“Hey girl, how are you?” I question, trying to keep the worry out of my voice.
We greet each other with a hug and sit on a bench. The park is empty this time of day, so I hope that Talia feels comfortable telling me her news. She sounded so urgent on the phone that it stressed me out.
“Thanks for making time tofinallysee me,” Talia says in a bitter chastising tone.
“I’ve been busy. Life has been lifeing lately,” I respond, ignoring her tone. “So, what’s been going on?” I question, trying to keep from frowning.
Talia has no right to scold me like I’m a child. We haven’t seen each other, but I can already tell that her vibe is off. She’s not her usual bubbly self, and I can’t imagine what has her acting so out of character.
I will give her the benefit of the doubt because maybe she’s feeling neglected or something. I can admit I haven’t been a great friend to her lately. She’s still unaware that Ross was abusive, and I left him for good. She will definitely understand when I tell her what I’ve been going through.
“You’ve been too busy to see me?” Talia asks incredulously.
“I’m sorry that I’ve been neglecting our friendship, but I’ve been going through it. I should’ve done better with telling you what was going on, and I am truly sorry. I was just trying to make it through this situation without bringing anyone else into it. But I’ll give you the tea on that later. How have you been doing? Is everything okay with you?”
“No, I’m not okay. I’ve actually been really worried about you. I heard you left Ross, but I also heard the stories about your new man. He’s a criminal, and you should do the right thing and tell the police what you know so you can get away from him.”
I school my face because only one person could be feeding her information about what’s going on with me.Ross.And if she’s talking to him, there’s no telling what bullshit he’s told her.I instantly go on the defense because I know this conversation is not about to be what I expected.
“I’m not sure why you would be worried about me. I came because you acted like something was wrong withyou.” I shake my head. “I promise, I’m good over here.”
“Listen, I’m trying to help you out. I know you don’t know him very well and any attention you get is probably new to you, but like I said, he’s a criminal.”
“And like I said, there’s no need for you to worry. It’s not your business who I’m dating anyway,” I nonchalantly reply.
Talia shakes her head, sucking her teeth. “Please believe that I’m just trying to make things easier for you. Now is not the time for you to get a backbone. Just do what I’m telling you. Contact the police and tell them what you know about the Dalonzo family.”
I sit back appalled. Talia’s audacity is at an all-time high. She must be out of her fucking mind to think I would do anything she says. I can tell that she has not only been talking to Ross, but she must be his messenger.
“You must’ve drunk Ross’s Kool-Aid. He’s the one who told you to come here, isn’t he?” I accuse. “I see you arehisfriend and not mine. You have lost your—”
“You know Luca Dalonzo is in the mob,” Talia interrupts.
“Girl, bye. You really have lost it because you sound crazy as hell,” I deny.
Ross deals with some questionable characters on the party scene, and I know Talia, being the party girl that she is, always finds herself in compromising situations. Maybe that’s how they know about Luca, but I don’t care how they found out. But it’s none of their business what Luca is involved with. She’s obviously not my friend, and as soon as Ross signs those papers, he won’t be my husband. They can both fuck off and never speak or see me again, so Luca being in my life shouldn’t matter.
“I’m not crazy, you are. Ross settled for you, and now you think a crime boss wants you. Do yourself a favor and just sign the divorce papers and turn Luca in. You’re complicating everything!” Talia shouts.
Talia’s face morphs into a disgruntled mask of hate. The evil look makes me lean away from her. I’ve never seen this side of Talia, and I now realize that just like with Ross, I ignored all the red flags when it came to our friendship.
“I don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about, but like our friendship, this conversation is over.”
I stand up to walk away from her crazy ass, but she stands as well, sticking her hand in her oversized bag.
“Bitch! You know exactly what I’m talking about. I know things, and I’ve been around the right people. What you need to do is tell Detective Wiley what you know about your little boyfriend, so he will finally be put behind bars where he belongs.”
How the fuck does she know about that bitch detective!
I shake my head because I won’t be telling anybody shit, especially that detective. But it lets me know that Talia’s involvement with the detective is bad news. I don’t know how they know each other, and I don’t give a fuck. It’s time for me to go.
I turn to leave, but before I completely turn around, Talia brings her hand out of her bag and points a gun at me. I didn’t even know Talia had a gun.
“Whoa. Listen, we both said some shit today. That don’t mean we gotta take it this far.” I look around for Jules because I know he’s here somewhere.
Hell, I look around for anyone who might see this bitch with a gun.
Where’s a Karen when you need one?
