Among Friends

Chapter 28

As I dr ove her to the bus station I found little quirks in this girl's personality. She enjoyed what she did. She gloated about how she hurt him.
"And to think he like old chicks..." she said laughing.
I was put off by her now.
"And you think every man's gonna want you?" I asked. " You got another thing coming..."
She scoffed. "Like I need advice from you.."
"No honey you're momma the one that should have gave you the advice. Tyrell was a nice guy you took advantage of and you will met a lot of men like him. But you most likely will met a man like my ex. And you run your little game. A man that will beat your ass just for being in his presence. Your pretty little body won't matter any more because you gonna lose it. So what you need to do is work on the thing between you ears...if you got one...I maybe an old chick but I know where my next meal is coming from and I am not surfing strangers couches. I don't have to latch on to a man or men to get what I want. I got a degree. I don't have to use my body. And you see a man is gonna peep your game too and if you keep on they gonna end up finding your remains somewhere." I continued. " No, Sweetheart you don't have it like that." There was silence for ten minutes of our drive. She then asked to use my phone.
"Ma, can I come home?"she asked. By the voice on the other side of the phone I heard that the parent was agonizing. 
She gave my phone back to me.
"Some advice from an old chick before get saddled down with a bunch of kids and a man leave you. Get an education."
I didn't go back to the hospital. The damage was done. I started packing and thinking.
Maybe I shouldn't have got caught up with Tyrell. But I laughed to myself. There was sweet memories. 
The doorbell rang. I answered it. Tasha pushed her way in.
"Come on, Vivian's holding on..." she exclaimed. I protested.
"Look, so what you gave in to pretty Tyrell. It's not like he's underage. He is grown. And you were his ultimate fantasy. Hell, I fantasize about some young buck all the time. The point is no matter what Vivian is your friend and she wants you with her. She already knew about James and Laverne." Tasha breathed. She fought tears. "Viv had gave up. She gave up on her marriage. James been doing his thing for years but that's love. I can't judge Laverne because she came in during his time of need. And I am not judging you." I took a deep breath. " After the bullshit you put up with Jeremiah and the shit he did to you...Tyrell was a treat. I don't think Vivian knows and so what it's not important. The important thing is you seeing her before she goes."
I started sobbing and Tasha took me in her embrace.
I walked into the room. Vivian didn't look like Vivian anymore. She pride herself on her appearance. Tyrell only looked at her. He didn't acknowledge me. Nia came to give me a hug. I saw James outside, he was with Laverne. He was crying. I knew he felt guilty on how he act. Laverne comfort him. She looked at me and with a girl-we-good look.
Tyrell gave me the chair next to the bed and he took Nia out of the room.
I took Vivian by the hand. "Key...." she said weakly. "I want you to make sure that my will is honored. You can have my earrings." I nod.
"I want you to give Tyrell something for me. I thought...James...was okay.....but....." She struggled but I told her I will do it. "Please look after my Nia...." I saw the tears coming out her eyes. She knew. "And Tyrell..." She took a deep breath. I bend over to kiss her.
Later that night, the September night's air came in through the opened window and stole Vivian's last breath.