Page 99 of Pride and Protest
“You’re damn right it’s off the rails. Give me a proposal with these hoops to jump through. Do you know how many lawyers and accountants you need to even make this profitable? This is useless to me.”
“WIC, this was a lot of work. I was recently let go at the radio station, and—”
“Were you hoping to get paid?” WIC let out a guffaw. “Forthis?”
Liza held her face together. “My time and expertise are worth something, WIC.” She hated the shaky tone in her voice.
“How much, Liza? Maybe I should give Dorsey a call, because I have a feeling ol’ boy knowsexactlywhat you’re worth.” He opened his jacket. “But I’m fresh out of Tiffany necklaces.”
Liza’s vision blurred and she bit the inside of her jaw so hard she could taste the metallic tang of blood. Without a word, she threw her cup of lukewarm coffee in his face. She gathered up the paperwork and pushed her way out of the coffee shop before the tears fell.
DATU
This will be my last live post for a while here on my personal account, everyone. I’ve decided to take a little social media break. By now you’ve all heard the news that I’ve lost the station. I tried, y’all. I worked myself to the bone, and I really tried. Netherfield was a loss. I was fooled by a scammer. My platform is gone.
I will rise from the ashes. I just don’t know how yet.
Aww, thank you, @TuffGrrl56, I will keep my head up. Next time you all see me, I’ll have a new perspective. I just can’t give you hope right now if I am having trouble feeling it myself. Peace for now, hotties!
LeDeya took off to New Jersey without so much as a word to Liza. That was hurtful. It wasn’t like they were as close as her and Janae, but they were still sisters.
“...And when you’re traveling, you should leave things in order,” Liza said.
“It’s rude. But what do you expect? It’s Deya,” Janae said. They were video chatting, and Liza let Janae critique her hair and outfit while she spoke.
Liza pulled at her hair, and Janae winced. “Not that ponytail; try something sleek.”
“Ouch,” Liza complained as she pulled the fluffy Afro ponytail off with the bobby pins still attached.
“I told you to flat iron that stuff,” Janae admonished her. Liza slicked back her hair in a sleek ponytail, attaching an EZ long yaki ponytail to her head. Next, she put a hairpiece in the front for a straight full bang. Liza stepped back so her sister could see the whole look on her phone screen.
“You look gorgeous,” Janae said. “But try a different ponytail.”
“Thank you for letting me borrow this bandage dress.” Liza rummaged through a plastic bin of hair and accessories.
“What can I do with it all the way in New York? You can have it, actually. I’ve put on a few pounds since that dress, and it’s downright indecent on me now.”
“Are you loving New York?”
“I am! It was such a necessary step just going to the interviews,” Janae said.
“I know you’ve been talking to David,” Liza said.
Janae sighed. “I know you’ve seen his post, Liza.” Janae and David were both posting deep quotes and pictures of their hands encircled. They were back on and obviously serious, and Janae seemed hopeful again.
Liza knew Janae probably didn’t want her textbook pessimism, so she didn’t push too hard. She was so glad she had never blabbed to her sister about her thing with Dorsey. She would have never lived the shame down.
“I’ll let you know if there is anything to report,” Janae said and then deftly changed the subject. “Have you spoken to WIC?”
“Thankfully, no. I never want to speak to him again.”
“He is a manipulative asshole,” Janae said. “To think he could have gotten you involved in some criminal activity! So you two never...?”
“No.”
“We were all wondering why you were so slow to warm up to him. He seemed perfect.” Janae nodded curtly in acceptance of the second weave ponytail Liza offered for her inspection.
WIC never really had a fighting chance to take root within Liza—not after BB. Liza sectioned her life into two segments: Before Blue Bell ice cream and After Blue Bell ice cream. Liza hated hiding something like this from Janae, but if she told heronething, she would have to tell her everything. And after remaining silent for so long, it got harder and harder to tell the entire truth.
