I can remember second grade like it was yesterday. When the first day of school started, it was obvious I wasn't like the other children. My earlier years spent with my mother and the other nurses in the hospital, had made me much more advanced than the other kids. Advanced to the point where I was skipped two grades.  

This caused the other kids to tease me unmercifully. Since I preferred to keep my feelings intact, I used to sit at a lunch table all by my lonesome.  

One day, while waiting for the teachers to announce that we could go outside for recess, a scrawny little thing walked up to me and started yapping.

"Hey! How you doing?" she finally asked, after all the jibber jabber. She slid next to me at the table, uncaring about the crazy look I gave. But I couldn’t help but smile, because I liked her feisty spirit. 

"Hi," I whispered back softly. 

"You know, I see you sitting here by yourself all the time. You need to do something about that." 

I permitted myself to smile ever so slightly, still wondering if this was a trick to lure me in. When she didn’t say anything else, I replied, “I like sitting by myself. It’s OK." 

"Naw, it ain't okay, but I’ll take your word for it," she said gruffly. 

Yanni then hopped off and sauntered away, but from that day forward she ate lunch with me every day and we built a friendship. As we grew older, everyone called us "The Duo." Yanni was known for terrorizing folks, and I was the one who smoothed out all her rough issues—which consisted of many.

We stuck closer than jelly to bread, until the situation occurred with her stepfather, Mr. Johnson. To ease the trauma I’d experienced with being accused of his death and everything, my mother felt it was best if I lived with my great-grandmother in Tuskegee until I finished high school. Considering the history I'd left behind, I had no thoughts about returning home. 

I sighed. It’s truly amazing how time flies.  

I didn't realize how long it had been until I pushed the Play button on the answering machine. I actually thought it was Marques leaving one of his daily messages for dinner requests. 

"Hey, I hope I have the right house," the message began. "I’m looking for Starlet Marie Lovesome, known as the second part of 'the Duo.' This is Yanni E'Baire. I know you have to remember who I am." 

I laughed as my mind raced back to some of the stuff that Yanni and I had gotten into. I didn't realize how much I'd missed her friendship, until then. I listened intently to the rest of the message, wondering who would have given her my number. It was as if the machine read my mind . . . 

"I know you’re probably trying to figure out who gave me your number. Your crazy mama did. I swear, I couldn't get Ms. Juanita off the phone. Anyway, please give me a call back. I really need to talk to you. You know it’s always your oldest friends that you trust when you’re in deep shit. My number is 555.0102." 

With that, the machine beeped to signal the end of the message.

My God. I couldn’t believe Yanni was reaching out to me after so many years. There was so much we hadn’t gotten to tell each other after everything happened.   

I looked over at the clock and realized I had about two hours before Marques got in and the drama of the evening would begin. Instinctively, my fingers scrambled across the buttons.  

The phone barely rang once before Yanni picked up. "Yeah," said the rough-sounding female on the other end. 

"Hi, I’m calling to speak with Yanni E'Baire." 

"Who is this?" 

"Her long-lost friend, Starlet Lovesome." 

The tone on the other end changed abruptly. "Giiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiirl, thank you so much for calling me back. How've ya been?" 

"I feel fine. My life is crazy, but what’s new?” I braced and began what I was well known for—my rambling. “Well, there is something new. Out of the blue I was offered this great job as a supervisor in ad sales at a new firm in Blogsome Bay, Louisiana, so I can say God is good. It’s helping me leave my troubles behind. How you doing?" 

"I am Yanni. Does that not say it all?" 

"Yes, it does and that is not a good answer." 

We laughed hysterically because we both knew that Yanni wasn't Yanni unless there was serious drama going on. 

"Well, lemme tell you the reason I called. I know it’s really random. Totally random." 

"Very random," I interjected, still giggling. 

"Yes, I must admit very random, but your mother suggested it." 

"She did?" 

"Yeah, lemme explain what’s going on." 

Yanni spent the next fifteen minutes explaining how she had bought a house in Blogsome—where I was moving to, or planning to anyway as soon as I found another house—and was now having issues due to her job situation.

Her mother, who still maintained contact with mine, suggested she give me a call, since my housing deal had fallen through at the last moment. The bottom line was Yanni needed a roommate. Someone to help her pay the mortgage.  

"Wow. This was totally not what I was expecting. Let me think on that." 

"When do you start your job here?" Yanni pushed. 

"Hopefully, I’ll be packed up by Friday evening, and then get on the road Saturday. I was just going to stay in a hotel until I find something. My sorority sister, Nakia, will be driving out with me.” I paused, thinking ‘what the hell?’ I might as well tell her everything.

“I need to get out of here as soon as possible," I said. "My ex, well my soon to be ex-fiancé, will just flip his wig when he finds out I'm leaving." 

"Soon to be ex? Wait, you’re engaged?" Yanni blurted out. 

"He thinks we are engaged, but I know better. Any man who beats you is not in love with you." 

"He beats you?" she shrieked, the old “I’ll kick your ass” Yanni returning to the scene. 

I lowered my head as if she were there looking me in the eye. "Yes, girl. He’s been trying to keep me terrified, but you know I don't tolerate pain too well." I forced out a laugh. 

Yanni laughed, probably oblivious to the real pain the whole situation was causing me. "You never did, girl,” she said. “That's why I was always in trouble, trying to protect your ass. I swear, one day you’re going to let loose that wild woman and just beat a couple of asses for the hell of it." 

"I guess, but right now, I’m doing things on the low-low, so I can get out of here in one piece. You know what? The more I talk this out, the more I think this might be a good idea. Besides, I haven't begun to look for a place yet, and staying with you would help me out. I just have one question, can I bring my dog?" 

"Dog?" 

"Yeah, I have a Yorkie that my mom gave me, but my ex is allergic to all animals so she’s been staying with my mom. She’s about as big as two hands put together." 

"If she’s that small, I don't think that will be a problem."

Yanni and I talked a bit more and finalized our agreement. In less than a week, my cousin would be helping me pack, and Princess and I would be on our way to a new life.