Devin sat in between her husband and her mother in law as Jessica questioned her witness.
Devin tried her hardest to pay attention, but her mind kept drifting back to the fact that there was another child, ever since Joe revealed that she did indeed have the child, and his mom was actively looking for him that`s all Devin could think about, no matter how hard she tried to focus on something else, her mind always seemed to drift back to the fact , Jazmine had created another being with her husband. Sure they were getting a divorce, but that wasn't the point.
"In the last session you referred to Jazmine as -charming, am I correct?" Jessica asked.
With the last session in mind Rocky searched for the right word, a word that wouldn't get twisted by the defending team when it was time for the cross examine, not being able to find the word Rocky pushes her long red hair behind her ear and nods her head.
"I need a verbal response."
Clearing her throat Rocky responds
"Yes, I said that."
"But she wasn't- always like that, was she?" Pausing and pacing back and forth with her hands behind her back Jessica stops and continues with. "That was just your first impression am I right?"
Shooting up and slamming her hands on the table Laura yells.
"Objection- she`s coaching her!"
Rolling her eyes and waving her hand The judge replied.
"Over ruled- rephrase your question."
Throwing up her dainty hand Jessica says.
"I`m sorry- Raquel, was she charming her entire stay there?"
Rocky laughs to herself and replies.
"Of course not, we wouldn't be here if she was."
"Just a yes or no."
"No."
"Why not- what made her no longer charming?" Jessica questioned.
"Bad thing`s sort of started just happening when Jazmine was around, first and second time it happened you assume it`s just a coincidence, but the third, fourth and fifth time." Rocky pauses and shakes her head. "That wasn't a coincidence nor is it an accident."
"What kind of bad things happened when she was around?" Jessica asked.
"Devin niece Jenn is deadly allergic to fruits, Jenn drinks a smoothie that just so happens to have strawberries in them, she broke out in hives and collapsed, Jazmine just so happened to be there." Rocky explained.
Closing her eyes and clinching her jaw at the thought of Jazmine trying to hurt her niece Jessica takes a deep breath and asked.
"Uh huh- can you tell the court today something else that occurred when she was near?"
"Devin`s anxiety medicine disappears; she`s never missed placed them before, again Jazmine was there." Rocky explained.
.
.
"Jazmine was always causing problems." Rachel replied.
"What kind of problems?" Jessica asked.
"Anything you can think of Jazmine literally did."
"Can you be specific?" Jessica asked.
Slapping her hands on her thick thighs and looking to the side with her hazel eyes Rachel thought for a minute and then replied.
"Gosh- she`s done so much I don't even know where to begin..."
"She caused a lot of problems with Joe and Devin." Rachel continued.
"Like?"
As Rachel spoke Devin took the liberty to study the jury's facial expressions. But she found it very challenging, one minute their facial expression read that they were totally believing what Rachel was saying, the next their facial expressions read they were uncertain.
"Devin was home more than Joe, so Devin just saw more than Joe did."
"Example."
Pushing her long curly brown hair behind her ear Rachel replied.
"There was an incident where Jazmine thought It was appropriate to air dry, and change in front of their son…."
"She even yanked Lynn by her arm because she was going through her bag."
"Is that all?"
"Oh gosh no, Joe was on a phone call with his coworker, who just so happened to not get along with Devin, Jazmine goes and tells Devin Joe was on the phone with her, and she twisted the story to make it sound like he was cheating."
.
.
"State your Legal name." Jessica says.
Pushing her shoulder length ombre hair off her shoulder Keisha replied.
"Keisha Noelle Lobdell-Prince."
"Keisha- what can you tell me about Jazmine."
Letting out a quick laugh Keisha says.
"The girl was all kinds of evil, not to mention manipulative."
"What makes you say she`s evil and manipulative?"
"Uhh- besides the fact that she tricked Joe and Devin into believing she was Joe`s long lost child."
Sending her younger cousin a closed smile Jessica says.
"Yes Keisha- besides that."
