Among Friends

Chapter 5

I was determined not to end up in any situation with Tyrell. I noticed that he was hanging around the house a little more. James was so far being on his best behavior around me. He would help a little more with Vivian.
He was thinking I heard his drunken rant.
"I can help with Viv...take a breather." James invited. I decided I would go to the mall.
I decided to check out a boutique.
I wasn't really a floral person but this floral pink dress caught my eye. Maybe some pink sandals.
I thought to myself as I looked at my reflection in one of the glass mirrors. I need a change. I hadn't relaxed my hair in a year. It was damaged and dry in my flyaway ponytail.
There was an African Braid shop surprisingly in the mall.
I wasn't familiar with any Africans but a lady name Sara assist me. I didn't understand her broken English and she was busy talking in an foreign language on her Bluetooth. I chose the Senegalese braids. "Two Hundred Dollars..." she said. Damn. I am worth it. I thought.
It was a painstaking three hours when I stared at me in the mirror. It was nice and different for me. I paid her.
I then saw another clothing shop. It was a lingerie and swimming suit store. I always wanted to be sexy. But Jeremiah in so many words and actions didn't think I was. I thought about the other night. About that dream. Or was it real? Then I thought about Tyrell.
Damn. I mean he had this nice physique and that smile. Girl, you actually put diapers on this boy. You gave him bottles. How he got to be so fine?
And so charming. My jaws dropped when he literally told me that I can take off his boxers.
Gurl, no that's dangerous territory and your best friend's son.
I was pondering things when I came across this sexy red teddy ensemble with the garter belt.
I remember my nights with Jeremiah. He was a pretty good lover. But I was a more romantic/explorer type. I would suggested but he ignored. I would even ignite. But to Jeremiah it was hump and snore. I guess I stopped caring. I didn't even get a rise out one of his girlfriends who tried to run me down with her car. With my six year old in the car seat in the back. Psycho Bitch! He dumped her ass. I am free now. I stopped listening to Mama's bitter raves. She would say I don't need this or that. Or the way you thinking is why he left you in the first place. Before I knew it I brought the teddy and a black bath suit. At the checkout, I caught the sight of Tyrell and his friends talking to some young women. I hurried so that he would not see me.
" Hi, Miss Keisha!" I heard behind me. I stopped. Damn.
He and his friend came my way. I greeted them. " You out and about...." he replied then he looked at my hair. There was this glow on his face and a smirk on his companion's. " You got your hair braided. It looks nice."
"Thank you." I answered. "Your Ma and Dad had wanted to spend more time together. I had to get out a little bit."
"So you came out of Natalie's Treasure...." he replied teasingly. His friend grinned.
"What you brought?" He asked. I laughed.
"A lady doesn't tell..." I told him. He laughed.
"Are you going back to the house?" He asked. I replied in the positive but only later.
He had this boyish grin on his face. "Okay...then I will be right on time." He declared.
I asked for what. He looked me in my eyes.
"You can model what you got in that bag for me." His friend started laughing and I smiled and said "Boy, bye." His friend urged him to come on in the other direction where the young ladies sat in the Food Court.