Corrina's Fear

Jenny couldn't believe that Cheryl was giving Manny and that woman a party. They were friends after all and she felt that Cheryl was a traitor and told her so.

"Look Jenny" Cheryl reasoned "I'm Molly's Godmother. I want to remain a part of her life. Manny and Annie were my dearest friends. "

Jenny tried to keep her temper in check. "I would think that you would be appalled that Manny would take this colored woman to be his wife and here you are giving them a party!"

"It's just a quiet get together" Cheryl explained. "He's going to do this, Jenny. He's determined to marry her and there's nothing we can do about it but accept his decision. He and Sid are friends and co workers. We all have to get along!"

Jenny's face was a mask of barely contained rage. She was almost shaking in uncontrolled anger.

"You seem to have already accepted this outrageous union!" Jenny snapped. "You ought to be concerned about how this is going to affect Molly! You are her Godmother! Maybe instead of just accepting things, you could talk to Manny and try to convince him that this marriage is suicide for his daughter! If you and Annie were that close, you would ask him what Annie would think about his stupid choice for a wife. You would say and do whatever was necessary to change his mind!"

Cheryl sighed. "Look, I've said all I'm going to say on the matter."

She stood up and extended her hand with Jenny's purse in it. There was no need to continue this conversation and she wished that she would leave. Jenny could be a real bitch at times and her patience was now at an end.

Jenny quickly snatched her purse from Cheryl's hand. "Fine!"

She turned and walked out of the house and slammed the door.

She couldn't believe Cheryl! She decided to try to talk some sense into Eva Singer. She couldn't believe that Manny's mother would go along with this madness! The boys were in school and she had time on her hands. Maybe she could align herself with his mother. Eva seemed to like Jenny well enough. She had been there when her husband died, gave her support. Yes, she would talk to Eva Singer. She would listen to her, see her point of view!

She drove over to Eva's house and knocked on the door. She was surprised when a tall stocky man answered the door.

"Hello." He said his eyes roaming over her. "May I help you?"

"I'm looking for Mrs. Singer" Jenny said wondering who he was.

"She's out. I'm her nephew Harold" he replied still openly admiring her.

Jenny gave him her best smile and extended her hand. "Well it's nice to meet you Harold. I'm Jenny"

She gave him her best smile and she was pleasantly surprised that she could see a resemblance between Manny and Harold. He liked her, she could tell. Maybe she could use this to her advantage.

"Would you like to wait for her?" Harold asked hopefully. This was quite a good looking babe. He wondered how his aunt knew her.

"No, I'll be back." Jenny said. Suddenly a thought entered her head. Maybe this cousin of Manny's didn't know what was going on.

"I suppose you heard about Manny." She said putting on a sad face and pulling out her handkerchief. She immediately dabbed her eyes.

"Manny?" Harold said looking surprised. "What about Manny?"

"Well he broke up with me to marry that colored woman" Jenny sniffed. "I mean we hadn't gotten that involved or anything...just dated a few weeks. Imagine my surprise when he didn't want to see me anymore. I was there with his mother when his father passed. She depended on me. Then Manny just broke it off for his colored maid. It was so traumatic! Poor Eva was totally outdone. I came by to check on her."

Harold looked shocked. "You're kidding! Manny broke up with a beautiful woman like you to be with her? I wonder if he's blind or is he just crazy!" Harold said shaking his head.

He invited Jenny in again and she negatively nodded still dabbing her eyes.

"No, I think I'll just go out and get me something to eat" she replied looking at him sideways.

"I would love to take you to lunch" Harold replied.

"What about your wife" Jenny asked coyly. "A handsome man like you must have a wife."

"I'm divorced" Harold lied. Well he was on his way to getting a divorce.

"So am I" Jenny replied. "It appears we have a lot in common."

Harold smiled. "Let me get my jacket."

Jenny smiled to herself already planning on how she would use Harold to cause Manny even more grief.

Corrina picked up her dress and took it to Jevina's house and put it in the closet. Everything was set and the wedding was a week away.

She had been working hard and had paid for the food for the reception and the flowers for the church. It was going to be a beautiful wedding.

No one was home. The girls were at school and Percy was with a neighbor at bible study. Just then the doorbell rang and she wondered who would be coming by this time of day.

She looked out the glass and was surprised to see Anthony standing in the doorway. She opened the door surprised.

"Anthony!"

"Hello Corrina" he replied his voice crisp.

"Can we talk?"

"Sure" she said. "However I don't have a lot of time."

"This won't take but a minute" he said stepping in the doorway.

Corrina stepped back allowing him to come in.

