Big Girls Drama (10 page)

“I'm done with this conversation. I'm done with you. I don't know how many times I have to tell you I don't love you anymore,” he said sternly, and my heart broke again.

Giving him a disapproving gaze, I nodded, knowing I had no more words to say to him at this time.

“Can you please leave?”

Eyes skimming over the man I loved, I searched for an inkling of emotion to let me know this man still loved me . . . but I found none. For a moment, we held each other's gaze. My eyes pleaded with him to stay with me, but his yearned for me to leave. Blinking back the tears that threatened to escape, I brushed past my husband, thinking this was not the end of us.

When I walked into the restaurant, the first thing I noticed was how bright and airy the space was. The floors were a honey-blond hardwood, and everything within the space was white. White walls. White tables and chairs. There were even white curtain drapes hanging from the floor-to-ceiling windows which overlooked a garden. As if that wasn't enough to cause me to be in awe of this space, the main feature was this magnificent wall of branches sculpted to look like circular waves. It took up the length of the space and was something to look at.

As a hostess greeted me to ask me how many would be in my party, I saw Monica waving her hand for me to come over. I told the woman I saw my party and smiled as I walked over to meet Monica.

“I'm so glad you could make it,” she said standing to embrace me.

“Thank you for inviting me. I hope I'm not late,” I said sitting next to her at the table.

“You are right on time. I just got here myself.”

“I probably need to spend a few minutes taking this space in. This place is spectacular,” I said still taking in the scenery.

“I'm glad you like it. I love this place. It's nicknamed the Museum Restaurant. My husband and I used to come here all the time.”

“Used to?” I asked curiously, wondering if it was too soon to get all up in her business. Coming here I was a bit nervous because I'd just met Monica a few months ago and we seem to hit it off. I didn't make friends easily because I was so used to dealing with my sisters. They were my friends, and I missed them tremendously. At the same time, I knew it was time to find other ladies I could hang with, and Monica, so far, seemed like the type of camaraderie I needed in my life. And being the open book she was, she graciously answered my question.

“Devin works a lot. It's been hard finding time to go out like this, you know.”

“I do. Sheldon has been working like crazy as well. He's working today, as a matter of fact. I know it's for our benefit, but sometimes you just want to be with your man.”

Monica smiled but seemed a bit down from some reason. It wasn't until we brought up our spouses that I noticed the change in her mood.

“Are you okay, Monica?” I asked sincerely.

“I'm trying to be. It's been a rough day already for me,” she sighed.

“Not already?”

“I'm having some marital issues. Devin and I not coming to this restaurant anymore is nothing compared to the other issues we are dealing with,” she revealed with a worried look on her face.

“All marriages have their fair share of difficulties, trust me. I'm dealing with some in my own marriage. But we will be okay. We married our husbands for better or worse. We just weren't counting on having as many worse moments compared to those better moments,” I said chuckling.

Monica smiled warmly, like she appreciated what I said.

“I knew I liked you for some reason. We truly have a lot in common,” Monica expressed.

That we did. Monica was a plus-size sister also who carried herself very well. Like today, she was rocking a cute yellow and white chevron striped maxi dress that looked great on her. I could tell she was the type of woman who embraced her curves, and I yearned to have the confidence she portrayed. I didn't look bad in my blue denim jumpsuit with a studded belt and tan espadrilles.

“You look good today too, girl. And, yes, I'm trying to change the subject,” I chuckled.

“Thank you. You looked great as well. Where did you come from?” Monica asked.

“Well, I went by this boutique to meet with this manager who offered me a job.”

“That's fabulous. Did you accept?” she asked with excitement.

“I did. That's why I was running behind. I was coming from there.”

“Congratulations. I'm happy for you.”

“Thank you.”

“What will you be doing?”

“She actually wants me to manage a new plus-size boutique she's in the process of opening,” I explained.

“Well, look at you.”

