Free Changing Faces by Kimberla Lawson Roby Page A

in a roundabout way why they weren’t that close, but Charisse had suggested we talk about something else. She’d told me to mind my own business without saying the actual words, and that’s what I had done.
    But still it worried me because sometimes Brianna seemed awfully sad and I didn’t know what to do about it. Over the years, I had tried to question her, too, asking her what was wrong, but she always told me it was nothing. So, finally, I’d decided to stop the inquiries and just be there for her whenever she needed me.
    I pulled my luggage across the black marble flooring, down the hall, and into my master suite. This was one of those days when I was glad Mom had talked me into purchasing a house with at least one first-floor bedroom, because I couldn’t imagine dragging this bag of clothing up a tall flight of stairs. I remembered not caring one way or the other whether I had first-floor accommodations or not, but Mom had insisted that it would definitely come in handy. That is, if I ever broke a leg, had major surgery, or lived to be ninety. As always, she was cautious about possibilities like that.
    I opened my bag and separated my clothing into three piles. Dry cleaning, regular laundry, and those that I hadn’t gotten a chance to wear. I pulled out my shoes and toiletries, placed them where they belonged, and took off the Ralph Lauren suit I was wearing. It was my navy blue one and hands down one of my favorites. Next, I removed the pure white pointed-collar shirt along with my panty hose, and as Cameron had so conveniently suggested, I decided that lying down might be a good idea. But before I did, I went into the bathroom, washed up for the evening, and slipped on a cotton lounging two-piece. I felt a little on the hungry side, though, so I went into the kitchen and fixed myself a cold-cut sandwich. This, however, was teeing me off because I’d been sure that Cameron and I would order in. I’d been sure that we would do the same as we did every Friday night, but so much for assumptions.
    I bit into the smoked turkey with mayonnaise, drank some diet Mountain Dew, and realized Charisse had been right about it not having an aftertaste. I couldn’t believe how good it was and I was already feeling that wonderful caffeine sensation. Although I wasn’t sure that this was the best thing to have just before bedtime. Then again, I did need a pick-me-up.
    When I finished, I went back into the bedroom, made myself comfortable, grabbed the phone, and dialed Whitney.
    “Hey, T,” she said. “I’m glad you made it back safely.”
    “Yep. Got in about an hour ago. What’s up with you?”
    “Well, actually I just ordered this great weight loss program. I was watching the infomercial and suddenly I had this huge revelation. And you know how I get when that happens.”
    I smiled because Whitney was always trying a new gimmick. Especially those that promised to make you thin.
    “Really?” I said.
    “Yeah, and it’ll only take six weeks. Maybe not to lose everything, but I really think I can shed fifty by then.”
    “Well, you know I’m behind you regardless.”
    “Thanks, girl. Because I know you have to get tired of hearing me talk about my weight all the time and how I’m trying to lose it.”
    “Hey, we all have something and we all need someone to talk to about it. It’s no different than me talking about my medical situation, my work, Cameron, and everything else I go through.”
    “I know, but I always start these diets and then I quit and move on to another.”
    “Well, I have faith in you and maybe this will be the one that you’ll really be able to stick with.”
    Whitney didn’t say anything and I knew immediately that she was having one of her moments.
    “Okay, Whit, what’s wrong?”
    “You just don’t know how much your friendship means to me. No matter what I say or what I do, you never judge me. You always encourage me, and my own mother and sister won’t even do that. I don’t