Fireworks 3 and 4

Chapter Thirty-Six

    "Babe...have you seen my red tie?"

    At the other end of the hall, a baby squealed in a high-pitched frequency that could most likely only be heard by dolphins. And Bri, whose ears were already ringing.

    Bri started running in one direction, skidded to a stop, and took off in the direction of her child's voice. "I'm sorry Shawn, but you're going to have to start keeping track of your own damned ties!" she called over her shoulder as she entered her children's room. "Hi, Soraya, baby. What's wrong?"

    The house phone chirped, but her hands were literally full.

    An anxious-looking Shawn breezed into the room and kissed the top of his daughter's head while pressing the phone into Bri's hand. "It's Mia."

    "I-"

    Shawn finished knotting a blue tie at his throat, and spread his arms out. "Executive-worthy? Or do I look like I'm trying too hard?"

    "The interview isn't until tomorrow," Bri said, covering the mouthpiece of the phone. "Why are you wearing a suit and stressing over ties now?"

    "Because I have to prepare. I'm shitty when it comes to interviews. Would you...would you run through some practice questions with me?"

    Bri looked from her screaming daughter, to the phone in her hand, back to her husband. "Of course, babe."

    He grinned and disappeared from sight.

    Rocking her daughter, Bri brought the phone up to her ear while pacing. "Mia."

    "Hi." There was a telltale crack in her best friend's voice.

    "Shit. What's wrong? What happened?"

    "I can call back," Mia offered.

    With a sigh, Bri walked her daughter over to the rocking chair in the corner. "This is my life now, bitch. Now is as good of a time as any. Your voice sounds tense as shit. I know something happened. So get to talking. What did Aubrey do now? Don't tell me the kid is his."

    "I don't think he knows. But...he slept with her, Bri."

    "Fuck," Bri hissed. Then, feeling guilty, she bounced Soraya whose cries were quieting. "I'm kicking his ass."

    "Bri."

    "Nah, fuck that shit," Bri declared.

    Shawn stuck his head back in the room, looking concerned.

    "I'm flying over there and I'm beating his ass," Bri promised. "Where is he?"

    "At the house."

    Bri paused. "Maybe I should have asked where you are, then."

    "I'm at the condo he bought for me."

    "I can be there tomorrow."

    Mia laughed weakly. "I'm not going to pull you away from your family."

    "And I'm not going to abandon my best homey just because I was dumb enough to get knocked up," Bri grumbled.

    Then Mia started crying.

    "Oh, honey," Bri said softly. "What do you want me to do? What do you need from me? What do you...what can I do? Do you want me to beat his ass? You know I'll do it."