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I rushed to make it to work on time while dragging my luggage down the street. I had to get in early to be able to leave by noon for the trip to Boston. The bag slowed me down and for some reason, I ran into every homeless person begging for change. I had none to give them anyway but their long sob stories held up progress.
I finally reached the front door where, of all people, Miss Alice was there holding it open for me.
“Moving in?” she chuckled, waving her bony arm for me to come in.
“No, I’m going to the airport after I leave work,” I said, walking in a huff.
“Airport?!?!” she screeched, with hands to her cheeks, “Where are you going?”
“Boston, to visit friends,” I answered, taking a minute to catch my breath.
“Boston? Woooow,” she walked in front of me, gapping at my bag. “Do you have family there too?”
“Nope.” I pulled the handle, heading for the elevators.
Miss Alice wasn’t letting up that easily, she skipped ahead to keep up and continued to question me.
“What do you have planned?” she asked, catching the elevator for us, “Have you known these friends for long?”
“Nope. Just visiting and hanging out,” I replied, ignoring the last question.
Traveling up, cramped inside with my bag, Miss Alice, and a few executives, she rambled on about places to eat, places to visit, and naming family members from a smaller area near the city. I WAS NOT INTERESTED!
Kelly saved me by taking the motor mouth to a last-minute meeting once we stepped off the elevator. Finally getting peace to myself, I settled in to start my day.
I messaged Darren as soon as I reached my desk. Although I didn’t want to think of him, he was my ride to the airport. Looking back, I could have taken the opportunity to graciously decline and take the Marta train instead. But something inside wanted me to take him up on that offer, even though it wasn’t the right thing to do.
Jennifer Steele: Hey, my flight leaves at 2:45. Are you still able to take me to the airport?
Darren McCray: Of course. Do we need to stop by your place first to get your stuff?
Jennifer Steele: I have my bag here. I’m all set to go.
Darren McCray: I’ll come to your floor a little before 12.
Jennifer Steele: Thanks!
I was nervous about Darren coming to my floor. I didn’t want Miss Alice or anyone else getting suspicious. He was known around the office. Not for anything bad, but he was sociable and a great asset to the company. Being his “special friend” was not something I wanted to be known for.
Luckily for me, there was another team lunch that I didn’t have to attend since I was scheduled to leave early. When he showed up, I was alone. The universe gave us a break by supplying privacy.
“Hey!” He walked towards my cube swinging his arms. “Are you ready?” The familiar cologne hit me before he did.
Darren stood back and took one look at my huge bag, then laughed.
“What?!? I needed to pack all of my lady things.” I snickered, slowly rising from my seat.
“I’m not judging,” he pulled the bag from under the desk. “I’m just trying to figure out how you managed to walk from home with that thing.”
“Haha! It was a struggle but I managed.”
I gawked at his bulging muscles as he rolled my bag out. My chest rose and fell heavily with every small grunt he made.
Darren’s phone rang breaking my concentration on him. He leaned the bag against a file cabinet to answer. “Hello...Hey Cheryl. No, I’m working late tonight you’ll have to get her...I told you this yesterday... Never mind don’t worry about it. I have to drop a friend off at the airport, I’ll swing by to pick her up on the way back...Yea...Bye.”
Another issue with Cheryl. I realized that she was INDEED the wife.
What kind of problems are they having? Why does he seem aggravated every time he talks to her? I wondered, watching his irked expression.
Darren took a deep breath, then looked up at me. The teddy bear eyes were filled with agitation from the phone call.
“Let’s roll, Jenn. We gotta get you to Boston.” He pushed out a smile.
I didn’t want to ask about the phone call. It wasn’t my business. Mainly because I had a feeling I knew the answer. Cheryl got him aggravated and taking me to the airport was his release.
Am I officially the side piece? I mouthed to myself, following him to the elevator.
On the way to the Hartsfield-Jackson International, Darren talked more about his daughter. She was sick and he had to pick her up from school. He didn’t seem too happy about it because that wasn’t in the original plan. I figured Cheryl had something better to do than tend to their sick child.
“I told my wife I had to work late. But for some reason, she ‘forgets’ about my plans,” he fussed, slapping his hand on the steering wheel.
