Life's Funny

By Gwendetta Gilchrist

This novel captures the lives of three special couples; the loving couple that has been married for a few years, the newlyweds, and the rekindling of a relationship. As trials and challenges unfold in different ways for the couples, will their love be enough to sustain the relationship? Only time can tell.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jan 23, 2016
• ISBN: 9781477151921

Gwendetta Gilchrist

Over the past 25 years Gwendetta Gilchrist has been an administrative professional with the federal government. She is the author of “Dreaming” her first book project. She lives in Maryland with her husband James and their children.

Book preview

PROLOGUE

Joyce Bailey, Michelle Ford, and Skye Blue were three peas in a pod. While growing up Michelle’s and Skye’s families were so close, the two women grew up like sisters. Right after high school Skye married her high school sweetheart, Dwayne Porter. Michelle followed a different dream and went to college where she met her best friend Joyce Bailey. After a long courtship Joyce married her soul mate Bernard Wilson. The union of Joyce and Bernard left Michelle to be the only single one in their pod.

Skye couldn’t accept Michelle choosing to be alone so she decided to do something about it. She planned a get together at her house so that the match making she was planning to do wouldn’t be so awkward. Among the people she invited were Joyce and Bernard, Michelle and her cousin Michael. She planned to talk Michael up to Michelle and talk Michelle up to Michael. She didn’t have to do much talking. After the introductions were made Michael and Michelle connected instantly.

Their first Thanksgiving as a married couple Joyce and Bernard invited the family to dinner and announced that they are expecting their first child. After their announcement Michael stood and announced that he asked Michelle to marry him and she said yes.

CHAPTER 1

It was the first couple of weeks of fall. Joyce and her best friend Michelle hadn’t spent a weekend together since Michelle married Michael almost a year ago. Joyce decided to take Thursday and Friday off to get an early start on the preparations for Michelle’s visit. Bernard was out of town so Joyce started her day around 8:00am. After getting out of the shower she was debating on what to wear. While searching through the closet she heard the door bell ring. At first she ignored the sound because she wasn’t expecting anyone. The door bell sounded again. Joyce looked out of the window and noticed Michelle’s car in the driveway. Concern began to wash over Joyce because Michelle wasn’t due to arrive for another couple of days. Joyce threw on her purple terry cloth robe and went to answer the door. Joyce opened the door. Hey girl you’re early. After giving each other a hug Joyce invited her in. You look like shit Joyce said. What’s wrong? Michelle started throwing things. Her purse landed first then her jacket. Feeling totally defeated, she started pacing back and forth and breathing heavy. Joyce started toward her but Michelle put her hands up for her to stop. Chell, what is going on? Michelle stopped pacing and started to speak. No words would come out. She flopped down in the arm chair. She started shaking her head. Her body started to shake. Chell, what is going on? She looked at Joyce and tears started to spill from her eyes. Joyce came and kneeled down in front of her. Michelle started crying violently.

That bastard!

Who? Joyce inquired.

Michelle started screaming that bastard, that bastard. Kick me for trusting him. I can’t believe he has been making a fool of me all this time. Damn, things weren’t suppose to turn out like this. It was supposed to be a happy ever after.

Michelle’s face was covered with liquid from her eyes and nose. Joyce got up and got her a box of facial tissue. She kneeled once again beside Michelle and offered her the tissue. Chell, you need to calm down and tell me what happened. Michelle continued to shake and she kept saying no, no this can’t be happening. Joyce led Michelle down the hall to the guest room and put her in the bed. She went to the kitchen, put on some water to boil for tea. Joyce called her mother while she was waiting for the water to boil.

Hello.

Hi Mom Joyce said. Michelle showed up a couple of days early. Something is really wrong but I haven’t been able to get it out of her yet. Would you mind picking Lauryn up from Mrs. Nelson and keeping her a couple of days earlier than planned?

You know I welcome any time I can spend with my granddaughter. It’s not a problem at all.

Thank you, mom, I’ll call you later.

Joyce retrieved a mug from the cabinet, got out some honey and went to the refrigerator to get some lemon. She placed a tea bag in the mug, turned the water off and prepared a hot cup of tea for Michelle. Joyce went back into the living room, got Michelle’s coat and searched for her keys. She found her keys then proceeded to hang up her coat and purse. Joyce went outside to Michelle’s car to get her luggage. She brought the luggage into the guest room. Michelle was lying on the bed staring at the ceiling. Joyce went down the hallway to the bathroom. She got some bath oil and started running a hot bath for Michelle. She went to the closet and got some towels for her. Joyce went back down the hall to the guest room. Michelle place the hot cup of tea on the night stand.

