Lies and Alibis Read Free Page A

makes when he wants me to shut up.  But I’m feeling kind of chatty right now.  Need to talk some things out.
    “Seriously, Rod,” I continue.  “What am I supposed to think, when you disrespect me with these random women?”
    Rod says, “You’re supposed to hold your head up like the queen that you are.  No stripper or protégée can take your place.”
    He is so full of crap. 
    “I never did like sharing, Rod.  “
    Rod laughs.  “Well you aren’t sharing anything but these paychecks baby, believe that.”
    See that’s the thing.  I don’t believe him.  I don’t believe anything that comes out of his filthy, lying mouth.  And the fact that he can sit here and lie straight to my face, lets me know that I need to handle my business and do what I have to do.
    I stand to my feet and place one hand on my hip.  “Baby…how about you make it rain at home?”
    Rod claps his hands and turns off the TV.  “That’s what I’m talking about.  Show me what you’re working with.”
    I suck it up and put on the best game face I can muster.  This is about to be the biggest performance of my life. 
     

 
     
    ~4~
    Camille
    I’m here first.  I’m always here first.  Sitting by myself at Paschal’s trying not to look like a lonely girl who’s been stood up by her boyfriend.  Why would Dionne and Sydney tell me to show up at two if they weren’t going to be here until three?  I’ve got to drive all the way to Stone Mountain for my afternoon bingo session at four, and then be back in Lithonia for choir rehearsal at seven.  Mildly annoyed doesn’t even begin to describe my mood. 
    I wish I could skip choir rehearsal, but, unfortunately my husband is a hot commodity to all those young skanks in the youth choir.  They think that if they move those silicone pumped behinds in his face that he’ll hook them up with my brother-in-law.  But Rod has enough stripper-turned-video vixens on his payroll.  He’s not interested in church girls who want to be hoes.
    I mean really, does anyone come to church for Jesus anymore?
    Finally, Sydney rushes into the restaurant.  She looks worn out.  Her hair is up in that dreadful ponytail she always wears, and her skin looks dull.  She’s lost weight too – that she didn’t need to lose.  I wish I could drop pounds like that.  It seems like since I turned thirty- four, I can’t get below a size 12 to save my life. 
    I stand up and give my baby sister a hug.  “Hey Syd.”
    “ Hey Cam.  Dionne’s not coming.  She just sent me a text.”
    “ Why not?  She picked this cholesterol haven.”
    Sydney shakes her head in her baby sister scold.  “The food here is great!  I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
    “ Well you’re as skinny as a rail.  You can eat whatever you want.  “
    She rolls her eyes at me and flips through the menu.  “What are you eating Camille?”
    “ Whatever won’t give me a heart attack.”
    Sydney ignores my comment.  “What’s going on with you and Bryan?”
    “ We are blessed and highly favored.”
    That’s not exactly the truth.  We are blessed, highly favored…and broke, but it’s only temporary.  We just had revival at church and the prophetess told me that we were right around the corner from a financial breakthrough.  It could be today at bingo.  There’s a twenty-five thousand dollar jackpot. 
    “ That’s good.  At least one of us is doing well.”
    “ What’s up with you?  Are we celebrating your birthday or not?”
    Sydney shrugs.  “I don’t know.  I think I’ll just pull a shift at the hospital.”
    “ This is a big birthday for you.  We should go to New Orleans!”
    “ New Orleans?” Sydney gives me a confused look.  “Cami church-a-lot wants to go to New Orleans? You don’t drink or gamble so how much fun would you be?”
    “ There’s nothing in my Bible that says you can’t gamble.   Shoot, the Roman officers cast lots over Jesus’ clothing.  If God wanted to