something now, you’ll start hating him, and he’ll have no clue why you’re doing the things you’re doing to him. Trust in your big sister when I say, ‘Talk to him and let him know how you feel’. It will take a lot of pressure off of you, okay?”
Nia grabbed some tissue and wiped her sister’s eyes.
“I feel you. This job is stressing me to the max. Plus, I’m trying to get ready for graduation this summer. I have a lot on my plate, and dealing with this lack of communication with my man had taken a toll on me,” Kendra said, wiping away her tears.
“It will be okay. I got your back. Well, shit, let’s roll out. It’s Saturday, I feel like a drink or two. We can go to the Fridays at the Ladera Center. Maybe, that will take your mind off things.”
“I think I’m going to stay at home and watch reruns of
“C’mon, Ken. You will feel better. I promise you,” Nia pleaded, making sad eyes.
“Oh, damn, Nia. I hate when you look like that. Okay! Okay! I’ll go. Just get that dumb look off your face.”
Kendra couldn’t stop laughing as her sister made sad faces.
“I’m going to grab a sweater,” Kendra said.
It was very crowded at Fridays. The ladies chose to sit in the bar area. They placed their orders as soon as they sat down.
“I’ll have a Patron margarita with an extra shot of Patron on the side,” Kendra told the bartender. “And can you make sure it’s blended?” she asked politely.
“Dayum, girl! You sure you can handle that? That’s a big girl’s drink,” Nia said, looking at her sister and feeling sorry for her.
“Aye, bartender. Bring me a Zombie, top shelf,” Nia said.
The bartender blended the drinks and placed them in front of the women. They were happy to drink and to talk.
“You know I feel like going back to dancing, right?” Kendra confessed, slurring her words.
Nia looked at her and started laughing. Then, she said, “You know damn well Bigg Boss ain’t letting you back in that club. What has it been, about six years since he kicked your ass out?”
“Fuck you! I walked up out that bitch. He ain’t throw nobody out,” Kendra snapped.
The women were enjoying themselves. Kendra didn’t have school, work, or Trent on her mind. She was tipsy and feeling herself.
“Hold on, girl. I will be right back. I have to go use the little girls’ room,” Kendra said as she walked off towards the bathroom.
The restaurant was jammed pack. Kendra was almost to the bathroom when she tripped. She just knew she was about to hit the floor when a pair of strong arms caught her before she fell.
“Are you alright, miss?” the strong gentleman asked with a smile.
“Excuse me. I’m okay. Thank you, sir,” Kendra answered. Embarrassment was written all over her face. Kendra looked around to see if anyone was paying attention to her.
“No one saw you, cutie. It’s just me and you,” the gentleman said.
Kendra thanked him once more before disappearing into the restroom. After washing her hands, Kendra returned to the bar area and was stopped by the man who had caught her from falling. “My bad. I don’t mean to be rude, but you are so damn beautiful to me, and I just have to ask your name?”
“My name is Kendra, but everyone calls me Ken,” she said, sashaying her way to the bar.
“Lovely name. By the way, my name is Wiz,” he said, extending his hand for her to shake it.
Although Kendra hated street names, she had to admit the brother was all that and then some.
Wiz stood six feet, five inches. He had a Hershey complexion with a nice Colgate smile. Wiz’s hair was cut in low fade, and he sported a neatly trimmed goatee.
“I know you’re probably here with your man, but I just had to take this opportunity to let you know how fine you are,” Wiz said.
“Actually, I am here with my sister tonight.”
“Well, can I buy you and your sister another round of whatever you’re drinking?” Wiz offered.
“That’s okay, Wiz. I can buy my own drink, but, hey, the gesture was nice. Thank you again,” Kendra said. as she walked back to her seat at the bar.
Nia was now on her second drink. “Why are you smiling?” she asked Kendra upon her return.
Before Kendra could answer, Wiz walked up and said, “Kendra, if you won’t let me buy you a drink, will you, at least, take my number?”
Wiz handed her one of his business cards. Nia kicked her sister.
“Ouch,” Kendra mumbled as she quickly shot her sister a look. Realizing what Nia wanted, she said, “Oh, I’m sorry. Where are my manners? Wiz, this is my older sister Nia. Nia, this is Wiz.”
As Wiz and Nia shook hands, Kendra rubbed her leg in the spot where Nia had kicked her.
“Pleased to meet you,” Wiz said.
“The pleasure’s all mine,” Nia giggled.
As he walked away, Nia asked, “So, is he the reason you took so long in the restroom, chick?”
Kendra rolled her eyes and answered, “Girl, that fine-ass brother caught me before I fell flat on my face.” She chuckled. “He’s fine and all, but I have a man. I’ll just hold on to his number for a ‘just in case’ moment, though.”
“A ‘just in case’ my ass,” Nia smirked. “The brother is fine. He puts Dwyane Wade to shame.”
“Look, It’s getting late. I think it’s time for us to head on home,” Kendra said.
“C’mon, Ken. The fellas are out grinding. They won’t be coming home till morning, so let’s just go ahead and enjoy ourselves.”
“Alright already. Bartender, give us another round,” Kendra said, trying really hard to enjoy herself.
They remained at Fridays until closing. At the end of the night, Kendra and Nia were both buzzed. When they left, Nia was staggering, so Kendra had to help her sister make it to the car.
“Y’all gonna be alright?” Wiz asked as he pulled up beside them in his white 745Li.
“Yeah, we straight. Thanks, again,” Kendra said.
“I know you have a man, but, if you just need a friend to talk to, I’m a phone call away. Nice meeting the both of you,” Wiz said before pulling off.
On the drive home, Nia held her stomach and said that she was feeling sick. When they were halfway home, she told Kendra to hurry and pull over. Before the car came to a full stop, she was on the side of the highway, throwing up.
“Aww! You look a hot mess,” Kendra joked.
“Fuck you,” Nia slurred. “Stop at a gas station and get me some BC powder and a Sprite please.”
When they arrived back at Kendra’s home, Nia threw up again. Once Nia was done, Kendra helped her sister get cleaned up. Then, she made sure there were clean sheets and covers in the guest bedroom. Kendra took a nice, warm bath. She had surrounded herself with some aromatherapy candles that gave off a calming scent. Just when she had started to relax, her cell began to sing “Baby, you give good love…”. Kendra picked up the phone after the third ring.
“Hey, baby,” Kendra cooed.
“We’re just about to finish. I have this last dub sack, so expect to see ya man early, a’ight, shawty?” Trent said.
“Okay, babe. Be careful. Love you, boo.”
“Love you, too,” he replied, hanging up the phone.
Chapter 3
