Prologue
YANI
“Damn girl. You getting closer and closer to the big one. Happy twenty-seventh birthday best friend. You came through looking like a Barbie doll as usual.” I couldn’t help but smile and feel special from the kind words Dawn spoke to me.
“Thank you, bestie. I feel like I’m getting younger though, not older. Between Trust and Brendon, I am at the top of my game.”
I took the only available seat left at the table. In attendance were a group of women I had come to love and cherish over the years of my life. I trusted them with parts of my life I dared not share with the world.
“We all brought you a gift. We know how you like to be pampered so we did our best,” my good friend Calina said smiling from ear to ear.
“Y’all didn’t have to get me anything. I have everything I could ask for.”
“We know, but you do so much for us, so it’s only right that we show our appreciation. You want to eat first or go ahead and see what we got you?” Dawn inquired.
“I’m in no rush. We can eat and enjoy tonight. I know you got something up your sleeve after dinner,” I responded.
“Oh, we’re definitely clubbing after this. I don’t even know why you thought otherwise,” she said taking a sip of wine.
I shook my head and let the dinner begin. Each of us ordered our meal and then indulged in some piping hot tea. Catching up with my friends had always been the best thing on a Friday night. Each of us had a new story to tell and the conversation flowed effortlessly. The laughs were ongoing, and the vibes were still positive as ever. I was glad to be surrounded by them.
“I know you fuckin’ lying,” Calina spoke catching everyone at the table’s attention.
“What’s wrong, Lina?”
She looked up at me and then to Dawn and Winnie. Apparently, something on her phone had her upset. Dawn got up and went to see what the fuss was about. Just like Calina, her eyes shot up and focused on me as well.
After taking a minute, she grabbed Calina’s phone and made her way around to where I was seated. She handed over the phone and allowed me to see what had their panties all in a bunch. Embarrassment found me expeditiously.
No sooner than I could put the phone down, I had a call coming through from Trust. I wanted to try and save face with my girls, but he was giving me no room to do so. I answered his call ready to hear the lies spew from his mouth.
“Hello.”
“I know this going to hurt you Yani and I know you tired of my shit, but I needed you to hear this from me and not someone else. Xara is in labor and having my baby.”
“Trust… wh?—”
“Just give me some time to explain. After she have the baby, I’ll be home to talk.”
“Okay.”
Yani Heart
A YEAR LATER
“Ithink you got some type of youth juice in your stash and you ain’t trying to let nobody get a taste of it. You are aging backward best friend.” She spun me around, having me do a 360 for everyone in attendance.
“Thank you, Dawn. I appreciate that thug,” I said, honoring her request for a hug afterward.
I took the empty seat that was pulled out for me and took a glance around the table. This time last year the only people that showed up for me were my girls. This go round they had a plus one to accompany them. I was happy for them.
“You look good friend. That powder blue looks damn good on you.” Winnie gave me a compliment that I’d heard a thousand times over before arriving from my family.
“Thank you, girl. All y’all look good as well, especially the men. Y’all clean up nicely,” I returned the compliments.
“First off, I just want to say thank y’all for coming and celebrating with us on my baby special day. She is one hell of a woman and the least we could do is show our appreciation. I know she’s been stressed lately with her latest project, so I just want to make sure she lets her hair down tonight. Happy birthday baby.”
I was kissed on my neck and then my lips. I was surrounded by people that were genuine and held some type of love in their hearts for me. I couldn’t stop my cheeks from hiking up and displaying the smile I got complimented on often.
