What does one do, when the heart wants what it wants?

Let’s talk about it…

Please leave in peace! Shouts John, after he finish telling his wife of less than a year that he loves another woman. John and his wife Rita met when both were in their late twenties on the set of a Broadway production play. John was a producer and Rita worked with wardrobe and makeup. John was attracted to Rita’s figure. She has what John called an hourglass shape. John would call Rita “brick house” because her measurements were exactly the same as the women described in the song Brick house. Each time John called her brick house, he would laugh then shake his head while singing 36-24-36 what a winning hand. He would grab Rita around her waist, pull her into his chest; kiss her on the lips as he declares, you got what it takes to get this man; don’t ever lose your winning hand. Rita would giggle every time. It made her feel loved and wanted. She never gave thought to what John was actually saying. Many of the women on set would joke with Rita about the brick house statement John would make regarding never losing her winning hand. Each time one of the women on set would observe Rita eating junk food; they would joke, “your brick house will soon become a sinking sandcastle if you continued to eat that junk food.” Rita would laugh it off with a reply “don’t be a hater.” Rita delighted in the fact that she had the attention of her man and the jealous women on the set. She did not feel threaten by the other women remarks. Rita knew, her small frame shapely figure was in her DNA. She took after her mother, grandmother and all her aunts. Rita would intentionally eat junk food in front of the women to get a reaction from them. All the women in the play were on a special diet. They had to make sure their weight did not change in order to fit into the wardrobe.

The play moved around within the same state for several months. It was time to take it on the road in other states. Rita was excited about traveling from state to state with the play. One month before the play was scheduled to travel to the next state, Rita became ill and had to be rushed to the emergency room. John and Rita’s families were relieved to hear she would be okay after a couple of days in the hospital getting some fluid in her system with the help of IV. Rita was diagnosed with dehydration. The doctor informed Rita that she needs to eat healthier foods for the sake of the child she was carrying. “What” shouts Rita and John at the same time. The doctor looked at them both with amazement. I am assuming you do not know that you are pregnant, states the doctor. No, I did not know Rita replied. The doctor asked Rita when the last time she saw her primary doctor and when was her last menstruation. Rita said she did not know to both questions. She informed the doctor that she had been so busy with the play that she did not realize she didn’t have a menstruation period. John asked the doctor how many weeks or months was Rita. I take it you are the father the doctor replied. John looked at Rita to answer the doctor question. Rita became anger with John reaction. Of course, you are the father shouts Rita. The doctor informed them both that Rita was three months pregnant. John asked the doctor would Rita be able to travel for work. The doctor advises Rita to see her primary doctor right away; however, he does not feel it would be good for her to travel at this time. He stated because of her poor diet, her blood pressure is elevated, and her heart rhythm is slightly irregular, which could be a result of consuming too many caffeinated drinks. Rita was devastated. She did not trust John to be on the road without her.  After Rita’s primary doctor confirmed the recommendations made by the emergency room physician; she expressed to John her fear of losing him as he travels without her. John was worried and concern about his child Rita was carrying. In order to keep her stressed free for the sake of the baby, John married Rita at the courthouse one week before he left town with the play.

John was on the road traveling with the play six months without any physical contact with Rita. He would call her a few times each week to check on her pregnancy. Rita understood John’s job requires him to be on the road for months. However, she also knew that they have a three-to-five-day break between each city performance. She did not understand why John did not fly home for a day or two to check on her and their unborn baby. When John finally came home, after the play had ended, he went straight to his condo to sleep. Rita did not hear from him for two days. When he came over to her place, he did not act like she was his wife who would be giving birth to their child any day. He talked to her like she was a co-worker about how the play went well. Rita asked John about them living together as husband and wife. John expressed that he wasn’t ready for them to change from their current living arrangements. Why did you marry me shouts Rita? Because you are carrying my child states John. The conversation with John caused Rita stomach to cramp. John told Rita she has to calm down for the sake of the baby. At that moment Rita’s water broke and she was in labor. John rushed Rita to the hospital; ten hours later their son was born. John was so excited about having a son; he always wanted a junior. John purchased a three bedroom; 2 1/2 baths, house for Rita and his son. He moved some of his clothes into their new home; however, he kept his condo. Three months after giving birth to their son, John informed Rita that another play will start its tour in two weeks. Although John spent the majority of his time at his condo, Rita enjoyed having John at home with her and their son; but she understood he had to go back to work.

