by Saundra
Bobbi looked at me and smiled as the chef started up with his first set of tricks with the spatula and the breaking of the egg. “I swear I can do that,” he bragged, as always.
“Boy, bye.” I waved him away and laughed. “I swear, you always saying you can cook.”
“You know I’m a chef, all those shrimp I steamed for you.”
“You mean all those shrimp you boiled for me. Putting all that water in there.” I continued to laugh. Bobbi always claimed he could cook but never did no more than fry chicken.
“It’s cool. I know I got skills.” He chuckled. It felt good to be laughing and be done with the serious talk. I started to relax, hoping to enjoy my meal. “So what have you been up to?” he asked.
“Nothing, just working. What about you? Where you been hiding at?” I hated that statement as soon as it came out. I didn’t want to seem like I was trying to be funny.
“Well.” He smiled and took in a deep breath. “I’ve been busy back in New Jersey where I’ve been. I opened a clothing store, and it’s actually doing quite well.” I was surprised to hear that.
“Wow. You mean you ain’t fixing up old, dirty cars,” I joked.
“Nope, I kinda let that go once I left here. I wanted to try something different. I met a few people, and the opportunity introduced itself.”
“Real talk, I’m happy for you. Ain’t nothing wrong wit’ changing your dreams.”
“Thank you. That means a lot to me coming from you.” He looked at me and smiled. “Like I said, though, the store back in New Jersey is doing really good, so I’m in the process of trying to open one up here in Florida.”
“Really? That’s dope.” I was really proud of him. Bobbi had always had business sense when it came to the cars. I never pictured him doing anything else, and this was really a good look for him.
“Enough about me, though. What’s up with you at Custom Hot Rides? How long you been working up there?”
“For a while. We kind of new.”
“Yeah, I don’t remember that being around. But they got some hot whips up there, I can’t front.”
I smiled. “Yeah, they do.” I used my chopsticks to pick up a piece of the steak the chef had just placed in front of me.
“So what you do up in there?” I figured that question would be next.
“Customer service.” I wanted to be brief. Custom Hot Rides was not a job to be discussed. I wanted to tell him that and be done. But how would that look? I remained cool.
“Come on, you don’t have to be modest. I know you important up in there.” He used his fork and murdered two of his shrimp. I decided to fill my mouth with fried rice so there was less talking. But I knew he wasn’t done. “No customer service person has their own office. You can be honest and admit you are the owner.” He chuckled, but I was no longer in a laughing mood. I wished he would drop it.
I forced a smile and continued. “Nah, Secret and I are more like heads of Customer Service. We in charge of like all the paperwork.” I hoped that put the issue to bed so he could shut up and move on, or I would have to open up a can of rude on him.
“Oh, so you good wit’ paperwork. If that’s the case, I could use someone like you over at the store. Maybe you can come through and help with the opening. I have good business sense, but when it comes to the paperwork, I struggle from complete boredom.”
“But the paperwork is the most important part. In order for you to be successful, you gone have to get that together,” I schooled him.
“See, that’s why I’m trying to recruit you. With you on my team I’m sure to be one hundred.” He tried to convince me, but there was no use. Secret would have my head and his. And Kirk would aid her in the crimes. There was no way Kirk was gone sit back and watch me go work for anyone else. He was like a spoiled kid when it came to my services.
“Nah, I can’t do it. I’m booked far beyond what I can even imagine. But don’t worry, you will be fine. If you running a successful one in New Jersey, I’m sure you don’t need me. Besides, there are plenty qualified people right here in Florida who can’t wait to work. Maybe you could take out an ad in the newspaper or something. Or you could call up one of these temp agencies.” I was full of ideas that I was sure he could use, anything but me working for him. That was off the table.
He shook his head in disagreement. “I don’t know about that. You can’t trust people. And we both know Florida grimy as fuck.” I glanced at him and almost cosigned, but I instantly thought about what he had done to me. Was that the grimy he was speaking of? I quickly brushed the thought out of my head.
