Page 19 of Zimyra

“Chile, I know a pantsuit hate to see you coming!”

“Hush, Capri. I’m not in the mood for your antics today.”

“You know I’m just playing. You be wearing the heck out of them suits. Anyway, what’s up, girl?”

“Ugh…where do I start?” I ask. “You know what—I don’t want to start. How’s it going withyou?”

I don’t want to talk about me and my morning. I need to put all of that from my mind for now. I’m hoping Capri will flood my ears with all the drama in her world. She has plenty of it. She just broke up with her boyfriend and her parents are going through a divorce in their sixties. Even though she’s a grown woman, she still struggles with seeing them go through all of that. Who wants to see their parents split, and after so many years together?

“Girl, I feel like every day is something new,” she responds.

Oh, I didn’t mention that Capri is also super smart. She’s the only female project manager at her job, and she makes well over $100K a year. My girl has always been doing her thing. If anyone knows how to secure a bag, it’s her.

I ask, “You mean with the job?”

“Well, that’s a given. I’m talking about with my parents.”

“Oh, no.”

“Girl, now they’re fighting over the house. She wants to keep it. He doesn’t want the house, but he doesn’t want her to have it either…talkin’ ‘bout she ain’t bringing no man up in there.”

I shake my head. “Isn’t he the one who filed for divorce?”

“Yep.”

“So, what does he care if she wants to find another man?”

“Because he’s controlling. He’s always been like that and she knew it. Shoot,Iknew it. When I was growing up, my mom couldn’t pick out curtains without his approval. He wanted to have his hand in everything, and she tolerated it.”

“Why did he file for divorce?”

“Because he couldn’t control her any longer. She finally realized he was gaslighting the crap out of her, so she shut it down. He couldn’t handle that.”

“Oh, wow! Good for her. What are they going to do with the house?”

“I guess they’re going to sell it, but, girl, I ain’t worried about them.”

The server comes over and we order bacon burgers, then jump right back into conversation.

“What’s new with you?” Capri asks.

“Not much. I’m still holding it down at Atlantic, but I think I’m getting closer to my dream job.”

“Girl, yes! Every time somebody comes to my house, they ask who my decorator was. You’re good.”

“Thanks. I’m almost done with my certification. I just need to pass the final exam.”

“Yeah, like youreallyneed a certification…” She takes a sip of water and then says, “Hey, it’s probably nothing, but quick question. Do you know that guy sitting at the bar?”

“What guy?” I turn around to see who she’s talking about.

It’s Axel.

My blood pressure immediately spikes. I know it because I feel the pressure in my head.

“Myra, you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

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