Green Eyed Monster

Unraveling

Trevor has been gone for two weeks now. He's called me almost every day, but I haven't heard from Lola. It's Sunday. Pinky and I go out to brunch after church. We get to the restaurant and order our beverages when Pinky says, "Brother Yancy's pretty aggressive these days. He must've found out you're divorced. He's looking good, too. You should go out with him."

    "Have you gone out with Lester yet?"

    "Why does everything lead back to Lester? I'm over Lester. He's boring. So use something else now!"

    "Because you're so quick to have me chase a man, yet you're too afraid to approach a coworker whom you see and talk to every day."

    "Okay! Okay! Okay!" she laughs, then continues, "And I'm glad you got rid of that ghastly weave. It was beneath you. You looked like an old woman desperately trying to appear young. You look great for 42. Plus, you are young, so stay true to yourself."

    "Men loved my weave trick. You're just outdated. You need a weave quiet as it's kept."

    "You think so?"

    "I know so."

Pinky's only 44, but she looks 44 if you catch my drift. 40s are the new 20s. So, being 40 and looking 40 isn't the norm. She's truly my friend. We love one another to life, but she does envy my looks. I don't work out seven days a week and juice, but I'm in good shape. Pinky is at least 50 pounds overweight and dresses unflatteringly for her body type. She wears the craziest wigs, trying to look hip. She needs a makeover badly. Although she ridiculed my weave, she really wants one like I have.

I say, "I'm going to hook you up with my hair stylist. She provides the hair and everything. All you have to do is show up. I'll even pay this time, okay?"

    "For real, Mae?"

    "Of course. I'm texting her now. When can you go?"

    "Whenever! But before school starts, hopefully."

Pinky's a junior high school teacher. She's excellent at what she does, and students absolutely adore her. Lester is her school's principal. He's very attractive and a recent divorcee. His ex-wife looks like the actress Robinne Lee, so Pinky doesn't stand a chance, but I'd never tell my friend that. I'll keep encouraging her until she's confident enough to attract a man.

After we leave the restaurant, Pinky's coming over to chill at the beach with me. We stop at MegaMart and grab her a swimsuit. Pulling up into my driveway, Solomon's car is next door. Pinky notices it, then asks, "Isn't that your boy's car?"

    "Shush! You're all loud!"

Knowing he's here, I put on my nude bikini. It has open straps on the sides of the panties and in front of the already strapless top, exposing full cleavage. Pinky sees me and gives a furrowed brow. I pretend not to see her, grab my gold covering and keys, then walk out the door. Quiet, Pinky follows. Solomon and Mrs. Tolbert are now outside, headed to his car. They both do a double-take.

I say, "Hi Mrs T. Hello Solomon. You both remember my friend Pinky, right?"

Pinky waves. Solomon nods as Mrs. Tolbert says, "Hello, ladies. I see you're headed to the beach with us."

The beach is crowded today. Pinky and I try to find a private spot away from the majority. I'm rubbing on sunscreen when I hear Lola's voice. Pinky instantly says, "Lola's here!"

She then shouts, "Hey, Lola! It's Auntie Pinky!"

Lola's looking all around. Spotting us, she jogs her way. She and Pinky give each other a tight hug. Lola has on shades; she doesn't remove them, but she's smiling.