a memory for us. Harper figured that’s why I ran away to Chicago and got married so fast. I used to have dreams and aspirations to be a teacher, but they blurred and faded away when West came into my life. He wanted to take care of me and said I could make my life at home and be just as happy. That wasn’t case but I hadn’t done anything to change it. And that lingering hole in my heart remained, with no hope of it being filled.
Harper gently bumped my arm pulling me out of my haze. “Hey, so how’s the Windy City treating you? You and that husband of yours thinking of settling down with a herd of little brats yet?”
I rolled my eyes, “Harper, West couldn’t be further away from thinking about having kids. He knows I want them and I keep asking him when he’ll be ready but I think after making partner at the firm, he’s become complacent and might not ever want kids. I think he likes to only have himself to think about. Heaven knows he doesn’t think about me very much anymore.”
“Nothing has changed then since I came out to visit last month?”
“I either sit upstairs in my palatial bedroom all day watching Real Housewives re-runs or I’m down in the kitchen baking like my life depends on it. Do you have any idea how many cookies and cupcakes I’ve made and consumed in the past year? In fact,” I stood up, and turned around to try and see my own butt, “Maybe that’s my problem. My own ass has taken on a life of its own and my husband is no longer attracted to me. What do you think? Is my ass consuming my body?”
Harper started giggling and swatted my backside. “Honey if I had a butt like yours I’d be scraping more men off the floor. You’re so bootylicious that even I want to touch it. In fact I think I want to spank it again. Turn around so I can spank it some more.” She lifted her hand to smack me.
I squealed and jumped out of her reach. “Okay, okay enough already! I get it. But seriously, why is Weston acting like I’m the last person on earth? I’ve caught him a few times with a wandering eye. I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do. How do we snap out of this rut we are in? I’ve wondered if there was someone else but anytime I try to ask him, he acts as if I’m crazy and doesn’t want to talk about it. Subject closed!”
Standing up Harper came over to me and hugged me tightly. “Emmy there isn’t anything wrong with you, and I’m sure he still loves you. As much as I think the man can be a dick, married people always hit a wall, right? At least that’s what all the happy married people say. You’ll get through this.” She stepped back from me and looked me square in the eyes. “You’re beautiful, and you’ve always had the worst self-esteem of anybody I have ever met. Break out of this shell you’ve put yourself in and let you out. Seriously Emilyn, you don’t see yourself clearly. You have the biggest heart to go along with this incredible body”, she said as she moved her eyes and right hand up and down in the air in the front of me. “Now, to prove to you that you are every man’s wet dream let’s get ready and hit up the bar, I’m ready to shake what my Momma gave me.”
I laughed and shook my head, wiping away a stray tear. “Harper?”
“Hmmmm?”
“Thank you. You always know what I need and how to make me feel better. I love you.”
She winked and gave me that killer smile the men drool over. “No problem baby girl. Bring me your bag and let me see what you’ve packed and I’ll come up with something sexy to wear.”
Oh shit.
Shit.
Shit.
Shit!
I reluctantly rolled my suitcase over to her and unzipped the top and flipped it open. I swear Harper gagged at what she saw.
“What the fuck is this? Emilyn Paisley Tucker, why am I seeing Mossimo and Faded Glory in this bag?” she said with genuine disgust. “Oh Jesus I think I just threw up in my mouth a little bit.” Harper picked up a tan cardigan and matching camisole with her index finger and thumb like it was infected with some sort of contagious