“Listen, you have to trust somebody. Who helped you in New Jersey?”
“I do it myself. At least all the business and paperwork. I have two females who work for me, doing checkout and all that. But I do my own inventory and everything.”
“I’m sure that’s a lot.”
“It is, but it works out.”
“Yeah, you might need to come up wit’ something different once you open a second store. ’Cause you will be busy times two.” I kept it real.
“I know. I been thinking about it. I’m gone have Melvin help me out a lot here. I trust him, you know. And eventually I’ll get some dependable people. I just believe in taking my time. You know.”
I nodded my head in agreement. “Like I said, you will be fine. I can’t come work for you, but you can pick my brain for questions you might have. I have a few successful pointers for you.” I smiled.
“I’m sure you do. I appreciate that.”
The rest our night turned out to be straight. We enjoyed our food and had a few laughs. I had forgotten how much fun Bobbi could be. I really missed the friendship we shared outside of the relationship we had had. But I didn’t let that deter me from my decision; neither of us did. We knew better. That was clear now.
Chapter 31
Isis
Today was relaxation day, and I was all in. Secret had booked us a spa day, on her, and I was not in the mood to turn it down. Kirk was at Custom Hot Rides for the day holding the fort down so we could both be off. I was glad he had stepped up, because we both had made it clear we were taking the day, whether he approved or not. As usual, he called us bullies and fell in gear. The day was beautiful. I threw on a romper, some sandals, and sunglasses and raced out to the garage and jumped in the Audi.
I had a craving for my favorite Starbucks, but I had plans on drinking as much wine as the spa laid out for me. So I took a detour that wouldn’t include Starbucks being in sight. A call from the prison came through on the phone. My heart instantly raced. I accepted the charges.
“Hey,” Felicia’s voice came though the phone. I wasn’t used to her calling me during the week. Matter of fact, she really didn’t call much. That’s why concern took over.
“Everything cool?” were the first words out of my mouth.
“Oh, I’m fine. I just decided to call. I hope I didn’t worry you.” The concern in my voice was apparent.
“Well, you don’t call much. So I was alarmed.”
“Maybe I should call more often, then.” She chuckled. And I thought I heard something in it, almost as if it was forced. Something was up, but she was hiding it.
“Aye, don’t get no ideas,” I joked. “What’s up in there?”
“Same ol’, you know, it don’t change much behind these walls. Just the shutting of doors and impatient bitches being impatient.” She laughed. “Just been missing you, that’s all.”
“I know, been busy. But I’ma get down there soon . . . How are your classes going?”
“They good. I’m doing really well. Almost too well. Sometimes I forget how smart I really am.”
“Hey, I had to get it from somewhere,” I added.
“Sounds like you in a car. Where you headed?” I hated to share the fun things I was doing on the outside. I almost felt guilty. But I knew she wouldn’t want me to lie to her, so I shared.
“On my way to meet Secret at the spa for a girls’ day out. We both exh
austed from all the work.”
“That’s not good, Isis. I mean working is good; being young and focused is especially good. But you need to enjoy life. It passes you by, and I mean fast.”
“I’m trying to do better. And I promise I’m gone get down to see you soon.”
“Don’t worry so much about me. I’m fine, trust. I get plenty of rest and three meals a day.” She chuckled. I didn’t think that was funny at all, and I knew she didn’t, either. That was her way of making light of the situation. The phone operator came on and made it clear the call was about to be wrapped. “A’ight. I’m gone let you go before this phone hangs up. Keep your head up, and have some fun sometime.”
“I’ll try,” I managed before the phone went dead. It broke my heart to hear that. But it was our reality, no need to dwell on it. I pulled up to the spa, parked, and hopped out. The sun would heal me from the sadness that came over me.
“You gone beat me one of these times.” Secret was at the counter checking in.
“Whatever. You so petty.”
“Come on here. From the look of that face, you need some extra care today,” Secret joked.
“Shut up.” We fell in line behind the hostess as she took us back to get started. The first thing I reached for, as we made it back, was a glass of wine.
