They called family.
Nia screamed.
Simone’s mother cried.
Darius’s mother immediately asked about dates.
For almost a year, wedding planning became part of everyday life.
Venues.
Flowers.
Guest lists.
Music.
Food.
Simone seemed excited.
So did Darius.
That was what made the message impossible to understand.
He spent the rest of Saturday pretending.
It was one of the longest days of his life.
Simone left around noon to meet Jasmine.
Darius kissed her goodbye.
She smiled.
“Don’t forget your fitting at three.”
“I won’t.”
“You forgot the last appointment.”
“I did not forget.”
“You called me from work and asked why the tailor was texting you.”
“I temporarily misplaced the appointment in my brain.”
“That means forgot.”
Darius forced a laugh.
Simone walked toward the door.
Then turned.
“Love you.”
The words nearly stopped him.
“Love you too.”
She left.
Darius remained in the kitchen.
A minute later, her car backed out.
He stood there listening to silence.
Then he said the sentence aloud.
“Hey sexy, your man gone yet?”
Hearing it made it worse.
He sat at the kitchen table.
Maybe it was a joke.
Maybe one of Simone’s friends had changed a contact name.
Maybe it was spam.
But spam did not usually ask whether “your man” was gone.
And why was a contact saved as Pizza Hut?
Darius called his sister.
He almost hung up before she answered.
Nia picked up.
“What happened?”
Darius frowned.
“How do you know something happened?”
“You never call before noon on Saturday unless something happened.”
He remained silent.
“Darius?”
“I need your opinion.”
“That sounds dangerous.”
“I’m serious.”
Nia’s voice changed.
“Okay.”
Darius told her.
When he finished, Nia said nothing for several seconds.
Then:
“Pizza Hut?”
“Yes.”
“Like the restaurant?”
“Yes.”
“And the message literally said, ‘Hey sexy, your man gone yet?’”
“Yes.”
Nia exhaled.
“That does not sound like a coupon.”
“Thank you.”
“I’m sorry.”
Darius rubbed his forehead.
“What do I do?”
“What do you want to do?”
“Ask her.”
“Then ask.”
“I don’t think she’ll tell me.”
Nia paused.
“That answer worries me more than the text.”
Darius knew what she meant.
“If you already believe she’ll lie, what are you trying to save?”
“I don’t know.”
Nia softened.
“Maybe there’s an explanation.”
“You believe that?”
“I said maybe.”
Darius looked toward the engagement photograph on the wall.
“Nia.”
“Yes?”
“If Dad had seen something like this before Mom found out, what would you tell him to do?”
His sister became quiet.
“Tell the truth immediately.”
Darius closed his eyes.
“Yeah.”
“But you’re not Dad.”
“No.”
“And Simone isn’t him.”
“I know.”
“Don’t punish her for something you haven’t confirmed.”
“I’m not.”
“But don’t gaslight yourself either.”
Darius almost smiled.