Chapter Fourteen
Catching Up 1989
“Hey, girl. I missed you!” Wanda yelled as she hugged Brooklyn. The two had met at a Center City restaurant to catch up on the gossip.
“I know we have so much to talk about. Have you seen Stacey?”
“Not lately, but I heard she’s pregnant.”
“Wow! Really? I never thought I’d see the day she’d betray me the way she did. I was sure, when we were younger, that we’d be friends forever. Obviously I was sadly mistaken.”
“Well, you know she was always trying to compete with you. I think she always felt like she was living in your shadows and would do practically anything to get in the limelight.”
“Well, I don’t care how hard she tries, she’ll never be me, honey!” Brooklyn laughed. “I’m sure he’s whupping her ass, so hey, all I can do is say thanks.”
“You think so?”
“I know so, girl. There is no way he’ll change for her. Hell, I’m prime meat, girl, and he wouldn’t change for me. I don’t even know why I was mad that she took him away at first.”
Wanda laughed. “You are crazy, girl.”
“I’m serious. I couldn’t be happier now. Things are looking up for me. I mean, I miss having a man around every now and then, but you know it is what it is. I’m so busy, I barely have time to sleep.”
“Well, I’m really happy for you. I only want the best for you.”
“That’s why we’re friends.” Brooklyn smiled. Brooklyn refused to show how much it really bothered her that Stacey was pregnant. She’d truly just gotten over her relationship with Sincere. It wasn’t just that she cared about him, but now her daughter would be forced to share. She could never imagine sleeping with someone who was in a relationship with any of her friends, but Stacey was cut from a different cloth.
“Well, enough about her, girl. Let’s order.”
When the two finished their meal, they went to the mall to do some shopping. Catching up with Wanda was much needed.
After two hours of walking the mall, they were headed out when they spotted Stacey and her group of friends in their path to the door. The two hadn’t come face to face in almost a year.
Wanda was nervous, hoping the meeting wouldn’t turn into an all-out brawl.
The two stood face to face and locked eyes. As the staring match continued, you could feel the heat rising from both of them. The hatred for Brooklyn was never clear. From the outside looking in, you’d know that she did everything in her power to keep Stacey afloat, so it came out of left field when Stacey became such a backstabber.
Wanda tried to keep her eyes on the both of them, expecting someone to snap.
“Well, well, well ... if it isn’t Ms. Brooklyn.”
“Sure is. In the flesh. See me and weep.”
“Please. No need. There’s nothing special about it, from what I see.”
“Yeah? Well, your man surely thinks so.”
“I highly doubt that. He’s so over you.”
“Yeah, I see he has you fooled. I bet he’s beating your ass too.”
Taken aback, Stacey fumbled for a reply. “You’re real funny, Brooklyn, but try again. See, I’m not you. I guess that shows how much more he cares about me.”
“Look, I’d love to stand here and continue this useless chat with you, but we both know the truth, and bickering about it won’t change anything.” Brooklyn grabbed Wanda by the hand and brushed past Stacey, who stood shaking her head, and they headed out of the mall.
“I’m so proud of you. I thought for sure you were going to deck her.”
“She’s so not worth it. Besides, I’m not trying to go to jail for hitting a pregnant woman. I could see her ass now pressing charges on me and having my ass in handcuffs.”
“Well, drive safe. I’m so glad we got to hang out. Don’t make it so long the next time.” Wanda reached in to hug Brooklyn.
“I won’t, I promise.”
As the two parted ways, both smiling, Brooklyn was proud of herself. Every inch of her wanted to lay Stacey out cold, but she knew it wasn’t the right thing to do. That she was over Sincere made it that much more simple. She was tired of being angry and was ready to start living. Now that she’d seen Stacey, she felt better about moving forward without either of them on her mind.