I couldn't believe I'd accepted, but I was excited. I couldn't stop smiling at this opportunity that fell into my lap. As much as I wondered if moving here was a mistake, God kept revealing to me that my husband and I were exactly where we were supposed to be.

“Oh, I see, Sonya,” Monica said as she waved her hand for her friend to come over.

This was my first time meeting these ladies, and I hoped we'd hit it off as much Monica and I did. Moments later, another plus-size sister approached our table dressed in a pair of red fitted pants and a sheer tropical print top which was cute.

“Sorry I'm late,” she apologized. “I had to make sure my daughter was good. It's sad when you can't leave your teenage daughter at home by herself.”

“You got her a babysitter?” Monica asked.

As Sonya lowered herself in the chair across from Monica, she explained, “I should have, but I allowed her to go over her friend's house for a little while. She really needs to be grounded for how she's been acting, but that's another story for another day. I'm just happy to be here because I really needed this girl time.”

“I'm glad you are here,” Monica added.

Looking at me, Sonya said, “Oh, I'm sorry. I've rattled off at the mouth before I had a chance to introduce myself. I'm Sonya.”

“I'm Vivian. And it's okay,” I said as I shook her outstretched hand.

“It's finally nice to meet you. Monica has told me a lot about you. I promise you I have better manners than this.”

“Do you?” Monica asked jokingly.

“Well . . . some,” Sonya quipped. “I'm a work in progress. But anyway, Monica said you are new to the area.”

“I am.”

“Do you have any family here?” Sonya asked.

“Unfortunately, I don't. It's just me and my husband, Sheldon.”

“Well, I'm glad you two have decided to make Greensboro your home. I know you will enjoy it here.”

So far so good I thought. Sonya seemed great. She reminded me a lot of my sister Shauna which I found comforting. As she continued to talk, I knew she was going to have me laughing or feeling uneasy because Sonya seemed like the type of woman who said whatever came to her mind.

“And where's this heifer?” Sonya asked, pointing to the last seat at the table.

“Girl, I don't know. You know Kellie,” Monica chided.

“Yeah, young and dumb.”

“Sonya!” Monica belted. “She's not that young, and she's damn sure not dumb.”

“Maybe I shouldn't say it quite like that. All I was trying to say is I know she's going to burn our ears up with some type of problems she's been having.”

“Don't we all?” Monica replied.

“Yes, we do, but, we don't unload our issues every time we get together. Sometimes you just want to laugh and trip with your girlfriends instead of talking about what's always going wrong in our lives.”

There was the personality I suspected with my first impression of Sonya, and I liked it. She was the type of woman that said it like she meant it regardless if you liked it or not. I would like to think I was the same way, but I believe I was more reserved in speaking my mind than Sonya.

“You have to understand she's still learning. We are ladies in our thirties. Kellie is still in her twenties,” Monica explained.

I said nothing as I listened to the two of them go back and forth wondering how old Kellie was. So I decided to ask.

“How old is Kellie?”

“She's twenty-eight,” Sonya answered with her mouth twisted like it was a problem.

I nodded thinking that's not too young.

“I used to work with Kellie, and we became great friends. She may be younger than us, but she's definitely a mature and smart woman. She's been through some things, but who hasn't. She doesn't have the best relationship with her mother, and her dad, unfortunately, is deceased.”

“Which explains her marrying a man ten years older than her,” Sonya quipped.

“Girl, if you don't stop,” Monica advised as she chuckled.

“Excuse me, Vivian. It's not that I don't like Kellie because I do. She's beautiful and intelligent. But sometimes you just don't feel like hearing that crap,” Sonya explained. “I got enough going on with me and my rebellious child that sometimes I don't feel like taking on other people's problems.”

I made a note to myself to never confide in Sonya. Not that I didn't understand where she was coming from because I did. I remember Mom saying a long time ago be careful taking on other people's issues because many times, those same issues would become yours.

