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“Emery, what’s wrong? I know your periods and this isn’t one. What’s the real issue here?”
“I told you it was my period.”
“We’re sisters. I know your cycle and it has never given you issues before. What’s up?” Isla asked sitting down on the bed.
“I’ve been having bad ones here lately.”
“I don’t believe it.”
“What?” she asked backing up.
“I know what it is. But I’m going to wait until you’re ready to tell me what’s going on.”
“I told you. My period.”
“I’ll leave you alone,” Isla stated getting up from the bed. “Look. This is my weekend I need you to know that.”
“Shit I know. You haven’t stopped saying it since last week. Damn we all know it’s your weekend,” she answered throwing her hands up.
“I had to make sure,” she stated laughing.
“Get out.”
“Oh I’m getting out.”
“Good. I need to wash my ass,” she laughed grabbing a pair of panties from her bag.
“And wash good too.”
“You ain’t my mama. Crazy ass.”
“You better wash good,” she repeated laughing.
“Get out.”
Isla closed the door to the bedroom and walked slowly and quietly to her room. She needed to be alone but it was going to be hard getting back to her room without being noticed.
Emery grabbed her personal toiletries and went into the bathroom where she broke down crying. She knew what the pain was because it wasn’t her first time but she prayed it was her last. She hugged her legs a little as she found herself on the bathroom floor. My body can only take so much more, she whispered to herself.
Gather yourself and get ready for this weekend. You can handle this once you get back home, a voice whispered back to her. You have done nothing wrong. Things happen but love yourself through it.
Emery wiped her face with the bottom of her shirt, straightened her back and got up off the floor.
––––––––
“WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOU?” Ryan called from behind Isla.
“Nothing.”
“Girl, why are you lying? You were talking junk a few minutes ago. I know I’ve been in the shower but it hasn’t been that long.”
“You look better,” Isla stated pointing at her newly styled wet hair.
“You act like I was outside fighting with the raccoons or something,” Ryan laughed.
“That’s what you looked like. Where did you go anyway?”
“Don’t worry about that. I was well taken care of.”
“I bet you were. I hope you got paid for your services.”
“What are you trying to say?”
“That whatever you did, it came with a price. A damn good price too because you were looking a little unkempt earlier.”
Ryan started laughing. “You know I’m married.”
“Marriage has never stopped a person from cheating before.”
“So you think I’m like that?”
“I never said you were but your appearance today sure did. I can’t say who it was with but I sho hope it was worth it.”
“You know Darnell ain’t going for that.”
“What Darnell doesn’t know won’t hurt him. You’re way out here. What happens in Mexico, stays in Mexico.”
“Whatever. You don’t plan on doing anything other than getting drunk. Stop playing,” Ryan answered waving her hand.
“You don’t know that. I better get mine in before the wedding night. I can’t do anything else once I get married.”
“I mean. You can always decide to not get married.”
“Really?” Isla asked giving Ryan the side eye.
“What? I’m mean it’s not all what it’s cracked out to be.”
“Now you tell me. Where was all this energy when I was talking about marriage two years ago?”
“It was there. I had to see for myself after a little while,” she laughed.
“You make me sick.”
“Hell I make myself sick. Our relationship is rocky. I’m still married though.”
“Girl, bye. I don’t care nothing about your marriage right now. I’m trying to get married and live happily ever after.”
“That shit ain’t true. At least once a week, either one of you will hate each other.”
“I don’t think so,” Isla answered pulling at a string hanging from her shirt.
“What’s wrong? It’s already happening? Is that why he went all out for this vacation?”
“I mean.”
“Exactly. Imagine what your marriage is going to be like.”
“I think things will change once we start living together.”
“Yeah. They will get worse once you move in. I’m not trying to scare you but it’s the truth. It’s going to be the little things too that piss you off.”
“I’ll figure all of that out once I get there.”
“Whatever. I’m just trying to warn you beforehand. But since you want to be so grown I’m going to let you taste the fruit and let me know how it is.”
