Before Remedy could reach for her door, Erys was already there, pushing his card into the inner pocket of the sweats she wore. He knew they were there because he grabbed them the night before to wash and dry them and return them to the chair she had them folded on.
“The pin is 1206, if for some reason you need authorization, that code is Charlie Alpha. Get everything you need, go get your hair done. When you’re finished, meet us across the street for lunch. I got to get Ernie something to wear that isn’t so damn shiny,” he spoke, before releasing her from his suffocating presence. “When I see you, there better be so many bags that you can’t carry them.”
“All of this is too much, I’m going to be in the house with Ernie every day,” she retorted.
“Nah, Ernie is going to be on the golf course and the clubhouse and the country club. Where I go, you go,” Ernie sounded off, proudly watching his son handle her.
Remedy pushed out a long, exhaustive huff. “Fine. Can you move now? You’re too close to me.”
“I figured you couldn’t see me without those goggles you be wearing. Those were in the house too?” he mused. Even without her glasses, she could see him in 4K marveling over her. She wanted it to stop and wanted it to stop right now.
“Back up out my face with all that,” she grunted, pushing him back. “Yeah. You’re too ugly to be in my face that damn close. I already can’t see, do you want me blind too?”
Erys stepped back and grinned. As quick as it came, it faded upon realization. “Matter of fact, call me when you’re done. I’ll come get your stuff.”
Remedy patted herself down. “Would you look at that, no phone.”
“The problem with playing games is that I win,” Erys spoke, reaching around her to her back pocket and pulling out her cracked phone. He examined it and nodded before taking her thumb and pressing it against the button. He tapped a few icons and handed it back. “Have fun, Mouth.”
She rolled her eyes and watched him walk away with Ernie. The two even had the nerve to share a fist bump before crossing the street.
“These niggas. Ernie done turned on me that fast. Just like some niggas,” Remedy muttered to herself as she walked in the boutique.
“Hi, welcome to MUSE,” a soft but confident voice called out.
The woman saw Remedy before she could see her. Remedy looked around, nerves riddling her body. This boutique screamed exclusive, and exclusive was too rich for her blood. She was hoping she could slip out of the space before she was spotted but it was too late.
“Tell me what you’re looking for today?” the woman asked, appearing within Remedy’s line of sight. “Remedy? Remedy Worthy?”
Remedy squinted. “Melissa Jonas from high school?”
“Yes!” Melissa cheered, snatching her into a hug and swaying her from side to side. “How are you! I haven’t seen you since…”
Melissa’s words faltered because for anyone who knew Remedy before she was tried in the court of public opinion and the court of law, opinions were divided. Some people lived for the gossip while others wanted her to get the treatment other women in her position would have gotten.
“Yeah, you don’t have to say it,” Remedy laughed, nervously patting her back and releasing her. “I-uh- I need some clothes. It doesn’t need to be fancy or anything. I’m in the house most days. Just something other than this.”
“No country club vibes or galas, dinners?” Melissa asked.
The idea of taking Ernie to the country club gave her great anxiety. She swayed her head. “No.”
“Okay, tell me this…what do you need to feel like yourself?” Melissa asked, searching around her space.
Remedy shrugged. It was a loaded question she didn’t want to answer. “I want to feel comfortable.”
“Comfy and cute, I got you. Come on,” Melissa beamed, clasping her hands together. Remedy kept up with her as she zipped through the boutique grabbing pieces. By the time she stopped, the dressing room was toppling over with clothes. At the far end was a woman with large curly hair looking at a dress in the mirror.
Remedy didn’t mean to stare but it was evident she was in her business when the large eyes met hers. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. Do you mind if I ask what size you are?” the woman asked, closing the space between them.
Remedy looked down at her thighs. “Um, an eight right now.”
“Melissa, don’t you think that new dress you got in would look great on her?” the woman posed.
“I actually do but she’s looking for cute and comfy. Remedy, do you mind trying it on? So, long story short, I’m working with VIBRANCE magazine on some ad spreads and Eden here is helping me with some creative direction. Are you still into fashion?”
“Maybe I should’ve introduced myself. I’m Eden Sage-Burton,” the woman spoke with her hand out.
