True Confessions. Electa Rome Parks

Mother came by, took control as usual, and drove me to the hospital.”

      “You still could have called; I am your best friend,” she pouted. “What’s the verdict?”

      “Nothing much. I caught the flu and had gotten severely dehydrated.” I surprised myself at how convincely the lies rolled off my tongue.

      “Better you than me. You should have gotten a flu shot.”

      “Thanks a lot.”

      “Girl, you know I’m kidding.” She chuckled.

      “I’m not so sure.”

      “Can I bring you anything? Soup? Orange juice?”

      “No, I’m cool.”

      “Well, how are you feeling now?”

      “Better.”

      “Is that why Mrs. Logan is over there? She answered my call last night.”

      “Yeah, Mother is nursing me back to health. You know how she is; this is right up her alley.”

      “Well then, I know you are in good hands. It’s sickening the way that woman dotes on you. Gives you anything you want and then some.”

      “Whatever.”

      “I’m not hatin’. Girl, you got it made.”

      “I guess.”

      “You guess? You know how my mom and I just coexist. Consider yourself lucky to have a mother who puts your needs before her own.”

      “You’re right and I do count my blessings.”

      “But you are feeling better?”

      “Yes, a little.”

      “Good, because you have to go with me to the club this weekend. I’ve already bought this tight, sexy black dress and shoes. Cost me a small fortune.”

      “I don’t know, Taylor. You know how I hate that entire club scene.”

      “I know, but you need to get out now that you and Drake have broken up. He can’t stop you from going out with me anymore.”

      Just the mention of Drake’s name momentarily sped up my heart. I burrowed deeper into my pillow, exhausted.

      “Are you there? Can you hear me?”

      “Yeah, I’m here.”

      “Well? You still are broken up, aren’t you? Don’t tell me you’ve gotten back together,” she questioned cautiously.

      “Yes,” I answered, cutting her off. “We are still broken up.”

      “Well, is it a go for this weekend?” Taylor asked.

      “First of all, Drake didn’t stop me from going to the club with you when we were dating. I wanted to spend time with him because he was always out of town on business.”

      “Yeah, right. Tell me anything, K. Quit making excuses for that man. You know Drake was always trying to tell you what to do and you usually listened. You did what he said, period. I’ve witnessed it with my own eyes and it made me sick to my stomach.”

      “Whatever, Taylor. Just drop it.”

      “I am going to drop it because I don’t want to upset you. So, are we hanging out?”

      “I don’t like feeling like I’m on display. I only go to hang out with you; do you a favor and spend time with my best friend.”

      “Maybe you’ll meet a nice man.”

      “I’m not looking for one.”

      “I know, because you definitely didn’t meet one in Drake.”

      “I thought we agreed.”

      “I’m sorry, K. I couldn’t resist.” She snickered.

      “Besides, I don’t meet men like you do.”

      “Girl, I love you like a sister, but for the life of me I can’t understand why you don’t realize the spell you cast on men. K, you are gorgeous. With that good hair, flawless skin, light eyes, a model’s figure, and a sister’s butt, you are just what the doctor ordered. Add in that innocence and naivety you project and you are quite mysterious and desirable to most men.”

      “Really?”

      “Yes, really.”

      “Innocence I project?” I asked, confused. “What are you talking about?”

      “Yes, I don’t know any twenty-eight-year-old woman who doesn’t cuss, drink, or kiss on the first date.”

      “Taylor, stop exaggerating. I curse when I’m in rush-hour traffic and I do drink when we go out.”

      “Yeah, and when you do cuss, it sounds ridiculous. Who cusses using proper English? And two drinks is not what I call drinking.”

      We both laughed. It was the first laugh I’d had in a while and it felt good. Real good. I had forgotten the feeling.

      “But, I love you anyway,” Taylor offered.

      “Love you back.”

      There was a moment of silence.

      “I have to ask. Have you heard from him?”

      “Who?”

      “Girl, you know who. Don’t act dumb. This is Taylor you’re talking to.”

      “Drake?” I asked with some difficulty.

      “Yes. Drake. Who else would I be talking about? I know by now he has tried to crawl back to you like the snake he is, by way of an apology or intimidation.”

      “Haven’t heard from him. He knows it’s over; we both realize that this time around.”

      “If you say so, K. I’ll have to see it before I will believe it. It’s still early in the breakup. I’ve seen y’all go through this break-up, get-back-together cycle numerous times. I realize you love him, but you are like some sort of trophy to Drake the way he is always showing you off. Wanting you to dress sexy. Wear your hair a certain way. He wants you to be someone you’re not. Can’t you see that? By the way, you never told me what the big breakup was all about? You guys have broken up so many times, I’ve lost count. What was it this time?”

      “It doesn’t even matter. I couldn’t handle any more of his foul ways and this was definitely the end.”

      “It’s amazing, a man that gorgeous with all those damn issues.”

      “Issues?”

      “Yes, issues, girl. He has you so dick whipped that you can’t see whether you are coming or going. Why the man make you dress up in costumes all the damn time? It ain’t Halloween. Or the time he wouldn’t let you touch him, and he sucked your tatas all night long? Girl, that was a trip when you told me about that. His breastfeeding days are long gone. You ain’t his mama. What was up with that? Strange, I tell you.”

      I didn’t say anything. I couldn’t defend him. Taylor had seen Drake in action, more than once, and I had told her things about our relationship to determine if Drake’s actions were normal.

      “You are definitely going to the club with me, right?”

      “I don’t know. I’ll let you know later in the week.”

      “K?” Taylor asked, irritated.

      “I promise.”

      “Okay, cool. I guess I’ll have to hold you to that. At least you didn’t say no.”

      I heard a beep, indicating that I had another call on my other line. I figured it had to be for Mother. She had received more phone calls since she’d been staying with me than I typically received in a week.

      “Hey,