Free Destiny Lingers by Rolonda Watts

“Just shopping and stuff. I am so in love with the new Missouni resort collection I had to stop by for a quick peek.”
    Kat rolls her eyes. “You’re in love with some new designer collection every year, girl.”
    “Gotta keep it lookin’ good for my man!” Eve responds with a sly smile. I wonder which man she’s talking about as I scope her shiny red head, missing at least three long hairs left in my home—one in my bed.
    “So, how is that Fritz?” Hope asks.
    “He’s fine. Got big plans for me this weekend. Gon’ get some of that good stuff, and I don’t mean Dolce and Gabbana this time!” Eve leans back with a lusty laugh.
    “Yeah, I could use some of that good stuff too,” says Hope. “I think Dan and I are staying close to home. What about you, Kat? What—or should I say, who—are you doing?”
    We all laugh as Kat winds up to bat.
    “ Well , since you asked … I’mma be up under this fine dreadlocked French man. Ain’t that some shit—a French man with dreadlocks. Mm-mm-mm.”
    These special moments between us girls have always brought us closer together. I adore these special moments, and I feel like a real shit, believing that one of us wants to destroy all of this and so much more. How can I believe that one of us would try to annihilate the other’s marriage by bedding her husband? Is that not the worst betrayal?
    Dear God, please let me be wrong.
    “So what are you and Garrett up to this weekend?” Eve asks me. “Staying home? Is Garrett playing golf, as usual?”
    “Uh … well, I think …” I stumble. “I’d like to get out of town—get away, to tell you the truth.”
    “Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about!” Kat slams her hand down on the table as if marking a done deal. “That’s exactly what you two need to do.”
    “Out of town? This weekend? You and Garrett?” Eve is looking at me with the most incredulous look on her face. “When did you guys decide that?”
    “Well, we … ugh … you know, I really need to get home. Garrett’ll be up soon, and I want us to start our weekend.” I start to gather my things.
    “Yeah, girl, get home to your man,” Kat urges. “And please get some rest this weekend. Chill. Do something nice for yourself. Get out of town. You and Garrett go someplace nice.”
    “Yeah,” Eve chimes in. “But maybe you should take some time just for yourself—you know, go away all by yourself for some—what is it they call it? Oh—some ‘me’ time.”
    “Uh-huh,” I respond as I keep gathering my belongings and my wits about me, feeling as if I am about to suffocate in one of my favorite places with someone who used to be one of my favorite friends.
    Could Eve really be my newfound foe? Could my husband really be fucking my best friend? I take one last look at her, dead in the eye. I throw back the last gulp of my now-warm martini and then turn and flee Hurlihey’s as if my hair is on fire.

Chapter Seven
    I slip the key into the door of my building and, even from the front atrium, can hear Garrett talking loudly on the phone in our apartment on the second floor. I can tell that he is agitated because I can also hear him pacing back and forth on our squeaky wooden floors. He is in a heated conversation, and I hope it’s not with work. I pray he doesn’t have to go back to the newsroom and spoil the time we have to be together this Memorial Day weekend. I am counting on this holiday to have that long talk with Garrett in hopes of saving our marriage. This long holiday weekend comes just in time. For two short hours a day, Garrett and I see each other between jobs, and when we do, it’s only in passing, heading in different directions, living different lives.
    “I’m not saying I don’t want to come down there, I’m just sayin’ I had other plans for this weekend, and she may not want to go anyway. Oh, don’t put this on me, Barbara!”
    Oh, no. Garrett is not loud-talking a fellow producer; he is loud-talking my