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“I got the juice.” I started to make it clear that I wasn’t promising him the modeling gig. Damn, if I hired everybody I fucked, we’d be out of business.

“So I got the job,” Bart said confidently.

“If you say so. It’s a good thing to think positive.”

“Make sure you tell your marketing director Sherrie that. I could really use the work,” Bart said.

“I’ll do that. Hey, I got to get ready to rock and roll,” I said.

“I’ll get dressed, but before I leave, do you mind if I use your phone to check my messages? I might be missing some calls from someone who knows my sex and love get better day by day.” Bart laughed.

“Hey, I feel you. Knock yourself out.”

The Red Carpet

I was glad to be home in New York, and Windsor had prepared my favorite dish: deviled eggs with a touch of caviar. As I walked into the kitchen, I noticed that she’d also fried some chicken and made cabbage laced with bacon strips, and chicken-flavored Rice-A-Roni. She’d even whipped up some skillet corn bread.

“Come on and have a seat, and let me fix you a plate,” Windsor said.

“Windsor, you’re not going to get me fat. I just bought a slammin’ black silk charmeuse dress, and I have to be able to fit into it tonight! I’m going to a benefit at Carnegie Hall that Wyclef Jean is giving for his foundation. I heard a lot of divas will be there—Mary J., Macy Gray and Destiny’s Child. So I got to look my best,” I said as I walked over to the refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of water.

“Hmm,” Windsor said as she drained the chicken oil into a can.

“So, Windsor, what are you going to do tonight?”

“Grade some papers and write in my journal,” Windsor replied, and then noticed that I was looking at her closely and asked me, “What are you thinking?”

“I just can’t believe you’re getting married and having a baby,” I said in a soft whisper.

“All I know right now is that I’m having this baby,” Windsor said as she placed our food on the table. While we were eating, Windsor told me how Wardell was suddenly having cold feet since he found out she was pregnant and that their conversations were short and strained. He had even asked Windsor to consider an abortion, which she refused to do.

“So what are you going to do? Raise your child in a broken home?” I asked as I took a bite of the piping-hot fried chicken leg.

“Yancey, the way I see it, it’s better to be a product of a broken home than to live in one,” Windsor said as she picked up a fork and nibbled on some rice.

“I hear you, girl. But you’re a better woman than I am. I mean, having kids is hard enough with two people. And these kids today are demons. Shooting up each other. I hope you’re going to send your child to private school and move to the suburbs.”

“I think that’s the big problem. Perceptions. I won’t have any problem sending my child to an inner-city school. Those kids might get beat up and someone might take their lunch money, but at least their parents see them in the evening,” Windsor said.

“I hadn’t thought about that, and you make a good point.”

“So how are you doing? I mean, I know you’re all happy about your music career, but how is your soul?” Windsor asked as I thought about the improbable friendship Windsor and I shared. We were as different as lemons and watermelons. Even though it was relatively new, just about two years old, my friendship with her was something I valued. Before Windsor, I’d never had a close female friend.

“I don’t know how my soul is doing, but my career, the most important thing to me, is doing just fine,” I said.

“Have you talked to Basil?”

“I don’t want to talk to Basil,” I said quickly.

“Do you still love him?” Windsor asked, ignoring me.

“Why do you ask?”

“It must have been hard to leave him on your wedding day,” she said. Windsor was so damn polite, she was still sticking to my version of the breakup, even though I was sure she knew better.

“I loved Basil, I think. He loved me more than I loved him, but it wasn’t a totally lopsided love. Do you love Wardell more than he loves you?”

“I just