It seemed like there was much trouble in paradise for Toni and Mario. Jacqui decided it was probably best to leave them alone at the house and headed out. She just needed to find somewhere to stay and try and do her work for the evening. She flipped her phone up and looked down her phonebook and came across Justin’s name, and then Joshua’s. The thought of being with Joshua made her tummy tingle, and when she got that feeling…she decided to call Justin up. She didn’t want to see herself get closer to one than the other.  

The phone rang, and rang, and… “hello” a breathless Justin answered the phone

 “hey, did I call at a bad time?” 

“no, no not at all sweetie. I was in the kitchen and ran up here to get my phone” 

“oh ok” 

“why whats up?” 

“well see I had to leave my house because the boys are having a little problem their trying to resolve there…soo I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind-"

 “you’re lucky I just made dinner...do you need me to get you?” 

“nope…just some directions please” 

A few moments later she was at his front door. The knife slipped out of his hands as his phone rang out. He was hurting bad and was afraid to look down at his toe…he probably shouldn’t have been barefoot. He continued to the door regardless the pain he felt. She greeted him with a smile which was quickly replaced with a worried look as she saw his pained expression.

 “whats wrong?” she looked down “oh my God” she jumped back a bit 

“is it that bad?”

 “you haven’t seen it?” 

“I didn’t wanna look down” he looked down and felt more pain if it was possible

 Jacqui helped herself and Justin inside the house and sat him down in the first chair she found. “ok…so where do you keep your first aid?” 

“the bathrooms right down this hall”  

She went and grabbed the box and returned. She began to clean up his cut and wrapped his big toe with some gauze tape. 

“ok so you want to explain to me how this happened?” she looked at him as if she were to reprimand him 

“I was about to cut the cobbler into pieces when my phone rang…it scared me” he shrugged and she couldn’t help but smile  

“oh” she said, but that only made her want to laugh even more

 “what is so funny?”  

“nothing…what were you doing cutting pieces to a…what were you cutting?”

 “a peach cobbler” 

“ok…and what is that?” 

“its dessert” 

“you made it?” 

“yes ma’am I did” he said proudly

 “well see I was impressed enough when you told me you were cooking…but you bake too?” 

“I bake better than I cook” He attempted to stand up and walked slowly as he limped his way to the kitchen

"ayy. hon are you ok? You don’t seem to be doing to good on your feet."

"I’ll be fine."

"are you sure? here sit. I’ll finish serving the food."

"no its ok I got it." he attempted to stand and immediately sat back down. "ok so I think you got it."

Jacqui chuckled. "just sit. I promise I won’t break anything."

he smiled. "Thanks. I know I may not seem to manly right about now..."

"dont worry about it. accidents happen. to be honest I’m more worried about that bruised ego of yours." she winked.

"aha…so you have jokes?”

she placed the plate in front of him. "you are capable of feeding yourself no? Or does it hurt too much."

"oh snap…she is on a roll. I didn’t know you had it in you. Are you having fun?”

“just a little” she giggled and took a bite. "mmm justin this is good. I must say I’m shocked."

"I told you I cook woman”

"seriously. You to be the only man I know that can cook this well. I know for one thing that Mario cannot even make eggs."

Justin laughed. "well I’m glad you’re enjoying this. hell with all I’ve had to put up with it I should of poisoned yours."

she laughed. "stop talking baba…you would never ." she winked.

"stop talking what?”

After a few hours of movies and endless chatting, Jacqueline decided it was more than time to go home.

"alright mister. I have had so much fun, but I think it’s time I should see what’s going on at home. thank you for keeping me company while I was temporarily homeless."

he smiled. "It was my pleasure. Your welcome to come by anytime”

“awh cool thank you. You’re home is beautiful, may God bless it”

“amen” he said

“ok well I’ll talk to you tomorrow then…goodnight”

she arched her head up and kissed his cheek “and be careful with your toe ok?”

“hey you know what?"

"what?"

"why don’t we take Mario out? You know to cheer him up? Do you think he’ll be up for it?"

Jacqui thought about it. "well Mario isn’t one to ever say no to an outing..”

"alright cool then why don’t you go over and see how the situation is, then call me."

“are you sure? I mean we just had dinner”

“if you want”

"ok." she kissed his cheek again as if she had forgotten she did so already. "I will call you as soon as I see how it is and then we’ll see"

"alright girl."

She found Mario on the balcony with a bottle of Jack Daniels. She knew whatever had happened was serious. She had never really seen Mario like this…he looked like a typical depressed man. He had on his one pair of sweats that were indeed baggy and a hoodie. He didn’t even look back when she walked in. He stayed on the chair with his feet up on the banister staring out at the night with his glass.

“Mario” she called out softly “whats up” she joined him outside and sat on the second chair. He just shrugged and took another sip “wanna talk about it?”

He sighed “I just don’t really think Toni was for me”

“did you guys break up?”

“he didn’t want to…but I can’t be held down like that. He just was not man enough for me, you know at first I just wanted a little space to breathe. But he kept on pushing and pushing…and finally I just told him I couldn’t be with him anymore, and to leave” he told her “ I need someone who is going to allow me to be me…who will not be on top of me for everything, I have a mother and you for that…who will not be on my shit 24/7. Jealousy is a bitch”

She looked at him and understood exactly what he was talking about, which is why she was afraid to find herself in another relationship. She hated to get too attached to people because they would get too used to the routine that everyday was spent together, and that friends did not exist. She knew the feeling of being in a relationship like that all to well. She knew what Mario needed for at least one night…he needed to be free. So she thought of the offer Justin had made before she left his house

“do you wanna go out tonight?” she asked him

“just go out, and do whatever you want. Dance with as many guys as you want, wear what you want…get drunk if you need to, just don’t mix drinks because we do not need to be in a hospital”

“are you really saying this?”

“yes” she smiled “you can be free to just have fun…instead of sitting here and making yourself drunk, and depressed. Look at you, in sweats and a hoodie…and no gel in the hair”

“I know” he agreed “I’m such a man” he sighed and she giggled

“c’mon…I’ll call Justin”

“what?”

“well he came up with the idea of taking you out and I wouldn’t want to be alone to hold you back from having fun”

“so I finally get to meet one of the infamous boys” he smiled

“yes you do” she smiled back “so tell me what do I tell him?”

“that your best friend is gay…and wants to party”

“ay mama...” she laughed

“what?...at least this time you won’t be alone”

She was happy to see him excited about something for the first time in months. She knew he probably he felt he couldn’t come up to her because she was busy, and she couldn't help but feel a little guilty as a friend. She wanted him to kno she was there for him...always. Just as he was.