“Dang, Isis. You gone slow down on that.” I downed the glass and reached for the second.
“Girl, I need this. I’m sad and thirsty.” I sipped this time around.
“What’s up?” Secret asked.
We sat down to have our feet done first.
“I just got a call from Felicia.”
“Is everything okay?”
“Yes and no. I mean she fine, but, Secret, that time is coming down on her. I can hear it in her voice.”
“Did y’all discuss it at all?”
“Nah, you know she ain’t gone talk about it. But I can hear it so loud and clear. The shit breaks my heart.” Tears threatened to fall, but I blinked them back. “She needs up outta there. Real talk.” A knot was now in my throat.
“Man, I feel you. How much longer they gone make her serve? They really trying to make her do the full ten?”
“I don’t know. I hope not. I was hoping she’d get out soon at least on good behavior. She don’t never get into no trouble.”
“Maybe you should try to get her a lawyer.”
“That’s what I tried to do last year. Every lawyer I spoke with said it would be a waste of money. The judge probably wouldn’t reduce enough time before her actual time was served.”
“Damn, that’s fucked up. We just gotta pray they let her out soon.”
“Trust me, I am . . . Anyway, thanks for the free spa day.” I smiled.
“No doubt. But you gone tell me about this date you had with that bomb Bobbi or am I gone have to drag it outta you?”
“See, I shoulda known this free spa had strings attached.”
“And you know this.” Secret laughed. “Now spill the tea.”
“It went all right, actually. Nothing bad like I’m sure you would like to hear.”
“When it comes from a snake, it’s always bad.” Secret smirked.
“Would you stop calling that man names already.”
“See, I knew he would brainwash you.”
“He did not. The conversation was pleasant. And just like I told you I would, I made it clear to him that nothing was going to ever happen between us again. I forgave him, we can be cordial, that’s it.”
“Hmmph, you just better hope he heard you.”
“And he did. I mean, he was honest and said that he had hoped for us to be back together. But he respected my wishes, and that was that.”
“I guess time will tell.”
“He actually left me impressed,” I had to admit, and I knew she would trip.
“I can’t imagine nothing he did would impress me. But I guess anything possible from a gutter rat.” Secret would not let up. I laughed. The girl was hilarious.
“Well, he has his own clothing store in New Jersey and claims it’s doing really good.”
“Hmmph.” Secret rolled her eyes. “So I guess he intended to impress you wit’ his new business and you would fall in his arms.”
“No.” I chuckled. “He actually is opening up a location here in Florida. He did, however, ask me to help him with the paperwork.”
“I hope you crushed his dreams, then. ’Cause you know Kirk ain’t having that.”
“I already told him no.”
“Aye, but find out where his store is, though. So I can have somebody burn that bitch to the ground on Grand Opening night.”
“I swear you evil.” I sipped my wine.
“Fa’ sho’.” Secret gave me a snide grin.
“Check this out, though. I took Penny out and we talked about her therapy and all that.”
“Yeah, she told me.” Secret gave me a warning look. She knew what I was about to say.
“Well, she talking about the same thing you said about the therapist. I really think you should consider going. For her sake.”
Secret looked at me and shook her head no, but I was not about to give up easily this time. Our feet were done. Another hostess approached and led us back for our massages next. I was glad to be on the table. I was full of tension.
“Listen, that look ain’t getting nowhere wit’ me today. You got to stop being so stubborn and really hear what’s being asked of you.”
“And maybe y’all need to understand what you’re asking of me. I love Penny, and nobody knows that better than you, Isis. You been around us our whole life. It ain’t nothin’ I wouldn’t do for her. Including die. But you know that already. So what you want from me?”
“It’s not what I want, Secret. It’s strictly what Penny needs from you. She is adamant about you speaking to that therapist . . . I don’t know, maybe it’s something we missed.”
“I couldn’t have missed much. I’ve been through her life with her. Nah, I’m sure I ain’t missed shit. Her struggle been mine. I do all I can. Enough has to come sooner than later.”
