Breaking the Cycle

“Clean yourself up.”

I obeyed and fastened my pants up. Like a puppy, I followed her into the bedroom and sat on the bed until she came out of the bathroom.

“What was that about, Candy?”

“Just wanted to let you know who’s running things.”

“Why couldn’t you simply believe me? Candy, I don’t want anyone but you. I need you to trust me when I tell you that.”

“The one thing I’ve learned about trust is you can never completely trust anyone. My mama trusted my daddy and he did everything he was big enough to do and then some. Unlike Mama, I know how to please my man. So, next time you get the urge to seek pleasure elsewhere, keep in mind the things I’m willing to do for and to you.” She walked over and kissed me on the lips before disappearing out the door.

The next episode came a month or so later. We were at the annual function for black dentists when I was approached by an old schoolmate.

“Eddie? Eddie Adelson, is that you?”

I turned to find myself on the receiving end of the person who had played a major part in my finishing dental school. Nisha Von had been more than a friend to me while we were in school. She’d been my crutch, my sounding board, and study partner. I owed much of my success to her.

“Nisha, it’s so good to see you.” I instinctively reached out to hug her.

“How long has it been? Three or four years? How are you? How’s your practice?”

“Everything is great. I can’t complain. What about you? Did you open your own practice? Or are you still over there with the group?”

“Actually, I went back to school to become a hygienist.”

“A hygienist? What prompted that?”

“After the baby, I wanted to be able to devote more time to her. The decision wasn’t a hard one.”

“A baby? Wow, that’s wonderful! So, I take it that you’re married now? Or are you one of these new independent women who doesn’t have a problem with being a single parent?”

“No, I’m happily married.”

“A dentist?”

“Heavens no! One dentist in the family is enough. Someone needs to be able to let the child get away with eating sweets every now and then.”

We both laughed.

Candy strolled over to where we were standing, wrapped her arm around mine, and brought her body up close to me.

“Nisha, I’d like you to meet—”

“Candace. Candace Knight,” she said in a dry tone.

Nisha extended her hand to Candy, who glared at it and then kissed me. “Eddie, let’s get out of here. There’s nobody here but a bunch of buppies. I’m so tired of hearing about teeth. I swear I’ll throw up if another person walks up to me to inquire about my dental work.”

Nisha looked down at her hand, the one Candy pretended not to see, and then pulled it back to her side. She shook her head and smiled uneasily.

“Well, Eddie, you must promise to keep in touch. Maybe you and…” She paused, more for effect than anything. “… Candace can come over to the house and join Mike and me for dinner. I grill a mean steak.”

“While that sounds all nice and well, Nashae, eating steak gives me heartburn,” Candy replied sarcastically, misstating Nisha’s name purposefully.

I cleared my throat. “Nisha, it was really nice seeing you again. I’m happy to hear about the baby and your marriage. Maybe some other time, though.”

“Yeah, maybe.” Nisha gave me a pity stare as she slid her business card in my coat pocket without Candy seeing her. She mouthed the words “call me” as I glanced back while Candy yanked me toward the exit.

I was still hot under the collar once we got