I didn’t seem worthy to respond. I was single and knew nothing of married life. Giving my two cents on his wife while I secretly lusted about him wasn’t a comfortable thing to do. That alone was bad enough. His gripes caused me to be apprehensive about continuing our friendship after I returned from Boston. I felt like I deserved to have my own man without the extra baggage filled with trouble at home.
“Sorry I-I didn’t mean to dump all of that on you.” He looked over at me, noticing my sudden silence. “You’re getting ready for a trip and here I am complaining.”
I fumbled with my phone, thinking about his responses during the phone conversation back at the office. “I thought you were going to take the afternoon off.”
“I tried but some things came up and I have to get them done before Monday,” he replied. “Do you have a ride from the airport when you land?”
“I’m taking a cab,” I said firmly.
At the red light, Darren pulled out his phone and typed fast. His eyes constantly gazed up at the light to see when it was going to change. The urgency in his finger movement hinted that he was texting Cheryl.
“Greenlight,” I alerted.
He glanced up, “Thanks.”
Darren took a few seconds longer to send the message, then drove on. He pulled up to the airport and quickly got out of the car to retrieve my bag from the trunk. While I gathered my things, he opened my door with a big smile. Those teeth straightly aligned with flared dimples did something to me. That smile put me into the fantasy world that I continuously fought so hard to get out of. It became harder to completely cut him off.
“Are you going to get out?” he laughed, extending his hand to me.
“Oh, yea. Sorry,” I tried to focus on the present time. “Thanks for the ride. You better get going, so you can pick up your daughter.”
I exited the car with the assistance of his soft yet masculine hand. He accompanied me while checking in at the outdoor kiosk.
“I have a little time,” he replied. “My wife’s cousin is a nurse at the school. She’ll be fine until I get there.”
To my dismay, he milked every second until takeoff. The clerk handed me a boarding pass and requested payment for the checked bag. Darren pulled out his black card to cover the charge.
I suddenly became bothered by his gesture. “Darren, you didn’t have to pay for that I...”
“Shhh.” He ordered, placing a finger over his sneering lips.
I never thought I’d get tired of a man buying things for me. But that time was different. My perception was that he treated me like some streetwalker, buying me off with random kindness.
“I don’t mind, Jenn,” he signed the receipt. “I like you...remember?”
Those words again. I jerked my body towards him and stared.
“What does that mean, Mr. McCray?” I squinted my eyes at him.
“What do you think?” He mocked by squinting back.
“I don’t know. That’s why I asked.”
He laughed and opened his arms. “You have to get on the plane. Better hurry up.”
We hugged...tightly, then his lips landed softly on my forehead. I tingled from the place where those smooth lips touched all the way down between my legs.
Great, even more confusion. I thought.
Before I turned to walk off, he got my attention and handed me a business card. “Take my number. Let me know when you’ve landed safely.”
I took the card, then headed inside, dumbfounded by what transpired between us. The man dropped me off at the airport as if he was my boyfriend seeing me off on a vacation.
Security check, a bathroom break, 20 minutes of searching for the gate, and I was seated comfortably waiting to board. I stared at the business card with his cell number posted two lines under his name. Darren C. McCray. To kill time, I played a little guessing game, thinking of possible middle names for Mr. Teddy Bear Eyes. Carl, Corey, Cameron, Chris, and Cornelius were all I could come up with.
Boarding the plane almost gave the urge to send Darren a message. A second thought motivated me to quickly delete it. I had already accepted too damn much. That was supposed to be the last time getting close to him. Despite the frustrations with his wife, he wore a ring. A ring that symbolized devotion in going home to her and their daughter every night. Loving her, making love to her, showing her off to his family, friends, and strangers. I was just a work friend to ease his mind when she got on his nerves.
The flight was mellow, or maybe the two strong drinks I ordered made it that way. As soon as I landed, I messaged Samantha to let her know I’d be at her apartment soon. Happy to be in another state and away from the Darren confusion, I was ready to have fun in Beantown.
It didn’t take long for my bag to roll around the conveyor belt, which was a first for me, then I ventured out to hail a cab. However, a man dressed in a black and white suit, holding a sign with the name JENNIFER STEELE changed that plan. The man looked at me as if he knew I was the woman on the sign. My friends never sent me a driver before, and it wasn’t a special occasion, so that was very puzzling.
“Hi,” I said to the chipper driver. “I’m Jennifer. Can you hold on a second? I need to make a quick phone call.”
