The smell of Folgers never failed to wake Harold up. It made his mouth water and got him to drag his lazy butt downstairs. Once he smelled it, he had to have some. Their eyes locked as he strolled into the kitchen, fully dressed.
“Good morning,” he offered without conviction.
“What’s so good about it?” Alma shot back. “I couldn’t sleep a gnat of a second because you was snoring again like a damn polar bear. Then you went and took all the covers off me in the middle of the night.”
“Maybe I was trying to get me some of that sweet stuff you keep locked up under all them covers,” he said with a lewd wink. “You know a man’s got needs, Alma.”
“I told you I ain’t giving you nothing ’til you start acting right. You’ve gotta earn this, honey,” she teased, using her best Mae West.
“How can I do that?” Harold said as he walked to where she was sitting and made an attempt to kiss the back of her neck. Alma pushed him away.
“Don’t do that! If I want your lousy kisses, I’ll ask for them.”
Harold sucked his teeth and headed for the stove, angry at himself for allowing her to sucker him, yet another stab to his already ailing heart. He poured himself a cup of coffee and sat in his seat at the head of the pale green, rickety table. At least she hadn’t taken this from him. His position at the head of the table was the last bit of power Harold had left in this house. He made a mental note never to tell her how important that station was to him, because she’d surely confiscate his God-given right to a man’s throne.
The silence spoke volumes. Years of resentment had festered to the point of this hurtful, cancerous relationship. Harold avoided conversation with Alma because he knew it always ended in an argument or a fight. He decorated his coffee with four lumps of sugar and a tiny dollop of cream. Drank it dark and sweet, just like his woman used to be.
From RED HATS by Damon Wayans. Copyright © 2010 by Damon Wayans. Reprinted by permission of Atria Books, a Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc.
Damon Wayans pens a dazzling debut novel of a woman broken by disappointment and heartache, who finds solace and hope where she least expects it.
Once joyful and full of love, Alma has become cynical and self-protecting thanks to her decades-long deteriorating marriage to Harold. After Harold suffers a fatal heart attack, widowed Alma finds herself more alienated from everyone around her than ever before and nearly gives up on life herself. Then some red-hatted ladies, a group of women over fifty dedicated to having fun, extend their hands in friendship to her. Soon the Queen Mother Deliah, Sister Dee and the others reintroduce Alma to herself and, possibly, a new love in this heartwarming tale of enduring love and friendship.
Hardcover : 224 pages
Publisher: Atria Books ( May 04, 2010 )
Item #: 13-124079
ISBN: 9781439164617
Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 8.25 x 0.505inches
Product Weight: 11.0 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)

Great book by one of the most funniest comedians. The power of love & forgiveness is a beautiful thing!
Reviewer: Tiffany Y
Excellent, Excellent, Excellent
Reviewer: Shataya
I loved this book from begining to the end!!! Great job!!!
Reviewer: Lc
This book was slow at the beginning, but surprisingly, I loved it. Hey, this is a great pass it on book because a lot can be learned from it........
Reviewer: sharronl.
A great book......had many lessons learned in this book I advise you to read.......
Reviewer: Bwd
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