Betrayal and Acrimony

April 8, 2021September 9, 2021

Worthy Of Love

Brunilda migrated to New York City at the tender age of twenty-four. She met a man who spoke her language and quickly fell in love. Four months into the relationship, she realized she was pregnant and uncovered her boyfriend had a wife. Determined to end the pregnancy, she visited several doctors, and no one would terminate pregnancy given she was too far along. Out of desperation, she visited one last doctor, who happened to be Haitian. Dr. Pierre inquired why she wanted to end the pregnancy. Brunilda explained how she had just arrived in the country alone and learned her boyfriend of four months lied about his status and is married. Brunilda felt hopeless. Dr. Pierre told Brunilda if she had no financial support, he would financially support her and the unborn child. Dr. Pierre was the catalyst in the birth of the child. Once the baby was born, Brunilda’s boyfriend migrated back to D.R. to be with his wife and family. Brunilda spiraled into a deep depression gaining one hundred and fifty pounds. The boyfriend encouraged her to have weight loss surgery for health reasons. Being involved with a married man meant she went months without seeing him since his wife lived in another country. Brunilda spent six months with her boyfriend then he would return to his wife for the remaining six months. Once the boyfriend was able to bring his wife to America, they settled into an apartment building. Brunilda was rampant with rage and repeatedly called the wife to chastise her. When Brunilda grew tired of harassing the wife, things escalated. Brunilda moved into the same building as her lover and his wife. Brunilda demanded sex daily with her boyfriend. On one occasion, the boyfriend denied Brunilda sex, she broke into his apartment and stabbed the mattress fifty times, she was never denied again. Brunilda constantly thought of ways to torment the wife. The wife finally mustered up the courage to tell Brunilda she was never leaving her husband, Brunilda replies neither was she. The rivalry lasted twenty-five years until the husband decides to sleep with his wife’s best friend.

March 31, 2021March 31, 2021

Ideal Wife

Gustavo was an obedient son. He married Karissa based on the guidance of his parents. Karissa was solely twenty years old with limited life experiences. Following the nuptials, the couple left Ecuador for New York City. Karissa worked as a hairdresser in the Bronx until she was able to purchase her very own salon. Gustavo secured work as a custodial worker at a local community college. They had four children born and raised in New York. In all the years of marriage, Karissa never experienced an orgasm or had any idea how to pleasure herself. Gustavo and Karissa respected one another and were fiscally responsible for their children. They coexisted. Thirty years into the marriage, Gustavo mustered up the courage to tell Karissa, I am moving back to Ecuador. I have never loved you. I only married you because my mother believed you to be the ideal wife. Gustavo’s confession left Karissa lost for words. There were no tears or pleading only a jarring silence. Karissa’s business provided far more than sustenance, it provided communal support and understanding.

March 30, 2021March 30, 2021

Optical Illusion

Marisol worked as a hairdresser in Harlem. She had a long-distance love in D.R. and locally someone to keep her warm at nite. Marisol traveled to D.R. between three and four times a year. Every trip to D.R. represented a considerable financial investment. The end goal was to have the boyfriend secure a visa and ultimately marry him. The boyfriend obtained an appointment with the consulate to determine whether he would secure a visa. On the last trip to D.R., Marisol patiently accompanied the boyfriend to the consulate and anxiously waited for the boyfriend to be granted a visa. The visa was denied, and the boyfriend told Marisol how he really felt about her. He told her how he never loved her and how she was a placeholder in his life. The only reason he decided to enter into a relationship was in hopes of securing entry into America. Marisol felt disenchanted. Her world with him crumbled in minutes. At that moment, Marisol could not understand why the boyfriend felt such disdain toward her.

March 8, 2021March 8, 2021

Turning a Blind Eye

Alondra and Oscar have been married for twenty years. It’s been an amicable marriage until Alondra saw video footage of cameras installed in their home. Alondra witnessed her girlfriend in her house with her husband. Ramona, the former friend slept with Oscar. According to Alondra, Ramona’s most compelling attribute is the junk in the trunk. When Alondra confronted Oscar about the infidelity, his only response why get a hotel room when I have a house. Alondra contemplates leaving although, her hairdresser advises against it. The hairdresser advises turning a blind eye. Sooner or later the novelty will wear off. Recognizing Ramona is only interested in money and Oscar in unloading. Alondra decides to take matters into her own hands and change the game.

March 3, 2021March 3, 2021

The Price we Pay

The courtship began in high school and continued throughout graduate school, culminating on their tenth anniversary. When Dario asked for Nori’s hand in marriage, she said yes because he cried, and she felt sorry for him. When Nori glanced at the ring, she found it rather small for ten years of dating. Nori worked in the private sector, a staunch saver and frugal, unlike Dario who worked in the public sector and had little to show for it. As the higher income earner, Nori carried more financial responsibility and was fine with it. Nori never had any interest in an elaborate wedding reception. She preferred the simplicity of flying to vegas. Dario wanted bells and whistles with 150 of his closest friends. Dario secured the venue, DJ, writing of invitations, seating arrangements, limos, honeymoon, while Nori singlehandedly paid for everything. She was never mistaken for a happy bride. Playing along for Nori was routine. The evening following the wedding reception, Nori had no interest in consummating the marriage. While on the honeymoon, Nori realized she had made a grave mistake in marrying Dario. Outside of a long courtship, there was very little they shared. There was no intimacy during the honeymoon. Upon returning from the honeymoon, Nori wanted to pack her belongings and leave Dario. The only thing preventing Nori from leaving the marriage were the opinions of people. Nori believed she had no options. Appeasing her parents and societal norms outweighed anything she ever wanted.

March 1, 2021March 1, 2021

Stranger

Priscilla and Fernando were engaged to be married. The courtship lasted three years. One day Fernando informed Priscilla the engagement was over and provided no reason or explanation. Priscilla did not comprehend why the commitment ended. Days later while scrolling on social media, Priscilla came across a post of Fernando with his new girlfriend and nuptials announced. The turmoil Priscilla felt was unbearable. The grief caused her intestine to rupture, sending her to the hospital. She felt humiliated, defeated, and everyone knew. Fernando married a well-heeled American woman. Priscilla found solace in her faith, and it is what helped her prevail. She was able to flourish and witness abundance in countless ways.

February 25, 2021February 26, 2021

Illusion

Mercedes is the youngest and perhaps the most successful of Genovas’ eight children. She has amassed an extensive real estate portfolio. Mercedes works given it keeps her engaged not because she needs money. Well-heeled and highly connected, she moves in circles riddled in affluence. Every bit a success story. Thoughts of worthlessness plague Mercedes. As a little girl, her mother habitually told her how she should have aborted her. How her father never wanted her. Jeraldo, Mercedes’ father is the only man Genova ever loved. He is the only man Genova ever felt passion with. When Genova and Jeraldo met, he had no job, money, or papers. Genova fell in-love and married Jeraldo. Providing stability, a home, family, and a coveted green card. Before Mercedes’s father, Genova only dealt with older established men of means. The price Genova paid in exchange was degradation, disrespect, disregard, unworthiness, and control. Jeraldo had a lover who was unaware he had a wife and family. The lover shows up at the marital residence pretending to sell quilts. Genova invites her in and quickly connects the dots realizing the lover has no intention of severing ties with Jeraldo. At that moment Genova decides against telling Jeraldo about the visit and vows never to be intimate. Riddled with despair, self-loathing, insecurity, and rage are what she projects and pours into her daughter. Mercedes is groomed to be an emotional manipulator, lacks empathy, no accountability, and a sense of grandiosity are woven into the meticulous image shared with the world.