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Atlanta
November 19, 2016
Marley arrived early to pick me up for her awards ceremony. Thankfully, I’d known Marley nearly my entire life. So, I’d anticipated her telling me to be ready by six when, in actuality, she’d show up at five forty-five.
“I’ll get it,” Cole said.
He disappeared to answer the front door as I put on my favorite pair of black high heels. I stuffed my phone in a tiny purse, double-checked my cherry-red lipstick, and then went to meet my best friend.
“No, don’t do that,” Marley said to Cole. “I don’t need any congratulations. The whole thing is embarrassing.”
“It’s embarrassing to win an award for your achievements?” Cole asked.
“Yes!”
“Don’t try to talk sense into her,” I told Cole. “That’s why I’m going to be there. So she actually gets onstage to accept t
