Torn Apart (African American Romance) by Cristina Grenier Page B

concern.
    “Oh yea, everything’s fine—a friend from back home just had some drama going on with his family and needed to get away. I wanted to be a good friend so I told him that it was ok if he came to hang out with me for the New Year.”
    There was silence on Ken’s end of the line.
    “Ken, are you there?”
    “Yea, I’m sorry Rhonda. I have to ask though, and it may be out of line but I’m wondering would this friend happen to be an old boyfriend or someone you dated.”
    “Well yea, a long time ago but its not like that, Ken. I’ve known this guy since I was a kid and really he doesn’t need to be alone.”
    “Is it the guy who broke your heart —the guy who left you and became a preacher.”
    Rhonda had forgotten how she had opened up to Ken about her past relationship with David, sharing so much about that experience. She was starting to regret having did that now.
    “Well yea, that’s right—I told you about David. I had forgotten.”
    “ So you two are friends again?”
    “We saw each other over the Christmas holiday and he apologized for what happened and I accepted his apology.”
    “So now he’s trying to work his way back into your life now that he knows you have other options?” Ken continued questioning getting more irritated and angry by the moment.
    “Ken, I don’t understand wher e this is going. I told you, David and I are just friends. I’m not trying to get back with him, and he knows about you.”
    “Which is probably the main reason he’s trying to get here to you because he feels he has competition. Look Rhonda, its not that I don’t trust you or what you’re saying but I don’t trust him.”
    “Ken, you don’t even know him!” Rhonda said as she became angrier with Ken checking her.
    “And after all this time apart, you do? You trust him again that easily?”
    Rhonda did not say anything.
    “I’m just tripping Rhonda because you told me that you wanted to spend time with LaVerne because you two usually brought New Year’s Eve in together and you were concerned about her spending it alone. I don’t want you bringing in New Year’s with your ex-boyfriend or any other man besides me. I would imagine that you would feel the same way if I was to say that I was spending time with any of my exes.”
    “I should not have even told you —I was just trying to be honest with you.” Rhonda said shaking her head.
    “Rhonda, I’m glad you did but you have to understand my reaction. Do you get it?”
    “To me it feels as if you are not trusting me. I already told you David and I are just friends; there is nothing more going on. You need to trust that I won’t let anything happen. So can you meet up earlier or not?”
    “I don’t know Rhonda. I had planned on working up until time for me to pick you up for our reservation. I had everything planned out and I can’t change all of this so quickly at this last minute,” Ken said frustrated.
    “Look I’m sorry Ken but…”
    “No, don’t apologize Rhonda. Be there for your friend. Don’t worry about me. Don’t worry about our plans. I’ll talk to you later, ok?” Ken said before hanging up before she could even respond.
    Rhonda sat there holding the phone speechless. She was shocked and upset by Ken’s response, but it made her begin to question the whole situation and whether or not she was making a mistake. Rhonda tried calling Ken back but it went straight to voicemail. She was hurt and instantly began to break down and cry uncontrollably. Rhonda kept telling herself that Ken was wrong for his reaction but at the same time she knew that something wasn’t right about all of this. Why was she willing to risk losing this new friendship with someone she cared for deeply in order to be there for someone who had treated her so badly?
    Rhonda stopped crying long enough to pick up her phone and dial David’s number. When he didn’t pick up, she decided to leave him a voicemail and say what she should have said to