Doing Mr. Wrong While Waiting for Mr. Right Chapter 6

I love my girl, Trina. I love the fact that she's not particular about where we go and what we do together. That's why we are sitting at Red Lobster having lunch. I don't have a problem with Red Lobster either, but Peaches would NEVER eat here. She has very high standards. She only goes to 4 or 5 star restaurants. If she stays in a hotel, the comforter and sheets on the bed have to be light. If they had designs or dark prints, she wouldn't stay there. She only goes to the movies in the premier parts of the city or premier theatres that serve dinner with the movie. She only shops in certain stores and if it doesn't cost over a certain amount, she says that it's not quality, and she won't purchase it. No. I'm not judging Peaches, but it's just good to hang with regular folk sometime.

"You have been extremely preoccupied lately with Marcus and his cousin. I'm surprised you had time to fit me in your busy schedule."
"Don't act like that, Trina". Trina doesn't care for Marcus so his cousin being a "Leech", as she calls her, just adds fuel to the fire.
"I'm just saying. Y'all have been on vacation, you are always hanging out with her, and this getting wasted thing every weekend is new for you. And may I say, it is not a good look".
"Yeah! I know. I told her that I am going to start limiting my drinking to only two drinks when we go out." I am already on my second Sunrise Passion Colada with a Grand Marnier floater.

"I don't know, Leslie, I just don't like the influence she is having over you". I know Trina is serious because she said my whole name. I've been "Les" to Trina since I met here. She was the first person to ever call me that.
"Whoa, Trina. This is me. Nothing has changed. I'm the same ol' me. I'm here. Peaches can never take your place."
Trina gave me a look. "What ? You think I'm jealous of that trifling heifer? Hell to the Nall!"
Trina put her fork down. "I'm trying to look out for you!"
"But that's the thing. You don't have to. I'm a big girl. I can take care of me."
We sit in silence for a few minutes. The silence is awkward. I decide to change the subject.
"So, how's your writing going?" I ask .
Trina is an aspiring writer. She wants to tell her story of how one man changed her entire life. She is passionate about it and I fully support her in her endeavor.
"it's okay. I'm just worried whether anyone would even be interested in what I have to say. Who would I sell this book to? What if I go through the whole process of getting published and it doesn't even sell?"
Now I give Trina a look. I have never heard her doubt herself. She has always been confident in her. Even when her husband was running around while different women, she was confident that he was doing that to appease his own ego because she knew she was the best he ever had! So to hear he talk this "what if" crap, was not cool.
"Ummmm..... Excuse me! When have you ever not had an audience. When have you ever had a problem holding any one's attention. You are Katrina West! Everyone wants to hear what you have to say, just because of who you are." I reach over and grab my friend's hand. "And I can't wait 'til you get published so I can be your personal assistant and when Oprah puts your book on her book club, I can meet her. " We both laugh.

We finish eating and head to the mall. We stroll through the stores, eat pretzels, popcorn, and ice cream. We have massages and end up sitting outside of the bridal store.
"So what is up with you and Marcus? Is he divorced yet?"
Because she doesn't care for him, our conversation about him is very little. But she knows how I feel about him.
"I actually haven't discussed that with him in awhile. We have been so busy doing all the things we couldn't do before that it really doesn't matter?" I regret it before I even get the words out of my mouth.
" It matters and you care."
I shake my head because I do care.
"We are sitting outside of this bridal shop, on the whole other side of the mall where we came in. We didn't stop here by chance. I have a feeling that you end up here every time you come to this mall."
"Yeah, but not because I want to get married. I just like to look at the new designs. I mean I want to get married but when it's my time, with Mr. Right."
"But how are you gonna find Mr. Right as long as you are doing Mr. Wrong?"
Trina continued. " Have you ever thought that as long as you are with Marcus, a married man, that you are stopping yourself for being with a single man that could be just as wonderful as you believe Marcus to be?"
"But...", I started to reply but Trina interrupted me.
"Don't get me wrong, if you believe Marcus is the one for you, then by all means wait on him, if that's what you choose to do. However, Marcus has options with you. He knows that you aren't going anywhere. He's not tyring to get a divorce because right now he has has cake and ice cream, too. Make him choose what's more important."

"I can't do that".
"Why not? You are beautiful, smart, educated Black woman. You are strong and independent. You would be the perfect companion fro any man. But you took your self off the market to be a part-time lover to Marcus, when you can have a man that loves you all the time, unconditionally.
Tell Marcus that you want to date other men since he hasn't found the time to get a divorce. Three years is a long time. He might be blocking your blessing."
Trina got up from the bench. She grabbed my hands and pulled me up. She hugged me right there in the mall. I cried right there on her shoulder.

On the ride home, I thought about what Trina had said. It was true. Every single word. I've given Marcus the best of me, yet he still hadn't given me all of him. I called Peaches and she was staying at a friend's house. I texted Marcus and told him I was cramping. I knew that would keep him away, at least for tonight. When I got home, I got a pint of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream, took out my favorite tear jerker movies, and cried.