“I don’t know. I guess I did.”

“You did?”

“Yeah. I was going to settle for something less than what I wanted just to have somebody to show up at the engagement party. But now, since it’s over, I figure what’s the use?”

“Well, girl, you better say something.”

“Yeah, Montana, or he’s gonna wake up all the neighbors.”

Slowly I walked over to the window, and stuck my head out.

“Montana, thank God you’re home!” Quinton said. “I’m sorry, but I had some last-minute business meetings and had to catch a later flight. I hope I didn’t ruin anything. Are you all packed and ready to go?”

“Quinton, I changed my mind.”

“What?”

“I’m not going, Quinton. What you said in California made a lot of sense.”

“Which part? I said a lot.”

“The part about if what I needed was more than what you were offering I should find somebody that is willing to give that to me. I’m not ready to give up on having it all.”

“And that’s your final answer?”

“That’s my final answer.” Staring down at my wrist and the diamond sparkling tennis bracelet, I began undoing the clasp. “Girl, where did you get that from?” Gail said, noticing my bracelet for the first time.

“Quinton gave this to me in California, and I’m giving it back.”

“You’re what?”

“I’m giving it back.”

“Why?”

“Because it doesn’t belong to me.”

“Well then, let it belong to me. But don’t give it back.”

“I’m giving it back.”

“Montana, you’re obviously under emotional distress right now. You’re not thinking clearly.” Grabbing my arm, Gail snatched the bracelet in an attempt to stop me from throwing it to Quinton.

“Gail, let her hand go!”

“Sam, get off me, I’m trying to stop her from doing something she’ll regret in the morning!”

“Gail, let go of her hand, you gold-digging heifer!”

“No!”

Shoving, pulling, tugging, the bracelet flew out of my hands and into the air while we three watched it travel in slow motion out of the window and into Quinton’s outstretched hands. Holding it in his hand, Quinton smiled.

“I’ll hold this for you, just in case you change your mind.”

“Thanks, but I won’t.” Hopping in his limo, Quinton drove away into the distance as we watched and marveled.

“Girl, I can’t believe you did that.”

“I can. Montana, you have honor. You have courage.”

“And she has a case of mental retardation. We all could have retired off of that bracelet. I can’t believe you let him walk out of your life like that.”

“I wanted a commitment. He wanted travel booty.”

“And what’s wrong with that?”

“Nothing, if you’re a ho ho ho,” Sam said, staring at Gail.