THE GREAT PRETENDER Read online

  Tracy’s hands itched to wring her neck. When in the hell did she become so forward? Tracy asked herself.

  “Look, I want to talk to you two about your dad going back to his old schedule.”

  “Yeah?” Valerie asked with interest. “What about it?”

  “I want to know how you feel about it.”

  “What do you mean? I’m glad Daddy’ll be staying home now! We’ll be a normal family and go on vacation like we always talked about.”

  “I know you’re okay with it, but—”

  “But you’re not,” said Valerie, cutting her off. “Mom, I hope you don’t mess this up and make him change his mind!”

  “What in the world are you talking about? Make him change his mind? Why on Earth would I do that?”

  “Oh, I don’t know, Mom,” she said, raising an eyebrow. “Maybe you’re used to not having him around anymore, or something.”

  Tracy fumed. “Okay, cut the bull, little girl, and say what you mean!” she demanded, staring a hole through her youngest daughter. “I’ve had it with your lip! What are you implying? And don’t you dare forget who gave birth to whom here.”

  “I don’t mean anything, Mom,” answered Valerie. She stared down toward the rug. She didn’t want to push her mother too far—not yet, anyway. “I’m just happy that Daddy will be home now, and I hope nothing comes up that would make him change his mind. That’s all. I don’t mean anything.” Valerie turned her attention to the TV set.

  Tracy rose from the sofa and blocked Valerie’s view of the television. She treated her daughter to one of the infamous glares that always put both she and Olivia in their places. “I already spoke to your father about that insolent tongue you’ve developed, so we’ll see just how long you’ll be happy to have him home, young lady.” With that, Tracy left the room.

  Oh, Mom, thought Valerie. We’ll see just how happy you’ll be to have Daddy home.

  Rising from the sofa, she went upstairs to her room. Locking the door behind her, she fell onto the bed and reached for the bedside telephone.

  Valerie called her cousin Deborah.

  “Yeah, Debbie,” she half-whispered into the receiver. Although she had her own phone line, Valerie couldn’t risk being overheard.

  “Okay,” Debbie replied. “So you want me to follow Aunt Tracy?”

  “Yeah, tomorrow night.”

  “What makes you think she’s seeing someone, anyway? And why do you think she’ll be going to see him tomorrow?”

  “Look, Deb, I know my mom,” replied Valerie. “She runs out of here almost every night when Daddy’s in Orlando, and nobody’s ever up long enough to know when she comes back. Plus, a couple of times we’ve caught her coming in at like seven or eight o’clock in the morning, trying to pretend she got up early and went out. She’s doing it all right. Trust me. And she’s stupid enough to think nobody’s figured it out,” she said with arrogance. “Just come at around seven tomorrow, because she never leaves before that. I think she waits for Daddy to call before she goes.”

  “Okay, I’ll be there,” said Debbie, doubtful. “But I’ll kill you if I waste my time following Aunt Tracy to a friend’s or to a club or some place innocent like that.” Hesitating, she added, “Why are you care, anyway, Valerie?”

  “Please just be here, Debbie. I just want to know.”

  “Okay. See you tomorrow,” said Deborah, reluctantly.

  “Bye.”

  Valerie hung up smiling. This is the perfect way to find out who this mystery man is. How come I never thought of this before?

  •

  After her shower, Tracy settled into bed and dialed Frank’s number. Considering the fact that he hadn’t called her at all since Reginald left town, she felt a twinge of doubt. But she pushed the hesitancy aside. She had no idea when Reggie would be returning home, so time was limited.

  The telephone was answered on the third ring. And Tracy was stunned to hear by whom.

  It was Theresa Parker.

  “Hello?” Theresa said for the second time.

  Tracy replaced the receiver. What’s she doing there? I thought that ended a while ago.

  Reaching for the telephone again, she called Frank’s cell.

  •

  Across town, Theresa Parker replaced Frank’s bedside telephone just as he reappeared from the bathroom, bringing the wonderful, soapy-clean smell of masculinity with him.

