Free Material Girl by Keisha Ervin

get past this.”
     
     
    Three A.M. was fast approaching, and Billie hadn’t slept a wink. For hours, she’d tossed and turned under the covers. The argument she and Dylan had replayed over and over again in her mind. All day long she’d wanted to call and apologize, but her stubborn pride just kept getting in the way. Plus, she wasn’t ready to make nice. Dylan had said things she wasn’t sure were forgivable. She knew how her separation from Cain affected her. Many nights went by where Billie cried on her shoulder. For Dylan to say the things she did had to mean that she already felt that way.
    That shit didn’t come from nowhere, but Billie still couldn’t place all the blame on Dylan. She’d dished out her own tray of insults that she was sure burned like hot coal. Every part of her wanted to be supportive of Dylan and State’s relationship, but the concerned friend within her couldn’t muster up an attitude of acceptance. Yet and still, she and Dylan had been friends for too many years to count. Like her marriage, she wasn’t willing to lose a friendship she’d invested time, love, and loyalty into. Pushing aside her complex feelings, Billie picked up the phone and dialed Dylan’s number.
    “Hello?” She answered on the first ring, wide awake.
    “So, I guess you call yourself still having an attitude?” Billie questioned jokingly.
    “Girl, nah, you know I can’t stay mad at you forever. I thought you were still upset wit’ me. I was gon’ call you tomorrow.” Dylan sat up.
    “I was . . . am, but you’re my sister, and I love you despite your flaws.”
    “That’s good to know.” Dylan chuckled, rolling her eyes to the ceiling. “I love you too, Billie, and I’m sorry for everything I said.”
    “I’m sorry too. I should’ve never called you stupid. That was wrong. I just had a fucked-up morning and took it out on you.”
    “What happened?” Dylan quizzed.
    “The usual. Cain and I got into it.”
    “Oh.” Dylan sat quietly, unsure if she should say what she thought.
    “And I know what you’re thinking.” Billie read her mind. “I should file for divorce and move on with my life ... but it’s just not that simple. He’s my husband, and I have to believe that somewhere deep down inside he still loves me. Like, who could just walk away from an eleven-year marriage as if it were nothing?”
    “Sweetie—”
    “No,” Billie cut her off. “Please don’t give me the you-cando-better speech, ’cause I already know I can. I’m strong and I’m intelligent, but for some reason, when it comes to Cain, I lose all sense of self.”
    “I know how you feel,” Dylan said, thinking of State. “Well, at this point, you have to do what’s best for you. I mean, it’s only been a couple of months. Who knows? Cain may come to his senses and beg for your forgiveness. Then you’ll renew your vows and live happily ever after.”
    “I wish everyone was as optimistic as you.” Billie smiled. “Now, what are we going to do about this whole State sitchiation, as Tee-Tee would say? Why are you back with him?”
    “I know it’s a mess, but, Billie, there is just something about him that I cannot let go of. Like, he was the father of my baby, and yeah, he ain’t want me to keep it, but that shit don’t go away. Like, I love him, and I wanna see us work this time.”
    “And you really think it will?”
    “I mean, I hope so,” Dylan responded optimistically.
    “I guess,” Billie said, still weary.
    “I really want all of us to get together for dinner. I feel like if you got a chance to sit down with him and see his personality, then you’d understand why I care for him so much.”
    “I just don’t like his ass. Ugh.” Billie balled her fist. “But for you, I’ll do it.”
    “Thank you, thank you, thank you. Trust me; you won’t regret your decision.”
     
     
    The day of the ill-fated dinner had finally arrived. They were to have drinks at 609 Lounge then travel next to door to