“Yes, ma’am.” he nodded, tucking the sign under his arm.
I couldn’t wait to thank my girl, Sam, before we headed to the car.
“Thanks for the driver girl!” I said as soon as she answered.
“Driver!?!?” she replied, perplexed. “What driver?”
“There’s a driver here with my name on a sign,” I laughed, pointing at the man as if she could see for herself. “You don’t remember booking a car service for me?”
“Jenn, I love you but you know how to get around up here,” Sam laughed. “I didn’t send you a driver. What are you talking about?”
“Ummm. Hold on,” I replied hastily, muting the call.
“Sir, who sent you?” I asked the driver.
He chuckled and proceeded to get my bag, “Darren McCray.”
“Darren did this?” I shouted, holding my forehead. “When?”
“A few hours ago.” He moved the sign from under his arm and held it in his hand, “Are you ready?”
I unmuted Sam, stunned by Darren’s actions once again. “Hey, it was a misunderstanding. I’ll see you soon.”
“You sure?” she asked, still in a state of confusion.
“Yea. I’m on my way.” I hung up before she could respond with more questions and reluctantly followed the driver outside to a black SUV.
The deluxe ride had heated seats, a third row, which was pointless because I was the only passenger. Darren also had the driver leave a note for me with a bottle of champagne. Some expensive shit I’ve only seen on TV.
Jenn,
I wanted to give you something to kick off your trip. This was my way of making sure you landed safely, just in case you forgot to call and let me know. Enjoy it.
See you when you return.
Darren.
Mr. Teddy Bear Eyes had me riding in style to visit my girls for the weekend. Settled in the back seat, I dug the business card out of my purse and called him.
“Hello?” His sexy voice answered.
“Hi, um...this is Jennifer.” I looked around as if I were hiding. “Are you busy?”
“I’m at the office, taking a break. Have you landed?”
I could tell he was smiling through the phone and relaxed in his office chair. I imagined the dimples settling in his cheeks when he spoke.
“Yes,” I answered quickly.
“And how was your flight?” He switched from the corporate voice to a more casual tone.
“The flight was fine. But, to my surprise, I had a car waiting for me,” I paused to look out the window. “You know anything about that?”
“I do and I did it,” Darren said arrogantly.
“Darren...”
“What?” He whined. “I wanted to make sure you arrived at your friend’s house safely.”
“I could have made sure of that myself,” I replied in a serious but playful tone.
“I know. I’m sorry, was that too much?”
I paused and thought about the question for a minute. For a regular single man, it wasn’t but from a married man, hell yes!
“You still there?” Darren asked.
“Yea, I’m here. Just a little confused by all of this. The rides home, the lunches, the painting, you paying for my bag, the kiss on the forehead, and now this?” I sighed, “I don’t know what to think.”
“Don’t think...just enjoy it. You’re starting school soon. Papers, studying, boring lectures, that’s what’s in your future. Relax, Jenn.”
His words shouldn’t have moved me. But they did. He was very thoughtful in making sure my trip started off right. It caused an even greater conflict within me as I should have said I didn’t need his “presents”. Signs of getting too deep were flying left and right. Although harmless on my part, an outsider could easily see that we were headed down the road to being more than friends.
“Why thank you, Darren C. McCray.” I read his name aloud off the card. “What’s the C stand for anyway?”
“Calvin.” He chuckled, then coughed softly. “What did you think it stood for?”
“Cornelius,” I replied with a hint of sass.
The geeky laugh rang loudly in my ear, but I loved it! It made me laugh too.
“What’s wrong with Cornelius?” I asked.
“Cornelius? Do I look like a ‘Cornelius’ to you? Really?”
We pulled up to Samantha’s building, I was a little bummed about having to get off the phone. I wanted the drive to last a little longer so I could hear his laugh again.
“Well, Darren CALVIN McCray. I want to thank you ONCE AGAIN for helping me out. And NO, I won’t need a ride home from the airport on Sunday,” I demanded, gathering my things. “I’m taking a car service. You’ve done enough.”
The driver parked and went to get my bag. I sat back into the seat, getting as much Darren time as I could.
“If that’s how you want it. No more surprise rides. But, Jenn...” he conceded in a demure tone.
“Yes?”
“I’m here if you need me.”