  “Tell me that you did not just answer my telephone,” Frank demanded as he vigorously ran a towel through his damp hair. His chest and shoulders glistened with tiny beads of water from his shower. Theresa couldn’t resist lowering her eyelids to follow a water trail on his torso that disappeared into the white towel he had wrapped around his waist.

  “Yes, I answered it, but the person hung up on me. Why?” she questioned irascibly. “You have a problem with me answering the phone now?”

  “Look, we fucked, all right? We didn’t marry. So I’d appreciate it if you weren’t so damn presumptuous.” He turned and strode from the room.

  Lying back against the fluffy pillows, Theresa gnawed her lower lip. Why did she keep coming back to see Frank?

  They had been engaged for only two short months when one day out of the blue, he broke it off. He’d given her some cockamamie story about not being ready and having cold feet, but experience told Theresa that stories like that meant one thing—another woman.

  It had been a few years since the break up, but occasionally he would call on her if he needed a date for a social gathering or a disengaged roll in the hay. Why she was always willing to drop everything to accommodate him she would probably never know. He treated her like yesterday’s kindling and she resented it, but she chalked it up to a good strategy. If she stuck by him long enough, one day he would realize that she was all he needed, and things would be the way they had been before he broke off the engagement.

  She was daydreaming about the future when Frank strode back into the room. He had gotten a Budweiser from the refrigerator and was taking a long sip from the can when his cell phone began to chirp.

  “Time for you to go, babe.” Frank walked over to the left side of the bed and retrieved his cell from the nightstand. Once he checked the display and recognized Tracy’s number, he automatically reached for the telephone. He now knew for certain that she’d been the one to call and hang up when Theresa answered.

  The last thing he needed was to have Tracy pissed off now that Reggie was feeling like a semi-faithful husband. She believed Theresa was out of the picture and that he only showcased her for the benefit of Reginald and their mutual friends. Well, he would be damned if he was going to make any excuses and grovel at her feet about it. So what if she knew? She’d get over it.

  He pulled himself out of his thoughts and realized that Theresa hadn’t moved from her place under his sheets. She was treating him to an intense, lust-filled stare that he was more than familiar with.

  Before he could utter a word, she used her legs to pull the sheet off, baring her naked body. Theresa then raised her knees toward her chest, spreading them, and exposing her femininity. Next she slid her index finger into her mouth, extracted it, and began massaging her clitoris. “One more for the road?” she invited, rubbing herself enticingly. She let out a soft, restless moan, throwing her head back as her finger brought on a tidal wave of pleasure.

  Frank strolled over to the armchair where her clothes had been discarded and gathered them up. “Look, we already did it three times tonight. I don’t have the time or the energy to do it again.” He walked over to the bed, where she had ceased her tease show in shock and, no doubt, embarrassment. He took her by the arm and effortlessly pulled her from the bed, shoving her garments toward her bare chest. “Here, get dressed. I’ll call you soon.”

  Humiliated, Theresa grabbed her clothing from Frank and swiftly made her way to the bathroom. She wasn’t about to demean herself any further.

  Once alone, she dressed and wept silently, thinking, He’ll wake up o
ne day, Theresa. Be patient.

  •

  Tracy waited an annoying ten minutes before he returned the call.

  “Why is Theresa answering your phone?” she inquired in place of a greeting. Thanks to caller ID, she knew it was Frank.

  “Don’t question me about my business,” he shot back, locking his front door behind Theresa. “I certainly don’t question you about yours.”

  “So you’re still sleeping with her, huh?” she asked tentatively.

  “As a matter of fact, yes. What of it?”

  Tracy thought quickly. If she slipped and disclosed her jealously, he would run away with it. So, instead, she spoke with her typical façade of indifference. “Think nothing of it, honey. Relax. I was just caught off guard when she answered, is all. You know, we can’t risk having her find out about us…which is why I hung up.”

