Mariah

"Hi, I'm here to see Kelly Thompson." I told the receptionist

"She just came in from outside so you have to give us a second to get her situated."

"Alright." I said before going to sit in the waiting area

As I waited, I decided to call Dorian and check on Skylar.

"Hey, how's she doing?"

"She good Ry. You just left like 15 minutes ago."

"And? I'm just ensuring my child's safety." I shrugged

"With her dad? You act like I'm a stranger."

"Don't gotta be a stranger" I mumbled

I cleared my throat and went silent. Memories of my dad molesting me when I was a kid flooded my mind, making my eyes water.

"Hey I apologize 'bout that." He broke the silence

"What?" I played dumb "Oh, boy psh."

"Miss, you can go see her now." The receptionist came over to me

"Ok." I said to her "Give Skylar a kiss for me. Bye." I said before hanging up

After hanging up I got a visitor's pass and headed to my aunt Kelly's room. I love me some aunt Kelly.            
          She's been by my side since a little girl. When I told her my dad was molesting me, she let me come stay with her regardless of what my mom said. I stayed with her from 15 until I left for college.

But once I had been away for about six months, my aunt had stroke, and of course my mom got power of attorney and stuck my aunt in a nursing home.
I've been trying my hardest to get her out, but the courts are giving me hell.

"Hey auntie." I walked in her room with her gift basket

She smiled at me "Hey."

(Aunt Kelly)

"How you been beautiful?" I sat the basket down

I try to see her at least two times a week. Sometimes my schedule only allows me one day which I hate.

"I'm fine. How you been?" She adjusted her wheelchair with her left arm

"I'm making it." I smiled "How they treating you in here?"

"Eh." She shrugged

"You gone come stay with me soon, ok?"

"Don't worry yourself sweetheart. I don't wanna' be nobody's burden."

"You wouldn't be a burden at all. Sky and I would love to have you."

"Speaking of, where's that lil' lady?"

"She's with her dad. I have to go to work after I leave here." I explained

"Aw, well give her kisses for me."

"I will. Let me do your hair." I gathered the utensils

"You always make me so beautiful."

"It doesn't take much." I took her bonnet off

*

"So how's wedding planning going?" I asked my best friend, Kendra

(Kendra)

We've been best friends for 10 years and she's more like a sister to me. When I first started dating Dorian in high school, she started dating his friend Omari.
They're getting married soon and of course I'm the maid of honor.

"It's good. But you know I'm mad at you, right?" She looked at me through the mirror "You missed the final cake tasting last week."

"That was last week?" I sighed "I apologize. But I've been really busy lately."

"It's fine, I understand Ms. Business owner. I'm proud of you, living your dreams, answering to no one but yourself."

"Thank you." I smiled "And I promise your bachelorette party is gonna' be one for the books."

"It better be." She smirked

"Hold up let me go get a new bottle of hair lotion." I said before going to the back

I went to the storage closet and grabbed a bottle of my homemade hair lotion then returned to my chair.

"Boss lady, there's a man at the front named Tyler. He asked to speak wit' you." My receptionist said

"Ok." I answered "I'll be right back Ken." I said to her

"I know that's not the Tyler you was flirting with when-"

"Yup." I grinned, walking to the front

Tyler was sitting standing at the front, looking good as ever.

"Well this is a surprise." I walked toward him

"Hey beautiful." He smiled

"So you don't call or text, you just pop up, huh?" I chuckled "I was starting to think you forgot about me."

"I could never forget about you." He started "My phone completely reset and I lost all my information, you number included."

"Oh. Sorry to hear that."

"Ah, it's fine. But it'd make me feel better if you gave me your number again." He handed me his phone

"Well." I took his phone "I wouldn't want you walking around moping." I smirked as I put my number in

He chuckled "Let me take you to lunch." He said as I gave him his phone back

"I'm pretty busy right now. How about you use my number and we schedule a date."

"Got you." He nodded "I'll talk to you later beautiful." He hugged me

"Alright." I said before watching him leave

"Oop, who is that?" Tiffany, the nail tech, asked

"Oop, you in my business?" I mocked her before going back to do Kendra's hair

"Somebody need to be because you don't tell me nothing. When y'all start talking again?" She turned her chair around

"We saw each other in Privilege last week and talked a little. Nothing major." I shrugged, spinning her back around

"Mhm. You should bring him as your date to the wedding. Get Dorian's blood boiling." She wiggled her eyebrows

"Girl, no. You know-"

"I know. You don't like the drama."

"Exactly, plus Dorian ain't worried about me." I continued moisturizing her hair

"You wouldn't know that. You ain't dated in two years." She whispered the last part

"Alright. Time for you to marinate." I put a towel over her head

She gasped before pulling it off, chuckling. "Ok I'll shut up."

"Glad we understand each other." I smiled at her through the mirror

-Carlisha ❤️