"She took Devin`s phone and acted like she was Devin, saying there was an emergency and for us to fly out to Pensacola Asap."
Crossing her arms Jessica asked.
"What happened when you finally came?"
"She called the police and made a noise complaint and said we attacked her."
"And that was a lie?" Jessica asked.
"It was."
"No further questions I`d like to call my next witness to the stand."
Suddenly the doors to the court room slowly opened, kind of like on the movies, and in walked a tall fit attractive man who looked freakishly like Joe so much that his own mom and wife had to take a double look. He didn't make eye contact but you could tell it was someone from Jazmine`s past, just because of how long she stared at him, she didn't show any emotion just a long emotionless stare, something she didn't normally do. Usually when a witness came through that door she kept her eyes a head of her, but not this time this time she stared and she stared for a long time she didn't even try to hide what she was doing.
"State your name and your relationship to Jazmine."
"Liam Robert Elliot, and I'm Jazmine`s ex boyfriend." Liam explained.
"So tell me- Liam what was your relationship like with Jazmine."
"At first it was pretty good, then it turned weird." Liam replied.
"How so?" Jessica questioned.
Leaning forward behind her older cousin Keisha whisper.
"Okay, are we just gonna pretend dude don't look like exactly like yo husband?"
"She wanted to call me Joe and she wanted me to dress like him, talk like him, walk like him, I even found a shrine in her closet of him, at first I thought it was of me, but I later found out it was of him, she was so obsessed, so much that she had to find someone who looked almost exactly like him- I mean you have to admit..."
Liam stretches his and out and points to Joe and says.
"We do look a lot alike."
"What do you mean she wanted you to dress like him, you mean like role playing?" Jessica questioned.
Shaking his head Liam replied.
"No, like she wanted me to be him."
"Did you ever ask her why?"
"I did, and she played like she didn't know what I was talking about and she continued to call me Joe." Liam explained.
Liam went on and on about how twisted and deranged Jazmine was, which was no surprise to anyone who truly came in contact with her, it had finally felt like they were a head, they were going to beat her all until Devin glanced over to Laura who was giving the slyest smile, which only meant she caught something she could use against him, something that could put the ball back into their court.
Slightly tilting her head Laura asked.
"When exactly did that take place?"
Arching her eyebrow Rachel asked.
"Excuse me?"
Waving her hand Laura says.
"Before- after the Dna test."
"Before." Rachel answered
"And she didn't ask for her to leave?" Laura asked.
Titling her head back and forth as she brought her hazel eyes to the celling as she thought, looking back down Rachel says.
"No- not right away."
Throwing her hand on her hip Laura asked.
"Not right away, what does that mean?"
"She eventually asked for her to leave."
"But that was after she allegedly did all of that crazy stuff- right?"
Nodding her head Rachel replied.
"Yes."
"What did Joe do when Devin told him that she was walking around naked and, changing in front of their son?" Laura asked.
"She didn't tell him right away." Rachel replied.
"Some random woman comes to her house and not only walks around naked in front of her kids, but changes in front of her another child and then strikes another, she allegedly thinks she Joe`s daughter and she doesn't tell him?"
"She told him eventually."
"She told him eventually." Laura repeated.
Nodding her head almost annoyed Rachel says.
"Yes eventually."
"Why do you suppose that?"
Scooting up to the edge of her seat Rachel replied.
"At this point no one had any idea she was a grown woman pretending to be a child, this isn't orphan, that kind of stuff doesn't happen every day, Devin wanted to try and handle it on her own and if it had happened again she would bring it up with Joe."
"You sure she didn't tell him out of jealousy?"
Squinting her eye Rachel asked.
"Jealousy- from what?"
"Jazmine and Joe`s relationship, are you aware that Joe told her she was beautiful and he would lay next to her in bed when Devin wasn't around?"
"No, I did not, but I`m sure that was taken out of content, besides even if it weren't he thought that was his daughter." Rachel says.
"Hmm- you`re a mother, right?"
"I am." Rachel replied nodding her head.
"How many kids do you have?"
