Saturday dawned bright and glorious. Excitement and trepidation alternately coursed through my veins. My plan was simple. All I had to do to avoid being overrun with nerves was keep my mind off Mark.
It wasn’t as easy as I’d hoped. I did my chores, washed the dishes and folded the laundry Kandace had left for me. They were mindless jobs, which left me way too much time to think.
My stomach clenched with anxiety as I shoved the towels into the linen closet. Blowing out a breath in frustration I grabbed my books and plopped down onto the couch, picking up where I’d left off. I was two assignments away from the final test that would finally grant me my GED.
I had just finished my essay when the door opened and Rosalie walked in. She beamed at the sight of my books and the pages of paper.
“What are you working on, Niña?
“I just finished my English essay.” I stood, stretching the kinks from my body.
“Oh, that’s right. What was it about?” She inquired, setting her purse down on the counter and stepping into the kitchen.
“I had to write about my hero. I chose you.”
“Oh, Niña.” She turned, opening her arms to me. I ran to her, hugging her tightly, breathing in her calming scent.
“I’m no saint, Querida.”
“No, but you’re my savior.” She stiffened then, pulling me back and looking into my eyes.
“Ashley, there is only one Savior in this world, and I am not him.”
“Chill out, Rosalie. It was just a stupid essay.” I shrugged and stepped away. There it was again, that gut wrenching slash of betrayal. I shook my head, tryihng to ignore the sensation.
“Are you excited about your date with Mark?” Rosalie asked, busying herself with the dinner preparations.
“I’m more nervous than anything.” I picked at my nails, chewing my lower lip.
“Don’t worry, Mark’s a good boy.”
“It’s the dinner party that worries me.” I admitted.
“Dinner parties are easy. Just pretend you’re me.” Kandace beamed, showing off her white teeth as she floated into the room. She was, as always, impeccably dressed. Her knee length skirt was a pale rose, complimenting the flush in her cheeks. A trim white sleeveless blouse finished off the outfit.
“Where were you?” I asked, taking in her attire.
“Lunch date with Pierre.”
“Its dinner time.”
“It ran long.” She winked at me, setting two enormous Macy’s bags on the counter.
“Went shopping already?” Rosalie quipped from where she was chopping peppers.
“Haha,” Kandace responded dryly. “They’re for Ashley.”
I stared at the bags. They were bulging with clothes. “For me? But you guys have already given me so much.”
“And now you have more.” Kandace smiled, walking toward me and dropping a kiss on my head.
“I believe a fashion show is in order. Rose, wine?”
Rosalie dusted off her hands, grinning like a fool, and grabbed two glasses and a bottle of wine. Kandace accepted her glass and sat down on the couch.
“Ah, that’s better.” Kandace lifted her glass and clinked it against Rosalie’s. They looked at each other and burst into laughter. I shook my head at them, then ran to my room with the bags, excited to see the new clothes.
Laughter filled the living room as I paraded up and down the room in various outfits. After a few glasses of wine, Kandace had joined me.
Rosalie and I burst into fits of giggles as Kandace emerged in hot pink go-go boots, a purple mini skirt, tie-dye shirt and a leopard print scarf on her head.
“Tell me you never wore that.” I snorted, wiping tears of mirth from my eyes.
“Well, never all at once before. But I must say, it does make a statement.”
I burst into laughter again falling against Rosalie, clutching at a stitch in my side. Our laughter died off quickly as the phone rang. Rosalie gently moved me aside and answered the phone.
“Hello? Armand. Yes. No, I, yes, yes I understand. I’ll be there.”
The phone clicked into the cradle, the mood broken.
“I thought you were staying in tonight, Rose.” Kandace said, pulling the scarf from her head.
“Plans change, Kandace.” Rosalie didn’t look at me as she walked into her room.
“Plans change my ass. Stay here.” Kandace stomped after her, heels clicking against the wood floor of the hallway.
I pulled my knees to my chest, humming softly as I tried to drown out the sounds of their raised voices.
“Tonight was supposed to be us, Rose! I rescheduled with Benjamin!”
“Kandace, I’m not having this conversation. I’m sorry you had to reschedule, but I’m sure you’ll make up for it.”
“It’s not about rescheduling, Rose. It’s about you not keeping your word. What’s going on? He calls and you drop everything and run to his side! We control us. Not the client! That’s what you told me!”
“Enough! You wouldn’t understand.” Rosalie stormed out of her room, Kandace hot on her heels.
“What about Ashley? This is her night! You’re just going to leave her for him? He’s not Arturo!”
Rosalie stopped one hand on the door knob, her whole body stiff. I stared at them, my heart racing. Rosalie turned slowly, her eyes on mine.
“Forgive me, Querida. Te amo.” The door clicked closed behind her.
I looked up at Kandace, my stomach clenching painfully. They couldn’t fight. They were my world. Nothing mattered but them.
“Kandace?”
She looked down at me, tears in her eyes. Sniffing, she moved toward me, gripping my shoulder reassuringly.
“The cream halter, with the denim skirt, I think. Maybe throw in the black vest?” She nodded, then turned and walked down the hall to her room. Her door clicked shut, leaving me alone. The silence pressed upon me. I stared out the window for a while, watching the night claim the sky. It was a while before I noticed my cheeks were wet.
loved it!
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