"Only for that bitch to break his heart and almost throw him into darkness again."
Silence fell between us.
"How come you are this young if you are his mother's friend?" I asked, voicing the most troubling question in my mind.
She burst into laughter.
"Now I see why Raymond likes you. You wear your thoughts on your sleeve. I'm fifty-one this year."
My eyes widened dramatically, nearly popping out of their sockets.
"I know," she laughed again, clearly pleased with my reaction. "Please, let's hurry and get you ready before Raymond comes."
New girls entered the room, and they immediately began working on my hair. My clothes had already been carefully brought out and placed neatly on a clothing rack nearby. The efficiency of the entire process amazed me.
When they finished styling my hair, Mama took the liberty of doing my makeup herself.
"I don't trust anyone else with this face tonight," she said playfully.
