Torn Apart (African American Romance) by Cristina Grenier Page A

because of his father’s role in all of this. And what about his mother?
    David Jr. walked past his father towards the front door.
    “Son, please tell me what’s on your mind. Let’s talk all of this out now.”
    “What do you want me to say?” David Jr. asked as he turned around to face his father. “I gave up my life plans to come back here to take over doing what you wanted me to do. I did that, and now I find out how easy it was for you to fuck with someone that I was involved with —like, it never crossed your mind that you shouldn’t cross that line because she had been with me?”
    “Yes, son it did but…”
    “”But it still didn’t matter to you,” David Jr. interrupted. “And I don’t even give a fuck about that whore—it’s the fact that you are selfish and you would even do it. And I’m sitting here thinking you had quit cheating and was doing right by mom…it’s too much right now. I can’t look at you. I need to figure out some things. Just leave me alone.”
    David Sr. looked back at his son with a tear running down his face. David Jr. wasn’t the least bit moved as he shook his head, turned back toward the front door, and stormed out of the house.
                  When the younger David called to tell Rhonda about these turn of events, she was about in just as much shock as he had been. She could hear the hurt in his voice as he told her the story of walking in on his dad screwing another woman. David had failed to mention that the woman was Tina; there was no need to bring up her name and rehash all of these memories from the past. He needed Rhonda now more than ever, and it felt good to be able to come to her like in the past and lean on her when he needed to. As she always did when they were still together, Rhonda offered empathy and words of encouragement that helped him feel much better.
    “Thank you so much for being here for me. I’m really sorry for calling you so late with this mess. I didn’t trust anyone else to talk to about this; I didn’t want to talk to anyone but you anyway.”
    “I’m glad I could be here for you David. I’m really sorry that you had to witness that. I couldn’t even imagine how you must feel. Are you going to tell your mother?”
    “I tried calling her after I had calmed down some. I left that house and drove around for a long time trying to decide what to do. I came home and tried picking up the phone several times to call my mom but then I decided against it. How do you tell your mother that her husband is cheating on her? And would she believe me? Maybe she knows. I just don’t know—I’ll wait for her to come back before I say anything; let her finish enjoying time with the family.”
    “Yea, that sounds like a good idea. Again, I’m so sorry,” Rhonda said really feeling sorry for David.
    “So changing the subject, I was wondering if you were free tomorrow for New Year’s Eve. I really need to get away and I could drive the few hours to come take you out for dinner and maybe a movie? I figured maybe we could bring in the New Year together.”
    Rhonda had plans with Ken during the day, and LaVerne that evening but she felt bad for David and didn’t want him to turn him away. She figured she could still see Ken before David got to town and then get some time in with LaVerne without having to cancel their plans completely. LaVerne would surely understand, Rhonda thought, once she explained the situation to her.
    “You sure you don’t mind driving all this way in this weather?”
    “Rhonda, I really want to see you—I’d drive through a blizzard to get to you if you say its ok for me to come see you.”
    “I would love to see you for the New Year, David.”
    A few hours later on the 31 st Rhonda called Ken to see if he could get together earlier in the day because she had something come up and couldn’t hook up later before going over to LaVerne’s for the evening.
    “Is everything ok, baby?” Ken asked with