"I have a step daughter and a daughter of my own."
"So two."
"I guess, yeah."
"Would you allow a woman who you knew nothing about to stay in your house with your kids?" Laura asked.
.
.
"Huh?" Rocky asked.
"Would you allow a woman who you knew nothing about stay in your house?"
"Well to their knowledge she was a child- teenager really."
"I mean anyone with a heart would let a child stay with them if they claimed their mom just up and left them, especially if they could be their child." Rocky continued.
"But would you allow her to stay in a house with your child."
"She stayed in the guest house archers away from the actual house, until the Dna test came back."
Rocky didn't like Laura, and it wasn't just because she was defending the person who held her best friend and her god son hostage, it was just something about her that just didn't sit well with her. So in basic Rocky manner she was going to give her the runaround before she answered anymore of her questions.
"That`s not answering my question would or would you not let her stay in your house with your child?" Laura asked.
Staring at her with a straight face using her green eyes as daggers Rocky answered.
"I can`t have kids, so no, no one will be staying in any house with my child not even me."
Pausing for a moment Laura says.
"I`m sorry to hear that."
After another awkward pause Laura continued with.
"You said Jazmine poured out Devin`s anxiety medicine."
Nodding her head Rocky says.
"Correct."
"How do you know it was her?"
"Because at that time Devin was on anxiety medicine for almost, if not a whole year, and she had never lost them and none of her kid`s had ever touched them, she always puts them somewhere none of them could reach and now suddenly they disappear- what changed, what is added to the equation that's never been there before- Jazmine, so out of process of elimination, it was her."
"So none of you actually saw her do it, it was just out of the process of elimination, right?"
"Right."
"When did she start taking these, anxiety medicine?"
"I said about a year prior to that, she had lost her twins and the doctor put her on some."
"So Jazmine wasn`t in the house when she got them right?"
"Right."
"So how would she even know about them?" Laura asked.
"She was stalking Joe for years so by default she stalked Devin for some year."'
"That and she told her." Rocky continued.
"Who told her?" Laura asked.
"Devin."
"Why would she do that- by my understanding her immediate family didn't even know she was on them."
"Because she walked in on her taking them- Jazmine came in crying…."
"Pause- why was she crying?" Laura asked.
"She thought Devin hated her because of what happened the night before." Rocky explained.
"What happened the night before."
"She sat in their door way for who knows how long and watched Joe and Devin having sex..."
"Like they were having full blown sex and she stood in the doorway watching them like a creep."
Throwing her hand up Laura started to say.
"Yeah, got it..."
"How was she able to do that if she wasn't in the house until after she got the Dna test saying she was his daughter, she didn't get it yet at that point right?" Laura asked.
"You`re correct, and to answer your question they had a late dinner and it was dark outside and Joe didn't feel like walking her way back there that late so he let her stay in the house that night."
"He didn't feel like it?"
"No, he didn't feel like it." Rocky replied.
Changing subjects Laura asked.
"What about the strawberry shake thing, did anyone actually see her give it to her niece?"
"Actually someone did." Rocky replied.
"Who?"
With a look that said duh Rocky replied.
"Her niece?"
"She said, Jazmine gave her the shake?"
"Smoothie, it was a smoothie not shake."
"And yes she said that."
"Was this before or after her aunt asked if Jazmine, did it?"
"She didn't actually ask if Jazmine did it, she asked who did it."
"And she said Jazmine."
"Eventually."
"Did Joe believe her?"
"Not at first, he thought she had gotten into something that had strawberries in them and got scared and blamed Jazmine."
"Why would he think that?" Laura asked.
"Because sometimes she would try and eat fruit knowing she was allergic."
After a quick pause Rocky continued with.
"But it was always a jok…."
Throwing her hand up Laura says.
"That`s all."
.
.
"Keisha, this wasn't your first time being in trouble with the law, is it?" Laura asked.
"Actually it was, I`ve never been in trouble with the law in my life." Keisha replied.
"Never?"
"Nope, never."
"You`ve never let`s say done anything wrong?"
