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The ladies cleaned themselves up after Emery’s fall and got ready for the lunch that Edwin had arranged for the ladies.
He went all out when he put in the order. The crew came in equipped with two chefs, two servers and a hostess.
“I know that man loves you but why so many of them?” Emery asked first eyeing the crew from her seat.
“Why must you always ask so many questions?”
“I was always the one that asked questions. You act like you aren’t nosey as well. Your nosey is just different. You try to play it off. Am I right ladies?”
Ryan spoke up first. “Isla, don’t act like you were just 21 questioning me down when I came in earlier,” she stated cutting her eyes at her.
“I never said I wasn’t nosey. I don’t ask the questions like you all do.”
“Since when? You’re the worse of us all.”
“Stop playing. All of you are lying.”
“No, only two of us spoke up. The other two are quiet. Ain’t that right, Mia?” Randi asked.
“Don’t even get me involved. Since we’re on the subject.”
“Don’t start,” Isla cut in. She already knew where she was headed with the conversation.
Mia cut her eye at Isla and didn’t pay her any attention. They were seating on opposite ends of the dining room table. “Yes, I’m going to say something about it.”
“Can we at least get a few shots before you start up?”
“No. I need to hear the sober truth and not a lie,” Mia answered.
“What is it?” Randi asked.
“Which one you don’t like me?” Mia asked.
“Say that again?” Randi asked.
The food was starting to come out when the conversation started.
“You heard me. I’m not going to repeat it.”
“Where is this coming from?” Randi asked.
“I’m asking the questions here.”
“Listen, I don’t know where this is coming from but this is my sister’s weekend. All this other bullshit can wait. If you have a problem with someone, handle that on a later date but today is not it. I’m not going to let this conversation or energy go there. Ain’t no way. We’re all grown. There is no need for all five of us to be this far from home not liking each other. I know we all were raised better than this.”
“I was—
“I honestly don’t care what you were trying to get across,” Emery stated cutting Mia off. “If you feel uncomfortable or like you aren’t going to be able to have a good time, please stay away from me. I’m sure all of us are dealing with our own battles, but this is NOT ABOUT US! SO PLEASE HOLD YOUR WATER!” Emery stated throwing her napkins in her chair and walked away.
There was silence for a few seconds.
“Well, I guess she told us,” Ryan answered taking a sip of her water.
“Do you think your sister is okay?” Randi asked.
“I honestly don’t know. She’ll come back.”
“Are you sure?”
Emery was in the bathroom off of the kitchen getting herself together. “I know I came here trying to have a good time for my sister but I don’t know if I can do this,” she whispered to her reflection in the mirror. Your body is going through trauma, you need to take it easy, a voice whispered.
“I don’t have time for trauma. Now is the time to heal. But instead I’m crying and I don’t want to feel sad.”
“What’s wrong with you?” Isla asked walking into the bathroom.
Emery started sniffling. “You know how my period is.”
“Are you sure it’s just a period?” she asked. “You know you went off back there before coming in here.”
“Typical, Emery to go off and walk away right?”
“Not this time. Something else is wrong. What is it?”
“My period.”
“Emery, are you really going to act like this is just about a raggedy ass period? I know you better than that.”
“I’m not ready,” she answered shaking her head.
Isla rubbed her back and noticed that Emery never looked up or in her direction. “Well can you at least look at me?”
“I’ll pass,” she laughed wiping her face with a face towel.
“Don’t go back there and cut up again.”
“I will if I have to. I don’t mind at all,” she continued laughing.
“Is this trip too much for you?”
“Why because I’m single and my situation is complicated? Of course not,” she stated.
“I didn’t mean it like that.”
“Well how did you mean it, Isla? I’m here. I’m trying to get myself together and here you come with this shit. I’m not even trying to cause you problems. Hell your friends are. Check them,” she snapped throwing the towel down on the sink.
“Hold up,” she answered trying to grab her hand. Emery pulled away.
