Skeletons by Shimeka McFadden

sister while she finished up her client.
    “What was that all about girl?” I asked.
    Asteria picked up her cell phone and began texting as if she were upset by something.
    “Asteria, what’s up girl?” I asked, but she ignored me as she finished her text.
    Slamming her phone down on the desk she ran her fingers through her sandy hair, “Niggas girl!” she fumed, “I’m sorry, but what’s going on with you?”
    “I just left the Boathouse with Keith” I began
    “For the reception dinner right?” she smiled, “How did it go?”
    “It went alright, but…”
    “But, come on Jovanna, you know that I can’t stand a but in a sentence!” she fussed, “But what?”
    I sighed, “I feel as if Justin really doesn’t know me as well as he thinks he does and I don’t want him getting hurt.”
    Asteria looked at me with widened eyes, “What in the hell are you talking about Jovanna? You are one of the best women that I know.”
    Standing I began to pace the room, “How do you know that?”
    “Because I have known you for over ten years and I have never known for you to be anything but a good woman. Why are you tripping today girl?”
    I needed to tell her who I really am, “Asteria there is something that I need to tell you, but I need you to listen and keep an open mind.”
    “I’m all ears.” She said, but just when I was about to tell her about my past her cell phone vibrated on the desk. Asteria held up one well-manicured finger and answered the phone call.
    “Hello. What do you mean I’m tripping? Hold on” she put the phone to her side and looked at me, “Hey Jovanna can we finish this conversation in a few, I have to take this?”
    Smiling I grabbed my purse and walked out of the office; just as I rounded the corner Londyn beckoned me to her chair. I was ready for a change, I told Londyn not only to touch up my roots, but also to cut my neck-length hair into a short pixie style like Nia Long wore her hair. Despite the protests of Londyn, Aaron and Pandia I demanded that my stylist chop it all off and give me a new beginning. Watching in the mirror I knew that changing my look on the outside wouldn’t change who I was on the inside.

17
    Asteria
     
    P utting the phone back up to my ear I spat, “I hope Latif’s next party gets to be thrown at Monkey Joe’s.” I spat.
    Keith sighed into the phone, “Let’s not start this again Asteria.”
    Rolling my eyes I said, “Where are you?”
    “I just turned onto Delmar and I’ll be there in five minutes to pick up Pandia.”
    “Keith, I’m getting tired of playing second fiddle to my sister. All of my life no matter how much I accomplished I was still second compared to her. Do you realize how much it hurts me to see you and her together while I’m all alone?”
    “Yes I do realize that Asteria but I hate to sound harsh when I say these are the breaks when you fuck around with a married man.”
    “I kick myself for it every day, but I can’t help the way that I feel about you.”
    “How do you feel about me?” he said taunting me.
    I smiled, “Don’t play Keith you already know how much I love you.”
    “I love it when you say that, but I love it even more when you moan it.”
    “Would you like for me to moan it for you tonight, baby?” I asked seductively.
    “Damn you keep a nigga’s dick rock hard don’t you? But I can’t stop through tonight.”
    “Why not, did you promise your wife that you’d be a good boy and keep your ass at home for a change?”
    “No, actually I’m going out with Stony and Pete for a guy’s night out.”
    “Fine, I guess I will have to wait until tomorrow night then.”
    “Maybe, but I have to go because I just pulled up to your shop.”
    After hanging up with Keith, I logged into the internet and paid a few bills and ordered the stylists new smocks; I couldn’t bear to see Keith pick up my sister again. When I thought that it was safe, I walked out of the office and into the main salon where I saw