"Oh- I`ve done plenty of things wrongs, just like I`m sure you have, I`ve just never been in trouble with the law."
"So you`ve just never been caught?"
"I plead the 5th."
"That doesn't apply in court."
"You`re honor I object!" Patricia says shooting up.
"What does her criminal or lack of criminal background have to do with anything, she is not on trial her client is?" Patricia asked.
"Over ruled- Laura get to your point."
"Ladies and Gentleman Keisha says she`s never been in trouble with the law but, according to her records she`s been kicked out of cities such as Richmond ca, Seattle wa, Las Vegas nv, not only that but she is also not allowed in the states of Ohio, Utah, and Wyoming, even former president Barack Obama had a little 'talk' with her ."
"How can you trust anything she said, because of her criminal background, she very well could have been doing all of that." Laura continued.
"Barack Obama is my god dad, no I`m just joking, the situation with Barack Obama, had you read the whole thing you would have read that it was just a mistake, as for the other stuff I was kicked out by majors and governs, because citizens wrote them letters, I willingly met with those majors and governs on my own and when they asked me to leave and to never come back, I left and I never went back, police were never involved- MA`AM." Keisha says.
"I have no further questions I`d like to call my witness Scarlett Elizabeth Alexander to the stand."
Scarlett looked like a strong independent woman who could hold her own, and didn't have time for men, even though men were always chasing after her, she never gave them the time of day, by the way her hair was tied neatly into a bun and the way her clothes was pressed you could tell she had a high position in a high paying job that she earned with her fancy degree that took her years to get.
"Scarlett when was the last time you seen Jazmine?" Laura asked.
"I seen her like ever day last year up until she was falsely accused and taken to the mental asylum, she even stayed at my house for a couple of days."
"And what was she like?"
"The same old Jazmine she was in high school, Jazmine could never have done what they`re accusing her of doing, Jazmine is as sweet as the days are long."
"So you`ve never seen her threaten or stalk anyone?" Laura asked.
"Nope never, like I said Jazmine is as sweet as the days are long."
"No further questions." Laura says as she takes a quick turn on the heel of her feet.
Crossing paths with Jessica, Laura flashes a smile while Jessica didn't even crack a smile.
"So, Scarlett, you said you seen Jazmine everyday last year when this series of event happened am I correct?" Jessica asked.
Nodding her head Scarlett says.
"I did."
"Was she there all day?"
"No."
"What time did she come and what time did she leave?" Jessica questioned.
"She came around nine am and left around two pm." Scarlett explained.
"So around the time she claimed she was at school..."
"Do you know what she did before she arrived at your house and after she left?" Jessica asked.
"No but..."
Throwing up her hand Jessica says.
"Just a yes or no, do you know what she was doing when she wasn't in your presence?"
"No."
"So how can you even open your mouth to say she didn't do it, unless you were there which you stated you weren't with her the whole time, you have no idea what she did when she wasn't with you." Jessica says.
"No but I know her as a person."
"Apparently not good enough."
"I know her enough to know what she will and wont do."
Shaking her head Jessica says.
"No one knows what someone will and wont do, until they`re put in that situation with them."
"She`s my best friend."
"So because she`s your best friend you think you know what she will and wont do?"
"Of course."
"Would she ever let`s say choke someone?"
"No,never."
"You do realize the hospital has footage of her choking my client right?"
A look of shock came across Scarlett`s face.
"So I guess you don't know her all that well now do you?"
.
.
"Keisha- can I ask you a question?" Patricia asked.
"Sure." Keisha replied.
"How in the hell did you get kicked out of cities and states?"
"Well all I can say is it involved a duck, hot sauce, a car and five screaming women..."
"But in Utah, I may have 'borrowed' a Mormons bike and didn't return it..."
Throwing her hand up and cutting her off Patricia says.
"You know what, I don't even want to know any more."
"You sure?"
"Positive Keisha."
"You don't even want to know about the misunderstanding with Obama?"
Rolling her eyes Patricia says.
"Sure."
