Five four-by-six tables were filled with Barnes’ family members and close friends, Angelica and Edward included. More friends of the family occupied the other tables in the fellowship hall as they joined them in a meal that consisted of fried chicken, country ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, macaroni and cheese, snap peas and green beans, and buttered rolls. A slideshow of the highlights of Hamilton’s life played out on a giant screen.
Jefferson and Margo sat close to Angelica and Edward at their request and melded right into the family. Even though Hamilton’s life had been heavily tarnished, he had been a friend of the family. Margo recalled the times in her memory that she had drooled over the handsome man, although privately, but in all of her dealings with Hamilton and Angelica, she never thought that his end would be so tragic.
Margo excused herself to go to the restroom. It had been a long day, and now her body sent an urgent message to care for it. Crossing the room, she saw familiar faces and acknowledged them but stopped cold in her tracks when she saw Malik standing at the end of the row.
If he had been at the service, she didn’t see him. Margo looked back at Jefferson, who was busy biting into his chicken and conversing with Edward. She was not ready to face Malik or be reminded of the unthinkable thing she had done with him.
His smile made her wet herself as she fought the nerves that racked her body. How was she going to tell him that she made a mistake and that her heart belonged to Jefferson? She was angry for so easily giving herself to him, but she knew without a doubt who held her heart.
Malik stepped in front of her. “Hey, Margo. How are you feeling?”
“Like I really have to get to the restroom.”
“You go on; I’ll wait for you to come out.”
“I’m with my husband, Malik. This is not a good time.”
“When is a good time? Look at him. He can’t seem to get enough of Angelica. Dragged you by his side so he could…”
“Stop it, Malik. Angelica and Edward asked us to sit with them. I’ve got to go. I’ll talk with you later.” Margo left Malik standing there with a puzzled look on his face.
Margo closed her eyes and breathed in and out. Encounters with Malik had to be avoided because she was afraid he wouldn’t understand that she really didn’t want to be with him. With her shoulder, she pushed into the stall and hugged the wall until her urgency made her dance in place until she found relief. She washed her hands and exhaled, praying to God that Malik had gone to his seat.
Slowly opening the door to the restroom, she peered out. Not seeing Malik, she tried to make a mad dash back to her seat. Before she got two feet, a hand grasped her arm, making her flinch. Margo turned and looked into Malik’s quizzical face.
“Take your hands off of me, Malik.”
“Margo, what’s wrong with you? I want to talk with you. I grabbed your arm because you were moving so fast, and I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to speak to you again before you waltzed to your seat.”
Margo looked at her arm and up at Malik. “Malik, we have to talk, but this is not the time or the place.”
“You’re making me crazy, girl. I want you so bad. The other day was so wonderful, I could make love to you right here.”
“Malik, not now. I guess you aren’t aware that Jefferson and I were almost killed the other night.”
“What are you talking about? Almost killed?”
“A drive-by. Someone riddled our house with bullets. It’s only by the grace of God that we’re alive.”
“I’m sorry, Margo. I haven’t looked at the news…oh my God…are you all right? Do the police know who did it?”
“No, they don’t know for sure, but they have some idea-in fact, a pretty good idea.”
“What can I do for you?”
“There’s nothing you can do for me or Jefferson. We’re under police protection, and that’s as good as it gets until they make an arrest. It’s been a scary ordeal.”
“You know you can stay with me. All you’re going through is probably because of all the mess Jefferson created. I’ve told you over and over, he doesn’t deserve you.”
“I’m staying with my husband, Malik. I love him, and I’m not going to leave him.”
“Does he know that you slept with me the other day?”
“Not unless you propose to tell him.”
“You’ve disappointed me, Margo. I didn’t come to you, you came to me. You gave yourself to me. You allowed me to touch your husband’s jewels.”
SLAP!! All eyes turned away from the slideshow that played Hamilton’s life over and over. No one was sure what had transpired, and murmuring was heard throughout the crowd. Stunned, Malik cradled his jaw with his hand while looking at the stranger who had laid one on him. Margo walked away in a hurry, leaving Malik for a second time, only this time nursing his aching jaw.
Margo saw Jefferson moving toward her as she hurried to distance herself from Malik. A frown was drawn on his face, and when he reached Margo, his frown turned to anger as Malik came toward them.
“Jefferson, not now,” Margo pleaded.
“Well, tell me something,” Jefferson said, looking between Margo and Malik.
“Your wife slapped my face,” Malik said, staring Jefferson down. “Do you want to know why?”
“Because you deserved it, you imbecile? Malik, I’ve given you more warnings than you deserve about staying away from my wife, but this is the last time I’m telling you.”
“And what are you going to do?”
“It’s fortunate that you won’t find out tonight because this is neither the time nor the place. Don’t push my nerve because if I have to go to prison again, I will if you mess with my wife.”
“Maybe the two of you deserve each other. You know, she’s not a saint either.”
Margo begged Malik with her eyes to keep her secret. She hated him and wished she could make him disappear. She hated herself even more for succumbing to a lust of the flesh in a moment of weakness, no matter how many times Jefferson might have been unfaithful to her. But it was the painful moment between two former friends that left everyone’s tongues wagging; it didn’t take clues to help them figure out what Malik was trying to say.
Jefferson was silent as he followed Margo back to their seats. Margo looked at Angelica as her eyes asked what had happened. Ashamed, Margo folded her hands and placed them over her mouth, her elbows glued to the table. She dared not look at Jefferson, for fear that his accusing eyes would convict her-and rightfully so. A reprieve came her way when one of Hamilton’s cousins got up to talk about what a good friend he had been.