I panicked jogging into our bedroom and switched the nearest light. My eyes nearly popped at the sight of Baby Girl packing for whatever reasons. Jeans, sweaters, and even heavy coats scattered all over this place. I didn't know what to think, but watched my best friend pace back and forth from the open and jumbled closet. Not once did we speak or make eye contact. From the corner of my same vision, I noticed that none of my clothes had left the space we shared. A quiet breath drifted from my voice in response.
Even as overwhelming light still brightened the room, Brenda wouldn't face me yet. I'd already walked around her to find an ashtray centering her nightstand. Two Newport cigarettes rest lifeless among the dark cinders. Its small green and white tinted box crammed several more. Fortunately for me, the smoky fragrance itself already departed this area. Defenseless for once, I sat in a nearby and oddly placed wicker chair.
There was only silence between us now. Regardless of the rhythms of bare footsteps quietly moving along soft carpet. I wouldn't argue. I wouldn't shout this time. I'd only for her to given an explanation. If she would at all. My heart suddenly cracked when B sniffled out of nowhere. I licked my lips, waiting again. I longed to ask questions and hopefully understand, but her pace and likely irritation would trigger one of those insignificant arguments.
"I'm leaving." Brenda finally answered me to break the silence.
"Where are you going?" I looked up at her with pained eyes.
"I'm going home. Don't follow me. I need this time away." My best friend zipped the suitcase and held on. Her curls lowered in shame for whatever reason. My heart began to ache once more.
"How long?" I wouldn't cry.
"Two weeks. Maybe three. I don't know." She sighed out loud.
"What happened?" My eyes narrowed.
"I don't want to talk about it. You wouldn't understand." Brenda looked in my direction for once and walked out of the bedroom. I soon followed, honestly concerned right now.
"Was it me?" I asked her, relaxing my voice.
"It's complicated. Now, could you please stop with the questions? My flight's leaving tonight. And don't ask to come along, either. I don't want the press to bother me right now." Brenda stood near the elevator with that suitcase dormant alongside her. My lady had been wearing a purple sweater and jeans for at least thirty minutes. Those short curls still dropped her face as usual, hiding a tear-damp and perfectly brown skin tone.
"Can..." I struggled to respond now. "Can we at least call each other or something while you're gone? I don't know what happened, but this is scary, girl."
"No." she answered out of nowhere. Curls shook in the back of her head and Brenda pressed the downward elevator before I could even reply. I yelled out loud, but she didn't even listen. The doors chimed shut moments later. Now, I stood alone. There was no other choice. I couldn't even chase without possible cameras noticing.
No kiss goodbye. No explanation for leaving. I hadn't felt this disappointed in her since she was engaged to Prince. Weak, I somehow couldn't leave the house.
__
I didn't listen and called her every day. Brenda ended up staying home for three weeks. And every time, she reluctantly picked or gave the phone to her sister Jazmine. I barely visited with Hughes family anymore for obvious reasons, but there was no better feeling than when I could hear little Anthony's voice.
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Brenda's nephew knew all about me and even cooed at the television when my short film for "Bad" first premiered. B even framed a picture of myself holding her nephew that balanced one of two nightstands in the bedroom. My heart swelled after noticing his adorable and innocent face. Those Hughes genetics seemed unconditionally evident.
At the same time, I felt proud to give Anthony some sort of father figure beyond his grandfather, and the Hughes patriarch, Raymond. Jazmine's ex Daniel somehow neglected her in high school after she became pregnant. As a result, Brenda pitched in alongside her family, helping as much as possible despite that growing fame back then. Now that situation was a different story altogether. But I've certainly digressed.
"How much longer? I hate coming back and there's no one else around." I asked Baby Girl one night. I still bunked at the penthouse out of habit at this point. B had already kept with needed housing payment among other requirements for this place. I'd quickly realized that she never allowed me to spoil her financially, either. No matter how many times I insisted.
I sat on the bed during one more restless evening and chatted on the phone with her to occupy myself. On the other line, Baby Girl laughed to herself. I could only pray that the answer involved "soon." Familiar dim lighting here capture the space around as I took off my fedora, waiting.
"Tomorrow. Look I'm so sorry for scaring you before I left. I've been under a lot of stress lately and didn't know what to tell you. Things will make so much more sense when I fly back to you." Brenda reacted to me with another sigh. Yet, I noticed a returning delight in her voice.
"Don't worry, babe. We'll talk about this and I promise not to yell. Just come home. I know things can be difficult sometime." As mentioned, I refused to argue or even fight with her this time. There was only silence between us again, but I didn't even care.
She was happy right now. How could I complain anymore?