"Well it was a beautiful sunny day and I just got through my volunteer job to knit sweaters for the blind orphans when I decided to eat my good ol healthy banana, I opened my banana and ate it, then I got up to find a garbage can to throw it away in, when out the corner of my eye I seen a little old lady choking on a potato chip, I knew I only had one choice and that was to throw the banana peel and save that poor old ladies life, so I did what any honest red blooded American would do, I tossed the banana peel and I dashed to the old woman and began to give her the Heimlich maneuver the next thing I knew secret services was yanking me back i thought they were going to help the little old lady but no the unspeakable had just happened when I threw the banana peel back I had hit Barack Obama in the eye..."
"Keisha stop lyin!" Rachel says cutting her off as Patricia just shook her head at Keisha`s exaggerated made up story.
Shrugging her shoulder Keisha says.
"Well at least that`s the story I`m saying."
Shaking her head Jessica says.
"Keisha, I can`t with you."
"What- all you need to know is that it was a misunderstanding and I`m good!"
"Peace!" Keisha says as she threw up her two fingers and walked off
Walking out of the court room searching the halls Joe asked.
"Where did Rocky go?"
"I have no idea." Rachel replied causing the halls to enter into a quick silence.
Clearing her throat and breaking the silence Devin says.
"Soo, tell me I`m not the only one who had no idea that Rocky couldn't have kids."
"No, I had no Idea either." Rachel responded.
Shrugging a single shoulder Jessica says.
"Maybe she didn't want you guys to know."
"Why wouldn't she want us to know- we`re her best friends?" Rachel asked.
Once again the hall entered into silence when Devin breaks it.
"Well I`m going to go find her."
"Alright, well meet me in the car when you`re done?" Joe asked
"Sure." Devin replied.
Joe leans in and pecks her on the lips, returning the kiss Devin then turns and walks away.
Walking down the hall Devin found herself walking slower and slower as she thought of things she could say, she didn't exactly know what she was going to say to her, does she beat around the bush a bit before going into what she was really wondering, or does she go straight into it. It was always difficult talking to Rocky about her feelings, because she always tried to hide them, almost like she thought feeling certain emotions were a weakness, she knew her for eleven years and has probably only seen her cry less than a handful of times, it was definitely a rare thing she seen, unlike Rachel who was probably always the first person to cry.
Walking up behind her best friend who is leaning over the counter Devin puts her purse down and says.
"Look Kel, I`m sorry you had to be reminded you can`t have kids I know how…..."
Pushing her red hair back Rocky looks back at her with her green eyes and replied.
"It`s fine Dev- really."
And with that being said Rocky walked away, not giving her the chance to say anything else.
It was clear that it bothered her and she wanted to be left alone.
By the time Devin opened her mouth to speak Rocky was gone. Sure Rocky said it was fine, but Devin knew differently, this was her best friend after all. Devin picks up her purse and makes her way to the car.
Clicking her seat belt Devin looks over to Joe and says.
"Thanks for agreeing to drop me off, I haven't exactly been the nicest behind closed doors."
"No you haven't, but you know I got you." Joe replied.
Devin gives him a closed smile as the car entered into an awkward silence.
Breaking the silence Joe asked.
"So, am I sleeping in the back house or in the house?"
Taking her eyes from the window Devin says.
"Excuse me."
"I`m having work done on my house, and you said I could stay with you." Joe replied.
"Riight- well, your stuff is still in the back house so you could stay out there."
"That`s fine with me."
"Oh- wait no, Randy and the girls went somewhere for a father daughter time and Rachel asked if she could stay with us- or me." Devin replied.
"Why don't she stay in one of the guest rooms in the house?"
"Then we`d have to explain to her why you`re in the guest house."
"Then I`ll stay in the guest room in the house, no problem I`d rather be closer to you guys- I mean the kids anyways."
"Then you`d have to explain to her AND the kids why you`re in there." Devin says.
Joe doesn't say a word he just laughs to himself
"What?" Devin asked.
