Lent

What had happened was…

I couldn’t talk about it before (due to contract talks) but I can now.  I flew to New York to meet with producers of OWN to discuss making one of my short stories a movie or topic of a Life Class series.  I stayed at the Ritz Carlton in Central Park.  I love the hotel because you get a great view of Central Park.  I love to watch the people move about in the city.

The next morning a car picked me up from my hotel even though the office was three blocks away. I guess rich people don’t walk city streets.  After three hours of meetings, the deal fell through.  The project was not a good fit for either party (mainly them).  I would have fit into almost anything had they given me a minute.  I was crushed but there will be other offers that will work out.

Later that evening I was on a flight back to Chicago.  I’d un-friend, un-followed, un-liked the network on all of my social media outlets.  I wasn’t upset though.  The best part about this whole experience was a trip to New York City, a nice hotel stay and I lost 10 pounds because I was so nervous.

I got engaged. Everyone who knows me knows that if I say “yes”, we better go right away.  Besides the ring was 4 carats.  We applied for our license at City Hall two days later.  There was a special that day to get married at 1:00pm for anyone who was interested for $25.  What a bargain! You know I love a good bargain.  I went along with the short notice ceremony despite the fact I did not have on my colors for camera or my best outfit.  There would be no time to go home to change or buy an outfit.  Plus if I left you could forget about a wedding that day.   I was ready to back out of the marriage thing because if waiting in the long line was inconvenient, how would the marriage thing go?

There were fifteen couples that agreed to get married that day.  Judging by the room no one were really prepared to get married today except for this one lady who looks like she is always ready for any occasion.  I can’t stand people like her.  At the ceremony there was supposed to be a surprise wedding singer.  I’m thinking Brian McKnight; Luther Vandross is dead so no chance of that.  When the balding judge walks out I was a little disappointed because I was hoping for Judge Mathis.  That would have made this day a little special.  This guy is not picture friendly.  He starts the ceremony and in walks Drake.  Really?  How inappropriate is that?  Apparently he was in town promoting his new adventure and agreed this would be an add-on. Drake sings a song he wrote for the occasion.  I was feeling it until he added a little rap toward the end.  Uh, not so much.  The ceremony was short and sweet; about 10 minutes tops.  When I left the building, I yelled, “Iz married now.”  I always wanted to say that but the reality of the statement hit me.  I am married. Who would have thunk it? I know my friends and family were going to be upset when they found out especially my sister, Yvette.  She has been planning my wedding with any guy I date more than three months. Since my friend Monique is getting married this spring, I’ll plan a little party in the summer to announce to every one of our nuptials.  The wedding was such a surprise and done so quickly, we decided to take a short weekend trip.  Found a great little getaway on Groupon to Lake Geneva.  Nice!

We decided to move into my house because he had a tiny apartment.  When he moved into my house, I had to lay down the rules about tidiness, laundry days, lights out and quiet time.  Hey, I’m in love but real is real.  Everything was going fine.  I was very surprised because I KNOW I am not the easiest person to get along with.  I think I’m happy because I dropped an additional 10 pounds in a week.

I went to get the ring appraised for insurance purposes at Diamonds on Wabash.   At the store, a very handsome older gentleman attends to me. He looks at my ring with one of those telescopy things for jewelry.  He announces that my ring is CZ – Cubic Zirconia!  What the hoody hoo! I asked if it was at least the quality CZ.  Not a chance.  I go down the street to Dorothy Brown’s office to file for an annulment on the basis of fraud.  I am really pissed because it cost more money and time to file for annulment than to get married.  I guess it was cheaper to keep him.

I wondered if I should share this little embarrassment with my friends and family or keep to myself. No, this was too emotional to keep bottled inside.  I would try to make the situation seem funny so everyone will laugh with me and not at me. This will live in infamy.  I have to just get ready to be the brunt of all the jokes for years to come.

I go through a mild depression.  Instead of dropping weight I gain back the 20 pounds.  I hate emotional eating!  What makes matters worse, along with my heart rebelling my appliances do too. My refrigerator malfunctions after 18 months.  I call Sears for repair.  The compressor went out and it cost $650.  I have a service contract which turned out to be invalid…just like my marriage.  I purchased a new refrigerator rather than to fight it out with Sears because I just did not have the strength.  A week later I have to call the gas company because my stove was leaking gas. Back to the store to buy a stove.  This is just beautiful.

Despite the emotional and financial toll, Maurya, a book club member, requested me to invite a local author to our meeting.  The book has an unusual title – The Supremes at Earl’s All You Can Eat.  Sounds interesting and its a New York Bestseller.  The author Edward Kelsey Moore agreed to discuss his book.  I am so glad the book was interesting and funny.  It is definitely a must read for everyone. The author was so engaging and friendly. This undertaking turned out to be the best thing that happened in months.

I sigh as I share my adventures with you.  Not because it was emotionally draining but because its fantasy.  Well, the appliances breaking down and the book club meeting are true.  Truth is I was bored.  I gave up Facebook for Lent and I had no opportunity to eavesdrop on others’ lives. I’m quite sure someone said something that required my comment or “like”.  How many parties or events did I miss because people announce things on Facebook rather than an invitation in the mail?  If I didn’t watch the news I would see it on Facebook.  How many birthdays I failed to acknowledge because Facebook gives me that little heads up?  All was missed.  See what happens when I take a break from Facebook!