DAYS LIKE THESE (Part 4)

The Challenge? (A Woman's Scorn)

By: Anthony Mayfield

The deed is done. The relationship ends. But the woman scorned seeks revenge.

"Ring. Ring. Ring.”

Coolac: "What now Bijou? "

Caller: “This isn't Bijou.”

Coolac: “Oh, Brenda. Sorry for the mix up, I thought you were Bijou calling back about an investment club she wants to start. So, what's up? "

Brenda: "You, man. You are what's up.”

Coolac: “What do you mean? "

Brenda: “I mean, every since your little wedding stunt, things haven't been the best for me. I'm the joke of the neighborhood.”

Coolac: “Come on, Brenda. It can't be that bad. Besides, give it some time it'll blow over.”

Brenda: “How in hell would you know how bad it is, Coolac? And just how much friggin time do you suppose I should give it? It's been several months already.”

Coolac: “Listen, I'm sorry that you're having such a hard time.”

Brenda: “Yeah, you're sorry alright. But no where near as sorry as you're going to be.”

Coolac: “And just what's that supposed to mean? "

Brenda: “It means, Mr. Cool like a fresh fart, that I am going to get you back. It wasn't enough for you to screw me in the church on my wedding day; you had to add further humiliation by announcing it to everybody in the church just so that you could win a stupid bet."

Coolac: “As for what happened in the church, you got what you begged me for, remember? The bet wasn't really the issue and you know that. I was just trying to prove a point about love."

Brenda: “Yeah, well your friggin point ruined my life.”

Coolac: “Your life isn't ruined. Tarnished a bit, but not ruined. I suggest that you make some changes and get on with it. Things will get better.”

Brenda: “Well, aren't you Mr. Philosophical. Hey, I've got a suggestion for you. I suggest that you watch your back.”

Coolac: “Are you threatening me? "

Brenda: “You're a smart guy, figure it out.”

Coolac: “I can understand that you're upset but you don't want to do anything foolish. I like you and all but don't think that I wouldn't take corrective measures against a threat.”

Brenda: “There was a time when I would have been more afraid of you Coolac. But seeing that I don't have anything to fear any more, your street cockiness no longer scares me. In fact, it's somewhat comical.”

Coolac: “Listen, if you've got something to say, say it.”

Brenda: “You proved a point and ruined my life and now I'm going to prove a point and ruin yours. I am going to make your life a living hell. You can watch your back, but it's not going to do any good.”

Coolac: “Yeah, and you watch yours too.”

Brenda: “Like I said, I've got nothing to lose. You've already robbed me of everything.”

Coolac: “Then let the games begin.”

"Click"

He hung up. Looking over at the clock he realizes that it's still early.

Coolac: (to himself)"Hmp, no need in waking Jock this early in the morning. I'll give it a few hours and try to catch him before he leaves for work.

Unmoved by Brenda's threat, he rolls over and falls back to sleep. He is awakened by a crash through his window. Instinctively, he rolls out of the bed onto the floor while grabbing his gun from beneath his pillow. Looking around for an intruder, instead, he notices the brick.

Brenda:(calling to Coolac from the street)"Hey, Coolac. Coolac, come to the window. Be careful though, I wouldn't want you to cut your feet on broken glass.”

Coolac:(walks to the window still holding his gun)"Did you throw this brick through my window? "

Brenda: “Duh? You're not real sharp in the morning are you Coolac. How else do you think it got in your bedroom? Hey, this is a nice Benz-0 you've got here. I gotta tell you though, the alarm isn't good at detecting paint. I poured three gallons of house paint all over it and it never said a word. Well, it's early and I know you want to get back to bed. I'll just talk to you a little later. See you around.”

With that she darted into the bushes out of sight. He looked over at his car and it was covered in red, blue, and yellow paint.

Coolac: (to himself)"Well, nothing I can do about that. Besides I've got enough money and insurance to replace it. I just hope that Brenda feels the same way about her toes. (he looks over at the clock) Six-o-clock. Jock ought to be up by now. (he dials Jock's number)

"Ring. Ring. Ring.”

Jock: “Hello.”

Coolac: “It's time to rise, put on your work face and head in to give the man his eight hours.”

Jock: “What's up Coolac? I didn't know hustlers ever got up at this time of morning.”

Coolac: "Ya see, you've bought hook, line, and sinker into the societies depiction of a hustler. A true hustler, like myself, isn't governed one way or another by the clock. I get mine when the getting is good no matter what time it is. It just so happens that I made my week last week. The plan was to take it easy this week. You know, get up late, kick back and relax.”

Jock: “Okay, so why are you on my phone this early in the morning? You must get bored quick.”

Coolac: “Now you know that my life is too exciting to allow any boredom in at all. In fact, that's why I'm calling you.”

Jock: “I don't get it.”

Coolac: “It seems that your ex has decided that she wants to play some games with me.”

Jock: “What are you talking about? "

Coolac: “First, let me ask you, are we straight? Are you holding any resentment towards me about what happened with you and Brenda? "

Jock: “Knaw, man, I let all of that go. It took some doing and I still have flashbacks and nightmares but it's getting easier. I don't like the way you did it but I know why you did and that makes the difference to me. So, what's up with Brenda? "

Coolac: “Do you still talk to Brenda? "

Jock: “We have talked a few times since the fiasco. Coolac, man, why are you asking me all of this? What's up? "

Coolac: “I got a call from her early this morning. A couple of hours later, a brick crashed through my window and when I looked outside, she was out there. She poured paint all over my car.”

Jock: “What? Are you sure it was Brenda? "

Coolac: “What you think I'd make this shit up? "

Jock: “No, no that's not it at all. It just seems so out of character for Brenda to do something that crazy. What are you going to do? "

Coolac: “I'm hoping that this will blow over. I can understand her anger so, rather than retaliate, I am going to turn the other cheek. I mean, I am partially responsible for her rage. But, I gotta tell you, all I've got is two cheeks, you know? "

Jock: “I don't know what to say.”

Coolac: “I don't expect you to say anything. One thing you can do, though.”

Jock: “Yeah, what's that? "

Coolac: “If you talk to her, let her know that I'm sorry about the whole sordid affair. At the same time, tell her that I am not willing to put up with her foolishness.”

"Beep. Beep. Beep.”

Coolac: “Hold on a minute, Jock. Someone is on the other line. (he clicks over) Hello.”

Voice: “Coolac.”

Coolac: “What's up, baby? " Voice: “You tell me, what's up? I just got a call from somebody named Brenda and she tells me that's she's pregnant with your child. What's up with that?"

Continued...