“What?” I gave her a weird look. Her announcement had come out of nowhere. “A new house? Uhhh, uhhh…I thought you wanted a new car?” I decided to play along. “Where at?”
She had a shit-eating grin on her face. “In Webster Grove.”
I frowned. Bougieville USA. “How much?”
Trinette took a long sip while looking quite pleased with herself. “About four hundred.”
Goodness, there was no way I could even dream of spending that much. “What about your condo?” It was hard keeping the envy out of my voice.
“I’m gonna put it on the market and try to sell it.”
I nodded. “With the housing market the way it is, you might wanna do that first. I know too many people having a helluva time trying to sell their homes. Not to mention the value has dropped tremendously.”
She gave me a shrug that said she wasn’t worried. “I’m sure I won’t have a problem selling this place.”
“And what does Leon say about that?” I pressed.
“There was a little resistance…but I used the power of persuasion on him…a.k.a. Ms. Kitty.” She purred, then tilted her glass to her lips.
I sat there shaking my head. “You are too much.”
“Yeah…I know. Leon will let me take money outta the account for a down payment, but the earnest money, inspections, etcetera, all have to come outta my own pocket.”
My brow rose. “And how you hope to do that?”
Trinette frowned as if she didn’t have a clue what I was talking about. “What do you mean? I work.”
I sat there with my arms folded against my chest. Who was Trinette trying to fool? “Yep…you work. I also know your entire check is spent on your credit cards and supporting your expensive shop habit.”
“Not all of it,” she retorted with major attitude.
“Uh-huh…whatever. I bet you Leon thinks you’ve been saving money, right?”
Trinette pursed her lips. She hates when I’m right. “True, but I can get around that.”
“Really? And where are you planning to get the money?”
She stuck out her tongue. “You know I have my way.”
I leaned back on the couch and shook my head. Trinette was playing a dangerous game. “I just bet you do. I ain’t mad. If you can buy your dream home, then I’m happy for you.”
“Now that’s what I’m talking about. Everyone else is always trying to hate on my ass.”
“I wonder why,” I mumbled. Trinette is one of those women you either love or hate. There is no in between. I reached for the bottle and poured us both another glass, and for the longest time I just sat there sipping my wine.
“Why you need a new house if you’re planning to move to Richmond?”
She gave me a hard look, then finished her drink. “I’ll worry about that later.”
What she was really saying was she had no intentions of moving to Richmond. Silence fell between us. Finally she changed the subject.
“Are you gonna try to contact Donovan?”
“For what? So he can stick the knife farther in my chest?”
She looked at me as if I was the one being ridiculous. “No, so you can decide if it’s really something you both want.”
I took a moment to think about what she said, but eventually I shook my head. “I’m not gonna lie. It’s not at all what I want, but I’m not gonna beg someone to be with me when he obviously doesn’t want me anymore.”
Trinette actually managed to look sympathetic. “I just hate that things are ending without the two of you talking.”
“Trinette, I love that man. The last thing I want is a divorce.” And then I couldn’t help it. I started bawling my ass off. Trinette put her glass down on the coffee table and moved over and took a seat beside me.
“Uhhh-uhhh…there’ll be none of that.” She reached for a box of tissues and handed me a few.
I wiped my eyes. “Bitch, don’t try to act like you ain’t never cried over a man. You know I know better.”
“Shhh! And if you ever tell anybody I’m gonna deny that shit,” she said with a sympathetic smile, then wrapped her arms around me and hugged me tight. I needed that.
I smiled at my crazy friend. One minute she could be a selfish bitch, the next she could be the most caring person in the world. “We’ve been friends for life. You know I know you better than your own mother.”
She frowned. “You ain’t never lied.”
Trinette and her mother hadn’t gotten along in years. I knew the reason why, but like I told Trinette, it’s long overdue for forgive and forget. Darlene had been clean for almost three years and had given her life to Christ.
“Maybe you should try getting in touch with Donovan,” she suggested.
“Donovan and I don’t have anything else to talk about. He’s right. It’s over.” I reached for the bottle and poured myself another glass. “Just last week you were saying I needed to quit sitting around and get on with my life…. Well…that’s what I’m tryna do.”
Trinette hesitated. “I know…but I hate seeing you so down. I miss you smiling and having a good time. So if you’re sure this is what you wanna do…then don’t get mad when I remind yo ass what you said tonight.”
“It’s over, Trinette.” I held up my glass. “Let’s make a toast.”
She gave me a reluctant look before she reached for her glass and raised it in front of her. “What are we toasting?”
“Here’s to new beginnings.”
She smirked. “And new dick. Girl, you just don’t know what you’ve been missing!”
I brought the glass to my lips. “Well, I guess I’m about to find out.”
8
Trinette
I knew I needed to keep my behind out of the mall, but I couldn’t help it. I liked to shop even though I knew I needed to be saving up money for my new house.
Anyway, I was at Saks Fifth Avenue and spotted this chocolate diamond ring I had to have. I wanted to wear it with this cream suit I was planning to wear to the Black MBA Association Ball. Unfortunately, it had a twelve hundred dollar price tag. My credit cards were maxed, and if I withdrew more than five hundred from our joint account, Leon would receive an e-mail alert. Nope. I was going to have to earn that puppy on my own. Besides, why should I spend my own money if I don’t have to?
I pulled into the circle driveway in front of Smooth’s. Happy hour was in effect, and with a thirty and older age minimum, kids and thugs weren’t up in the house. With live music and drinks starting at twenty dollars, only men with money were inside, and that was exactly what Ms. Netta was looking for. I needed a sponsor, to sponsor the purchase of my diamond ring. I had already tried it on, so I knew how good it looked on my finger. Folks were gonna be hating.
I climbed out and sashayed around my car and handed the keys to the valet, then went inside. I walked in and a tall, honey-colored brotha was onstage, blowing on a saxophone. Damn, I love me some jazz.
There was a light crowd. A few desperate-looking chicks were sitting at some of the tables. As soon as I walked in, heads snapped in my direction. None of them could hold a torch to me. I was looking fabulous in a short skirt and matching pink