"If you wanted me to stay in the room with you princess all you had to do is ask."
Devin laughs and then says.
"Don`t flatter yourself."
Joe laughs to him self again.
Clearing his throat Joe asked.
"So, how did things go with Rocky?"
"She didn't want to talk about it."
"Can you blame her?"
"No, but..."
"But?" Joe asked.
"I`m going to call Jonathon when we get home."
"Why?"
"I just feel bad, I know I didn't personally DO -anything, but she was in court because of us, if I never asked her to be a witness none of this would of been brought up."
Glancing over Joe sighs and places his hand on her thigh. After a few seconds of him caressing her thigh Devin looks down at his hand and then over at Joe. Joe quickly moves his hand, looking back to his hand then quickly glancing to him Devin grabs his hand and places it back on her thigh and places her hand on top of his. With his eyes still on the road, Joe turns his hand around and laces his fingers with hers. With her hand in his Devin lets out a deep breath and closes her eyes.
.
.
With her phone between her shoulder and her ear Devin began to ask.
"Can you please tell Kel I am sooo sorry, I had no..."
Cutting her off Jonathon replied.
"Rocky doesn't hate you, she knows you didn't know they were going to ask those questions, no one did."
"Yeah but she did and I know how tough the subject…"
"Look Dev, Rocky has a thick skin, she`ll be fine."
"Are you sure?"
"Positive as a matter of fact she`s on her way over to your house now."
"Wait what?" Devin asked.
Just then the door bell rung the sound bouncing off the wall.
Walking past the family room Joe says.
"I`ll get it."
"Never mind that must be her."
.
.
The three-ex diva`s all sat on the floor of Devin`s back house in their pajamas.
"How can you sit out here, knowing this was the house Jazmine slept and plotted in every night?" Rachel asked.
"We had it rebuilt." Devin replied.
"Devin you don't have to stay out here with us you can go back inside with your husband, will be fine." Rocky says.
"Who has a sleep over and then leaves their guest?" Rachel asked.
Devin knew Jonathon said Rocky would be fine, and she knew Rocky said she`s fine when they spoke earlier, but Devin knew better, she knew this was eating her up inside. After hours of fighting with herself not to bring it up she felt so strongly that she just had too, she knew Rocky holding all that emotions in wasn't healthy and she needed to talk about it, with someone,she knew she hadn't and wouldn't, because most people would have backed off along time ago but not her not Devin she was her bestfriend, and part of her unofficial job was to be there for her and help her with times like this kind of like Rocky and Rachel did with her.
"Rocky I am…" Devin began to say.
Cutting her best friend off Rocky throws her hand up and says.
"Devin don't."
Even thought Rocky knew Devin didn't forget about what she had confessed earlier, she kind of hoped she`d let the subject go, but deep down she knew better then that she knew she wouldn't.
"But I`m sorry."
Almost like she snapped Rocky says.
"Devin it wasn't your fault she asked that, and it wasn't your fault I kept miscarrying and it`s definitely not your fault that I can't carry my own child."
Rocky sat on the tan rug with a look on her face that read she was upset, but if you looked into her eyes you could tell she was fighting back tears.
"I know, but if I didn't."
"DEVIN JUST STOP!" Rocky yells causing the room to go into an awkward silence.
From experience Devin knew the death of a child could be a very sensitive subject so she knew she had to be careful at what said she also knew Rocky had to talk about it or this would continue to eat her up inside, no she and Rachel weren't a therapist but it was better than nothing- right?
Breaking the silence Rachel says.
"Soooo."
"Rocky you will never get past it if you don't talk about it!" Devin says.
"Who said I wanted to get past it Dr. Devin?!" Rocky asked.
Throwing her hands up and letting them flop down Devin asked.
"So you just want to continue going through life, hoping no one brings it up?"
"Look Devin when your kid`s died, did we push you to talk about it when you didn't want to?" Rocky asked.
"Actually you did-both of you did, when all I wanted to do is crawl into a ball and die, you made me talk about it, and guess what it helped a little, not right away but in the long run."