“This is your weekend right? Let’s keep it that way. Don’t ask me anything about me, okay?”
“Emery you don’t have to take everything so damn literal.”
“And you don’t have to keep saying slick shit either. Like I said out there. We are all going through things but hey I’m going to keep my mouth shut and be the bigger person.”
“Calm down.”
“How about you calm down? And leave me alone. I’m good. I’ll be good,” Emery stated walking away.
“Ladies are you okay?” Ryan asked almost walking into Emery.
“I’m fine. You might need to check on your friend though. She’s tripping,” Emery answered.
“What’s her problem?”
“Nothing. Don’t even say anything else about it.”
“I mean. We could hear you two out here but whatever,” Ryan answered.
“We were that loud?”
“Yes. That’s why I came back here.”
“I didn’t know.”
“It’s all good. It’s time for a good time. I’m sick of these bad energies. Everybody is all stressed out and taking it out on each other.”
“I agree.”
“Once we get back to the group, it’s time for shots. There will not be a no for an answer.”
“I’m down. I need a few shots right now,” she smiled.
“Shit I need more than a few.”
The ladies walked back to the group. Everybody was talking like Emery didn’t previously go off on them.
“Enough of the talking. It’s time for shots. And I don’t care if you’re ready. One of my best friends is getting married and I’m tired of all of the bad energy. Get your shot and hush.”
“Well, shit I’ve been ready.” Emery answered.
“We have all been ready.”
“Pass the glasses then,” Isla answered.
All of the ladies had a glass in hand.
“Alright since I’m the maid of honor,” Emery stated.
“Hold up! Who gave you that title?”
“My sister did. Ain’t that right, Isla?” Emery asked looking over at her.
“I kinda did,” she whispered.
“I’m not even going to cut up like I want to,” Ryan laughed.
“Ladies, raise your glasses.”
“Don’t make this long,” Mia laughed. “I’m trying to get drunk and not leisured again. Please keep it short.”
“I will,” Emery answered giving Mia a look.
“I don’t care nothing about your facial expressions. Gone ‘head with your funky speech.”
“Since we have haters in the bunch,” she paused. “This is to my overbearing sister who doesn’t know when to stop overstepping her boundaries. I love you no matter how much shit you talk. I’m praying that you walk into this marriage life with the same confidence you grace this world with. Own that shit, sis. But remember don’t forget to make those booty checks clap in the process.”
Everybody started laughing.
“This is your weekend and we’re going to make sure your last weekend as a single woman is the best.”
“Hold up, I’m not single.”
“Like I said, this is going to be the best weekend as a single woman,” Emery repeated holding her shot glass up. “Ladies are you ready?”
“Been ready since I stepped off that plane and felt hell,” Randi laughed.
“Alright. 3, 2, 1,” Ryan called out throwing back her shot.
“I can’t do this all weekend,” Isla answered with her face balled up from the strength of the liquor.
“You don’t have a thing to worry about. We gotcha,” Mia answered.
Mia still wasn’t feeling the vibes but she joined in since it was going to be a long weekend if she didn’t.
“Let’s eat so we won’t be hoovering on the toilets all day,” Isla stated.
“Yes mother,” Emery mocked.
“I’m trying to look out for all of us.”
“We know. But you don’t have to say anything. I’m going to say don’t drink the water here unless it’s out of a water bottle.”
“Why?”
“You don’t read or watch the news and it shows.”
“Girl, whatever. I hardly drink water anyway,” Mia answered.
“Water keeps your body functioning correctly. Everybody make sure this woman gets water all weekend. I’ll be damned if she dies from dehydration with me,” Emery answered.
“She’s never liked water,” Isla stated.
“She’s going to love it if I have something to do with it. I don’t have time to be babysitting any of you this weekend so please keep your shit together,” Emery explained.
“And you’re calling me the mother.”
“I don’t want,” she paused and looked at each woman in their faces. “I don’t want any of your significant others coming after me. Talking about I’m a bad friend because something happened on this trip.”
