CHAPTER 28
“Hey, Natalie! What’s going on?”
“Nothing.”
“I know it’s been a while since we’ve talked, but ever since we got that Essence assignment, things have been crazy. So what’s been happening with you?”
“Nothing new,” Natalie said, “especially since my name was nowhere on the list for stylists. You didn’t have anything to do with that, did you?”
“No, I mean…I sent your name in. You didn’t get it?”
“Stop actin’ like you didn’t already know, Yolanda! You’re upstairs now, remember? You made it to the big leagues and left your friend down here still trying to make the majors.”
“Natalie, I honestly sent your name in—”
“Oh, I believe you sent my name in, but what I can’t believe is that you let them people up there dog me out. You are the last person on earth who I thought would’ve let me down like this. I could see if I couldn’t style hair or something, but y’all didn’t pick me because I’m fat!”
“What? Natalie, listen…”
“Then to top it all off, you pick Tasha over me! Red lipstick Tasha! I didn’t think you of all people would discriminate against somebody because of her weight.”
“Just hold on a minute, Natalie. So you weren’t chosen for the Essence shoot and you think it’s because of your weight? That’s ridiculous…”
“Maria told me that’s what happened.”
“So anything that Maria says makes it true?”
“I told you that woman is like watching the five o’clock news. Everything out of her mouth is fact.”
“You know what, I don’t have time for this. I call you to tell you how my day went and you’re blaming me for not making the Essence shoot? You are being so—”
“I’m being what? ’Cause the only thing I can think of is friend. I’ve been a friend to you this whole time, Yolanda, and you’ve been so self-involved with being in love with your boss…”
“I’m not in love with him!”
“Whatever. All I’m saying is that you’re not around. You left me sitting alone at Doneraki—”
“I told you that was an accident!”
“Stop lying. You forgot, plain and simple. You going around with your new friend, Jackie—”
“So that’s what this is all about?”
“What?”
“You’re jealous.”
Hot anger gripped Natalie’s chest, almost making her choke.
“Excuse me?”
“I made something of myself, accomplished a goal and made it to management, and you are jealous of the fact that me and Jackie are being friends…”
“Friends? You’re so stupid, Yolanda. The girl is using you, plain and simple. Do you actually think she likes you? Or anyone, for that matter? You really have lost your mind if you think I could ever be jealous of you. There is nothing you have that I want, or don’t already have, okay?”
“Look, I really didn’t call you to argue, Natalie. I just wanted a peaceful conversation about my day.”
“See? There you go again. Your day. You’re not the only person with stuff going on in her life. Wake up, the world doesn’t revolve around you.”
“Okay, okay, you’re right. I’m sorry, all right?” Yolanda said.
“Natalie?”
“I’m here.”
“I’m really sorry. I’ll find out if what Maria said was true, and see who made the final decision on the stylists and see if I can beg somebody to let you on, okay?”
“Beg somebody? Ain’t nobody got to beg anybody to do anything for me. But I believe you, Yolanda, I believe you’re sorry. And I’m sorry too for thinking that you could have ever been a friend of mine.”
“Natalie—”
The hum of the dial tone was Yolanda’s response.
* * *
There are more girls this time.
Their blows are vicious and cruel.
Yolanda feels a warm liquid escape her nose and cries out from the pain. She knew it was broken, the blood in her mouth tells her so.
“Cry again like that, and I’ll give you something to cry for,” a girl threatens.
Her voice is familiar.
The girl steps into the light, and through her swollen eyes Yolanda can see the girl’s face.
She screams.
The face is hers.
* * *
Yolanda woke up with a start. Her bed sheets were drenched with perspiration. She felt both cold and feverish. She picked up her glass of water from the nightstand and drank it straight down.
I’m gonna have to do something about these dreams. They are destroying my sleep. Now I’m gonna be awake for the rest of the night. She found the remote control and turned on the TV.