Page 61 of Saint
“Robyn.”
“Tori, you answered.”
“Don’t make me regret it,” I warned
Placing the phone on speaker, I freed air from my lungs. Simultaneously, my stomach expressed its disdain for my neglect. The growl in my belly prompted me to seek out nourishment. There wasn’t much available in the pantry or the fridge. I hadn’t been to the condo in months. On my way home from the office, I grabbed a cartful of fruit, but that was the extent of my options. Armed with a bowl of blueberries and strawberries, I battled the hunger and waited for the purpose of Robyn’s call.
“Ahem. So, Dream, Luna, and I were hoping to sit down with you.”
Aware of my detest for small talk, Robyn arrived candidly to her point. Whirling my eyes, I released an audible sigh.
“The last time I sat down with the three of you, I was berated for my romantic choices.”
Recalling the last brunch I had with my friends caused my eyes to prick –not only over their hurtful words but the fact that I was alone and not laid up under the man who’d pirated my heart. I’d gone to war for him in a myriad of ways against my friends. The spoils of isolation were not what I expected.
“We don’t want to attack you. This is a peace offering,” Robyn clarified. “Please?”
“When?” I asked, removing the cap from a strawberry and placing it on the paper towel beside my bowl.
“When are you free?” She asked of my availability.
I could use a decent meal and the company of my friends. My condo looked and felt like a shell since I’d left it months ago. “This evening and the night after the show,” I said, looking forward to being in the presence of some type of company.
“Okay. This evening might work. What location works for you?”
“Are you all offering me the freedom to choose our next place to eat?” I tittered.
“Well, it only seemed right. We’re the ones that have to come to you all hat in hand,” Robyn tossed.
“Just bring takeout to the condo in South Pointe. Make sure mine is free of meat. Eight o’clock.”
Luna and Dream arrived first. Luna’s arms were full as she stepped off the elevator. The plastered grin she wore told me she was uneasy.
“Lu,” I smiled, collecting a bundle of flowers and a gift bag from her arms.
“Tori, I missed you so much! I’m so sorry for every terrible thing I said. It took me time to come to terms with my wrongs, but you didn’t deserve my treatment.”
“Can I say what she said because she stole my words?” Dream fussed.
“No, heifer, come up with your own apology,” I teased, toting an arm full of peonies and roses. Dream walked beside me while Luna led the way to the condo.
“I apologize sincerely, heaux. I didn’t know your absence would hurt me so deeply. I’m going crazy, crazy, crazy just thinking about you, baby.”
“Did you just? Did she really just quote KCi & Jo Jo?” Luna turned and asked.
“I did. And I’ll do it again,” Dream tittered. “I love you, Tori. I know it can be overbearing, but you were one of the first to entertain my foolishness when I moved to this state. I don’t want anything to come between our friendship. I apologize for my insensitivity.”
Wow.
She’d said a mouthful for someone who often used popular culture to communicate her emotions. I wrapped my arms around her, the horde of roses and all.
We all got situated inside, with me prepping the flowers for a vase of water and Dream setting out plates. Robyn was last to arrive. She brought the prosecco. By way of distractions from my sadness, it was nice.
“I’m sorry I didn’t have your back while these heifers tore into you, Tori. And I’m sorry I judged your situation before receiving all the details.” She made the teary-eyed confession.
“Oh, honey!” With my arms outstretched, I closed the space between me and my best friend.
“We love you, Tori. We just don’t want to see you down bad over one of these–”