One Wish: A Novel

By Alphonso Johnson

This book is about a playful but serious chain of events that occurred with an outwardly mobile Atlanta, Georgia, black couple who had a bad experience with this outside woman named Lydia Adina Medina. It reminds you of one of the stories that Tyler Perry has written and produced where a man, Lonny Vessing, sees a more attractive woman and leaves his less-attractive wife, Marge.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Apr 27, 2017
• ISBN: 9781524589134

Alphonso Johnson

A.R. Johnson is a Persian Gulf disabled veteran. He is a teacher living in Georgia.He is an adjunct professor in American Govt and Computer Information Science where he works in the defense industry as a military contractor.

Book preview

Chapter 1

In no hurry

Maybe it will rain today. I just had my hair done at New Styles Beauty shop, said Marge.

Lonny and Marge lunched together that cool Saturday afternoon in a café off Interstate 185 in Warm Springs, Georgia in December. Seventy-five miles ahead lay Atlanta, Georgia.

Baby, you tell me that we have been missing each other. You tell me that our eyes don’t seek each other’s approval. I have done all I have known to make our marriage work, said Lonny.

He drove his car in silence. The jazz radio station played Dexter Gordon’s Around Midnight. Will Dowling Jr. played his alto sax and sang after the master. And the songs flowed into each other like musical tapestry. Lonny thought of his son Shaka, who lived in Stone Mountain, Georgia with his ex-wife Bettey. Brilliant melodies flooded Lonny’s liquid gold Lexus EX350.

Tree-lined streets and large poplars dotted the landscape. It took the couple’s mind off their marital problems. Marge did not want to deal with the issue of money or sex in their marriage. She remembered walking down the aisle at church wearing a white, sequined-beaded, wedding gown.

Friends Jaclyn, Tanya, Lydia, and Sandra were bridesmaids. As college students, the five friends danced and partied together all over the state of Georgia. Marge and Tanya graduated from Fort Valley College, Lydia and Jaclyn graduated Spelman.

She walked down the aisle at church wearing a white, sequined-beaded, wedding gown.

Sandra dated and married a white man out of college. Their marriage didn’t last. She was the valley girl. She liked rock and roll music. While the others went to Luther Vandross concerts, Sandra frequented Lee Greenwood venues. Sandra was the odd ball and she graduated Georgia Southern down in Statesboro, Georgia.

It had been ten years since graduation and Marge finally got married. And she was the last of the ‘Five Musketeers’ to get married. Lonny and Marge had been married two years.

It seems so futile with us fighting the way we do. I want out of this marriage, Marge, said Lonny.

A captive bird was released. Swallows flew back to Capistrano. All the air in the car the couple was riding was sucked out with Lonny’s announcement. He was so cold. Maybe he couldn’t see the pain he would bring.

She tried to ignore the signs. Marge felt as if she was kissing a woman sometimes when she stuck her tongue in Lonny’s mouth. But whose taste was it on Lonny’s lips. Maybe this woman was a friend. Marge smelled her in his clothes. A light scent debased her when Lonny came home late from playing cards with the fellows.

In heels, Marge imagined that this woman stood more than six feet. Even Marge was surprised how this woman kept herself fit and toned, though she never saw her. At least she couldn’t pinpoint whom her rival for her husband, which remained a mystery. Marge’s arms were unmuscled. She could see this woman’s long leonine stride and easy gait. She could discern her in his eyes as he often looked away.

Pearl Drop Tooth paste might be the brand she used thought Marge. That was the taste on Lonny’s teeth when she kissed, and he brushed with another product. The other woman was careful to wear the same shade and line of lipstick. Her teeth were white and smooth. Pinkish gums greeted you when you saw her. This woman walked in their house wearing a thin black blouse. It was sheer. Her blouse was so transparent until it left Lonny panting.

Lonny couldn’t have been that excited to see her. Psychologists have said that cheating men over compensate out of guilt. Never before had he brought home so many flowers. He must have done something with her each and every time he had a rendezvous.