  After a brief pause, she decided to pursue another tactic. It was a risky idea that had taken root and had been blossoming in Tracy’s mind for some time. Knowing it could mark the end of their relationship, she’d been debating her own rationale. But now…it was an area she felt compelled to explore. The realization that Theresa was back in his bed urged her forward.

  She continued: “You know, it’s interesting that this happened, because I’ve been thinking a lot about what we’re into here…Especially in light of Reggie’s decision to go back to the old schedule. I think it would be best if—wait a minute, I assume you two have discussed this already, right?”

  “Yeah, he told me about it the other day when he first came back. I was expecting you to get in touch sooner to talk about it. What happened?”

  Good, he’s helping me out, thought Tracy, glad that he was throwing her a line to reel him in on. “Well, I didn’t call sooner because I was conflicted, to be completely honest. Reggie gave me quite a bit to think about, and in the end I realized I had to make a decision.” She paused for effect. “I can’t see you anymore, Frank. Since Reggie’s going to be home more, it’s too precarious, and I don’t think I could handle sneaking around.” She unconsciously stopped breathing, awaiting his reply.

  Frank sat upright in his recliner, stunned. What in the hell did she just say? He must have heard incorrectly. She doesn’t want to see him anymore? No way; that means…

  No!

  Frank chose his words carefully. “Why rush to that decision? Of course we can find ways to work around that, if we really wanted to. We’d just have to make sure we were careful, and we wouldn’t get together as often. No problem.”

  Tracy shifted her weight on the bed and persisted. “No, Frank. He’ll be home all the time now. I won’t be able to do this anymore and sleep at night. I mean, seeing you while he’s out of town is one thing, but I don’t think I could be seeing you right under his nose. He was away and I grew lonely…But, Frank, you’re his best friend! I just know I’d never be able to look him in the eye…nor Olivia or Valerie. Moreover, Reggie really doesn’t deserve this. Can you fathom him ever finding out?” The thought made Tracy shiver.

  “Listen, you don’t have a clue about what Reggie deserves,” Frank spat, his voice laced in bitterness. He was treading on thin ice, but he wasn’t about to let Tracy have the upper hand. This was his show.

  “What is that supposed to mean?” asked Tracy, bewildered.

  “Nothing. Nothing. I just meant that you shouldn’t worry about him finding anything out. We’ll manage to sneak a rendezvous in here and there. Don’t worry about it.” Frank did not overplay his hand. He could not let her suspect just how passionately he wanted to keep the affair alive. He certainly didn’t want her misconstruing his reaction, interpreting it as love or obsession.

  Tracy was a secret weapon—a weapon of justice. Being with her, behind Reginald’s back, was therapeutic for Frank…Not to mention the fantastic sex they had together. What would it mean if she stopped seeing him because of Reginald? She would be no different from the hordes of other bitches that had consistently chosen Reggie over him.

  No, that was not going to happen. He could not be left out in the cold yet again, while the mighty Reginald Brooks continued living happily ever after.

  Suddenly, Tracy yawned, deciding that it would be great for effect if she ended the conversation at that moment. “Look, Frank, we knew it would have to end one day, didn’t we? We can’t keep this going forever. Now is obviously as good a time as any to stop.” She paused, and then added, “It’s been a good time for me. You filled a void that I didn’t even realize I had at the time. But now I have to give my husband and my kids my full attention. In fact, there’s a call coming in, and it’s Reggie calling on the other line. I’m gonna answer it. I have to go. Talk to you later?”

  Frank rushed to say, “I need to see you. Why don’t you come on over after you talk to him?” If he could just get her face-to-face, all this talk about ending it would disappear.

  “Hold on a minute. Let me get him on hold.” Tracy pressed the FLASH button on the base of the cordless phone and waited several seconds. She glanced around her bedroom, uncertainty in her chest. Finally, she flashed back. “Okay, he’s holding. You were saying?”

  Frank’s voice lowered seductively. “Come over when you finish talking to him so we can have one last night together, for old time’s sake.”

