Diving In

Telling The Truth

I had to concentrate on driving the speed limit on my way home from the diner. My mind was stuck on Mocha Face, Diamond. Who the hell does she think she is? I shook my head just thinking about it. My iPhone chimed with a text from Josie.

"Your place, or ...?" My reply was short and sweet. A "Yup" would have to suffice because quite frankly, I was still a bit pissed. I unlocked my front door and tossed my keys onto the hallway table.

Kicking my sneakers off, I headed to my room to undress and shower before Josie made it to my place. Underneath the almost stinging water, I thought about how she would respond. It wasn't long after I'd finished my shower that Josie was at my door. She greeted me with a hug and a kiss on the cheek which I reciprocated. "You want anything to drink, babe?" I asked, going into the kitchen for a bottled water, "I'm fine, thanks love." She called back.

I could hear the television from the kitchen, she was watching that coonery known as "Love & Hip-Hop". I took a seat next to her on the couch, admiring her features as well as her outfit. She had on a tee-shirt with a picture of Janet Jackson's self-titled album of '93, the one with her tata's covered by someone else's hands. Her eyes were fixed on the tv, some chick was throwing a drink in another's face. I chuckled at the 'reality show'.

While her show was on commercial I decided it was time to get down to business. Fidgeting with the belt on my silk robe, I cleared my throat, getting her attention. "What's up, Nia. What did you need to talk to me about?" She turned to me and asked. 'Here goes nothing.' I thought to myself. Looking down at my red painted toes -- A color called 'I'm not really a waitress, Vamp'-- "I met your ex, Diamond, today. At least I'm assuming she's your ex?" I said, not looking up from the carpet. Josie was quiet, and I took that to mean more than it might have. She let out a sigh. "She is. She's my ex, but we've been over for months Nia, I can promise you that." Hmph.

"She came into my job, she and a friend. She knew me, and I thought she looked familiar, but I can't put my finger on it right now." I turned to face her, tucking my feet under myself on the couch. Josie grabbed my hand, taking it into her lap.

"Did she say anything to you, cause any problems?" She asked. I tilted my head in thought, replaying their conversation from the diner. 'I heard them fucking in a bathroom stall! She came out following up behind Josie, like some prized poodle.' That's where I recognized her from! The bathroom. "She told her friend that she heard us, that night in the bathroom. Said I had you tripping on her?" Was Josie still dipping in Diamond when we met? "Are you still seeing her, Josie?" I asked, lips pursed. "Nia, no, of course not. I wouldn't waste your time like that, I really like you." She said, looking into my eyes. "But there's something I should've told you, she called me that night."

It was all starting to add up in my head, our encounter coming out of the bathroom, Josie's tone on the phone that night. My heart sank a bit knowing she was already keeping things from me, yet and still I already knew. So I allowed her to explain. "She called me and told me she was at the restaurant during our date, tried getting up in my business but I didn't tell her anything. It's not her place to know, Nia. I'm only into you." I had no choice to believe her since I'd heard it for myself, I just hoped she really was only into me. Grabbing the throw blanket from the back of the couch, Josie kicked off her shoes and lay down on the couch, patting the spot in front of her. I obliged, pulling the cover over us as she spooned me, placing a kiss at my temple. Another show was coming on as I dozed off in her arms.