“I’ve been single so long, getting into arguments is becoming a fun thing.”
“I swear sometimes I think you’re too foolish for your own good,” Ryan laughed.
“Forget you.”
“Done.”
“Speaking of the devil himself. Hey baby!”
“How are you and the girls liking the house?”
“You act like you miss his ass,” Ryan whispered. “You better lay it on thick,” she laughed.
“Who is that?” Edwin asked.
“Ryan crazy ass. Don’t pay her any mind.”
“What is she saying?”
“Nothing. You miss me yet?” she smiled.
“You know I do.”
“It doesn’t sound like it.”
“How about you and the girls be ready in an hour. I have someone coming over to cook you girls a lunch. None of you will have to lift a finger.”
“What? Stop playing. We were about to go out for lunch.”
“Says who?” Ryan asked.
“Hush, girl.” Isla stated waving her hand at her.
“We’ll be ready for whatever you have planned Edwin. You need to talk to your ole lady anyway. She’s tripping,” Ryan called out from behind Isla.
“What is she going on about?” he asked laughing.
“Nothing. I think she’s high.”
“High my ass.”
“Do we need to dress a certain kind of way?”
“Please have clothes on when they get there. I don’t need them calling me with an update about how none of y’all are dressed.”
“What? I always wear clothes.”
“Shit, not around me you don’t.”
“Now you’re lying.”
Ryan was standing right beside Isla ear hustling. “Move girl,” Isla mouthed pushing Ryan away.
“I thought y’all were waiting until the night of the wedding to have sex. Have you been lying Isla?” Ryan asked moving from the phone.
“Alright baby. I’ll talk to you later,” she answered.
“Oh you’re about to rush me off the phone. You must have to get ready. Please—
“I know how to dress. I am 35 years old,” she answered cutting him off.
“Alrighty then,” he answered.
“I’ll talk to you later.”
“I love you.”
“Yeah, love you too.”
“Oh you must be mad or something. What was that all about?”
“He talking crazy,” she answered shaking her head.
“Oh, I know he wasn’t acting like your daddy?”
“How you know?”
“Because men don’t have any sense. You should have seen Darnell in my damn bag like he was leaving.”
“What was he doing?”
“Fool was packing what he wanted me to wear. Shit I’m grown. I know what I want to wear and how it looks. If I want to look single, let me.” She answered laughing at her own response.
“Come on now, Ryan. I can’t let you be out here partying like you’re single.”
“What you don’t know won’t hurt you.”
“Are you serious? How bad is it?”
“It’s not about me this weekend. I’m chilling.”
“Did you go and see a guy when you left?”
“Maybe I did. Maybe I didn’t,” she answered winking at Isla.
“You’ll tell it because you can’t hold water.”
“I bet I won’t,” she smiled.
“Whatever,” Isla answered waving her off.
“Don’t dismiss me,” she answered laughing.
Isla gave flipped her the bird. “Ladies!”
“Why in the hell are you yelling?”
“I mean I can’t call everybody while we are all in here.”
“You can send a group message out. All that yelling isn’t called for.”
“It might not be but what other choice do I have?”
“Send the damn text crazy.”
“How about you do it? I swear this weekend isn’t going off like I wanted it to.”
“Because you’re about to bring it down. Relax. This is day one.”
“And this is setting the mood for the entire trip. You were out hooking, Emery is going through something. I’m stressed because I don’t know what it is. The other two ladies are doing who knows what and I’m ready to get drunk.”
“You can only be accountable for yourself. You need to only worry about if you’re having a good time. Forget the rest.”
“I hear you. It’s not that easy. Ladies!” she called out again.
“I swear you don’t have the sense that God gave a billy goat,” Ryan answered laughing. “Where is your phone, fool?”
“Right here,” she answered handing it to Ryan.
“You really want to be spoiled this weekend I see. It’s all good. I gotcha.”
ISLA: Ladies come down stairs. I have to tell you something.
Ryan handed the phone back to Isla.
“See that’s all you had to do with your crazy self.”