  Oh, Tracy was tempted. From the beginning, Frank had always been difficult to resist. But if she wanted to win this gamble, she had to play it through. “No, I’m already in bed and I’m too tired to leave it. I’ll try to come by tomorrow.” Let him have a night to mull it over, she thought. Maybe then he’ll decide he wants something more definite. Right now it has to be all or nothing.

  “I have to go—Reggie’s waiting. Good night.” She pressed the FLASH button again, then hung up the phone.

  •

  The die was cast. Tracy would soon find out just how serious Franklin was about their relationship. After all, it was imperative that she know the extent to which he wanted her in his life.

  Confident that she had baited Frank, Tracy decided to call and find out just how quickly things were progressing in Orlando. It would not be good for Reggie to show up while she was spinning a neat little web for Frank.

  No, she thought, reaching for the phone again. It would be disastrous.

  Chapter 10

  Orlando, Florida

  Reginald removed his cell phone from his pocket clip, brought it to his ear, and said a terse hello. He was surprised to hear Tracy’s voice. They had spoken the night before, and he’d promised to call again tonight.

  When he was in Orlando, he made sure he called home often enough to prevent calls to him. All calls to his corporate apartment were forwarded to his cellular—so if they called too often, it could be disastrous.

  Maybe there was a fateful reason, after all, that he felt compelled to put an end to this madness.

  “Hey, there,” greeted Tracy. “What’s up?”

  “Hi. Is something wrong?” he questioned, his palms moistening.

  “No, no, everything’s fine. I’m just eager to find out when you’ll be back at home, that’s all. Make any headway today?”

  “Well, I think I’ll be working straight through the weekend with the department VPs on a few particulars, but I’m probably here until at least Tuesday. The bigger challenges are still pending.” He glanced over his shoulder at Renee.

  “Well, take your time and do what needs doing—no sense in rushing and risking Roger’s wrath. We’ll have plenty of time once you finally get home. But the girls and I really do miss you.”

  “There hasn’t been any change, has there?” asked Reggie, sounding panicked.

  “Change? Change with what?”

  “Well, I just thought that since you called, maybe something had happened.”

  “No. Everything’s status quo.”

  “Okay, I’ll call tomorrow to check in. G’night.” Reginald pushed the END button on the cell phone. He turned around, ready to continue his conversation with Renee.


  “That was my wife, Tracy,” he stated quietly. He returned to his seat on a peach armchair, adjacent to the loveseat Renee was sitting in.

  Renee wiped away her tears. Her hand was shaking. She’d been crying for the better part of an hour; tears streaming down her cheeks. She said nothing. She simply gazed at him; her body was stiff with anguish.

  “She called to find out when I’d be back, because there are consent papers that we both need to sign for Valerie to continue her treatments.” Reginald kept his eyes downcast, studying the design of the Oriental rug beneath his socks.

  He felt an urge to rush his performance and flee, but common sense prevailed. He had to be extremely careful with this—his life with Tracy depended on it.

  For a few minutes, they sat in silence. He studied the rug. She stared at him.

  He kept his eyes on the rug when he finally broke the silence. “Roger has made some arrangements for me to stay in a corporate apartment out on the Parkway. Renee, all I ask is that you let me see Denise whenever I can.” He looked up then and saw she was about to interrupt, but he rushed on, saying, “I know that you probably won’t want much to do with me after this. I never told you that I was a married man—that I’ve been married for years—and that I have two other children. No, no,” he said when she attempted to interrupt again. “Please, just let me finish. I couldn’t tell you about Tracy and the kids for fear that you’d leave me, Renee. I was afraid I’d never see Denise again. I didn’t think you would believe that we stayed married only for Olivia and Valerie’s sake. That’s a classic ‘other woman’ cliché, isn’t it?”

  “Reggie—” Renee began, unable to stop crying.

  Reginald raised his palm to stop her. “Please…just let me get this all out in the open. I have to get it out before I loose the nerve. Please.”