“Josie, c’mon now. Don’t I always make sure you’re good each election year? And I love how you sped past my concern of your whereabouts, which lets me know you were at the damn club. I told you I didn’t want you there, not right now. Fuck, Josie. Why can’t you and Mama just utilize the gotdamn stripperpole in the back house? Ain’t that why I had it installed?” When Quincey was expressing himself—more like stressing about my career—I swore the real him always came out more. I stopped at a red light and closed my eyes briefly while he continued, as I pictured his nostrils flaring as his tone grew more angry.
When I heard the honk of a horn, I opened my eyes and took over his ranting and raving.
“Q, I don’t think they would say too much of anything considering the club isn’t open when I’m coming or going. And we talked about this. My coach wanted me to work with a professional pole for the training sessions so I can handle the two different elements before we move to a home built one.” I dragged out the words, trying to show my annoyance at this conversation.
“And when will that be because I told you?—"
I cut him off. I was too tired to go back and forth about when we would use the fucking stripper pole in the back house.
“Soon. I almost got the routine down. Anyways, I just got to the house. Let me take a shower and settle in and I’ll call you once I’m done.” That was a lie. I was still in traffic but didn’t want to finish this conversation.
“Okay. Be safe and I love you.”
“I love you too.” I hit the button to end the call and rode in silence the rest of the way home.
I made it across town to my home in Chandler Heights, putting in my code as I smiled at security as the gate opened for me.
I pulled into the driveway and looked at the home we’d built over the years and still couldn’t believe this was my life.
We had more rooms than we could fill with bodies. So of course, we made them full size his and hers closets.
I pulled into the garage just as my phone began to ring again. I groaned, thinking it was Quincey again, but was happy to see it was Mickey, one of my best friends.
“Hey, baby mama,” I sing-songed my greeting. I heard her huffing as she talked to the newest addition to our mini friend family, Baby Berkley, or Minnie as we called her, who we had all spoiled beyond care at this point.
“Whew, shit, sorry, Johnni. I thought I had a few minutes without Minnie demanding to be in my arms, but hold on, I’ma put you on speaker so I can put her in her wrap.” I giggled while I listened to Mickey talking to baby girl about needing to be a big girl and lay in her crib while I made my way inside.
“She’s not a big girl, Mickey. You can hold her. You’re not doing anything more important than holding her like the princess she is,” I said as I tossed my bags down and began to step out of my shoes before I took another step.
“Here you go sounding like everyone else. I do have stuff to do. How am I supposed to be working on expanding Herbal Remedies if this pretty little baby never lets me be great.”
I chuckled as I made my way through the kitchen, stopping to wash my hands, then grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge.
I loved that my friend was expanding into the herbal medicine market. So far me and our other best friend, Hollis, had been the test dummies for the skin and haircare lines she was working on. My hair was loving the oil she had infused with peppermint and other hair growing ingredients.
“Oh yeah, speaking of, I meant to tell you that the Remy Oil has been doing my hair so good. I’m taking my sew-in down in a couple weeks so we can do my growth test then.”
“Oh good because Hollis ass done fucked up talking about she needed her ends trimmed and let Callie take off all the inches. I told her ass I’m cutting her off.” That had me choking on the water I had just drank. I coughed until I could fully laugh.
“And now you’re laughing. Okay, so cut both of you heffas off, got it.”
“No, I’m sorry. It’s not funny, but c’mon, Mickey, you and I both know that sounds like classic Hollis. I promise before I get my ends clipped I will have Callie take a picture.”
“Thank you because—" A beep rang in my ear, causing Mickey’s words to be cut off. This time I knew it was Quincey calling back. It had been at least thirty minutes and I knew he wasn’t done with the conversation we were previously having about this strip club shit.
“Mickey, this is Q. Let me call you back. He’s out of town,” I said quickly.
“Oh, hold on, before I forget the reason for my call. Please don’t overbook us this coming week at your house for wedding talk. Love you, bye.”
I smiled at the mention of her upcoming wedding.
“Love you too. And I promise it’s only you on that day.” We hung up just in time for me to catch Quincey before he hung up.
“Q, I said I would call you back once I got settled,” I stressed as soon as I answered.
“I know, and honestly, I didn’t think you would pick up. I was prepared to send both a text and voicemail expressing my apologies.” He threw out a light laugh before he continued as I was now heading upstairs to my bathroom. “Look, I’m too far and hate when we fight. I know you’re still heavy in practice mode this week, and I don’t mean to add to any stress. I went ahead and booked you down in the Keys for the weekend to hopefully help relieve some of the stress and tension I’m adding to your plate. I do love you, Josie, and swear I only want to keep you safe.”
It took one word to peak my eyebrows.
