Page 84 of Until the Ink Dries

“I didn’t?—”

“You did. It’s cool, though. I’m out of your hair and I don’t ever have to deal with you or your bitch of a mother again. This is the last time you and I will have a conversation. Soon, I’ll be a figment of your imagination because I’m leaving Sterling Point.”

“What?”

“I’m moving back home.”

“To be with him?”

I shrugged. “He’s there. I’m going to be there.”

Ellis chuckled. “Tell me you went home to rekindle an old fling without telling me you went home to rekindle an old fling.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. Benny and I were never a couple. But, that is my man now. You know what else it is? None of your concern. Goodbye, Ellis.”

I’d closed the door in his face, and went about my business. It felt too good to say goodbye to that part of my life. I needed that more than I realized. A knock on my door jolted me from my thoughts. I opened it to find my friend, Lyndie, on the other side with a smile.

“Hey, girl!” she sang, pulling me in for a hug.

“Hey, boo.”

“I brought my dad and uncle to help me get this living room furniture. I still can’t believe you aren’t taking it with you.”

“I’m starting over. Well, mostly. I really don’t want to rent a U-Haul or have to pack and unpack it. If it doesn’t fit in my car, it’s gotta go.”

Lyndie lived in my neighborhood, three streets over. The community had an app where we could keep up with what was going on, sell things, or offer services. When I posted the pictures of what I wanted to get rid of, she expressed interest and came over that day to look it over again. We got to talking about everything that had transpired.

“I hear you. Do you have to leave so soon?”

“I can’t leave here soon enough.”

“Well, damn! Tell me how you really feel.”

I laughed. “Don’t take it personal. I just feel like I’ve been here longer than I should have. I was holding on to a life I didn’t want with a man that wasn’t for me.”

She nodded. “I get it. We’ve all been there. Ellis seemed like such a good match for you. I can’t believe you were dealing with all that with him.”

“It is what it is, girl. I’m not putting any more energy into dead situations.”

“I’ll drink to that. If these niggas don’t know how to act, drop their ass and move on to the next.”

I laughed. “Now you sound like Shirah.”

Lyndie rolled her eyes. “I guess she’s happy you’re moving back, huh? She just gets to steal my friend back.”

I pulled her into a hug. “You know I love you, girl.”

“You love me, but I haven’t heard from you the whole time you’ve been gone.”

“Lyn—”

She giggled. “I’m just fucking with you. I get it. You were back home with your people. I know what kind of love that is. I’m sure I was the last thing on your mind, so I’m not offended. Just promise you aren’t gonna forget me when you leave.”

“I promise.”

She poked out her lip. “I’m really gonna miss you, girl.”

“I’m gonna miss you, too, but we have FaceTime. I mean, you can always come visit cause I am not coming back to this place.”

---