“I know but he really came through for me the other night. Since he left it just feels like Jeffrey’s gon’ pop up just cuz he can,” I explained.
“I get that, girl. I hate that he’s been on his best bullshit when you just wanna chill and live life,” Marsha replied.
“I just want to move freely, ya know?”
“I feel you. So where’s he at?”
“Business. I mean, I totally get it. I wasn’t supposed to get caught up in anyone out here, and look at me, I’m pissed that I can’t see him again. Then again, look at who we’re talking about? The man who owns this resort I’m pouting at and is most likely one of the most dangerous men on this island. I should be staying far away, but…”
“But nothing, go with that, cuz he’s cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs. I mean, y’all cute or whatever but Jeff got me thinking crazy now.”
She looked at me with big eyes then screwed her face up, followed by taking the last big gulp of her drink. She hopped up before I could respond then stuck her hand out. I looked at my cup and noticed there were only a couple of swigs left so I gulpedthem down then handed her the cup. She trotted off without another word and left me to my thoughts.
I couldn’t just go with the notion to rid myself of him. Armond was a really great man. What did I look like not at least going on a couple more dates with him to see how it played out. Marsha hadn’t witnessed his behavior behind Jeffrey’s phone call. How he stayed with me until he had no choice but to leave. I’d give that man a chance, especially when he was ready to come to me.
When Marsha walked back over with a fishbowl, I knew she was on the same type of time as I was and I loved her for it though we didn’t need to be drinking so much when we were heading back home the next day.
“We need to take it easy,” I said as she handed it to me.
“Yeah, yeah. We’ll get to where we’re going in time.” She waved me off.
I woke up the next morning with my head pounding and heart racing. The dream I had left me on edge and second guessing myself. I was drenched in sweat and between my legs was completely soaked. All the thoughts that got washed away with alcohol revisited me in my dreams.
I reached for my cell phone as I caught my breath and damn near screeched when I noticed the time.Shit. Shit. Shit.I had about ten minutes to get ready to leave for the airport. I didn’t know how I overslept and didn’t hear my alarm. That only made me think of Marsha and Stella and I jolted up to see if they were up and ready.
When I entered each of their rooms, they were knocked out as well and I had to push them hard to wake up. At this rate we would miss our flights. Having to go through TSA was an annoying process and my stupid ass drank myself into a stupor. I was being reckless, and if I missed this flight, I would never forgive myself.
We scurried around and quickly showered and got dressed and headed to the airport within thirty minutes. That stressed me out and now I was beginning to panic while we were stuck in traffic. Some kind of accident happened and left us all trying to pass along the shoulder just to get around it. It had taken us an extra hour to arrive and when we hit the line for TSA, I swore everything was against us. The line was long as hell. I looked around the airport and sighed as I accepted our defeat. Our flight was leaving in an hour and I just knew this line would take forever and getting to our terminal would take even longer.
“Ay, sis, move up. The line is finally going,” Stella said as she lightly nudged me. I opened my eyes and noticed the huge gap between me and the person in front of me.
“My bad,” I grumbled, then closed the gap. Thankfully it moved at a steadier pace. Marsha and Stella were talking each other’s heads off and I was in my own little world. A couple of the other girls who attended the retreat were a little ahead of us and they waved. I wished we were able to join them but I didn’t feel like arguing and fighting with anyone in this airport and surely missing our flight.
Once we arrived at the gate, we were greeted by a tiny woman holding up a sign with my name on it. Stella looked at me crazily and I shrugged as I walked up to her.
“Ummm hi, I’m Brandy Davenport. What’s going on?”
“Ah, Ms. Davenport, you’ve finally arrived. I was told to escort you and…” She pulled out her cellphone and continued, “Stella Daniels and Marsha Tillman to the private airstrip. If you’ll follow me, we can make it before it’s due to take off.”
We all looked at each other, then looked at the woman boarding the final passengers. I began to make my way to her when my cellphone rang.
“Hello,” I answered without looking at who was calling.
“Lil mama, you’re cutting it close, aren’t you?” Armond said.
“Close to what?”
“Woman, follow Seraphina to my jet and come on,” he replied.
“Ah, so you’re behind this. I thought we were getting pranked.” I waved the girls on and they looked at each other before we followed Seraphina through the airport to our destination.
“What about our luggage?”
“Since we weren’t able to stop you guys before you checked it in, we’ll be making sure we get you guys to the baggage claim at DFW. You’ll be landing a little before they are due to arrive. Mr. Davis has it all set up.”
“I’m sure he does,” Marsha chimed in.
“If you aren’t comfortable with the arrangements, I have no problem escorting you back to your terminal, though if I’m not mistaken, they’ve already completed the boarding process,” Seraphina replied.
