So You Call Yourself a Man by Carl Weber Page A

wasn’t following behind him this time.
    â€œYou ready?” he asked.
    â€œYeah, just give me one second. I wanna see what’s in these boxes.” I tore open the first box. My computer equipment was neatly packed in this one. Perhaps Jessica was sending some of our stuff ahead so we wouldn’t have the truck so loaded down when we made the move from Seattle. That was smart, I decided, but I was still going to get on her about the phone not being paid.
    There was a letter taped to one of the boxes. I ripped it off, thinking I would read it at the airport since we were starting to run a little late, but something made me open it. My heart nearly stopped when I read the enclosed letter.
    Dear Sonny,
    I packed up all your stuff and put it into these boxes, so there’s no need for you to get on a plane to come back to Seattle. And if you do, that’s on you, because there’s nothing here for you. Me and the kids are gone. I know what you’re thinking. Why is she doing this to me? But deep down inside, you know exactly why I’m doing this. You need to learn how to treat a woman, Sonny, and stop taking advice from those low-rent friends of yours. I hope you enjoy being back in New York with your friends. The three of you deserve each other.
    Please don’t try to find us, Sonny. We’re moving on with our lives. And if you don’t understand what that means, let me make it very clear: It’s over. I don’t love you. I haven’t in years. I was just playing along until I could have my freedom.
    Your ex-wife, Jessica
    P.S. I sold the car and took all the money out of the bank, so there is really no need for you to come back.
    â€œOh, no, not my ’Vette,” I mumbled.
    â€œSonny, what’s the matter?” I could hear James’s words, but I couldn’t answer as I read the letter again. I think I was in shock. This shit had to be a joke of some kind. “Sonny, what’s the matter?” This time James was shouting.
    I handed him the letter, then ran to the front door. Jessica was probably playing a trick on me. She probably flew in this morning and was waiting outside the house to surprise me. Knowing James and Brent, they were probably in on it. But when I looked outside, nobody was there. I pulled my cell phone out and dialed my home number. I got that stupid recording again and almost threw my phone across the room.
    â€œShe can’t do this to me, James. She can’t just up and leave me and take away my kids.”
    His response was anything but supportive. “I told you she wasn’t no good. She’s been a gold-digger since you met her. And who the hell she think she’s calling low-rent?”
    â€œNo, man. It’s got to be a mistake. I gotta get home. Somebody could have kidnapped her or something.”
    â€œSonny, be real. Do you think a kidnapper would take the time to pack up all your shit and mail it to you? She probably had some other man on the side the whole time. Just was waiting for you to leave so she could make her move.”
    I wanted to grab him by the head and scream, “Nooooooo!” at the top of my lungs, but instead I said, “James, she’s never cheated on me. I’m sure of that. And there is no other man, aw’ight?”
    â€œBut—”
    â€œJames, I don’t wanna hear it, okay? Just take me to the airport.”
    â€œOkay, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

16
Brent
    Alison and I left Paradise Island more in love and devoted to each other than when we arrived. I’d never enjoyed a vacation as much as I enjoyed my honeymoon. We’d been close before our marriage, but now our relationship was more tightly bonded on a spiritual and emotional level. We prayed together, ate together, slept together, and woke up to pray again together. I’d never felt closer to anyone than I did to her, and that included my boys, Sonny and James. She was no longer