During John Junior nap time, Rita would search on social media to see what is going on in the world. She felt absence from the world for nearly a year. Pictures of John with the same lady begin to surface. Rita thought this must be someone who has a role in the new play. As she continued to search, she notices this same woman was in pictures with John during the last play prior to this new one. Rita was able to find a playbill online to see who was starting in the new play. She sees two women names who worked with her and John. Not sure who would reply back to her, Rita sent both ladies a text to say hello and ask how the play was going. Two days after her text, Rita receives a phone call. Looking at the caller ID, Rita thought to herself; of course, the person who joke the most about my figure turning from a brick house to a sandcastle is the one who calls me. Anyway, thought Rita, here goes. “Hello Sandy, how are you; asked Rita.” Hi Rita, I was surprise to receive a text from you. You just ghost us without any word on what was going on with you. “I’m sorry about that states Rita.” Well, John told everyone you wouldn’t be back because you became ill from dehydration and during the examination other illness was discover due to you eating all that junk food. Girl, I always told you that brick house figure of yours was going to become a sinking sand castle due to all that junk food you use to eat. Anyhow, how are you feeling now? “I’m doing well; thank you for asking. Sandy, I notice a new actress joined the last play and I see pictures of her with the crew in this new play. She is approximately five feet five inches; small frame with natural curly golden-brown hair.” Girl, that’s no new actress. That’s John new girlfriend. He did not waste any time finding a new girlfriend after you two broke up. “So, he told you all that him and I broke up.” Yeah, he said after you found out you were ill, you ended the relationship so that you can focus on your health. I was like, good for you. Girl, within a week, Ms. Sally come waltzing on set acting like she owns the place. “Oh, is that her name asked Rita.” Naw girl, that’s what I call her. You know, I got a nickname for everyone. I think her name is Jessica. I can tell he loves this one. Well, I’m not trying to hurt your feelings by saying he did not love you. But it’s something special about this one. He is definitely different around this one. I like who he is around Ms. Sally. I can always tell when a man is in love. And he is smitten with this one. Look girl, I need to get off this phone, I promise one of the ladies I would help her read lines tonight. She has to keep making up words because she can’t remember her lines for nothing. She throws us off with those made-up lines. I must say, her made up lines sounds better than the actual lines; nonetheless, she throwing everyone off trying to figure out what comes next after her made-up lines. So, girl, it was good talking to you. “It was good talking to you also Sandy” After Rita end her call with Sandy, she begins to cry. She thought John loved her. She thought about all the times she would call the ladies “haters” because she believed they were jealous of her and John’s love.