Rocky finally lets her tears drop when she says.
"When I first miscarried because of stress I thought, maybe it just wasn't meant to be, but then the second and third time, it made me question my womanhood."
"Kelly, you`re not any less of a woman because your body can`t hold a child." Devin explained.
"Yeah, I know." Rocky mumbled.
"What stressed you out?"
"When Jazmine took you guys, for all those hours, we didn't know where you were, what she was doing to you guys, if we`d ever see you guys again- I was eleven weeks when I shot Jazmine, later that night I miscarried- I didn't even know I was pregnant, Rachel went into early labor..." Rocky gives a long dramatic pause before she continued with. "Your family isn't the only family affected by what Jazmine did-you`re not the only one who wants this b***h to go down."
Devin looks over to Rachel who responds.
"Don`t worry about it Dev, Adeline is fine she came a little early but she`s fine."
Looking to her other friend Devin asked.
"Why didn't you tell us about this, you know we would have been there?"
"When was I supposed to tell you- before you went into surgery to get the bullet out or when you went into surgery to remove your spleen, oh oh how about after Jazmine snuck into your room and choked the hell out of you?" Rocky asked.
"Rock, you could of..." Rachel began to says.
"Or should I have told you Rachel when they had to rush you into an emergency C-section?" Rocky asked.
"Should I have tapped you while they were wheeling you to the other room- um Rachel I know you`re trying to save your child but I just had mines- in the toilet, oh you didn't know I was pregnant, that`s funny because neither did I..."
Looking down as she played with her nail Rocky continued to cry as she said.
"There was so much blood..."
"I`m sorry." Devin repeated.
"Yes we were going through some stuff, but you still could of told us, you could come to us no matter what Rocky you know that." Rachel says.
"Yeah, I just didn't want people to treat me different." Rocky responded.
"Why would anyone treat you different?" Devin asked.
"Devin you can`t tell me people didn't start treating you different after the twins died."
"They didn't."
"Devin, we had to walk on egg shell around you."
"Yeah the first six months."
"I didn't want to be treated different at all."
"I`m sorry my life isn't perfect." Rocky mumbles.
Devin laughs and replies.
"And my life is- are you kidding me my life could be a life time movie."
Rocky rolls her eyes.
"I could understand if you said Rachel`s life is perfect but mine`s." Devin pauses and laughs.
"Devin at least you can have kids, yes you lost two of your kids, and I`m not belittling that, because I know what that did to you, but you were able to have another one right after, and guess what- if you wanted to have more you could, not me I can never have kids ever!"
"So there you go, my little secret." Rocky continued.
An awkward silence grew threw the air when Devin breaks it making a confession of her own.
"Well if it makes you feel better, I`ll tell you something no one else knows."
"Devin, I`m sure we know everything." Rachel says.
Devin laughs to herself and says.
"Joe and I are separated."
"Wait- what- no you`re not." Rachel says looking back at Rocky then at Devin.
"Why?" Rocky asked.
"I`m just- tired, everything that Joe had put us through with Jazmine, really put a strain on our marriage, I cannot be with someone who keeps putting any and everyone before me, I`m his wife I should come before everyone, I should be his number one, not only that but I can`t be with someone who is willing to believe everyone but me, like I would lie to him, and then there's the random stupid s**t he does, also adds up, I just can`t take it, I want out."
"Out of what?" Rachel asked.
"This marriage."
"Its that bad?"
"I mean our marriage its not terrible, like I loved Joe and I always will but that Jazmine stuff really did a number, and unfortunately that overshadowed anything good he did." Devin explained.
"So you guys are in the process of getting a divorce?" Rocky questioned.
Devin shrugs and shakes her head as she says.
"We`re just separated right now, with all that is going on we just feel its be best if we just separated for right now and then when the whole court thing is over, then we divorce if that`s what we want, and to be honest, I don't think I`m going to change my mind about wanting one, but I agreed to waiting until then soo."
"What were the kid`s reactions?" Rachel asked.
"They don't know, they just think he`s working more."