Every word of that sentence gave me chills. My exhales shook leaving my body as I tried to control urges of opening up the door to flirting with him.
“Thanks. Have a good evening, Darren.” I tried to sound as sweet and sexy as I could. It felt like I was talking to my man. Grasping onto that fantasy canceled out every hesitation I had up until that point.
“You too. And enjoy your trip.”
Damn this man is good. What in the world was I getting myself into? Wait! No! I’ve got to get out of this! I thought, waiting for the driver to get my door.
I made the same decision a dozen times, but every time I tried to slip away, Darren came back with something else. Then, the force would show up and take over. And still, there was no clear reason as to why he wanted to be a good friend to me.
Once settled in Samantha’s newly purchased condo, I poured a glass of wine and sat near the floor-to-ceiling window perfectly placed in the dining room area. I had a little time alone while she engaged in a romantically intense conversation with her new “man friend”, Jerry. Views of adjacent buildings towering over the Ava Theater District created a sudden urge to call Darren. Possibly to describe the area and listen to him share events of his day. He would have been leaving work and on his way home to Mrs. McCray, so that urge went unfulfilled.
However, thinking about him put me in the mind frame of being in a courtship with Mr. Teddy Bear Eyes. How could I not? He did “courting” things. Gave me “courting” eyes. Even confessed that he liked me. Both confusion and guilt shared space in my heart.
The concept of his wife not appreciating him became a factor in my rationale. Everyone knows it can be a cause for some men to gravitate towards something new. But why me? There were tons of women in Atlanta waiting for a man (taken or not) to give them attention. I never thought of myself as that type of woman, and I didn’t want to find out the hard way that he was just another dog in disguise. I’d heard many stories of married men luring single women only to gain what was missing at home.
“Kass is on her way. You wanna do dinner, drinks, or roam the city?” Sam joined me by the window.
Her presence reminded me of the reason why I was in Boston. That reason was to forget about Darren and find other things to focus on.
“All of the above.” I gazed at the sun setting over the city.
“We can do that,” she moved closer, studying my dazed expression. “What’s on your mind, Jenn?”
I didn’t want to divulge into my deep thoughts, but I had to get it out. Saying it aloud would release everything that harbored inside. If I didn’t, those ideas would have festered throughout the weekend.
“Sam, I don’t know. I met this man at work but, it’s different. He’s everything I want...” I took a beat and drank some wine to serve as a truth serum.
“What’s the problem?” she coaxed, standing over me with her hands on her hips.
My gaze shifted to her curious yet concerned eyes, then back to the gorgeous view. “I can’t have him.”
“Wait what? When I asked a couple of weeks ago, you said that there was no guy. So now there IS a guy and you can’t have him. What’s REALLY going on?”
“His name is Darren,” I digressed. “Smart, cute, prosperous. Hung out with me at an art gallery, spent good money to buy me a painting that I adore. Took me to lunch a few times. Then, he said he’s doing all of these things because he likes me.”
The words flowed while my eyes stayed on the sky preparing to change colors for the evening. Sam’s questions didn’t bother me. I was determined to answer her questions my way and in my own time.
“All of that doesn’t sound bad, Jenn.” Sam waved me off and walked towards the kitchen. “And why can’t you have him?”
“Dropped me off at the airport and before we left, he gave me the sweetest hug and a kiss on the forehead.” I arose and stepped to the window, pressing my hand to feel the energy of the sun taking its final bow. Feeling the cold pane mentally transported me to the other side of the window. I floated, in my words. I was no longer venting to my friend; I confessed my guilt to the sky.
She sighed, shuffling through the fridge. “I’m not following you, girl.”
I heard her clinking beer bottles but the sound didn’t deter me.
“And if THAT wasn’t enough. He arranged for a car to pick me up when I landed. I guess that’s who he texted while we were on the way to Hartsfield. I thought it was his wife but...”
As soon as the word “wife” came out, I was back in the kitchen with Sam, realizing that the sky wasn’t the only one hearing my confession.
She slammed the refrigerator, then a beer bottle on the counter, and walked back over to me. My face refused to meet her judgment seeping through the air. I knew more questions brewed inside of her.
“Wife!?!? He has a wife?!?!” she jerked me around to face her, “You’re seeing a man who has a wife?!?! C’mon now Jenn, you can’t get caught up in that.”