A scent that drove men insane was the way the other woman smelled. This woman worked out of Gold’s Gym or Bally’s regularly. Her odor sometimes was a musty tang mixed with sweat. Marge knew this woman didn’t agitate men easily; she held her tongue. Marge had been watching her for about six months now using a figuratively, long-zoom-lens, mind-camera, the kind that suspecting married women use from time to time; it was a woman’s intuition.

This woman’s voice tinkled like a child’s music box. Her husband opened her throat. Sound emanated from her mouth like a finely carved instrument. It poured like a sweet lullaby that mothers sang to their babies on while on their knees. Her name was a harp playing in the key of C. Marge knew.

A year ago all of her friends cried and laughed together at the club Venusia nightclub in Decatur, Georgia. It was the girls last time together.

Lydia was not as close a friend as Jaclyn who was a good hairstylist. Jaclyn however had moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Jaclyn had a degree but she made more money working on heads. Her life didn’t turn out like a faire tale either. She supported her husband and two kids in West Philadelphia.

Lydia was a former tai-kwon-do champion who worked at the same pharmaceutical company as her best girlfriend’s husband. Lonny was the hookup for many Marge’s friends and family members, including Lydia. Though Lonny helped many get jobs at Tennesco Pharmaceuticals, he didn’t encourage friendship. His coworkers recognized him as the loyal ten-year, company professional.

The 1999 Lexus skimmed across the highway like a magic carpet.

So that’s how it’s going to be Lonny Vessing? You want to leave me? How does this woman I’ve been seeing in your eyes, smelling with my nose, tasting in my mouth when I kissed you going to deal with your manic egotism? You need to think about the decision you are about to make, said Marge.

A pause followed a longer pause and a semi truck blew by them. A big whoosh followed, shaking their small car.

While looking through the windshield Lonny thought about his brother in the U.S. Army chasing all those women. His brother Lucas had been married three times. Lucas didn’t even come home for his own brother’s wedding. He was too busy or wasn’t interested.

It used to be fun but Lonny didn’t want to be married anymore, especially to Marge. She was a drill sergeant and not his soul mate.

All of my girls call me Lydia. I like to be called Adina. Sisters can’t know, or don’t know what men want from women. My name is Adina. My mama can’t give me what I need. My sisters can’t give me what I need. Adina, Medina or Lydia. You must call me Adina, said Lydia.

Adina Lydia Medina was his type. She was a borderline body builder. She was pecan tan; Lonny was a brown skinned, man; he was more than average height and large build. He was a senior financier at a Tennesco located outside of Doraville, Georgia. Georgia State University in Atlanta was the university where Lonny’s Master of Business Administration degree was conferred.

Adina, Lydia Medina wouldn’t let go of Lonny until she had got what she wanted from their affair. Curved and long were Adina’s claws. She chose him. At the many get-togethers they had with friends, Lonny was attracted to this firm statuesque woman, who was a friend of Marge.

Barbecues, church gatherings, men and women conferences, and house parties put the sly fox in the hen house with all her vulnerable friends. Only Marge and Jaclyn remained with their husbands. Lonny had his pick, but Adina Lydia knew about her girlfriend’s husband’s weaknesses.

Nothing more to say, Lonny drove less than the speed limit, inflicting more pain because of the close proximity of each other. Marge was his prisoner. Both were involved in a melodrama of Lonny’s making.

Marge picked out Lonny’s work clothes the night before he went. His silk ties had to meet her approval. Marge selected his friends. Marge scheduled every meal like a dietician. She knew what was best for her husband.

Serves you right Marge for trying to run my life, said Lonny.

They had fifty miles to go before they reached Atlanta where they were going to check out the January 1999Yusef Emdur black movie festival.

That’s all the bastard focused on was himself, thought Marge. She was glad they hadn’t had any children. Marge didn’t really mean she didn’t want any children. A child together might have cemented their marriage. Maybe the other woman was carrying his baby now, thought Marge.

