? I mean, you’re his ex. Why would you even care about him or our relationship?”
Deena let out a slow breath before she responded “Because to this day, I still feel guilty for what I’ve done to him. Even though he was cheating as well, he didn’t cheat with my best friend. Well, he tried after he found out about Ramon and me.”
I responded. “From what I know, you really hurt him.”
“He hurt me first, but two wrongs doesn’t make a right. I shouldn’t have stooped down to his level, but I did meet the love of my life when I met Ramon. It was under crazy circumstances, but it happened. Now, I’m happy, and I want Troy to be as well. He deserves that.”
“What do you want me to do? He doesn’t even want to talk to me. He literally ignored me when I left.”
“I know you two haven’t talked, but that’s how Troy is when he’s upset. He kind of stays to himself.”
“Well, I don’t think it’s best if I did talk to him.”
“I think you should so you will feel better as well. I don’t have to know you well to know that you still love him.”
“I really need to get back to work,” I said as I got up. I was about to go to the door when Deena gently touched my hand.
“Before you go, let me mention something to you. With Kari, she always tries and find some way to get Troy away from women, because she wants him for herself. She would never admit it, but she loves him, but she’s scared to be with him. As for Troy, I know he doesn’t care for Kari; he never has, but I know he cares about you. When I saw him, he looked terrible. It was if he was going through the motions and not caring about anything. I knew then that it was you that made him that way, because no other woman ever has; not even me.
“I never wanted to cause any type of pain for him.”
“I know, that’s why you need to talk to him. I think you both can work things out if you did.”
Deena was trying to get up, so I helped her. She thanked me before she waddled toward the door.
“Please, just think about what I said. Maybe if you two talk things out, then you two can rebuild your relationship.”
I nodded. “Thank you, Deena.”
“You’re welcome. And congratulations on the store. I hope you have continued success with it.”
“Thank you. And congrats on your pregnancy.”
She smiled. “Thank you.”
After she opened the door and left, I sat down in the seat that Deena had occupied. I put a hand on my stomach, wishing what she said was true. I really wanted to talk to him; I need to talk to him, because so much has happened after we separated. We need to be together. Not just for us, but also for our child.