Free Big Girls Do Cry by Carl Weber Page B

would be more than half yours. It would have your bloodline too.”
    “Don’t try to push this off on my sister. You’re the one who’s supposed to be my best friend. But I guess it’s pretty obvious how lopsided our friendship really is.” I tapped my husband’s leg so he could get me as far away from her as possible. I dreaded the flight home. Unlike the trip to New York, where I was full of anticipation, I was returning home with my hopes shattered.

Loraine
 9 
    “Are they here?” I tried to keep my excitement down as Jerome walked into my office. I’d been expecting some very important people for a two o’clock meeting, and it was ten after when he walked in.
    Jerome didn’t answer me at first. He just closed the door behind him with his head hanging low. I didn’t like the way he was acting at all, because his body language had
bad news
written all over it. I just hoped and prayed it didn’t have anything to do with my two o’clock meeting.
    “Okay, spill it. What’s wrong?”
    “I just got a call from Ms. Jericho’s office. The meeting’s been canceled. They’ve decided to back someone else. I’m sorry, Loraine.”
    I ran my hand through my hair as I tried to comprehend why they would cancel a meeting that they’d asked for. Had I done something wrong? Was this whole thing some sick joke to play with my emotions? Dammit! I slammed my hand down on my desk.
    “You’ve got to be kidding me. I been kissing these women’s asses for over two years.” If anyone else had been in the room, I would not have shown this much emotion, but Jerome was my rock, my best friend, my confidant, and my right-hand man all rolled into one. “How the fuck can they do this to me?”
    “They didn’t.” Jerome laughed. “I was just playing with you. They’re in reception.”
    “Ooooh, Jerome, I’m going to kill you.” I pointed my finger at him, looking evil but feeling relieved. “That wasn’t funny. You almost made me cry.”
    “Sorry, I just couldn’t help it. You’ve had a stick up your ass all week, waiting for these people to give you what you deserve. I had to have some fun with it.”
    “That’s not fun. What you did was cruel. This is important to me.”
    “I can see that. Don’t worry. You’re gonna knock ‘em dead.” He winked at me.
    “How do I look?” I chewed nervously on my bottom lip.
    “Seriously? You need to put on a little blush.” Jerome gave me a pointed look, lifting his eyebrows. “Stop chewing your lip. You know how dry they get. Oh, and put on some lipstick too.”
    I straightened the lapels of my pink suit, reached into my purse, and pulled out my compact. I patted makeup over my face and used a little beige concealer to cover the circles under my eyes. I lined my lips, then put on a neutral-colored lipstick. I slid on my Sarah Palin eyeglasses, then turned to Jerome for his inspection. He nodded his head in approval.
    “Now that’s what I’m talking about. Go get ‘em, girl,” Jerome whispered, making a circle with his right thumb and index finger.
    “Well, then, let’s get this show on the road.” I spun my desk chair toward the door. “You can show them in now.”
    While I was waiting, I contemplated how I got to this point, something I did before any serious meeting or decision. I thought about my life. I’d started my own public relations firm at the age of twenty-nine, with the help of Jerome. We’d gone through good times and bad together, and our company was still running strong. Jerome had been there for me in lots of ways, including accompanying me to events that my own husband—who only wanted to watch TV, play golf, or look for the next get-rich-quick scheme—was never interested in attending. Sometimes it felt like if it weren’t for Jerome, I would not have any social life at all. Jerome had it going on. Sometimes it was as if I were living my life through his life, since my personal life was so boring.
    But all that was about to change. I