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truck, he parked Leela’s car and jumped out. He had tried to call Bill again and got voicemail.
    Once he walked up to the door, he heard the TV blaring, so he figured Bill was there.
    Riley knocked on the door and waited.
    â€œWho’s there?”
    â€œYo, Bill! Dawg, it’s me, Ry. Open the door, Man.”
    Minutes passed before Riley heard movement on the other side of the door. Not long after, the door swung open and Bill peered out with a hand over his eyes.
    â€œAey, Dawg; what’s up?” Bill said.
    The scent of stale liquor hit Riley like a massive wrecking ball. He caught his breath and stepped into the house. Riley followedbehind Bill who wore a pair of boxer briefs and a dingy, wife-beater undershirt.
    Bill flopped down onto the sofa and used the palm of his hand to dry rub his face.
    â€œCan you believe this bull, Man?” he asked.
    â€œDawg, what happened? I mean, she put that crap out there, but Leela said she’s talking about divorce,” Riley said.
    â€œDamn right we’re getting divorced. I’m bound to lose a lot, but that’s better than living in hell every damn day.”
    â€œBill. What you saying, Man? You know it’s cheaper to keep her; y’all need to work that out.”
    Bill shook his head. “It was about time. Kelly and me, Man, we couldn’t stay underground like that. It’s gonna get ugly, but I know in the end, this is the right thing.”
    Riley sat on the edge of the coffee table. With his legs spread wide, he propped his elbows atop his knees and took his head into his hands.
    â€œYou know what you’re saying, Man?” he asked Bill.
    â€œI’m straight. Me and Kelly talked about what would happen if Sam ever found out. I’ll admit it, I wasn’t ready for it to go down like it did, but we’re gonna bounce back.”
    â€œSo you referring to you and Kelly as we now? Dawg, I didn’t know it was that deep,” Riley said. He shook his head and looked at his friend with sorrowful eyes.
    Bill turned and looked at him. Riley couldn’t remember a time he’d seen his friend so serious about anything.
    â€œMan. I’m glad she found out. I hate marriage, and so does Kelly.”
    â€œWhoa! Hold up a sec.” Riley raised his hand. “Hold up, Bruh. Ain’t she married, too?”
    Bill’s face broke into a sly grin. “That was the beauty of it, Man. When both people have a lot to lose, things don’t get out of hand.Well, unless one somebody’s wife starts investigating and puts both on blast. Now, not only is my job in jeopardy, but chances are, Kelly’s shit is jacked up, too.”
    â€œDawg, I told you, Man, you need to handle your business better. You gotta let these chicks know who’s in charge.” It was all too much for Riley to digest.
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    â€œSo you and Bill are just throwing in the towel?” Leela asked.
    She knew the answer to her question, but there was something so incredibly unbelievable about the entire situation, both, with Big Mama, and her best friend, Samantha.
    Leela had been holed up inside the master suite with Samantha for more than an hour.
    â€œWhy does it have to be over? Divorce is so final,” Leela said.
    Samantha shrugged. “It’s time. Honestly, I’m tired. I’m tired of lying next to someone whom I know is screwing anything with a hole. I get it. I really, really get it. There’s a shortage of good black men. You give that man a seven-figure, or hell, even six-figure salary, and these women don’t know how to act. I’m tired of the rat race. They can have my man because it’s exhausting trying to stay two steps ahead of these thirsty heifers.”
    â€œYou don’t want to fight for your marriage?” Leela asked. The wonderment in her voice was difficult to mask. She was bewildered by Samantha’s nonchalant approach to ending her