Material Girl 2: Labels and Love Read Free Page A

no!” Dylan stepped out to view herself in the full-length mirror.
    She couldn’t even tell that she was pregnant. The telltale signs only came through in her face and breasts.
    “But why?” Tee-Tee whined. “I’m so good at it. Plus, his ass deserve to get a tongue-lashing.”
    “I know he does, but it’s just not worth it.” Dylan examined herself from head to toe and side to side, hoping Tee-Tee would drop the conversation, because she was starting to feel claustrophobic.
    “Okay, I know that having a baby changes people’s views on life, but you are not gon’ sit up here and pretend that you are not fazed by his behavior.”
    “Honest to Prada.” Dylan raised her hand as if she were giving the Hippocratic Oath. “I’m okay. I mean . . . I’m not okay.” She looked off to the side. “You know what I mean. I just have to learn how to deal with having this baby on my own,” she swallowed, looking down at her feet.
    “If you say so,” Tee-Tee replied and zipped up the back of her dress. “By the way, have you talked to Billie?”
    “Yeah, like a week and a half ago.”
    “Has she talked to him?” he inquired.
    “We really weren’t able to get off into all of that. She and Knox had to get on their flight to India.” Dylan felt a heat wave rush over her body.
    “So is he coming to the party?” Tee-Tee probed further.
    “As far as I know, no,” Dylan said, fanning herself with her hand. “I gotta sit down.”
    “You okay?” Tee-Tee took her by the hand and led her back into the dressing room.
    “No, I feel like I gotta throw up.”
    “Ughh. Just don’t do it on me.” He scooted back.
    “Shut up.” Dylan grimaced, fanning her face with her purse. “I don’t think I wanna go to the party,” she pouted.
    “Why?”
    “’Cause I look like a fat pig.” Dylan picked at her dress.
    “No, you don’t. You’re barely showing, and you gotta come. It’s gonna be fun, and we gon’ be the flyest chicks up in there. Well, I know I am ’cause a bitch like me is about to show her ass while I still can before this baby come.” Tee-Tee popped his lips.
    “Oh, Tee-Tee, I’m so sorry.” She rubbed his arm. “I haven’t asked you anything about how the adoption is going.”
    “It’s going. We’re going through the homestudy process now,” he sighed.
    “What’s that?”
    “It’s a written report by a social worker where basically the social worker does an intensive background search, finds out our motivation toward adoption, etc. Afterward, the social worker gives their summary on us and their recommendation.”
    “Well, if you need my help with anything, just let me know.”
    “I will, and by the way, bitch, you betta work! That dress is fierce on you!” He snapped his fingers.
    Dylan looked down at the dress. It was an all-black sheath dress by Rachel Roy.
    “Thanks, my love. I like it too, but this is just way too expensive.”
    “Girl, this dress is a steal!” Tee-Tee looked at her crazy. “It’s only ninety-nine dollars.”
    “Yeah, like I just got ninety-nine dollars layin’ around.” Dylan wrinkled her brow.
    “Well, you ain’t gon’ be coming around me lookin’ crazy, so I’ll buy it for you.”
    “No, it is not that serious.”
    “Girl, boo, I got you.”
    “Tee-Tee, thank you,” Dylan said, hugging him around the neck.
    “And you deserve a phone call from yo’ deadbeat baby daddy,” he eyed her sternly.
    “Well, we can’t always get what we want.” Dylan looked down at her stomach somberly and rubbed her belly.
     
    “If we ever come close again . . . I know what I’ll say then.”
    Tevin Campbell, “Can We Talk”

2
    New Year’s Eve had arrived and Billie’s party was in full swing. For the past hour, she’d been running around the house like a chicken with its head cut off. There were a million things going on at once. The chef was preparing a five-course meal. The party planner was decorating and setting the table. Billie’s kids, Kaylee,