"I understand you're getting married. I guess congratulations are in order."

Corrina stared at him wondering who told him. Well she had nothing to be ashamed about. She raised her chin proudly.

"Yes I am. "

"I hear he's white" Anthony replied tartly.

"And?" Corrina responded.

"What's wrong with you? A black man's not good enough for you that you have to go and lay up with whitey?" he snapped.

"Is that really a question?" she replied.

"Your little college education has gone to you head, Corrina. No matter how much you think you know, to the white man you're still a nigger." He spat. "You need to wake up. As soon as things get hard and he gets tired of being put down by his own kind for marrying you, he'll drop you like a hot potato. Mark my words!"

Corrina stared at him, her face impassive.

"Is that all you have to say, Anthony?"

He grabbed her pulling her to him. " I really liked you, Corrina." He then gave her a hard kiss.

Corrina pulled away from him.

"You need to leave now, Anthony" she said wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. Her heart was beating fast and she suddenly felt afraid being alone in the house with him.

"Fine" he replied and turned and walked out of the door slamming it.

Corrina quickly turned the lock and breathed a sigh of relief.

She should have expected some sort of reaction from Anthony. She quickly grabbed her purse and walked out to the car. She looked around, but no one was in sight. She quickly pulled off into traffic.

She was meeting Manny for lunch as he told her that he had found a realtor that could help them find a home in a multi cultural neighborhood. She was grateful that he was making all of the sacrifices for her and she wanted to make him happy.

Molly would still be attending the same private school, so she would be fine. She just hoped that the child wouldn't be teased because of her marriage to her father. Molly was a fighter though and Corrina knew that she could handle herself.

She drove to the agency and waited in the parking lot. She checked her watch and saw that it was almost noon. Manny should be coming out any minute. Sure enough she saw him come out of the front door and waved to her. He quickly got in the car.

"We're meeting Oliver at the Blue Dolphin in thirty minutes." Manny said giving her a quick kiss. "He says that he has a couple of properties that he thinks we will like."

Corrina pulled up in front of the Blue Dolphin and quickly parked. They walked in and were led to a table. Manny picked up the menu.

"He should be here shortly. We can order" he stared at the menu.

Corrina looked at the menu and couldn't decide. She was a bit nervous. They were really going to do this. They were getting married.

"Manny, are you nervous at all?" she asked

"Nervous about what?" Manny asked putting down the menu.

"About this marriage…I mean, do you know how you'll be treated by marrying me?" she looked at him with a worried expression on her face.

"Having second thoughts, Corrina?" he asked smiling.

"I'm not having second thoughts" she replied "I just want you to know what you're getting into."

Manny picked the menu back up. "I'm a big boy. Don't worry about me."

Just then he saw Oliver walk in.

"Oliver's here" he said waving him over.

Oliver was a tall Oriental Man with curly dark hair. It was obvious to Corrina that he was biracial. He was quite handsome and had a beautiful smile.

"Hi Manny" he said pulling out the chair and sitting down. He turned and looked at Corrina.

"This is Corrina" Manny said introducing her.

"Hi" Corrina replied smiling.

"I've found several nice homes, Manny" Oliver said. "Can the two of you look at them tomorrow? I don't think I'll have any problem selling your present home, Manny."

"That's great" Manny responded. He turned to Corrina. "Do you think you can meet tomorrow? I know you said you had some work to do."

"I'll work it in" she said "What time?"

"How about 3PM."" Manny said. "I can leave work early."

Oliver agreed and then looked at his watch.

"I've got to go." He said smiling "I have another appointment"

He gave Manny the address of the home to meet him at and quickly said his goodbyes.

Corrina watched him leave and then turned to Manny. She sipped her tea.

"That was pretty quick."

"Oliver stays busy" Manny replied. "We'll have more time with him tomorrow."

He studied her a moment. "You seem sort of pensive. Is everything alright?"

"I know I shouldn't worry, but I can't help myself" she confessed. "I just feel as if the full impact of what we are doing hasn't hit you yet."

Manny laughed. "You worry too much, Corrina. It will be fine."

Just then Corrina looked up to see Manny's Cousin Harold and Jenny come into the restaurant. They were led to the other side of the restaurant and didn't see the two of them as they were sitting in the back. Manny's back was to the door so he didn't see them come in.

"Manny, your cousin just walked in with Jenny" she whispered to him.

Manny looked up surprised. "What? Where?"

"Over on the other side of the restaurant." Corrina replied "Do you want to leave? We can cancel our order."

"Certainly not!" Manny snapped. "We've already ordered and we were here first. We can't run the rest of our lives, Corrina."