Chell come on I’m running you a hot tub of water so you can soak.

Michelle looked over at Joyce then got out of the bed. She grabbed her hot tea and started down the hall toward the bathroom.

Chell there’s a portable spa in the bathroom closet and a guest robe on the back of the door.

Thanks. Michelle walked down the hall like a zombie.

Whatever it is, it’s going to be okay Joyce stated softly.

Michelle retrieved the bath spa and hooked it up on the bathtub. She removed her clothes and got into the tub. She was still unable to relax. Michelle started to cry again. As the hot tears ran down her face she sat there wondering where did it all go wrong. Almost an hour later Michelle came out of the bathroom and headed toward the guest room. Joyce came down the hall to check on her.

Do you feel like talking now? she asked.

When Michelle looked at Joyce to answer tears spilled from her eyes again and she shook her head no. Joyce said I understand. She helped Michelle into the bed and went to the living room. Joyce grabbed the cordless telephone, sat on the loveseat, and called Bernard. Bernard was over his brother Anthony’s house. Anthony’s house telephone started ringing. Bernard goes over and answers the phone. Hello.

Hey Bernie.

Hey baby, how is everything?

Not good. Michelle just showed up.

I thought she wasn’t coming for another couple of days?

I know. Something is wrong. She showed up looking like a zombie. I haven’t gotten her to open up and tell me what’s wrong. She’s in the guest room lying down. Mama picked up Lauryn from the daycare for me and she’s going to drop her off in the morning.

How could you just let her lay down?

You don’t understand, you won’t get one word from Michelle until she is good and ready. It would just be a wasted effort.

Okay baby, if you say so. I’m going to stay at Anthony’s for the rest of the week. You take care of Michelle and I’ll talk to you in the morning. I love you.

I love you too.

Joyce placed the cordless telephone back on its cradle. She checked all of the locks on the doors and set the burglar alarm. She turned off the lights as she headed toward her bedroom. Joyce stopped when she got to the guest room that Michelle was occupying. The lights were out but the door was cracked opened. She could hear Michelle’s heavy sobs. Joyce gently knocked on the door and went in. Chell, do you feel like talking now? Michelle shook her head no and started crying harder. It’s okay Chell, its okay" Joyce said. Joyce went over to Michelle and held her as she cried. After ten minutes had passed Joyce noticed that Michelle had stopped crying and seem relaxed. She looked down and saw that Michelle had falling asleep. She gently got up, laid her down and placed the covers on her. She quietly left the room and went to her room.

I wonder what happened. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her this way. As Joyce prepared for bed she couldn’t stop thinking about her friend and what could have put her in such a state of despair.

CHAPTER 2

Thankfully the morning didn’t’ come quick. When Joyce awakened around 10am she smelled coffee. She got out of bed, went into the bathroom and freshens up. When she finished she grabbed her bath robe from behind her door, put it on and headed for the kitchen. When Joyce walked into the kitchen Michelle said ‘good morning’.

Good morning. How are you feeling?

I’m fair.

Michelle handed her friend a cup of coffee and continued to set the table. I’m sorry Michelle said. I had to do something to occupy my mind. Just then Joyce noticed all of the food on the stove that Michelle had prepared. She made grits, fried potatoes, fried sausages, bacon, eggs, and hot biscuits.

Wow, I haven’t eaten like this in a while Joyce said.

I know we seem to bring out the cook in each other. Michelle prepared a plate for Joyce and her.

In a shaky voice, Michelle started, yesterday….yesterday I just couldn’t handle the situation to confide in anyone let alone ask for help. Now….now I’m at the end of my road. Joyce motioned for Michelle to sit down. The ladies took their plates to the table and took a seat. Before we go any further let’s pray Joyce said. Joyce blessed the food and prayed briefly for strength for the both of them. Okay Chell, tell me what is going on.

I don’t know where to start.

You choose, we have all day Bernard will be spending the rest of the week at Anthony’s.

Okay, please don’t judge me.

Judge you? You know me better than that. Besides I don’t have a right to judge you or anyone else.

Well Michael’s in the hospital Michelle stated.

What? What happened?

I don’t know. The details are a little foggy right now. I didn’t want to deal with his girlfriend anymore, so I left and came here.

Michelle looked at Joyce with tears in her eyes. They both sat for a moment in a state of shock.

Okay, did I just hear you say that Michael is in the hospital and his girlfriend is there with him?

Yes.

Oh Chell, I’m so sorry. Let’s start over. How long has he been in the hospital?

Maybe two or three days, I lost count, what day is this?

It’s Friday.

Okay he was admitted on Sunday.

Is he going to be okay? Joyce asked.

