Page 31 of Soul Food

“I miss you,” Liz declared. “I want us to be friends again. I want us to sing together—”

Did she not hear herself right now? I scoffed. “Now it makes sense.” I crossed my arms and glared. “I heard you were trying for a comeback and how much easier would that be if friends slash enemies slash friends again hit the print and web. I don’t think so.” I dropped my arms and sauntered away. “Goodbye, Liz.”

“Ruth!” she exclaimed desperately.

I gripped my fists as we rounded the corner, and Jayne hit the button for the elevator. “Rupert, can you guys make sure she leaves?” Jayne asked them, and as soon as they left she grabbed my shoulder and pulled me in for a hug.

“What are you doing?” I asked, my fists falling at my sides.

“Because,” she mumbled sadly. “I saw you out there. Admit it to yourself or not, she caused your heart to react and for a second you wanted to believe her tears were real.”

I closed my eyes and sighed. “You’d be a whole lot more comfortable if you had more than a B-cup.”

She smacked my shoulder and huffed. “Sorry, Ruth. Not all of us our gifted with a front and a back.” She squinted at me as she said it.

“You know Ma’s going to curse you again when she sees you?” I asked her.

“That woman loves me. She just won’t admit it.”

______

Jayne and I munched on Chinese takeout once more while we watched The Oppressors practice through the glass. I admired their dedication to come in on a Saturday just to rehearse. It reminded me of myself and anyone that loved music the way I did could have easily been a long-lost friend.

I watched Jayne as she wiped the corner of her mouth with a napkin and a pang of sadness filled me entirely. “Jayne...”

She turned and lifted one eyebrow at me. “Hmm?”

“You know you don’t have to stay with me twenty-four seven. You’re my personal assistant, but that doesn’t mean you need to stay by my side, especially when I’ve not been doing anything since coming home from the tour.”

She smiled. “I stick around because you’re my best friend—one who pays me to handle her shit is a bonus.” She winked, and I rolled my eyes. “Why? Do you want me to leave you alone?”

“No!” I said quickly.

“Good. It’s not like we have any male relationships outside of our work environment, anyway.”

“Are you still hung up on Dean?” Dean was her former boyfriend who she’d been with the majority of the time while working for me until last year when she caught him cheating. She hadn’t taken it well, and that was when we got closer. I’d have to thank Dean sometime. His actions helped me find this beautiful person.

She scrunched up her nose. “God no.”

“Good.”

I turned back toward the boys and smiled. “They’re very attractive, aren’t they?”

She rolled her shoulders and agreed. “They are. Wouldn’t hurt for them to eat another burger or two though.”

“You do realize you have no room to talk?” I eyed her pale skin and skinny frame.

Jayne wrapped her arms around herself when she caught me staring.

“I’m just playing, Jayne, you know there’s nothing wrong with you being skinny.”

“Says the rapper with the skinny waist. The only thing big on you is your boobs and hips.” She spread her hands wide emphasizing the width of my hips. “It’s crazy how bodies work, ya know? We eat the same things but some of us are lucky and some of us aren’t.” She glared at my chest and I smirked.

“It’s called genetics,” I told her. “Or plastic surgery.” That had us both chuckling. “I was just lucky in that department. You saw Ma.”

“Yes.” She nodded. “Your mom is still fine.” She fanned her face as she said it.

“We can buy you a pair if you want bigger ones,” I offered even though I thought Jayne was perfect as she was.

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