BFF's 2 (19 page)

I was in awe as Trina sat at my kitchen table, asking me to go to the hospital with her to see Evelyn. Trina claimed that it would brighten Evelyn's day and give her hope. Seeing me would be the best thing ever, and it would give us a chance to mend our friendship. There was no doubt that I felt terrible for Evelyn. I truly wished her well, but going to the hospital to see her was something that I didn't want to do. Trina acted as if she didn't understand why I didn't want to go. So, I had to remind her why I was standing my ground about not going.

“I'm sorry, but I'm having a difficult time forgiving a woman—no, let me correct myself—my best friend who slept with my husband, got pregnant by him, used his money, lied to me about it, stabbed me in my back, preferred that I be homeless, and told my son that I'd lied to him about who his father was. I could go on and on, Trina, but I won't. If you've forgiven her, that's on you. More power to you.”

Trina massaged her forehead. “I know she's done some horrible things, but I feel so guilty about telling Bryson what she'd told me. If I'd kept my mouth shut, none of this would've happened. I'm stuck in the middle, trying to be there for her, and trying to be there for Keith who has taken Bryson's side. His defense is that Evelyn had a gun and threatened to kill him. Claimed all he did was go to her place to talk, but she pulled a gun on him. According to him, he was forced to defend himself because she was acting like a maniac.”

“Well, you did say there were bullet holes in the walls, right? And how do you know that what he said happened isn't the truth?”

“Because I witnessed how upset Bryson was about being outed. And remember, I was on the receiving end of one of his rages too. He's still denying everything, and I don't believe anything he says. Keith and I keep clashing about this, too. I guess the truth will come out, during the trial.”

“Maybe it will, but if I were you, I wouldn't put my money on Evelyn.”

I got up and went to the fridge to get a soda. A part of me was livid with Trina for being so foolish. But I didn't want to say anything to hurt her feelings more. She felt responsible for this and had been running to the hospital almost every day to check on Evelyn. Trina said she was getting better, but Bryson had broken her ribs and given her a concussion. She could barely walk and needed therapy. Her headaches were severe, and Trina stressed how much pain she'd been in.

“I understand all of that, Kayla, but everything you just mentioned is in the past. You're not going to harp on that forever, are you? The last time I checked, Cedric was the one who caused you the most damage. If you can forgive him, surely you can forgive Evelyn. I think you should go see her.”

I couldn't hold back any longer. “Trina, personally, I don't care what you or Evelyn thinks. I forgave Cedric because he was my husband. He took responsibility for his actions. In addition to that, he didn't leave me high and dry. So please don't compare Evelyn to Cedric. There is a big difference.”

Trina pushed and cocked her head back to look at me. “So, let me get this straight. The only reason you forgave Cedric was because he put millions into your bank account? Damn, Kayla, how selfish can you be? How can you make this all about money, when your friend was in the hospital clinging on for dear life? Excuse me for thinking you were better than that.”

The guilt trip was in full effect. And, no, Trina didn't just go there, did she? I slammed my soda on the island and walked up to her, darting my finger. “How dare you call me selfish because I refuse to break my neck and run out of here for a tramp who brought this mess on herself? You have no darn idea what I've been through. When I was down and out, nobody was there for me. Surely not Evelyn who put me out of her place, knowing that I had nowhere to go. So while you think I should run to her bedside, I don't get it. Please help me understand this, because I am deeply confused.”

Trina didn't appreciate my tone or aggressiveness, as I'd moved closer to make my case. She picked up her purse and put the straps on her shoulder. This time, she was much calmer than I was.

“I can't say anything to help you understand. But what I will do is ask you to reflect on the bond the three of us used to have. We were like sisters, and a long time ago, we never allowed anyone to come between us. We used to be able to laugh and talk to each other for hours, without arguing, judging, or hating. Cried on each other's shoulders and could always depend on each other when one of us was in need. Then you married Cedric and things changed. You changed. We felt as if you left us behind because you did. Evelyn got jealous and she did everything in her power to be you and make you pay for what she considers you leaving us. I started to lie about who I was, and my secrets hurt everybody, including my immediate family. I say all of that to say that we've all made some mistakes. Every last one of us, Kayla, so no need to point the finger at one person. I'll let you sit on that for a while. If you choose to come to the hospital, do so. If not, don't. It doesn't matter to me either way, but I also had to make my case for why I believe you should.”

Trina gave me a hug then she left. I stood in the kitchen, unsure about what to do. While she made some valid points, still, it was hard for me to go be by Evelyn's side.

For the next couple of hours, I paced the floor and pondered what to do. Things with Cedric, Jacoby, and me were going well, and Jacoby had been spending more time with Cedric. Today they were at a St. Louis University basketball game. I called to see how everything was going. Jacoby said fine. He hurried to end the call, saying that I was making him miss the game. I was happy about their relationship, but so sad about how my friendship had turned out with Evelyn. Sad enough to change my clothes and head to the hospital.

Before going to Evelyn's room, I stopped by the gift shop to get her a plant and a card. I didn't know why I was so nervous to see her, but I was. I had known her for most of my life, but there I was frightened, as well as hesitant to enter her room. I took a deep breath, before pushing on the door and entering. Instantly, my eyes connected with Evelyn's. She was sitting up in bed with her hair all over her head. Trina sat in a chair next to her with a book in her hand. A wide smile grew on her face, and the smile caused me to display a little grin too.

“Hello,” I said, looking from Trina to Evelyn. “I hope I'm not interrupting.”

