Ronnie was just driving. She was too upset to think straight. First this mess with Gary. Then her mom, then Nikko. What more was going to be dumped on her before she would break?
She just drove. She didn’t know for how long. Time just passed and when she realized she was near Mavericks, she stopped. She needed to talk to someone. Anyone. And even though she had just seen her hours earlier, Margaret would have to do. She was her only other friend in this area. And, she also knew she would be on her side.
Pulling into the shopping complex on the corner of Spring Hill Drive and Mariner Blvd., Lou quickly got out of her mother’s car, grabbed her purse, and locked the doors.
She was relieved to see Margaret wasn’t busy when she opened the front door to the small salon. There was only one woman there getting her hair colored by another stylist. Those two, and the girl who worked the counter were the only other people in the place. Brad had the evening off.
“Long time no see,” Margaret teased when she saw her friend walk in. But as soon as she saw Ronnie’s face, saw the fear and pain there, she uttered, “Oh my God, what happened in the last two hours? You look a wreck. Come,” she ordered, leading Ronnie to the back room, where Margaret had a break room for her employees that also served as storage. “Sit.”
Ronnie complied. She felt lost. The tears just came. Margaret was quick to sit next to her to provide her comfort. She reached for her hand and ordered her to spill. Ronnie did. It all came rushing out.
Margaret’s grasp on her hand got tighter when Ronnie told her about her fears for her mother. Margaret’s look got angry when Ronnie explained where she went after leaving her mom’s and finding Nikko walking barbecue bimbo, Linda, out of the hotel.
“What am I going to do?” Ronnie flatly asked. Her tears had stopped. She was still distraught about her mother, but she was also so extremely disappointed in Nikko. He promised, well somewhat, that he would be additional support for her through this ordeal. He’d also implied he would be monogamous, hadn’t he? Her mind couldn’t wrap around it all.
“First of all, lose the loser, Ronnie. You’re better than that. He doesn’t deserve you. Obviously last summer the little parking lot scene was probably what it was. Him leaving the hotel with this Linda chick is proof of that. Once a player, always a player. The guy is no good. He can talk a good game, charm the pants off of you, but once out of sight, out of mind.” Ronnie nodded numbly. She should have trusted her instincts. Nikko, with his looks and charm, could have any girl he wanted, and apparently did. She didn’t want to be anyone’s fool. First Gary, and now him. What the hell had she been thinking to get involved with such a ladies man even if she knew it was temporary? He’d made her think he’d be different with her. So stupid. Was she that desperate to put her faith in him? She was just so stupid when it came to men. Obviously, her two times at bat was telling. Did she need to be clobbered over the head or something? Did the universe have to hit her over the head with a hammer?
“You’re right,” Ronnie agreed. “I really feel like such an idiot. I hate being played. I just thought he’d . . .” her words trailed and she let the rest go unsaid.
But Margaret finished her thought. “You thought he’d be different with you. You were attracted to him. The guy is hot. I’ll give you that. So, you had a few hook ups. But get out now. Don’t let him drop the hammer, girlfriend. Beat him to the punch. Put your focus on your case, and your mom, and kick this guy to the curb.”
Her mom! Her case. That’s what mattered now. That’s where her head should have been all along. She felt the coils of strength beginning to return. She needed to focus on herself. She vowed she wasn’t going to let anyone else use her—ever again. If her mom taught her anything, it was never be anyone’s doormat. She wasn’t about to be Nikko’s. Hell no! The coils burst into small licks of flame. Ronnie glanced at the clock. It was just five. The flames grew higher. She did want to get home. But there was one thing she wanted to do before she left. A plan was starting to form.
“Margaret?” she asked. Her eyes narrowed with determination.
Margaret saw the change come over her. “What do you need, honey?” Margaret was relieved to see a bit of the Ronnie she knew coming back. There was a tiny spark in those baby browns. Ronnie just needed a push, and then the tough spunky girl she befriended a few years ago would emerge. “What’s on your mind? Whatever you need,” she reiterated her earlier promise from the mall squeezing her friend’s hand one more time.