Layover by Peaches The Writer Page A

how I was going to face Lisa, knowing that I would like nothing more than to be lying flat on my back with her husband on top of me.
    I was packed and ready to go days before it was time to leave. I couldn’t wait to get away from this place and get down to the country for some home cooking and fresh air. I was looking forward to relaxing and not to mention seeing Allen. It would be just as awkward as it would be exciting and I just couldn’t wait to see how I would handle myself. I didn’t know if Oxford, Mississippi had ever had a scandal like this one before. I wondered if by the end of this trip, would I still have a husband? And, if so, would it be the same one I came with.

 
    Chapter Three
    Kenny asked me if that was everything. I was sure I had packed everything I needed for a week and a half in the country. Kenny was the one who packed like he was competing in a pageant. He was a pretty boy in every sense of the word and he had more clothes than Oprah. He was just letting down the hatch on the Jeep when I remembered Allen’s coat in my closet. I promised I would bring it and I had to keep my word.
    “I forgot something,” I told him as I grabbed my suitcase and tugged it back into the house.
    “Can’t you just bring it down and put it in your bag?” He asked legitimately.
    “I forgot a few things,” I tried to explain.
    I dragged my suitcase up the stairs and plopped it down in front of my closet. I knew it was going to be difficult to fit Allen’s huge, leather coat in my bag because it was already full. I tried to stuff it in there but it was no use. I decided to just bring another bag. I reached in the back of the closet and pulled out my old Reebok workout bag. I carefully folded the jacket and placed it ever so gently in the bag. I placed a tee-shirt on top of it to protect it and zipped up the bag. I returned downstairs with two bags.
    “Damn, girl! What all are you bringing?”
    “Yeh, like you have room to talk.”
    Kenny put my large suitcase back in the Jeep then tossed my Reebok bag carelessly behind it.
    “Careful, Negro!” I told him.
    That was it. We were ready to go. We got in the car and proceeded to the gas station for fuel. I knew I was going to be doing most of the driving but I didn’t care. It would give me time to think while Kenny slept. As soon as we were on the highway and Kenny closed his eyes, I popped in my Usher CD.
    You got it, you got it bad, when you’re on the phone...
    “I’ve been looking all over for that CD!” Kenny interrupted, “I thought them niggas at the carwash stole my CD, but you had it!”
    “I just borrowed it,” I defended myself.
    He closed his eyes again and went to sleep. I continued to jam my favorite song. It reminded me of Allen and I wanted to think of only him. I was hoping that he would already be there when we get there.
    After a few hours, Kenny woke up and requested a bathroom stop. We pulled over in a small town in Alabama.
    “It’s getting cold,” he told me, “did you bring a blanket and pillow?”
    “I always do,” I reminded him. Kenny will go to sleep on your ass like he is in the bed. I always keep a small traveling blanket and pillow like the ones you find on airplanes in the car.
    “It’s in the back,” I told him.
    He got out to use the restroom and I inserted my check card at the pump to top off the gas. When he returned from the restroom, I took my turn. He stayed at the pump and waited for it to stop. I used the restroom and browsed the store for a bit trying to find some snacks to eat on the trip. When I returned to the car, Kenny’s demeanor had changed.
    “What nigga gave you his coat?” He asked, interrogatively.
    “What are you talking about?” I asked, knowing exactly what he was referring to.
    “Some big ass nigga gave you his leather coat with some cheap ass cologne on it.”
    “That’s my brother’s coat,” I lied.
    “Your brother is smaller than me. That coat is for some big ass bear