“Yelling was going to do the job just fine thank you very much.”
Both Mia and Randi came down first. They were laughing and smiling it up.
“Where have you two been?”
“Look don’t start your shit. We were enjoying the scenery in the back. What’s up?” Randi asked.
“Where is Emery?”
“I don’t know. Maybe she’s still taking a shower,” Randi answered.
“Maybe. Hopefully she’d be down here soon.”
“What’s the news?” Mia asked.
“Yeah what’s the news?” Ryan asked turning to Isla.
“I swear I can’t stand you,” Isla laughed at Ryan.
The five ladies were night and day when it came to living but somehow they made their bond work for each of them. Of course the bonds were different but they were still there.
“Anyway. My lovely soon to be husband booked someone to come and make us a late lunch.”
“Oh shit. I could have booked that,” Randi answered.
“Here you go.”
“I’m just saying.”
“Can you not say anything? Please,” Isla asked.
There was a loud noise coming from the stairs and all four ladies ran to the stairs.
“Are you okay?”
Emery looked up and started laughing.
“What’s so funny?” Isla asked concerned.
“Relax. I just fell down the steps trying to be cute in these damn hells,” she answered kicking the shoes from her feet.
“Whew. I’m glad you’re okay because I wanted to make sure I had permission to laugh,” Randi answered.
“Girl, forget you. These are new and it definitely shows.”
“I thought you had passed out or something,” Isla laughed.
“I wish. That shit hurt. Somebody help me up,” she answered extending her arm out.
“I can’t believe you just fell like that. Did you miss any of the steps?” Mia laughed.
“Go to hell.”
Isla propped herself up on the last step on the stairway, watching in amusement. Ryan extended her hand and helped Emery off of the floor.
“I’m glad you didn’t break anything,” Ryan stated.
“Shit me too. It definitely hurts though. It’s going to leave a few bruises. Now I have to explain this.”
“Explain it to who?” Isla asked standing up. “Last time I checked you were single.”
“I mean. You know,” she answered looking down at her legs.
There were a few bruises going up the back of her legs, a few on her back and one in the front of her right leg.
“Damn you hit hard. Turn around,” Mia stated.
“So much for everybody going back home in the same shape that they came,” Isla laughed shaking her head.
“I can’t help I’m clumsy.”
“No. It’s these heels,” Mia answered grabbing one of the heels off the floor. “How high is this heel?”
“A few inches.”
“Yeah a few inches too high for you.”
“Give me a break. I’m having a hard time right now.”
“You almost gave yourself a break and broke your damn neck. I swear I’ll never understand why you have to buy the highest heels in the shop. Why can’t you get the 3 inch heels? Aren’t those high enough?”
“Alright mom. I don’t need a leisure right now. I need a few pain pills though because this pain is going to be something serious.”
Mia went to grab her bag with all of her meds in it.
“Where is she running to?”
“I guess to get you some meds.”
Isla shrugged her shoulders. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine.” Emery stated examining her damage. “I can’t say the same for my legs. I feel like there’s a knot coming my forehead. Does anybody see it?” She asked placing her hand over the top of her head.
“We can’t see. You got your big ass hand in the way,” Randi laughed.
“I swear. Where is my lunch?” Emery asked. “I need a double shot and don’t be shy on the liquor. I need it all.”
“Yes, we all need liquor. The energy is hella off and we need to get it popping. This is a bachelorette weekend. Isla should be drunk by now. What are we waiting on?” Ryan asked.
“You! You’re walking around acting like you have to make sure everybody is good. We’ll be better once we see your ass up and head down,” Emery stated.
“I was trying to be a good host.”
“We can manage. You provided the house. We can provide the entertainment,” Ryan answered patting Isla on the shoulder.
“Whatever. I can’t believe y’all are making this an issue that I have.”
“It is. The entire time you’ve been telling me that it’s your weekend. So turn the hell up and hush,” her sister stated.
“Forget you Emery. Looks like you’re already up. What did you have up there?”
“A shower,” she laughed. “Now let’s go.”