“I understand but my man probably won’t even call while I’m away,” Ryan chimed in.
“Well that’s your problem,” Emery laughed.
“Alright ladies, let’s eat.”
“Oh this looks good. Isla tell your husband thank you,” Randi added.
“I sure will.”
“I’m not talking about like that either.”
“Whatever,” Isla answered rolling her eyes.
The staff prepared the ladies authentic Mexican food with all of the fixings. Margaritas, rice and to top dessert off with flan and churros. The ladies laughed it up and carried on for seemed like all night when the main chef came in to let them know that they were leaving.
Isla’s phone started ringing right when the chef came in. “Hold on. That’s Edwin right now. Hey baby!”
“How was the food?”
“Everything was great. Can I call you right back? They are loading up to leave now.”
“Oh sure,” he answered.
“Oh you cut him off,” Mia answered.
“Hush girl. It doesn’t look like any of y’all are going to see them out.”
“Girl, you didn’t say that. I can’t move,” Randi answered rubbing her stomach.
The chef looked in her direction and started laughing
“Don’t pay them any mind,” she answered waving Randi off. “Do I owe you anything?”
“No the bill has been taken care of, along with the tip.”
“A tip?” Ryan yelled out.
Isla shot her a look.
“Hell, I’m saying. I know they weren’t cheap and he put in a tip too,” Ryan continued.
“Well, I appreciate your service.” Isla answered getting up from the table.
“No, ma’am you stay seated. We have everything covered. Our van is already packed up. We left the rest in the kitchen. Dishes are clean.”
“Oh shit. Isla you need to give him a little something, something,” Emery laughed.
“Thank you. I really appreciate that.”
“No problem at all. I think we might be back tomorrow. I’m not for sure. I’ll have to check the schedule but I think Mr. Edwin booked us for dinner tomorrow.”
“Oh ok. I didn’t know. I guess I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He stated walking out of the dining room.
“Oh Edwin is more into our trip than we are,” Mia laughed.
“We’re about to get it jumping,” Isla answered taking another shot of Tito’s vodka.
“Somebody better get her,” Mia answered.
“She’s going to get got alright,” Ryan laughed.
Ryan’s phone went off.
“Who’s calling us?” Emery laughed.
“Girl none of your business.”
“It better be Darnell or I’m telling,” Mia chimed in.
“Girl hush. You can’t tell nothing you don’t know about.”
“Answer it,” Isla slurred.
“Oh lord. She’s high already.”
“Who is it?” Isla asked reaching across the table for the phone.
“I don’t know ladies. How many shots did she have? We might be in for a long night with her.”
“She’ll be alright. Who is that on the phone?”
“None of y’all damn business!” She yelled getting up from the table.
“Oh, well then.” Randi laughed.
Emery was the youngest of the group but appeared to be holding her own with three shots in.
“I know that better not be a man that she’s talking to,” Emery
Ryan moved out of hearing zone and answered the phone.
“Hello!”
“Why are you calling me? I’m here to celebrate my best friend’s wedding.”
“That’s not what you were yelling out earlier.”
Ryan blushed.
“When can I see you again?”
“I already told you that. Aren’t you traveling soon?”
“I’m trying to see you again before you go back home.”
“That’s not going to happen.”
“Why not?”
“You know I’m married.”
“That has nothing to do with me. You sure as hell didn’t act married,” he laughed.
“Whatever. Look I have to go. The girls are waiting on me.”
“I’m waiting on you too,” he answered.
“Bye silly.”
“Yeah, I’ll be texting you.”
“Don’t,” she answered hanging the phone up. Ryan held the phone in her hands while she stared out the window. “I’m sorry Darnell. Things haven’t been the same in a while,” she whispered to herself. She gathered herself and went back into the dining room.
“Is everybody ready?”
“Oh no. Don’t come back in here with that mess.”
“I’m ready now. I apologize for the interruption.”
“Fuck you and your interruptions,” Randi stated laughing.
“Yeah. What she said,” Mia and Emery agreed.