My name is Adina. My mama can’t give me what I need. My sisters can’t give me what I need. Adina, Medina or Lydia. You must call me Adina, said Lydia.

Why Lonny wandered out was anyone’s guess. Marge knew Lonny well. She was a licensed practicing social worker. The fire for her had dampened in the last six to seven months. His lovemaking was automatic, his touches were rough with Marge; she received seconds from him like the foster child that nobody wanted. She knew.

Both stared at the road ahead. Marge fought the compulsion to ask, demand that Lonny let her out right on the side of the road. He drove on. Lonny reached into the glove compartment for cigarettes. His cigarettes and pistol were inside. Marge examined his large hands. His hands were without blemish; they were smooth and well oiled. She had kissed them many times.

Marge would have wagered her smell still lay on the tips of his nimble fingers. Lonny would tell everything because his major virtue was that he did not lie to Marge, ever. She would not ask about her. Not the seamy details. Lonny would gladly tell her everything. He loved to talk dirty before sex, during sex and after sex. Before they were married, Lonny stepped out with his past flame for ‘old time’s sake’ with Marge’s blessing.

He reported everything that happened that night with that dark skinned woman, and Marge feigned as if she were offended.

Doing anything to satisfy a man extracted a toll on their relationship. All her friends warned her. Now, Marge knew what they meant. She did anything to please him. Anything. She acted as if his announcement never occurred. He must have had a bad day.

Lonny reached in the pack of cigarettes and pulled out one. He puffed very slowly. Intently, Marge watched his hands and lips as he smoked. He pulled out the ashtray in the car.

I’m not going to let you get of this marriage so easily, Lonny. You think after three years of dating, a one year engagement, a beautiful house, furnishings, and a wonderful two year marriage that I’m going to bow out without putting up a scrap, you’re crazy, said Marge.

You are going to fight to get out of this marriage Mr. Vessing. Who is she? No, don’t tell me. Not yet. I know her, don’t I? She is a friend of mine. Isn’t she? asked Marge.

Both were emotionally fatigued when they reached the outskirts of College Park, Georgia, which was a mere ten minutes from the city. Their festive moods had changed to disappointment. Neither Marge nor Lonny wanted to attend the black film festival.

Then the cellular phone rang. Lonny’s car was equipped with a cell phone where the receiver was built in the steering wheel. An intercom call could be taken without removing one’s hand from steering. Lonny depressed the receiver button. Lydia spoke.

Hey, are you back from your lunch in Warm Springs? Talk to me. I know we are going to have fun tonight, said Lydia.

Lost in his own thoughts, Lonny said nothing. Country scenery gave way to the city. Construction work made the ride rough.

Lydia, this is your friend Marge. We are probably going back to the house and cool out. So we’ll talk later, said Marge.

Girl, I hope you guys aren’t arguing about me. Don’t put me in your mess, said Lydia.

Breathing heavily, Adina Lydia retained her composure and a prolonged silence followed. Lonny remained stoic like a poker player. Lonny stretched out and looked for his exit west to Cambellton Road.

Lydia, you are costing us money on the cell phone. Go feed your birds and play scrabble with one of the girls in your condo, said Lonny.

Walking around in her nice fitting jeans with the cordless phone, Adina Lydia played the good friend role. She was tired of cooking for one or two when her other sometimes date was available. Adina Lydia really could do better than sharing a man. She sat in her spacious three-bedroom condo thinking that she really didn’t need Lonny’s pretentious mess.

Okay, okay, I can take a hint. Don’t bite my head off because you two are having problems. My name is Adina, said Lydia.

She said it ever so softly.

Adina Lydia hung up the phone in mock anger. She had to give Marge something to be on the defensive. Fred and Wilma were her parakeets. Both had bright, blue and yellow plumage; they cost almost five hundred dollars each. Adina Lydia had recently fed them.

"No need to overfeed you my good friends. It’s time to come clean to Marge. Either Lonny leaves