At Last by Bianca L. Eugene

held him back as I took a couple of steps back.
    I’d never seen the look that he held deep in his eyes. It was actually funny in a way. Destroy a relationship and it was nothing, but destroy a piece of replaceable equipment and it was the end of the world.
    I turned my back to Durran and left the studio. I kept hearing him scream “Fuck you, Keisha” and “Get the fuck out of my house.”  I didn’t care.
                  I made my way upstairs to our bedroom. I stood there trying to make sense of everything as I studied the room. I kept running things over and over in my mind trying to figure out how I had so much and so little at the same time.
    I collapsed on top of our California king-sized and cried my eyes out as I heard Durran ushering people out of the door.  It was late, a little after midnight and Taylor was sleep.  I was thankful for that, because she didn’t need to be a part of this.
    I wanted to call Missy so badly, but I was hesitant about it. We hadn’t spoken since I’d left for Atlanta.  She didn’t approve of my decision to leave my life in Detroit to begin a new one with Durran. We had a huge fight and hadn’t spoken since.
    There wasn’t a day that went by I didn’t think of her or wish that I could just pick up the phone and call her.  Unfortunately, my shame always got the best of me.  I was finally seeing she was right-everything she said about Durran was right.
    The day before Taylor and I were scheduled to leave, I was in my house packing up the remainder of my things.  Missy watched me with her hands on her hips.
    “You think this is the right thing to do?” She asked.
    “What you mean?”  I said as I began to fold sheets and place them in boxes.
    “I mean all of this.” She responded quickly. I didn’t give her a response. I just kept packing, “I think it’s a mistake.”
    “I know you’re worried and you’re just looking out for me, but Durran’s changed.”
    “Changed?”
    “Yes,” I said smiling and showing off my five karat engagement ring.
    “Come on now Keisha, you can’t be serious?  The ring’s beautiful, but what does it mean? How has he proved to you that this time is going to be different? I just think you’re moving too fast. Marriage isn’t something you rush into. You just got back from Vegas like two weeks ago and now you’re going to uproot your child and your entire life because of Durran’s promises?”
    “I love him Missy and this time it’s gonna work.” I said confidently.
    She just continued to stand there never lifting a finger to help me pack, “He ain’t worth it. You’re always doing this. You always end up getting into this bullshit.”
    “Bullshit?  You act like your life has been perfect?  Yeah, you’ve been there for me through a lot of my drama, but don’t act like I ain’t been there for you too. That’s real fucked up, Missy.  I thought friends were supposed to be there for one another.”
    “I’ve always been there for you and no matter what; I’ll always be there for you. I’m just trying to be a friend and tell you right now this ain’t the way. He not ready for what you want. I don’t even know if you’re ready.  Don’t get caught up in the bullshit of being lonely and trying to cope with Justin’s death.”
    “Melissa, I’m marrying Durran.  I love him and he loves me.  That’s how it’s going to be.  If you can’t handle that, I don’t know what to tell you.”
    “Well I’m not going to stand by and watch you make the biggest mistake of your life.  Enjoy your life with your Prince Charming.” She said sarcastically.
                  That was the last time we spoke. She left without a word as I finished packing. I missed her desperately, but my pride had the best of me.  I cried myself to sleep the night I arrived to Atlanta too. Durran didn’t understand. I don’t think he wanted to.
                  The next morning I woke up alone, which at