“Well, it ain’t now. You got to see that. ’Cause all I know is Penny is crying out for something. And she needs us to be there for her. The drinking stopped. That was probably the easy part.”
“I’m sure, ’cause that shit was Jackie’s fucked-up ass.”
“Maybe, but this can’t be about Jackie, or least we can’t assume. I’m sure it had a lot to do with the situation. But we know there might be other underlying things.”
“Jackie is the underlying thing, and until you and Penny both realize that, the shit won’t get no better. Jackie ruined Penny and me a long time ago, and she ain’t done. But no one wants to see that. Penny can’t stop fucking crying over her. And if she taking me to see that therapist to forgive Jackie or have some type of intervention, she can just fuckin’ forget it. I don’t want that woman nowhere close to me. Ever again, if I can help it.” It hurt me so bad to see my friend in so much pain. I cried inside for her. I had to get through to her, though, if only for Penny’s sake.
“That’s another point you are missing. Penny didn’t ask for you to see the therapist. The therapist requested that you come. There is a huge difference.”
“Hmmph, well, it’s still all bullshit.”
“No, you mean and need to get out yo’ feelings. Now what you need to do is get up off your ass, stop whining and bitching, and go sit on the woman’s damn couch. Hell, you the one paying her ass.”
“Damn, Isis, what could she possibly want with me? I have nothing to say. I ain’t request her.”
“If I knew what she wanted, this would be easy. I would tell you and be done. ’Cause you will straight run a bitch’s blood pressure sky high.” Secret held her head up, looked at me, and burst out laughing. I had to laugh, too. “I can’t deal wit’ yo’ hardheaded self.”
“Shit, I must be on your nerves. I got you heated up about this bitch. I’m sorry.”
�
�Whatever. After this, I need you to take me out for a free meal, and I ain’t talkin’ tacos. When I get off this table, I’m making last-minute reservations and going home to get jazzy. You gone spend big tonight. Oh, and you leaving the tip.”
“You call me mean, but you bossy as hell. Hopefully that restaurant got some men. ’Cause ass need to be smashed and quick, before you start picking up cars and smashing them to the ground.” We laughed again. But I could hope that I had gotten through. Secret was like a brick wall. So only time would really tell.
Chapter 32
Secret
I would be the first to admit I was stubborn as hell to anybody who had ever said that, which was mostly Isis, who was kicking it to me straight up. But I truly believed that my stubbornness was fed by something else and that something else was a deep pain that even I could not describe. Not that I exactly had. And that was just another part of me trying to remain in control of myself. Isis, though, had put it all in perspective. The thought of me, facing me, was a lot to consider. I wondered and resented, even, the idea that that was the therapist’s intention. I just wrapped my head around why she needed to speak with me. I think I could even have understood it better if she had wanted to speak with Jackie; after all, she was the one who had fucked us up. Either way, I had to dust myself off and go. A month had passed, but Isis had hit home with a lot of her tough love and getting straight to the point.
I slowly pulled into the parking lot that served the office Penny’s therapist ran her business out of. It was midafternoon, and the lot was almost empty except for about six other vehicles. I didn’t see Penny’s car anywhere, so I assumed she was running behind. I had never been to see a therapist before, so I wasn’t sure what to wear. I didn’t want to dress up and look like I was coming to scope. And I didn’t want to look too much like a carefree bomb. So I had decided to keep it neutral. I threw on a pair of jeans and a nice top with a pair of low pumps. To waste time, I pulled down my visor and gave my face one glance over, then fished out my Mac lip gloss and added an extra coat. I guess it was safe to say I was nervous.
Closing the visor, I looked up to see Penny pulling in beside me. Sticking a piece of spearmint gum into my mouth, I grabbed my Gucci bag, slid on my Gucci sunglasses, and exited the car. I wasn’t sure how to judge Penny’s facial expression when I got out of the car. She wasn’t smiling but she didn’t look mad.