“No, you aren't,” Trina said. “I was just reading Evelyn this good book. Girl, it's juicy, drama filled, and hilarious. You may want to come in, sit down, and listen to this.”

I walked farther into the room and set the plant in the windowsill.

“Yes, what Trina said is true,” Evelyn added. “But good book or not, please stay. It's good to see you.”

I cleared mucus from my throat and didn't reply to Evelyn yet. Instead, I walked up to the bed and gave Evelyn the card. She opened it and read my brief message inside that encouraged her to get well soon.

“I'm trying to,” she said. “Every day I feel as if I'm getting better. Thanks to Trina for helping me with therapy, and thanks to you, right now, for making me feel as if everything will be okay.”

I nodded and took a seat at the end of the bed.

“Can I finish?” Trina said, holding up the book. “At least let me get to the end of this chapter.”

“Please do,” Evelyn said. “I want to find out what's up.”

Trina started to read and we all listened in. We added our opinions about the book, and started conversing with each other more and laughing. That moment took me back to when we were all in the sixth grade. We were laid across the bed in my bedroom, reading books to each other. Had our PJs on and stayed up all night discussing those books, laughing about the characters and wishing that we could be some of them. The books made the characters' lives seem so perfect, especially when our lives were all jacked up. I couldn't help but to feel as if this moment in time was special. Maybe it was the turning point we all needed.

I had been in the hospital for almost a month. Trina came to see me almost every day, and after that amazing day with my BFF's, Kayla had stopped by several times too. She baked me my favorite: a German chocolate cake with a whole lot of icing. She also helped me with therapy. I was feeling much better and was one day away from going home. While I was definitely looking forward to it, I wasn't looking forward to my uphill court battle with Bryson. From what Trina had said, he was ready to fight me all the way in court. His wealthy parents had hired some of the best lawyers in St. Louis for his defense.

As for me, I couldn't afford an attorney. I had spent a substantial amount of the money Bryson had given me. Somehow, he got a hold of my banking information and withdrew the rest of my money. There was no question that the whole case would be interesting. I had a lot of solid evidence against Bryson that could prove he was guilty. But I was well aware that the attorneys his parents hired would tear my evidence apart and make me look like a thirsty, gold-digging whore. There was a chance I would come out on the losing end.

It was getting late. I sat in bed, finishing the yucky dinner that I hadn't finished earlier. As I ate my peas, I glanced at the numerous cards Kayla and Trina had given me. Kayla's plant had already started to grow, but Trina's balloon had deflated. I smiled while thinking about their kindness. I had to admit that my BFF's had come through for me this time. Never did I think we'd be able to repair all the damage that had been done, but putting everything else aside, it seemed as if we were well on our way to being the good friends we used to be, many years ago.

I finished my dinner and pushed the table away from the bed. Fluffed my pillow and then lay back to get comfortable. I felt myself fading a little, but when the door squeaked open, I widened my eyes to see who it was. From the shadowy figure, I could tell it was a man. My heart started to slam against my chest and beat faster. I thought it was Bryson, coming to finish what he'd started. Instead, it was Cedric. Seeing him put me a little at ease, but after him beating my ass, he was still considered one of my enemies.

He had a card in his hand and a smile was washed across his face. “Hey there, stranger,” he said walking farther into the room. “Baby, how are you feeling?”

Baby my ass. Save it,
I thought. “Better,” was all I said, trying to keep our conversation short.

Cedric laid the card on the table then sat in the chair beside my bed. He crossed his legs and massaged his hands together. “So, when are you getting out of this place?” he asked.

My tone was very nasty. “In a few days. Why?”

“Because I kind of miss my partner in crime. Kind of need you to handle some things for me, and if you do, there will be some great rewards.”

I was slumped down in the bed, but sat up to give him my full attention. “What kind of things do you want me to handle? And, I'd like to hear more about those rewards.”

Cedric passed me an envelope and asked me to open the letter to read it. It was a letter from Paula Daniels, the woman I thought had attempted to kill him. According to the letter, she wanted to speak to Cedric ASAP about Jacoby's involvement. That was all she said, but she also assured him that everything wasn't what it seemed to be.

I slowly folded the letter and gave it back to Cedric. I wasn't sure what was going on, but I asked Cedric why he couldn't handle this.

“Jacoby is fragile and Kayla is weak. I don't want to hurt anybody's feelings, plus I'm always being lied to. That's why I need you. I need someone like you to check things out for me, and since Kayla is back on your team, maybe you can find out what's really going on for me.”

A part of me didn't want to be used by Cedric again, but I still wanted to hear about those rewards. “If I do get involved, what's in this for me?”

“Depends.”

“Depends on what?”

“Depends on what you want or what you need. Like a lawyer to help you fight your case, a new house, sex, whatever you want.”

“Hmmm, but you haven't said the magic word yet. The one thing that energizes me and turns me into the woman I always wanted to be. A rich woman.”

Cedric snapped his finger and smiled. “Oh yeah, that's right. I almost forgot and how could I forget about that. Money, right? However much your heart desires, as long as it's within reason.”

I laughed and shot him a slow wink. “It's a good thing that you know me so well, Cedric. But let me think about this. When I get out of here, I'll definitely be in touch.”

Cedric stood and straightened his suit jacket. He licked his lips then moved closer to the bed. He leaned in and planted a wet kiss on my cheek. Saying nothing else, he strutted to the door. It slammed behind him.

I, on the other hand, sat with a huge smile on my face, thinking about my best way forward.