“I know. I know. But it’s hard. I’m trying to stay away. We work together,” I lowered my head in shame, thinking of what to say to make her understand. “Technically, I’m not seeing him. He just pops up out of nowhere. Doing things for me. He’s the one who encouraged me to go back to school. Darren is an amazing man but he’s taken. Just my luck.”
“Yea, some stroke of luck. No matter how this man makes you feel, he still goes home to a wife at night,” Sam scolded, lifting my head
I snatched away from her and headed to the table. “AND a young daughter,” I added, swirling the wine glass.
“DAMN! A kid too!?!? Girl, you can’t be in the home-wrecking business,” she chastised.
My face arose with insults written all over it. She wasn’t trying to understand me at all. “I’m not trying to, Sam. But I can’t lie, it feels good to have a man catering to me for once. You know how it was with Kevin.”
She showed a morsel of compassion by placing her arm around my shoulder. “I know Kevin hurt you but, you can’t fall into the arms of another woman’s husband.”
“That’s true,” I sighed deeply, shaking my head. “I have to let it go.”
A knock on the door broke up the “talk some sense into Jenn” moment.
“I’ll get it,” Sam hurried to the door. “That’s probably Kass. And think about what I just said.”
My eyes went back to the sky. Sam was right. I removed Darren’s business card from my pocket, ripped it up, and threw it away.
“Haaaay! I’ve missed you!” Kassandra met me at the window. “What are you doing over here? Nothing exciting is going on in this uppity part of town.”
“Hey! Was just in here thinking,” I gave her a tight hug, holding back the unannounced tears. “Sam, you have to fill me in on Jerry!”
I had to pull it together for us to enjoy the girl’s weekend. We gathered in the living room for hours of drinks and “catch up” conversations. Around midnight, we left to run the town. I loved my friends, but often, Sam reminded me that it's best to keep my personal life private. Too many unwarranted ideas based on their experiences and personal views. However, Sam made good points, but I didn’t know if it was sound advice or just her way of keeping up an act.
Samantha could be described as the level-headed, successful friend. She works hard and plays harder. After graduation, Cambridge became her new home to attend grad school at Harvard. Being a Florida native, she vowed to leave the small city of Fernandina Beach and never look back. She didn’t talk about her life before moving to Athens to attend college. Almost as if she was ashamed of something. Upon earning her Master’s Degree, she received a great job offer at General Electric in Boston.
After graduation, Kassandra traveled a while to find herself. Departing from Atlanta took her to Amsterdam, Ireland, and a few other places in Europe. Refusing to go back to her hometown in Charlotte, North Carolina, and growing tired of Sam’s constant begging, she got a job at GE in Boston. I never thought Kassandra wanted to plant roots in Beantown, however, throughout college, she constantly caved into Sam’s neediness.
A job opportunity was available for me in Boston as well, but I preferred to stay close to my family. Part of me regretted not moving with my girls to begin a new life. But, the death of my parents kept me close to my sister. She was all I had left of them and it was hard to leave that piece of me behind.
Kassandra took us to her regular spot, full of dancing and more drinks. Three care-free women reliving their college days in a beautiful city. The right prescription to cure my Darren conundrum...or so I thought.
While winding to 90s hit reggae tunes, I received a text from an unsaved number.
Hope you’re having fun! It read.
Immediately I knew who it was. My facial expression went against how I should have felt about the random after midnight message. The dancing came to an abrupt halt, and I blushed at him thinking of me that time of night.
“Is that Darren?” Sam asked, looking over my shoulder.
With my head in a slight tilt, I cut my eyes at her.
“Who is Darren?” Kassandra added, joining in on the message lurking.
I saved his number, then pulled the phone to my chest to hide the screen, with my face covered in a guilty smile.
“I’m going to the bathroom.” I hurried away.
While waiting in line for the ladies’ room, I messaged him back. If Sam hadn’t called me out, the tone would have been mischievously flirty. But as my fingers moved on the touch screen keypad, another type of message poured out.
Jenn: Hey. I am. But we need to have a serious talk when I get back. I’ve figured you out and I don’t think it’s fair to me.
I walked into the next available stall with a conquered feeling. The attitude promptly changed when he replied.
Teddy Bear Eyes: Huh? What are you talking about, Jenn? What have you figured out about me?
