Free Changing Faces by Kimberla Lawson Roby Page B

know what I would ever do without you.”
    “Please. I’m here for you the same as you’re always here for me.”
    “I love you, Taylor.”
    “I love you, too. Now, let’s talk about somethin’ else before you get me to crying over here.”
    We both laughed.
    “So how have you been feeling today?” she asked.
    “Better. I don’t know if those iron pills are helping or not, but I’m going to keep taking them just in case.”
    “Good. And your girl Charisse will be happy to hear that, too, with her critical behind.”
    “I know. And as a matter of fact, I’d better call to let her know that I made it home.”
    “Well, I don’t want to be on when you do. Remember I told you this morning how she and I had some words on Wednesday night.”
    “Come on now, don’t hang up. The three of us haven’t spoken by three-way in a long while.”
    “That’s because Charisse is always saying something stupid.”
    “But you and I both know that Charisse is just Charisse and you either love her or you hate her.”
    “Well, right now I’m more close to hating her.”
    “Girl, just hold on, okay?”
    “I guess.”
    I pressed the flash button, dialed Charisse’s number, and connected Whitney.
    “Hello?” Charisse answered.
    “Hey, whatcha doin’?” I said.
    “I wondered when you were going to call.”
    “I haven’t been home that long. Oh, and Whit is on the phone, too.”
    “Hi, Whitney,” she said.
    “Hi, Charisse.”
    They were cordial but I could tell there was tension. I detested playing referee and it was starting to happen a lot more often than it used to. They just couldn’t seem to get along with each other the way they once had.
    “So, where’s my little Brianna?”
    “She went to the high school game with Marvin and Brandon.”
    “Well, tell her to call me when she gets in because I have a surprise for her.”
    “What is it?” Charisse asked.
    “I ordered her some clothing from a catalog she was looking at when she was over here.”
    “I don’t know why you do that, Taylor, because Brianna already has way more than she needs.”
    “I know, but I like buying her things.”
    “You should be glad that somebody loves your child well enough to spend that much money on her, because that means you don’t have to do it,” Whitney added, and I knew there was going to be trouble.
    “Actually, Whitney, I wasn’t talking to you. I was speaking to Taylor about my daughter.”
    “Oh. Well then, I won’t say another word.”
    “Will you two stop it,” I pleaded.
    “Taylor, why don’t you just call me later?” Whitney suggested.
    “First Cameron disappoints me and now you guys are doing the same thing. What a mess I came home to.”
    “What do you mean Cameron disappointed you?” Charisse asked.
    “It’s nothing serious, but right after we got here, he left to go home.”
    “Just like that?” Whitney asked.
    “Well, not just like that, but when I said I couldn’t have sex with him, he all of a sudden started talking about how tired he was and how he needed some rest.”
    “Hmmph,” Charisse said. “I don’t know why you keep wasting your time with a man like that anyway. Especially someone who won’t marry you.”
    “Because I love him,” I said, now wishing I hadn’t brought the subject up.
    “But it’s like Tina Turner says, ‘What’s love got to do with it?’” Charisse continued. “Plus, if he loves you the way he claims, then why hasn’t he put a ring on your finger?”
    “Why do you always have to be so negative?” Whitney chimed in. “I’m just being real, because the Bible says, ‘He that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.’ God doesn’t want any of us—”
    “Taylor, you know what?” Whitney interrupted. “Forget Charisse. You do what you feel is best for you. If you’re not happy with the way things are going, then sit down and talk to Cameron about it. But don’t just end your relationship with him.”
    “You’re right,” I