"But when he is home and takes them with him and you don't come, what do they say?"
"Nothing." Devin replied.
Titling her head almost like she was trying to figure something out that just didn't add up Rocky says.
"I have a question, that`s been bothering me this entire time."
"Shoot." Devin replied
"How the hell are you separated if yal always together?"
"We`re not always together, just when we`re at work and around family."
"Why?"
"We-Joe- I mean, I didn`t want anyone to know yet until we officially divorced."
"Joe actually wants a divorce?" Rachel asked.
"Of course not, but he wants to make me happy so."
"Okay, I was about to say, Joe seemed a lot more affectionate, you would never guess you two were separated."
"He`s just acting."
Shaking her head Rachel says.
"I see how he looks at you, he`s not acting, he`s taking what he can get."
"Like I said Joe doesn't want a divorce, he thinks if he could remind me why we said I do in the first place and he could show me that he could change all while we are acting like we`re happy then he could fix our marriage..."
"So in a nut shell he`s trying to fix our marriage." Devin continued.
"But you`re not?" Rachel questioned.
"Not really, I mean I`m just done, you know, but if our marriage could be fixed then sure I`ll stay, I just don't feel like putting the pieces back together anymore."
"Devin, you can`t lead him on like that, if you`re ready to hang up the coat, then you need to let him know that, don`t be all affectionate with him, holding his hand, kissing him, sleeping in the same bed, making him believe things are turning around when you still want a divorce at the end of the day, it`s not fair to him and it`s not fair to you."
"I`m not leading him on, he knows I still want a divorce."
"How?"
"I`ve told him."
"You`re confusing him."
"The only people confused is you two, Joe and I have an agreement that works for the two of us, we`re on the same page, trust me."
Staring at her with her hazel eyes and her arms crossed Rachel asked.
"How many times did you have to remind him you`re still getting a divorce?"
"Only a few times."
"Only a few times?"
"Yeah."
"If you guys are really on the same page, then you wouldn't have to remind him, now you know Joe more than I do, but I still like to think I know him pretty well too, every time you kiss him and every time you hold his hand, you`re giving him a little hope that you two are going to be okay, you might be acting, but Joe isn't."
Devin rolls her eyes, regretting her decision to tell her two bestfriends about what was going on between her and Joe. If she knew they were this emotionally involved, she would have never brought it up.
"And I also like to think I know you really well too, you don't want to get a divorce, you`re just tired of getting hurt or disappointed by him."
"That`s not true, it`s deeper than that, and I do want this divorce otherwise I wouldn't of asked for it." Devin replied.
"No you don`t, you don't want a divorce." Rachel says.
"Yes, yes I do..." Devin pauses for a second and then sarcastically says."You know, I wish I was as emotionally involved in my marriage as you two are."
"You`re being sarcastic but maybe you should be." Rachel replied.
Devin rolls her eyes again.
With her arms crossed Rocky not taking her eyes from her brown eye raven hair friend studying her body language Rocky says.
"She still wants to be with him."
"I just told Rachel, I don't." Devin replies.
"Yes you do, I`m not an expert on body language but your body language doesn't match with what you`re saying."
Rolling her eyes once more Devin says.
"Okay, Dr. Raquel."
"I`m just saying how you feel."
Refusing to except what her best friends were saying Devin says.
"Well you`re wrong."
"Am I- am I really?" Rocky asked titling her head.
Devin looks off to the side.
Suddenly there was a knock on the door.
Walking to the door and answering it Devin says
"Yes."
As the door opened Joe`s eyes were instantly drawn to her pajamas, the way it fit her body had his mind going to a thousand and one different places. With her arms crossed Devin found herself undressing him with her eyes.
Rocky clears her throat causing the two to snap out of their train of thought.
Clearing his throat as he shook the thought out his head Joe says.
"I um, just got off the phone with my mom, they want Cassidy to testify in court."
In the mist of the awkward silence that fell through the air at the news they just got Rocky says.
"Oooh- mmmy- gosh."
