I had to some kind of way worm my way into her life to make that happen and now that it has I can't change the outcome.

"You know..."

"I know what, Red?"

"Your Mama..."

"My Mama what?"

Red unlocked her car and got inside, sticking the key in the ignition. She turned it on and turned on the AC, so she didn't sweat to death. The bass kicked in so hard it felt like her seat punched her in the back so she turned the tunes off.

"I know you miss her."

"I don't, Red."

Red watched a few fine black men walk by. Damn, they are fine as hell. If only I didn't enjoy eating pussy. I haven't had any dick in years. Not since my child's Daddy died.

"So you aren't going to plan the funeral?"

"No. I mean, Yea. I don't know, Red. Mama has hurt me so much in my lifetime."

"She's dead, baby."

"So!"

"Baby, it's not good to hold onto your anger."

"Listen to Martha Stewart Living."

"Martha Stewart Living can go to hell. And I resent that shit."

"I resent your lies."

"Oh, Boy! Will you let me live that down?"

"I don't know. You came into my life under false

pretenses. You had me thinking you were one person and you turned out to be someone else. I found out my ex boyfriend, my child's Dad, also fathered your son. They are brothers. You knew all along and I didn't have a clue. You then told me Mama shot and killed my Baby Daddy when she didn't have enough to buy his drugs. So yea I'm still pissed."

"Well, I guess this isn't a good time to tell you that I got a tattoo today."

"You what?"

"It's a really small one. I got a name."

Fate tried to laugh. "Does it say Fate Williams?"

"No, Fate. But it says something."

"Like what?"

"Let it go. I'll show you later."

"Tell me now!"

"No!"

"Fuck it then. I am not begging you."

"You need to let the past go, Gurl. Yea, I fucked

up. But you said you forgave me."

"Ha!"

"I thought that when you moved back in with me you let all that go."

"You thought wrong. And just because you sucked on my pussy doesn't mean I'm over it."

Red shook her head, looking herself over in the

rear-view mirror.

"Fate. Why do you argue and fight with me? What happened to that fun, loving Jamaican woman I fell in love with?"

"She's still here. She just doesn't trust you like she used to."

"Then why are we together?"

"Because, good or bad, this pussy belongs to you. Hell I tattooed Red above my clit. Yet you couldn't get my name tattooed on you. I still want to know what kind of new tat you have."

Oh, no she didn't! "Is that all I own? Your pussy?

What about your heart?"

"My heart is incarcerated at the moment. And if

my soul had daytime minutes I'd have to buy some more because right now I'm just too upset with you."

Red closed her eyes when Fate's mournful voice

drifted through the phone.