Rita decided to google the name Jessica using John’s zip code at his condo as a secondary search filter. The name Jessica Boyd came up with the same address as John’s condo. Rita text Sandy asking when do the current play takes its next break? Sandy text back stating in two weeks they would get a one-month break before traveling to the next state. Rita made plans for her mother to babysit John Jr. She searches through John’s things at the house. In the back of his sock drawer, she found a key box. Inside the key box was a key with the word spare on its tag. She was hoping the key was to his condo. Rita went to the condo. She asked herself, why she never thought to ask John to invite her over. He always came to her place when they dated. Rita was surprised to see how huge and beautiful John’s condo was. It had a large kitchen with an island; a laundry room; a dining room; a large living room; two large bedrooms; two large full bath rooms and a loft above the dining room that was used as an office. The condo had more female clothes; jewelry and personal items then male clothes and personal items. She did recognize the clothes hanging in the closet belonged to John. She also noticed the female clothes were all expensive name brand. She could tell that someone was there before she arrived because of the wet towel laying across the hamper. Rita decided she wouldn’t say anything to John. In two weeks, she would make a surprise visit to the condo; this time in the middle of the night. A week after going to John’s condo, he called home telling Rita the play only has a one-week break before the next show starts in the next city and he was needed in that city to finalize the paperwork before the play. Therefore, he will not be coming home for a break. Rita simply replied with “okay, I understand.” Five days after talking to John, Rita had her mom keep John junior overnight. She got up from bed at one in the morning. She brushes her hair back into a ponytail then threw on some sweats and sneakers. She grabs the key John keep in his sock drawer. This time the front entrance door was locked at the high raised building. She pushed a button to talk with the front desk about losing her front door keep when a couple walked up after stepping out an Uber. They overheard her telling the attendant she has her key to her condo but lost the front door key. The couple who walked up shouts through the intercom; it’s okay Jeffrey, we see the lady speaking to you has one of our keys. We can let her in with us. Jeffrey sound sleepy and was grateful someone else was able to help out. Rita thanks the couple. She exists the elevator on the eighth floor as the couple travel to the twelfth floor. Rita unlocked the front door with ease. She walks to the first bedroom where the door was half way open. Both John and Jessica were lying in bed sleep. She stared at them for a brief moment. She takes out her cell phone from her pocket then proceeded to call John’s phone. He reached over with his eyes closed as he picks up the phone, looks at the number then hit the red button to end the call. Just as he was putting the phone back down, Rita hit redial. John kept clicking the red button. Without turning over in bed, Jessica asked who is that calling. No one replied John, go back to sleep. Rita hits redial two more times when suddenly Jessica sits up in bed and as she turns to look at John, she sees Rita standing at the door. She begins to screams. John jumps out of bed to see why Jessica was screaming, he turns on the lamp light to see his wife Rita standing at the door. Hi John shouts Rita. What the F is going on shouts Jessica. Who is this person in our home? I should be asking you that question shouts Rita. You are the one in bed with my husband. Your husband; what the hell is this lady talking about John? John was speechless. He couldn’t believe Rita was standing in his condo. Rita continued to talk to Jessica. So, Jessica, you are telling me that you don’t know that you are sleeping with a marry man and the father of our son John Junior. Wait, shouts Jessica. How do you know my name? How do you not know the man you are sleeping with is marry shouts Rita? Jessica looks at John with tears in her eyes. She tells him, I really need you to break your silent stare and talk to me. What is going on John, asked Jessica? Yeah John, shouts Rita; tell Jessica what is going on.

John looks Jessica in her eyes; he gently wipes the tears off her cheeks with his fingers before grabbing a tissue. He tells her; baby, I am so sorry I never told you, I found out my ex-girlfriend was pregnant the same week I was planning to tell her our relationship was over because I had met you. I know this might sound crazy but if loving you is wrong, I don’t want to be right. If being right means losing, you; I rather be wrong but feeling right. The only reason I marry Rita is because her pregnancy was at-risk due to health complications. I did not want to lose my child because I upset his mother. Rita became very upset and fearful of me not being with her when she couldn’t travel with the play. I married her one week before my flight was to leave for the play. I was under a lot of pressure and did not know what to do. I felt the life of the child was most important. This is the only reason I married her. We haven’t been together as husband and wife in an intimate way. I bought her a house hoping that would help ease the pain of me telling her that I do not love her, but I love my child with all my heart. I was hoping she would see how this marriage was forced on me. I was hoping she would see we were only together because of us working together. I had to be very careful in how I end the relationship because we worked together. I did not want it to affect our work environment because we still had a job to do. John turns to look at Rita. Rita, you know this is not a marriage we have. We are not sexually active with each other. I believe you know in your heart this is not a marriage made in heaven. This is an arrangement because of my son. Please do not withhold my son from me. I bought you a house. I will make sure I pay child support. But I can no longer pretend to be a husband to you. We have been married less than a year. I will file for an annulment. Please leave in peace! Shouts John, after he finish telling his wife of less than a year that he loves another woman. Rita was heartbroken; but she couldn’t deny what John spoke was truth. She threw his key on the bed before turning and walking out his condo with tears in her eyes.

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