I didn’t know what to say. Frankly, I expected him to read my response in the morning. That’s what most guys do, wake up to a monologue or a phrase that radiates a hurricane of female feelings. But I wasn’t dealing with a typical man. Darren Calvin McCray was on the receiving end of the text.
Why isn’t he cuddling with his wife on a Friday night? I thought, squatting over the toilet.
Jenn: I can’t be your “relief” when things aren’t right at home. I’m not that type of girl.
I replied then shut off my phone for the rest of the night. It was best to put the conversation on hold until the morning when I had time to think and less alcohol in my system.
“Hey, Jenn!” Kassandra’s voice rang throughout the bathroom. “You okay?”
“Yea. I’m coming out.” I finished in the stall, then headed to the sink.
“Thought you were throwing up in there.” She aimlessly stumbled into the wall.
“Looks like you’re going to be doing that by the end of the night.” I scrubbed my hands in the warm water running into the rusted sink. “What kind of place is this anyway?”
She dropped her head to her shoulder like a broken doll and grinned. “A happy place!”
“Jesus!” I replied, snatching paper towels from the dispenser.
I hoped Sam was feeling just as good as Kassandra. That way, I wouldn’t have been forced to talk about Darren. If not, it was my duty as the newly appointed ‘bad influence’ to make it happen for my sake.
“Shots at the bar?” I suggested with a devilish expression.
She straightened herself up in the mirror, rubbing the running mascara from her eyes. “Let’s go!”
The next morning, entailed a brutal hangover session. While getting Sam drunk, I overindulged as well. I guess one could say the plan both worked and backfired at the same time. Kassandra woke me up banging pans to make breakfast.
“Morning!” she bellowed, watching me slump from the couch to the kitchen.
My head pounded on beat with the pans; too weak to grab them from her to cease my agony.
“Hey.” I yawned. “How are you up so early?”
“I do this on the regular,” she replied as if she hadn't been passed out hours before in the Uber on the way home.
“I see.”
She tiptoed to reach a bottle of pain meds from the top of the fridge then shook them profusely at me. “You need a couple of these and breakfast made with love, then you should be in tip-top shape.”
I held her hand to end the rattling which felt like a building crumbling in my ears. “Thanks.”
I sat at the stool next to the counter, downing the pain meds with bottled water.
“Last night while you were in the bathroom, Sam filled me in on your MAN,” Kassandra teased.
I rubbed my throbbing head which included a new pain brought on by the information she shared. “Oh, Lord! What did she tell you?”
“No much,” she laughed, whipping eggs in a plastic bowl.
I threw the empty water bottle to her feet. “What is not much?”
“Hey, I’m trying to make you a good meal with love over here!” she placed the spoon in the bowl and set it aside to whisper to me, “Just that you were infatuated with a married man who does nice things for you. Look, Samantha can judge all she wants but I’ve been with a married man before. I understand what you’re feeling.”
All of a sudden, the pounding in my head settled. I gained an ally and someone who at least understood first hand. I didn’t ask for those feelings, nor any of the things Darren did for me. I wanted to let it go, but I couldn’t. I had to know how she dealt with it to help me get control over the situation.
“So, what happened?”
My question left a trace of sadness in her eyes. She picked up the bowl and poured eggs into the sizzling frying pan full of melted butter.
“He ended things. It hurt like hell,” Kassandra replied, with her eyes locked on the stovetop.
“I’m sorry Kass,” I said with compassion. “How long ago was it?”
She ignored me for a short while to concentrate on scrambling eggs. But I knew better, Kassandra could whip up breakfast in her sleep, that was her specialty. Cooking was her way of keeping unresolved emotions restrained.
“Look, if this man makes you feel good, then go with it,” she replied with confidence. “Just don’t put your heart into it. Men like that tend to reach out to us single girls to help them feel like a man and get what they’re lacking at home. But once that’s over, and they realize they love their wives...It’s done. Happens every time and there’s nothing you can do about it.”
I was hoping she had a happier ending to share. It was obvious to me that they didn’t end up together because Kassandra was single at the time. But I needed a better ending. Not one where he left because he wanted his family back. I never thought about that scenario. That scenario was a double heartbreak. Dealing with the constant guilt of being reduced to an after-thought, a side-piece, and a weekend lover; just to be dumped in the end.
