10 Chapter 9

I didn't like where this conversation was headed, but looks like the pretense they have been putting on all this time is about to end and he was about to tell me what he thinks about my friendship with Erastus. I looked at him in disbelief and said, "No Evan, I don't see it. It's like I don't even know who you are anymore. I know you two never liked each other, but I know Erastus would never do that, he made peace with our relationship long before we got married because I love you and I was happy with you by my side. So you think he just waited for two years so he separates us? You and I very much know that his assumptions were right unless you and I wouldn't be here right now. You are the only person who is trying to separate us!"

Evan looked at me and I just stared him down. "Wow, looks like my dear wife will take his side. He is not better than me, he has secrets and probably lied to you more times than I did." He said and paused immediately which proved that the last statement might have just slipped out of his mouth. Before I could say anything, he continued," Do you remember the accident I was in a few months before our wedding? He caused that accident, he tempered with my brakes but luckily I was not seriously injured".

I looked at him because that rendered me speechless. I have known Erastus for over ten years and I don't think he would ever do that. He is not violent even when he is very angry, he avoids whoever pisses him off because if he touches that person, it won't end well. I just cannot fathom the fact that he is capable of messing with Evan's car. He was indeed involved in a car accident before our wedding but what I don't understand is why he is telling me right now.

"Why are you telling me now? Why would he want to kill you? You know what, I don't even want to hear it." I said frankly. Evan gave me an evil laugh before he asked, "Why not? Last time I checked you were always saying Erastus this, Erastus that as if he is perfect. Erastus has been lying to you this whole time, you always saw him as a friend and later best friend but he was really into you back in high school but you never noticed him. He was always there for you, yes that's true but I am sure he was ever watching you from the sidelines waiting for whatever boyfriend you were dating at that time. Just waiting for him to mess up. You two were together almost every day so I doubt those feelings ever went away. "

"Evan, I have heard enough in one day. I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow and I need to sleep." I said not having anything to say about all that I just heard. I opened the door for him so he leaves. "Doctor's appointment? Are you sick?" he asked. "No. I am fine. Even if I wasn't, you wouldn't even know because you are never here." I said honestly. He said goodnight and left. I exhaled loudly. The moment I hit my pillow I drifted to dreamland. I didn't want to think about whatever I just heard.

The following day Katie accompanied me to see Dr. Whitney and I learned that I was 8 weeks pregnant. Everything was alright with my pregnancy so far but I couldn't help but worry about my baby with everything going on at home at the moment. Later I called Erastus and we agreed to meet for lunch. I need to hear his side of the story. Okay honestly, I just want to know because curiosity is killing me. I'm not a patient person and being in suspension kills me. Erastus is a good person but whenever he gets angry, even I don't stay anywhere near him. We agreed to meet up at Linda's café and when I got there I chose a table that is in the far corner, a bit far from everyone.

A few minutes, he walked in an unusual dark suit. We ordered our drinks and I sat there with no idea how I am going to start this conversation. Lucky for me, he asked if everything was alright and I thanked God for that opening. "Yes, everything is alright, the thing is Evan and I were got into a fight last night and things got ugly....." I didn't get to finish my statement because he interrupted me by asking, "So when you say things got ugly, does that mean you might be covering up a bruised cheek or eye with makeup?"

Speaking of people who have watched too many movies, he is at the top of that list. "No, he didn't hit me, like I said things got really bad and the argument ended up being about you. I just need your honest side of the story please." I said. He gave me a hard stare waiting for me to continue, so I did. "Evan said you were the one that caused the accident he was involved in before our wedding. Of course, I don't believe him, but do you know something that I don't?" I asked to sound neutral as I possibly could.

"Of course not Liz, you know me better than that. I understand we don't like each other and I didn't sympathize with him after the accident, but I did not do it. I never liked Evan, that's true, I probably never will, but killing him means hurting you and I'd never do that to you." he clarified.

" Because you had feelings for me back in the day?"I asked returning the hard stare he gave me earlier. I continued," He said something about that last night too. Turns out he never made peace with our friendship."

Erastus breathed out loudly and said, "That was a long time ago in high school. I was young and you only saw me as a friend and a brother, so I had to bury them." he said. As much as I didn't want that to be true, he just confirmed it. "But you had a girlfriend in high school?" I asked in shock. He replied immediately, "Of course. I couldn't be hung up on you when I knew you would never look in my direction. I had to live my life, Liz."