It’s too soon to tell.

What was he admitted for?

With down cast eyes Michelle stated a drug overdose.

Chell, drugs? Girlfriend? Did you know about any of this?

I was getting the feeling that something wasn’t right. You know, I had this uneasy feeling in my spirit but I wasn’t sure what it was. Remember I told you he had a bad car accident a couple of months ago?

Yeah, I remember.

"Well, what I didn’t tell you is apparently this woman he was dealing with husband caught them in a comprising position. The husband got so angry that when he saw him get in the car in purposely rammed into him.

Wow, you’re been dealing with this all by yourself? How did you find out? Then Joyce had stopped eating. Michelle still hadn’t touched her food. Michelle dropped her head and started to cry. Joyce stood up and went to the other side of the table to comfort her friend. Once again she found herself holding Michelle, rocking her and letting her cry it out.

I’m sorry, excuse me Michelle said and left the table. She went to the bathroom to get herself together. Joyce looked perplexed. She just stared down the hall and said ‘wow’. Wow, I can’t believe it.

Joyce lost her appetite. She started cleaning off the kitchen table while she was waiting for Michelle to come back. As she was about to finish with putting the food and dishes away she thought she heard a noise. Joyce stopped and listen some more. Chell. Chell. Joyce didn’t get a response. She went down the hall to check on Michelle. Oh my god! Michelle! Joyce ran and started panicking when she saw Michelle passed out in the bathroom door jam. Joyce went and got the cordless telephone. She dialed 911 on her way back to Michelle. Michelle, Chell! She started shaking her.

911, what’s your emergency?

I need an ambulance. My friend, my friend she just fainted and I can’t wake her.

Ma’am, check your friend to see if she’s breathing. Joyce puts the phone down and checks for a pulse on Michelle. She thinks she feels a slight pulse. She’s not sure. Joyce looks to see if Michelle’s chest is going and up and down from her breathing. Joyce picks the telephone back up. Yes she is breathing.

Did you say she’s not responding to you when you call her name?

Yes that’s correct.

Ma’am how old is your friend?

She’s a 35 years old African American female with hypertension.

Ma’am don’t hang up, please hold the line.

Joyce heard the dispatcher in the background. This is dispatcher 388 on the line, I have a women reporting a 35 years old African American female with hypertension that appears to be unconscious, breathing however non responsive.

Copy.

The dispatcher came back to the telephone, ma’am what’s your location?

35 McDonald Way.

This is dispatcher 388 the address is 35 McDonald Way. The dispatcher spoke to Joyce again. Ma’am an ambulance should be there shortly, please continue to stay on the line with me until they arrive.

Okay, I’m going to unlock the door, please tell the emergency personnel to come on in. Joyce went to the front door to unlock it. On her way back down the hall she heard the sirens and decided to wait for them." Oh Chell please be alright. Joyce stood in the door way rocking her foot trying to wait patiently. The ambulance pulled into her driveway behind Michelle’s car. The two paramedics jumped out and grabbed their medical bags. Joyce heard the dispatcher speaking into the phone. Ma’am the paramedics should have arrived correct? Joyce responded into the telephone, yes, thank you they’re here and she hung up the telephone. Joyce greeted them both and said she’s right here. The paramedics started to work on Michelle. One of the medic asked Joyce Do you know what medications she is taking?

I think so let me get her purse. Joyce went to the guest bedroom and retrieved Michelle’s purse. In her purse she pulled out four different bottles of medication.

Ma’am do you know if she has taken her medication today?

I don’t know for sure but I don’t think so.

Do you know when and what she has eaten last?

Oh, she’s been here almost two days and I haven’t seen her eat anything since she’s been here only a cup of tea.

The paramedics took in all of the information. Then he went into the medical bag and got out everything to start an I.V. One paramedic lifted her eye lids to check her pupils. The paramedic preparing the I.V. told the other paramedic we’ll be ready to transport her shortly you can call it in."

"This is medic 356 responding to an African American female age 35 in an unconscious state. She is prescribe; Lisinopril, and atenolol. Last time medication was taken is unknown. The patient is breathing however nonresponsive. Saline drip has been started and we will be ready to transport in approximately 5 minutes.

Copy that; came through their radio loud and clear.

Then one of the paramedics went outside to the ambulance and got the gurney. Joyce called Bernard and then gathered her things so that she could follow the ambulance to the hospital. When she finished with everything they had Michelle on the gurney and Joyce was just hanging up the telephone with Bernard. As they went out to the ambulance Joyce set the house alarm and went out through the garage to retrieve her car. En route to the hospital Joyce called Michelle’s parents to let them know what was going on.

A half an hour had passed