She had to agree with him, but knowing how Jenny was she didn't want the situation to escalate in public. She looked up as the waiter came with their lunch.

"Stop worrying" Manny replied as if reading her mind.

She tried to relax and eat her salad but it was difficult.

"Our honeymoon is all set" Manny was saying.

"What about Molly?" Corrina asked. "Have you talked to her about leaving her for ten days?"

"We've talked" Manny replied laughing "She wants to come too. I had to explain that a honeymoon was just for the bride and groom."

"I gather that didn't sit too well with her" Corrina said eating her salad.

"Not that well, but hey she'll get over it" Manny replied. "I promised to bring back lots of gifts."

Corrina continued to make small talk with Manny; however she couldn't help glancing around every few seconds. Manny was right. They couldn't hide out like criminals! However her biggest fear was that once they were married, that Manny would regret it. She wondered how he would react under the pressure of being discriminated against because he had a black wife. She wasn't so sure that he could put up with that for any length of time. She had dealt with discrimination all her life.

"Stop worrying" Manny said reaching across the table interrupting her thoughts.

Corrina smiled. "I just want you to be happy."

"I am happy." He replied kissing her hand.

Corrina ate the rest of her meal in silence. She was glad when Manny asked for the check and they were able to leave.

"You worry too much" Manny replied after she got in the car.

"I guess" she admitted.

"Don't worry about Jenny or my cousin." Manny said. "I'm surprised they ended up together. Jenny must have come to the house looking for Ma. Ma told me yesterday that she was going to play bridge with a few of her friends. Lover boy Harold was waiting right there for her. "

"That could mean trouble" Corrina speculated.

She didn't like the idea of Jenny having an ally.

"I'm not worried about Jenny or Harold" Manny replied.

Corrina didn't reply but she still felt that things were going to get worse before they got better. Jenny seemed like a cruel and vindictive woman. She would have to be careful.

She dropped Manny off and then headed for Mrs. Singleton's house. At least she was sure that Jenny was not over her aunt's house and she could finish her cleaning in peace.

She drove there and was surprised to find Mrs. Singleton was home early. Usually she didn't get home until late in the afternoon.

"You've been out?" Mrs. Singleton asked as she walked in the door.

"Yes, I took a break" Corrina replied. "I've done the kitchen and all the bathrooms. "I only have a few more things to finish up and then I'll be on my way"

Mrs. Singleton stared at her a moment as if debating on saying something.

"Corrina, come with me" she said walking out of the room.

Corrina followed her wondering what she wanted.

"Look" Mrs. Singleton said turning around. "As you know Jenny is my flesh and blood and she has advised me to fire you, telling me that you can't be trusted."

Corrina started to say something, but Mrs. Singleton held up her hand.

"Tut, tut, no need to defend yourself, Corrina. I told Jenny that she was way out of line. After all, you've been helping me out for quite a few years now and you always do a satisfactory job. I don't have to worry about my things when you work for me."

She picked up a small decorative fan and began to wave it back and forth.

"Jenny is spoiled I know and she's used to getting her way. However, I have no problem with you marrying a white man. She did tell me that and I must say I was a bit surprised. I suspect that Jenny is jealous because she wanted him for herself." She turned to Corrina. "I suppose that you'll no longer work for me after you marry."

"I'm not sure just yet" Corrina admitted.

"Well, you'll always have a job here if you want it." Mrs. Singleton replied. "Don't worry about Jenny. Her bark is worse than her bite."

"I wish I could believe that" Corrina replied.

Mrs. Singleton laughed. "You look like you can handle your own."

She walked over to the table and picked up an envelope and handed it to her.

"Here's your pay for today as well as a wedding present from me."

Corrina took the envelope and smiled. "Thank you, Mrs. Singleton."

"Tut, tut!" Mrs. Singleton replied. "Go on, open it."

Corrina opened the envelope and found a check for a thousand dollars. She was shocked.

"Mrs. Singleton-"

"Now I don't want to hear another word." Mrs. Singleton said. "I want you to have it. You don't want to hurt an old lady's feelings by refusing my gift now would you, Corrina?"

"Of course not" Corrina said grinning.

"Take it and have a wonderful honeymoon" Mrs. Singleton said. "I insist!"

"Well thank you" was all Corrina could say. She gave Mrs. Singleton a quick hug.

"I would love for you to come to the wedding...but I understand if you decline" Corrina said as she was hugging her.

"I'm a rich old lady." Mrs. Singleton replied. "I can do what I want."

"Well, I'll look for you then." Corrina replied laughing.

She quickly finished her work and got ready to return to Manny's house. Maybe things were not going to be that bad after all.