I thanked him for telling me the truth and for not telling me back then because I don't think we would the good friends we are today. "I didn't ask you these questions because I don't trust you, I just wanted clarity. I hope it wasn't too much. I said with a smile. This conversation has been intense and I am only realizing that when it's about to end." It was too much. You made me tell you something I promised myself that I would never tell you, but you are never too much. Don't let what Evan say get to your head." he concluded.

We had lunch and talked about this and that. He asked how my appointment was and he decided to drop me off at home before he goes back to work. I did not feel like driving today, so Katie dropped me at the cafè. On our way home, he asked, "When are you going to tell Evan that you're pregnant?" I didn't have an answer to that question so I wasn't too happy about being asked about it. "I don't know. I didn't give it thought yet." I replied.

Erastus suggested that I should tell him but I still couldn't help but feel like he just doesn't deserve to know. Yet I know that if I don't tell him and something bad happens, not that I am a pessimist or something but I just know his family will never forgive me. I know if I ever went to them asking for advice because their son/brother /uncle is cheating on me, they will not believe me and say I am being an ungrateful person that is looking for a way to get out of my marriage so I ask for alimony. Dealing with my in-laws is such an emotional roller-coaster and I don't like it one bit. I agreed and told him I will tell Evan tonight if he comes home of course.

"Please tell him, because if you don't, we will come over to your house and ruin everything for you. By we I mean Rose, Katie, and I! Which is probably something you will never forgive me for, but I will take my chances." Erastus said. I looked at him, trying my best to give him the" stay out of my business" stare. Every time I tell myself I need new friends because their current ones are something else, but I know I can never find people like them. "I will tell him," I told him briefly as he pulls into my driveway.

I said goodbye and headed into the house. I found Evan in the house, which was surprising because he usually never misses a day of work. Before I could say anything, Erastus entered, bringing my phone that I forgot in his car. "Really? After everything we talked about last night, you are still bringing him to my house? Come on Liz!" Evan started again with last night's stories. I was so tired because whenever we are home, the only thing we do is argue.

I looked at him for a while and said," Evan please stop. I know you two don't like each other and I have made my peace with it and you better make your peace with me being friends with him. You spend two months sleeping out and when you are home all you do is torment me and start useless arguments and I am sick of it. Erastus and I have been friends for 12 years and our marriage couldn't even make it to 3. You don't get to question who is my friend and who isn't."

" I wonder what lies he filled your head with today. Looks like you are always going to take his side no matter what." Evan continued. I just shook my head and said, "Of course he didn't. Let's just say you both had your share of lying to me but at least his lies didn't hurt me. Evan, I am pregnant and these arguments aren't helping me or my baby. The very same person you are saying is filling my head with nonsense is the same person who noticed I was pregnant when we don't even live under the same roof! And where were you? Even you never answered that question. He helped organize dinner the other day, where I planned on telling you the good news but you never showed up. So please, before you point fingers do look at yourself in the mirror!"

I was so angry that I didn't even realize Erastus was still standing there just watching the drama unfolding. I offered to walk him to the door but I ended up going to his car. I asked him why he didn't say anything back in the house but all he said is that his area of expertise is knowing when to speak and when to keep quiet. He left and I went back into the house. I found Evan standing still at the same place I left him. I sat down and removed the heels I was wearing.

He was the first to speak when he asked if I planned to tell him about the pregnancy or was it just because he made me angry. At least he knew he was the cause of my anger. I hesitated to answer his question because I wondered if it was even worth it. "No, I don't I want planning to tell you today or any time soon but Erastus thought you deserved to know. I was maybe going to tell you after dinner if you are sleeping at home today of course." I answered honestly.

"How long?" he asked.

I just looked at him because I had no idea what he was referring to.

"How long have you been pregnant?" he clarified. I told him I was 8 weeks pregnant. He came and sat next to me and pulled me into a hug which I broke off after a few seconds because this conversation didn't happen on the day I planned it to. "Sorry, I got excited. I can't believe I am going to be a father!" he said over and over again.

"Come on, it's not like it is your first child!" I said walking up the stairs to my room. I just really need a nap because the following day I have to go to work. I was tired when the day isn't even over yet.