“How did you get yourself to stop thinking about him?” I asked, assuming she’d at least triumphed in that area.
Kassandra looked down at the frying pan as if she didn’t have the answer. Like she was still thinking of the former wedded lover whom she couldn’t stop thinking of.
She took a deep breath then answered. “Getting emotionally involved is not the way to go, Jenn.”
The response advised that she wasn’t over it, and warned of a great chance that I’d end up like her if I didn’t regulate my feelings.
“Thanks for not judging me. I know what I have to do.”
Her eyes finally met me as she turned off the stove. “And what is that?”
“Leave it alone,” I confessed.
After breakfast and a quick shopping trip, Sam served as my tour guide through her new neighborhood. We then retired back at her place and ordered in. One night of partying was all I could take. Throughout the day, my body reminded me that I was getting too old for back to back outings.
“Bring on the wine!” Kassandra shouted to Sam from the living room.
“Where did this champagne come from?” Sam asked, emerging from the kitchen with a bottle in her hand.
They both looked to me as if they knew I was the guilty culprit.
“I brought it,” I laughed nervously, refusing to admit that it was a gift from Darren.
Kassandra, noticing the label, rushed over and snatched the bottle from Sam. “Dom Perignon, damn girl! This is well over a hundred dollars a bottle. Didn’t know you loved us that much!”
Sam wasn’t buying it. She sat across from me on the love seat, opening a can of cashews with a suspicious look.
“What?” I played as though I didn’t know what her change in demeanor was about.
“Almost two-hundred in most places, Kass,” she shook the can at me. “Nuts?”
“No, Kassandra are you going to open it or play the price is right?” I shouted to my friend admiring the champagne.
“That job must be paying you pretty well, Jenn. Either that or it’s a gift from your friend. You want to talk about that message he sent you last night?” Sam pried, sitting back in the love seat.
“Why do you do that?” I stood up and took the bottle from Kassandra. “I’ll open the damn thing myself.”
“What’s wrong with her?” Kassandra asked.
“She’s hiding an affair from us,” Sam replied in a smug tone. “Maybe you should tell her about what Tony did to you. Remember, that married man from Chicago?”
I ignored the rest of their banter and popped open the bottle. The cork flying and hitting the table ceased their conversation about my personal life. I poured three glasses and brought them into the living room.
“I’m not talking about this,” I handed Sam the first glass, “Especially with your judgment.”
“Judgement,” Sam scoffed. “I’m trying to talk some sense into you. Dealing with a man who wears a ring and has a family isn’t going to end well.”
“Okay Sam, I’m doomed, headed down a path full of danger,” I fussed. “If girls’ night in is going to be about coming down on me, I’ll just go out by myself.”
I set the glasses down on the table, then headed to Sam’s room to find a change of clothes.
“Hey, you don’t have to do that, Jenn,” Kassandra followed. “You know how she is, just let Sam talk.”
“I don’t want to hear it. I’m already dealing with enough. You don’t think I feel guilty?”
“Look, I know what you’re going through,” she consoled me.
“I’m not sitting in that living room with her bull shit,” I pointed with a firm tone.
“I’ll tell Sam to chill, and we’ll have a great girl’s night. Trust me,” Kassandra begged.
“Okay.” I gave in quickly because I honestly didn’t feel up to leaving the condo.
We walked back in the living room to Sam searching for movies. Kassandra came through with her promise of keeping our friend from talking about Darren. The remainder of the night consumed of chick flicks, champagne, wine, and good laughs. Despite the minor hiccups, the weekend with my best friends reminded me of how much I missed having them around. However, my life was in Atlanta. And unfortunately, so was Mr. Teddy Bear Eyes.
He never responded to the message I sent while at the club. It didn’t bother me because I wasn’t ready for that conversation. I was relieved he understood what I said, with no further explanation. Honestly, I wasn’t too sure if I was ready to end our friendship, so the time away from speaking to one another was much needed.
The plane ride back was dreadful. Turbulence and what seemed to have been the longest landing shook my nerves. I arrived home in an Uber and threw my bag in the corner of the bedroom. To prepare myself for work the next day, I went straight to bed. However, I couldn’t get to sleep right away. Part of me wanted to text Darren to let him know that I made it back safely. However, judging by the none response from my last message, there was a slight chance he wasn’t too happy with me.