Reminiscing back to the year 1994, I remember the time like it was yesterday. It was when I re-connected with the man who would soon become my husband.

                     It was July 4^th, and I was on my way over to my friend Karen’s house for a cookout. But first, I had to make a pit stop at Kroger’s to pick up some soda. When I woke up that morning, I had a feeling there was going to be something special about this holiday. Wanting to look my best, I dressed in Gucci jeans that fit just right over my apple-bottom behind, matching Gucci tank top, and open-toed Gucci sandals to complete the look. Even my hair was on point. That fly-bitch Christian flipped my hair real cute, putting an extra flare in it like she does every now and then.

Before making it out the front door, I was delayed by the daily call from my dear, but naïve friend Marcella, who always talked about her no-good husband, Lance. To be honest, I’m baffled as to why she even bothers putting up with him; he is a straight-up loser with a capital L. And when I say Lance is a loser, I'm not speaking in an unsuccessful type of way. Lance is unfaithful, and Marcella blindly believes they have such a perfect family. Even though she is four years older than he, she allows him to walk all over her, staying with him only because of the money, I’m sure.

Marcella wants for nothing. A business owner, Lance co-owns JAPS, the local nightclub, with his father. The club, which brings in a lot of money, is a frequent hangout spot for the local pro football and basketball players.

Marcella is my best friend and I love her unconditionally, but she needs to realize her husband means her no good. Hey, must be the money!!!

“Hey, Marcella, I can’t talk right now. I’m in sort of a rush. I still have to stop by my mother’s and then Kroger’s to pick up some soda before going over to Karen’s. She called a little while ago and said Davy invited more people than they had planned. So, she wants to be sure they have enough food and drink.”

“Yeah, there’s gonna be a lot of people. You know how my sister parties.”

“What’s up with Kory? Who is he bringing to the cookout, Mikala or Christian?” I asked while giving myself a final once-over in the full-length mirror on my bedroom door.

“Brandi, girl, I don’t even get involved in my brother’s drama. I act like I don’t know what’s going on. Whenever Mikala calls me crying over Kory’s ass, I rush her off the phone.”

“I don’t blame you, girl. Stay as far away from them fools as possible.”

“I try.”

“Is Mama Lez coming to Karen’s house?” I picked up my keys from the dresser and placed them in the side compartment of my matching Gucci purse.   

“Yes, she will be there keeping up drama like always.”

            “And is Lance coming? Or is he going over his mother’s house to play cards with his crack head-ass sister?”

“Naw, he’ll be there, and we’re bringing Casey. Since Joyce went to the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans, he is staying with us for the weekend.”

“Well, at least that will give Lance time to spend with Casey since they live a great distance from one another.”

“Girl, Lance is my husband and I love him, but he is not a good father to Casey. Lance thinks if he buys Casey everything, then that’s being a good father. I tried to tell him Casey needs for him to spend time, not money.”

“What did Lance say when you told him that?”

“He told me when I become a mother, then I can speak on how to be a father and to stay out of it until then.”

Not wanting to hear anymore about Lance’s ignorance, I was just about to end the call with Marcella so I could get on the road, when someone beeped in on her line.

“Brandi, hold on. Someone is clicking in.”

Before I could answer, she clicked over, leaving me waiting in dead silence.

“Hey, girl,” she said upon returning back on the line with me, “I’ll catch up with you later. This is my sister calling about some dilemma she has with this cookout.”

“What happened?” I asked, curious to know the situation.

“Who knows? But I’ll talk to you later.”

With that, I was left holding the phone in wonderment of what was going on or about to go down.