“Speaking of venting,” Monica said looking at Sonya pointedly, “how do you feel about Kegan getting married?”

Sonya's expression hardened as she gawked at Monica. If looks could kill, Monica would be six feet under right about now.

Turning her attention to me, Sonya pointed at Monica and said, “You see, it's tricks like this that get on my damn nerve.”

“What?” Monica asked. “I was just wondering.”

“Seriously, though, Monica, how do you think I feel about it?” she hissed. “The asshole had the audacity to send me an invitation to his wedding.”

“No,” Monica said as her hand covered her mouth in shock.

“Yes, and I'm feeling some type of way about it.”

“Are you going?” Monica asked.

“I don't know yet. I want to, but then again, I don't. I might be provoked to object when the pastor asks if there is anyone who objects to their union, speak now or forever hold your peace.”

“You wouldn't,” Monica chided.

Sonya gave her a look like she would as she picked up her glass of water and took a sip.

I sat there wondering who Kegan was. Just from the conversation they were having, I rationalized that Kegan had to be Sonya's ex.

“Look, I don't want to talk about him. He and I are over.”

“I know you were fussing about venting, Sonya, but sometimes, it's good to vent to each other, especially when we feel like we don't have anybody else to turn to,” Monica deduced.

“Well, we need to vent to Kellie about always being late, because I'm getting tired of her always being the last one to show up. I'm getting ready to order without her.”

“Look, before she gets here, let me run an idea by you ladies.”

Both Sonya and I looked at Monica as excitement filled her.

“The three of us are bodacious, beautiful women,” she said carefully.

“You mean plus size,” Sonya surmised.

“Yes, Sonya, dag. Can't you take a compliment?”

“I can, but I also like to be real.”

We all chuckled as Monica continued.

“I was thinking about having a clothing swap party.”

“A what?” Sonya asked.

“A clothing swap party. You never heard of it?”

“No,” Sonya answered.

“I have. I think I saw something about that on Oprah one time.”

“Exactly. It's when a bunch of women get together and swap pieces of gently used clothing. I would invite women around our size and set a limit on the amount of clothing you can bring.”

Monica mainly looked at Sonya probably because she would be the hardest one to convince.

“I think it's a great idea,” I agreed.

“What if I don't have clothes to swap?” Sonya asked.

“You have clothes, Sonya, so stop playing. I'm pretty sure you can find several pieces you are willing to part with.”

“I have been meaning to clean out my closet,” she said.

“Fall is approaching. With the season getting ready to change, we can get rid of some items,” Monica stated.

“Does it just have to be clothes?” Sonya asked.

“No. We can add purses, scarves, jewelry, and shoes if you want to. It's up to us. Just let me know.”

“I think that's fabulous. Lord knows I need to get rid of some shoes I have. I think I have a few pair with the tags still on them,” I said thinking of the massive collection of shoes I'd acquired over the years. Shoes and purses were my addiction. Well, that and food maybe.

“What size shoe do you wear?” Sonya asked me.

“I wear a size ten.”

“I'm in,” Sonya blurted. “If the shoes you have on now are any indication of what your shoe game is like, I want to participate. You heifers have great style, so I would love to see what you want to part with.”

I took Sonya calling me a heifer as a good thing because when my sisters and I did this, it was a sign of admiration. I think she liked me, and I liked her as well.

“Did you have this little meeting now because Kellie is a bean stalk?” Sonya asked.

“Yes and no. I would love for her to participate also. Maybe she can bring items other than clothes because none of us will be able to get into hers.”

“You better call her and see where she is. We are not sitting here all day waiting on Ms. Thang to show up,” Sonya grumbled.

“Let me call her.”

Monica took out her cell and dialed Kellie while I looked over the menu to figure out what I wanted for lunch. It felt good to get out, and I have to say I was truly enjoying myself. I needed something to keep my mind distracted from thinking about my husband and what was going on with him.