The other side of marriage

Chapter 4

I knew by just looking at Evan that he had something to say about how I am choosing Erastus over him and so on. We had this conversation so many times that I have even lost count. "You don't want to go for lunch with me because you are going to lunch with him? Can't you just prioritize me over him for once? I am your husband." Yes, he plays the husband's card. Sometimes I never really feel like answering him but I still find myself doing it. "I made arrangements with Erastus long before I even met Suzan and I am seriously not going to cancel on him just so I can go listen to you two remember your old college days," I said firmly. He looked at me and shook his head. "Among all the wives in the world, God gave me the stubborn one! " he muttered softly but I heard him.

I sat down and dried my hair. "So you seriously can't just make time for my friend and me?" he continued. He was trying his best to convince me but I couldn't. I thought I met all his friends before and during the wedding turns out there's Suzan. I wanted to ask why she was not invited to the wedding but I just kept quiet. "No. Unless you guys reschedule to the day after tomorrow." I suggested. Of course, he refused. Turns out I am not the only stubborn one. "Look, you go for lunch with your friend, catch up and I will go with Erastus. Invite her to dinner on Friday or something. Then we can all talk." I said getting in bed and taking my novel. I am obsessed with novels. I read one every day before I sleep and if I don't finish it then I go finish it in my dreams. He didn't reply and I didn't have anything else to say so I focused on my book. Minutes later, he kissed me on my cheek and slept.

The following day I went to lunch with Erastus as agreed. I met him at Linda's Café. Linda is a friend of ours, we went to college together and she now owns her cafeteria. We got there at the same time so we parked next to each other. "You know Liz, I still wonder how you drive in those heels," Erastus said hugging me. "Practice I guess," I replied jokingly. We went inside and sat down. "Hi, guys. It's been a minute that I started thinking that one of my competitors poached you." Linda said with a smile.

"No way Linda, we have just been busy I guess. I assured her." So what can I get you? The usual?" She asked.

" Yes, the usual," Erastus told her and she left. We started talking about everything that has happened since the last time we talked.

Linda came back with our orders. The moment she placed my food in front of me, I felt like throwing up. The food was smelling differently so I rushed to the restrooms. I returned minutes later just to be met by a pair of eyes that looked like they were about to call 911. Linda was the first to ask if I was alright and I told her that I was. She took the food with her and said she would bring me yogurt instead. The moment she turned around Erastus gave me a stare that I didn't like. "Liz, are you pregnant?" Erastus asked loudly. I looked around just to find all the people sitting around us staring at me. I knew nothing good would follow that stare. "No," I said a bit embarrassed. I seriously wish that I could kick him so hard for embarrassing me like that, but well that is just Erastus being himself. We changed the subject and I couldn't be happier.

A waitress brought my yogurt and we continued to chat about this and that, still waiting for him to tell me the crazy idea he was talking about last night. "So, you know my birthday is coming. So I have this crazy idea but I need your opinion on it," he said. I plan all of his birthday parties and he plans to mine. That makes it fun and whatever that idea was, I hope it didn't involve more work on my side. "Okay, tell me. " I said impatiently. "I decided to propose to Rose on my birthday. I know it's crazy but I am turning 30 this year and I feel like there won't be a better time to do it," he said.

"Wow! That is a great idea." I said with a huge smile on my face. Erastus and Rose have been together for 3 years now and they are so cute together. I couldn't be more excited. My other close friend Katie, who was my maid of honor got engaged a month ago and in a few months, Erastus will be too. I couldn't be happier. "You will have to help me go pick out a ring for her. I wouldn't want what happened to Evan to happen to me," he said laughing. I knew he was referring to the fact that I didn't like my engagement ring so I got myself another one. That is not how the story is though. Evan got me a two-pieces ring which I felt like it was a bit big, so he took me back to the jeweler and I chose a different one. Nobody believes my side of the story because everyone likes a dramatic story.

We continued to talk until we decided to go back to work. In the parking, he opened the door for me and before I drove off he said: "Do take the pregnancy test, you might just be carrying a little Erastus in there." Before I could say a word, he got into his car and drove off laughing.

Typical Erastus!