“Can it get any crazier?”
“This isn’t even the worst news.” Sadness encapsulated Olivia’s words. “Dr. Hennings called and said Simone hates me and wishes I were dead. My heart ripped from my chest. She doesn’t want anything to do with me.”
“Oh no. Olivia. Weren’t the family therapy sessions helping? Is she still trippin’ when you get together with her and Christian?”
“When we have time together, she spends the first few hours not talking to me. If anything comes out of her mouth, it’s one-word responses to my questions. She blames me for ruining her life with her friends.”
“Remember, their lives were turned upside down after the fire,” Savvy reminded Olivia.
“I know. Her friend’s parents think I’m a loose cannon and crazy.” Olivia released a loud exhale into the phone.
“Well, all they know is what they heard on the news and in your trial. Those people aren’t thinking about what led up to the fire. Folks have short memories and latch onto the hot topic of the day.”
“I need them to stop meddling in our business. They don’t have to walk in my shoes and experience the hurt and pain of finding out Malcolm brought nastiness into our bed. Thank God, I didn’t end up with an STD,” Olivia responded with heat rising in her voice.
“Yes, praise the Lord. Look, let’s not revisit what happened. God brought you through a serious trial. You have a true testimony of survival.”
“What I desire more than anything is for my divorce to be final. Although I filed for it, I still can’t believe it’s going to be over. It’s painful to wait through this process. I want to close this chapter of my life. You know, you marry someone and think you’ll be together forever. I never imagined my marriage would end this way.”
“You also never considered Malcolm would be a liar and a cheater. Don’t beat yourself up.”
“Amen. I’ve said bye-bye to the nightmare of last year and hello to the dreams of my future. I resolve to learn to forgive myself and the people who hurt me. I’m seeking complete redemption. Something has to change for me within the next twelve months.”
“It will. Remember the sermon Pastor B. preached on the first Sunday of the year? He said this is going to be the best year of our lives.”
“Yeah. I believe it will be. I must stop behaving like I’m an Israelite wandering in circles for forty years. I’m trying to get to the Promised Land.”
“Well, quit acting like you aren’t free. Release your mind from a slave mentality. You’ll move further in life if you let go of some things. Stop looking in the rear-view mirror when you have a huge window in the front with a great view. Do you know what I mean?”
“Preach, Reverend Savvy. I hear ya. I get it.”
“We’re going to have an amazing time of release, renewal, and re-energizing.”
“Don’t be surprised if I get revenge somewhere though.”
“Stop it. I mean it, Olivia,” Savvy snapped.
“Okay. Geesh. On a lighter note, whassup with the message you left me about having breakfast with some guy you met at the gas station? Did he really look like Idris?”
“Girl, yes. He was eye candy. Although, you’d turn the other way based on how he dressed and his tattoos. He has some on his neck.”
“Am I missing something, Miss Prissy? Why did you have breakfast with someone who sounds like he’s in a gang?”
“He’s a nice person and I enjoyed our conversation,” Savvy
replied with a twinge of guilt.
“Okay. What else are you not telling me? I know the sound in your voice when you’re hiding something.”
“Well,” Savvy paused. “He’s fifty-nine.”
“Fifty-nine?” Olivia shrieked. “He’s erectile dysfunction age. He’s old enough to be your daddy. What were you thinking?”
“An eighteen-year gap is no big deal. Age ain’t nothing but a number. Plus, we only had breakfast,” Savvy said.
“I ain’t mad at you about the age. I question your sensibility about getting caught up in his good looks and ignoring his thug appearance.”
“I even paid for our meals.” Savvy’s words tumbled from her mouth in hopes Olivia wouldn’t make a big deal about it. “He didn’t have enough cash on him and he doesn’t use credit cards.”
“What?” Olivia screeched. “He’s already setting you up to be his sugar mama. I’ve heard enough. I can’t believe you, Savannah Menefee, let a man pull the oldest trick in the book on you. He doesn’t use credit cards because he’s caught up in a life of crime. He doesn’t want anyone to track him by using something that will show his location. You can’t ever chastise me about having bad judgment when it comes to men. He sounds like a con artist. Why are you acting desperate?”
“I’m not. He seemed apologetic and embarrassed. I believed him. Stop letting your imagination run wild. No need to worry because once we finished breakfast, he jumped on the road to Dallas. I doubt if I’ll hear from him.”
“You gave him your number?”
“I did. I couldn’t help myself. I enjoyed the change of pace compared to other guys I’ve dated. He has had quite the non-traditional kind of life.” Savvy paused to consider how much she should tell Olivia. “You won’t believe this. He showed me a bullet hole in his chest. It goes all the way through his body and out of his back.”
“A bullet hole?” Olivia hollered. “You’re talking like we’re discussing him having a mole on his nose.”
“Um. Well. Someone picked a fight with him.” Savvy had no idea why she defended his recklessness.
“Unh-huh,” Olivia's voice expressed doubt. “You know you sound crazy, right?”
“Look, I’m trying not to judge him for being different from other guys we know. We are caught up in the way a man dresses,
