Into the Starry Night

Eighteen

“Ok, who died?” was the first thing out of my mouth the moment I entered Kenny's living room.

Right there on a couch with Kenny's arm around her was Yemisi. She was clutching a crumpled piece of tissue as she looked up at me with red eyes and mascara trails on her face.

Kenny was not looking any better with the way her half-finished braids stuck out at awkward angles and her eyes gave off a weariness only a sailor at sea for months on end should possess.

“Jesus. What the hell happened?” I closed the front door and dropped my boots in front of it.

It was close to eight pm when Timini and I were done inspecting my new apartment. It had such spacious rooms and we lost track of time as we discussed possible changes, as such it was a little after ten when he finally dropped me off here and that was after I reluctantly declined his offer of dinner.

Today had been a lot more fun than I had anticipated. It was really nice to press the pause button on my life and enjoy one day when I didn't have responsibilities or problems. I didn't have a lot of those.

But coming back to this sight reminded me that I could pause life all I wanted but it would still be going on around me, a recalcitrant thing incapable of being controlled.

Kenny shot me a look before handing Yemisi the box of tissues.

“I'll be right back, ok?” She patted her shoulder, stood up then dragged me by my arm into the kitchen and out of earshot.

“Ow!” I protested after Kenny let go of my arm. My skin smarted in the area where Kenny's long grey nails had dug into my skin. “What was that for?”

“What happened yesterday?” Kenny's eyes looked almost feral under the lights in the kitchen and I had to repress a shiver.

“What happened yesterday? I don't understand.”

“At the engagement party, ode. What happened? I saw the video but I need you to explain what really happened because Yemisi won't and I can't help her if I don't have the whole picture.”

“Oh,” I took a stool while Kenny stood in front of me with her arms crossed. She was still dressed in the tank top and bum shorts she'd worn to bed. “Yemisi didn't know but Lolita is Harry's ex-girlfriend. The one of the crazy variety. She was invited to sing after the DJ cancelled by one of Harry's groomsmen who had no idea who she was. I don't even know the guy that tackled her on the stage or why he did what he did. I guess that's what happens when you give your entire extended family plus ones.” I shrugged.

“I truly can't believe you right now. Is that what you have to say about this situation?”

“What do you what me to say? No, seriously, what? Tell me.”

“I don't need your words, ok, right now I need you to try and think of someone other than yourself. I know it's hard for you that's why I said try.”

I tried to blink away the sting of Kenny's unexpected barb but it did nothing to stop it from spreading. I had developed a thick skin over the last few years but Kenny was one of the few people who could still get to me.

“Yemisi has been here since twelve, upset and out of her mind with anxiety,” Kenny continued. “Apparently her family was very harsh on her today and they almost stopped the wedding. I have somewhere I need to be and my hair is a mess, could you please, stay with our friend while I go and sort myself out or is that too much to ask?”

“Where do you have to be, it's almost ten-thirty?”

“I did not ask you how you've managed to find a man to be at your beck and call when you've only been around for less than a month, so please, respectfully, mind your business.”