She wasn’t in Dubai looking for a man, but compliments never hurt anyone. Her phone was on DND. Symphony hadn’t even checked her missed calls and text messages. Nothing going on back at home concerned her. Selfish mode had been activated. She did want to check on Mason and Capricorn though.
Back at the hotel, Symphony took a shower and before she could dry off, her phone rang. She knew the call only came through because whoever it was had called her twice back-to-back. Inhaling a deep breath, she peered at the phone and saw that it was Mason’s school calling.
“Nope,” she turned away from the phone and grabbed a towel. Someone else was going to have to deal with it. There was nothing she could do from another country anyway.
After moisturizing her skin, Symphony decided to listen to the voicemail that the principal left.“Hi, Dr. Simmons. I’m sorry to bother you, but I called your mother, and I didn’t get an answer. Mason was seen by a teacher walking off campus after lunch. When he was asked to come back by the school security guard, he cursed him out. Unfortunately, this was Mason’s last strike, and he will have to go to alternative school. I willneed an adult to come out and sign the transfer papers, but he can’t come back to this campus.”
All Symphony could do was shake her head. She decided against calling to check on Mason because Symphony simply didn’t have the energy. Remembering the advice she gave Block about Mario, Symphony knew that she’d never give up on Mason, but she needed a break before everyone else and their drama caused her to have a mental breakdown.
After grabbing a snack from the minibar, Symphony sat Indian style on the bed and called Capricorn. “Hey friend. You having fun in Dubai?”
“I am. I’m so relaxed. This is the first time I’ve made a call since I’ve been here. I haven’t been reading text messages, checking emails, or even looking at social media. And it feels great. Not even Mason’s bad ass and his antics can ruin my day.”
“Oh Lord. What has he done now?”
“The principal can’t get in touch with my mom, so he called me. Mason walked off campus and cursed out the security guard. Now, he has to go to alternative school.”
“Wow. I hate that for him. Mason has always been so smart. This situation with Monique really did a number on him.”
“Yeah it did, and I feel for him but pretty soon, he’s going to have to let that excuse go. I tried sending him to therapy, and he refused to talk to the woman. I spend time with him. I buy him things and let him know that he can talk to me about anything. I give him hugs, and tell him I love him. He has his own room at my house. If there’s truly nothing I can do, then what am I supposed to do?” Symphony was truly lost.
“You’re on vacation, and you chose to go on vacation for a reason. I know you love Mason, and you have tried your best to help him. Enjoy your vacation and let someone else worry about it for a few more days.”
“How is your situation coming along?”
“I told Terry I want a divorce, and he said cool.”
Symphony drew back. “He did not say cool. I know that’s not what he said.”
“He didn’t use that word, but he said okay. I’m not crazy. His heart isn’t in it anymore. Nigga didn’t even ask why. He doesn’t care anymore, and that’s okay.”
Symphony couldn’t believe that her friend was taking the impending divorce so well. She couldn’t help but wonder if it was all a front. Maybe she really didn’t care. It could have been possible that Capricorn and Terry had fallen out of love with one another. She wasn’t quite sure how that worked, but Symphony wasn’t about to try and figure it out.
“Well, if you’re really going to go through with it, I’m throwing you a divorce party. A time will be had.”
“I love it, friend. I’m filing the paperwork tomorrow. Go ahead and get to planning.”
“Question,” Symphony abruptly changed the subject. “Would you talk to a guy that recreationally did drugs that you knew he could become addicted to and if he did become addicted, things would be bad?”
“What kind of drugs are we talking?”
Symphony ran down the situation with Block. The pills that fell out of his pocket, the situation with Blak and Monique. Everything that transpired after the game.
“That’s a tough one. In college, I dated guys that popped ecstasy pills damn near every weekend for a whole semester, and they didn’t get addicted. Everyone is different, but I can totally get why you don’t want to take that chance. Seeing how pills have affected Monique has to be a lot. I don’t blame you for distancing yourself. I know you really liked him though. I’m sorry friend.”
“Yeah, I did.” There was no need to front. She really did like Block. Symphony felt that she’d excused enough. She couldn’t ignore the fact that he popped pills the way she gave him a pass for selling drugs. “I did have fun though. The dick I got from him should hold me over for the next year or more until I meet the next disappointment.”
“So, you’d never have sex with him again? Take feelings out of it. What if you just had sex with him every now and then? Nothing serious and no strings attached.”
“I won’t say it’s impossible, but I don’t think that would be a good idea just yet. Nasir has the kind of dick that will activate a bitch’s heart strings.”
That comment got a laugh out of Capricorn. “Been there done that. I’m going to tell you the same thing I told you about Mason. Worry about anything stressful later. You are on vacation in beautiful Dubai. Go shopping. Treat yourself. Sleep in. Eat whatever you want. You deserve it.”
“Yes, I really do. In fact, shopping is on the agenda for tomorrow, and there are a few stores I’m going to run up a check in.”
“That’s what I’m talking about!”
When Symphony got off the phone, she walked over to the mini bar and opened a miniature bottle of tequila. The drink would do her right before her nap. After chasing the alcohol withsome juice, Symphony turned her phone off and got underneath her covers.
