ICU: THE TRILOGY

13

9:00 PM

"I can't believe you got me driving this late. You know I'm tipsy." Brooke said to Crystal as they turned onto the exit entering Atlanta.

"I'm sorry but that shit got me feeling sick to my stomach." Crystal said as Brooke yawned.

"I feel ya girl. Even though I don't like that you cut my trip short." She said.

"I'll make it up to you." Crystal said shaking her head.

The rest of the ride home, Crystal was writing a huge paragraph to Devale. She contemplated on sending it or not. She already knew that she had words for him when she got home, so was a paragraph really necessary? After all, she'd hoped that Devale had a good explanation for hanging up on her.

Brooke and Crystal finally arrived to the house. They sat in the driveway for a few minutes to come up with some kind of a plan. Brooke didn't want Crystal to make a big deal out of something that she was sure was a misunderstanding.

"Maybe just go in there, see how he treats you when you come in. Then, go with that." Brooke suggested to her friend.

Crystal rolled her eyes. "Why do I always have to be the bigger person?" She asked with an attitude.

"It's not being— look girl as much shit as I talked about my husband tonight, I still love him and I know you love your husband too. Sometimes as women we can let our emotions take over and say things we don't really mean. You know your man, that's why you married him. Don't let the little shit break your marriage down." Brooke explained to her friends.

"I hear you." Crystal said. "And thank you again for bringing me home." She said softly.

"No problem girl. Just go inside and handle your business." Brooke said unlocking the car door.

Crystal opened it as she chuckled. "Imma try girl. Imma stand on business." She said.

Brooked laughed, "Stand it on but not too much bitch! Bye!" She said as Crystal closed the door.

Crystal walked to the house and waved to her friend. She unlocked the door and walked in. The entire house was dark and quiet. She assumed everyone was sleep and went straight upstairs to her bedroom. She could hear the tv through the closed door.

"Devale..." she called out as she opened the door.

She walked in and saw Devale sitting up watching tv and doing something on his laptop. Crystal was glad to see he couldn't sleep without her. Even if he didn't admit that, she knew that's what it was.

"I thought you weren't coming home until tomorrow." Devale said not looking at his wife.

"Well I'm home now. Do you wanna talk?" Crisis asked.

He scoffed, "Talk? do I wanna talk? We should've talked before you took your ass to Savanah, but I guess not." Devale murmured.

"So you're mad at me for going on a one day trip with some females, but you can't understand why I'm mad about you going to work?" Crystal asked sitting down on the edge of the bed.

She was taking her shoes off and getting comfortable. She grabbed the remote and turned the tv off. She wanted Devale to give her all his attention.

"Aight Crystal, you got it." Devale said. "Whatever you say is right. However you feel is right, fuck me and my feelings." He said making her roll her eyes.

"Boy shut the fuck up. You wanna have a pity party so bad. I'm not RVSP-ing for it." Crystal said shaking her head. "I'm sorry that I wanted to have fun and go out with other women because all I know is mh kids and my husband. I'm sorry I  just wanted to feel a sense of self before I lose it-"