Dear Drama by Braya Spice Page A

off ... You got a beautiful, smart daughter, your own place, a job, car, and you in college. It could be worse, so shut the fuck up and count your blessings. I know Greg is a piece of shit, but you can’t worry about him, because you can’t change him and you can’t change the fact that you had a baby by him. That’s the only good things that came out of that nightmare relationship. You just focus on you and your daughter. Don’t worry about him and what he don’t do. One way or another, Sierra is going to have what she needs. And stop being so hard on yourself. You are a good mother.”
    I wiped my tears and nodded. She reached over and hugged me. I hugged her back.
    I was still bothered by the fact that I was still alone. Crystal’s words of wisdom couldn’t do away with those feelings. Or the void. Lavante’s words always floated back into my head, scaring me. He’d said I would never have a man offer me more than what he’d offered. Part of me felt that would always be true.
    After three more drinks I was feeling tipsy and good.
    â€œGirl, I broke up with Troy’s ass.” Troy was Crystal’s boyfriend of the past two years.
    â€œWhy?” I asked.
    â€œOh, you thought this was just about you? That motherfucker was messing around with a chick with a hellish weave and some fucked-up-ass implants.”
    I busted up laughing.
    â€œAnd the ho was a stripper.”
    â€œYou lying!”
    â€œIf I am, may God burn a hole in my ass! We all go through stuff with these sorry-ass men.”
    I busted up laughing again. Everything was making me laugh because I was super tipsy. “Let me use the restroom.”
    â€œOkay. I’ll be on the dance floor.”
    I laughed at that too.
    After I made it to the restroom, I took a quick piss, came out to wash my hands, and splashed water on my face. I grabbed a paper towel and patted my face.
    â€œExcuse me.”
    I opened my eyes and looked at the image in the mirror. I didn’t need to turn around, ’cause I could see him perfectly. Tall as hell, stocky, too, with waves, dark brown eyes, wide-bridged nose. A younger version of Denzel. He had to be in his late twenties. I gave my face one final pat and offered a half smile. That was all I could manage.
    â€œYes?”
    â€œI noticed that you were crying earlier. I wanted to come by then, but I didn’t know if it would be cool. But when I saw you get up, I followed you, thinking it would be my chance. Is there anything I can do to help? Maybe buy you a drink?”
    â€œAs you can see, I’m too tipsy for any more drinks.”
    He laughed, and his eyes crinkled at the sides. He was cute. And all I needed tonight was to get laid. So I switched off out of the bathroom, down the stairs, and he was close on my heels.
    Once downstairs I saw my sister on the dance floor. I noticed the guy was still standing near me. He was cute, and I didn’t mind the attention. And all the alcohol had me a little loosey-goosey.
    â€œI’m James.”
    â€œAllure.”
    â€œYou come here a lot?” he asked me.
    â€œNaw. I’ve never been here before.”
    â€œReally?” he asked. “You must not be a party girl.”
    â€œGod, no!”
    His eyes slid over me. He muttered, “Hell, yeah. I need a good girl in my life.”
    I was a good girl. But it hadn’t helped me in my life. And it seemed that the two men I did give myself to had preyed on that, instead of embracing it.
    Out of nowhere he asked, “Do you know how beautiful you are?”
    â€œPlease.”
    â€œNo, honestly. No one ever told you that before?”
    â€œYes,” I said. I left out, “But they were bullshitting, ’cause they were after something from me.”
    â€œHow long is your hair?”
    I used to be annoyed by this question. But I had been asked it so many times, I was used to it. Brothers, a word of advice, I thought to