Free Raging Blue by Renee Daniel Flagler Page B

back home?” Peyton’s words linked together like a slow melody.
    Peyton’s blue eyes sparkled, and her naturally curly blonde hair bounced as she smiled and pulled back to look Blue over. For a petite woman, Peyton’s sweet demeanor made her presence larger than life, and her warm smile was the picture of Southern hospitality.
    “Give me some sugar, girl!” Peyton said as she leaned in, gave Blue another hug, and kissed her cheek.
    “Hey, Peyton. It has been a while.” Blue smiled, genuinely happy to see her old friend.
    Kendrick and Jay had played on the same team in Atlanta for a short while before Jay was traded to New York.
    “Girl, what are you doing in Atlanta, and why didn’t you call me? We could have had dinner together,” Peyton said , one hand on her hip. “Looking sharp as always on the outside. Not so hot on the inside, huh, baby girl? Your eyes are looking kind of worn,” Peyton surmised. “Want to talk about it?”
    Blue turned from Peyton’s concerned countenance.
    “There’s a lot going on. How’s Ken doing?” Blue asked, diverting the attention from her telling eyes.
    “Oh, he’s doing just fine. He’s sending me to New York for a quick weekend getaway to do some shopping and get a little R and R. I can’t stand shopping with him, so I’m going first and he’s going to meet me out there in the morning so we can spend the rest of the weekend together. Things have been so crazy,” she said, stretching out the word “crazy” as she flipped her hand in the air. “Couldn’t wait to get out of Atlanta, even if it is just for a minute. I’m happy to say that life has gotten much better for Ken and me.”
    “Wow, Peyton. I’m so happy to hear that. Too bad I can’t say the same for me and Jay,” Blue said and paused. She caught the look of concern in Peyton’s eyes. “Let me pay for these magazines, and we can get out of this store. How long before your flight? Maybe we can get a drink,” Blue offered.
    “Honey, I got more than an hour before my flight takes off. Check your ticket,” Peyton said, examining her own ticket and then looking at Blue’s. “Well, looka here. We’re on the same flight. Maybe the agent can seat us together. I can ask.” Peyton paused for a moment before continuing. “That’s if you want me to.”
    “Works for me,” Blue replied, even though she preferred to sit alone.
    The more she thought about it, she reasoned the company would do her some good. She would manage to avoid the vengeful thoughts that clouded her brain if she chatted with Peyton during the flight. Maybe the tears would stay at bay in the face of company.
    Together they browsed a few more shops before sitting down for a bite to eat.
    “So what’s up with Jay now, Blue? That look in your eyes tells it all,” Peyton asked as she pushed a French fry into her mouth and sipped on a Diet Coke.
    “I don’t even know where to begin,” Blue responded, not sure if she wanted to tell anything at all. She looked down at her tray of uneaten food and pushed her fries around.
    “I know. Ken has put me through some crazy ordeals since we’ve been together. But, one day, things just changed.” An amazed expression appeared across Peyton’s face. “He stopped hanging out as much as he used to. I don’t hear any more crazy stories about him out there running around with all these different women. And can you believe that after all these years, he finally decides he wants to have some babies.” Peyton’s southern lilt laid heavily on her last sentence.
    “Wow! What’s gotten into him?”
    “I don’t know, but I hope this time its permanent. The funny thing is I’m not sure how to take it. I’ve lived with so much mess for so many years. I never really knew what it was like to have a real relationship with a man who was solely focused on me. Seeing all the other wives dealing with this same mess, I simply assumed it came with the territory. Now don’t get me wrong,” Peyton