Larry’s attention was drawn by the ringing phone. He was going to let the machine get it, until Paul called from the back and asked him to pick it up. He took the cordless off the base and looked at the caller ID. When he saw the name on the little screen, he again thought about just not picking up.

“Hello,” Larry said into the receiver.

“Who is this?” the caller asked with much attitude.

“What’s up, Rhonda.”

“Who is this, Larry? What you doing answering Paul’s phone?”

“He’s in the bathroom. Something I can help you with?”

“Nigga, you can’t do nothing for me but put Paul on the phone.”

Larry sighed. “Rhonda, I told you he’s in the bathroom. I’ll have him call you back when he comes out.”

“You know what, Larry? You’re turning into as big a liar as Paul. He’s probably sitting right there, telling you to feed me this story.”

“Rhonda, that’s my word, the nigga is in the bathroom. I ain’t got no kids with you, so I ain’t gotta lie to you.”

“Oh, so you’re admitting that ya boy be lying to me?” she asked suspiciously.

“I didn’t say that, Rhonda … look, I’m not going through this shit with you. Either I can have him call you back, or you can wait on the line until he comes out,” Larry said sarcastically.

“I’ll wait,” she shot back.

Larry looked at the phone and shrugged his shoulders. He placed the phone down on the coffee table and went into the kitchen to raid Paul’s refrigerator.

Fifteen minutes later, Paul came out of the back wearing denim shorts and a white T-shirt. Larry was lounging on the futon, drinking a Red Stripe and flicking the channels. Paul was used to his friend’s mooching ways, so he didn’t bother to say anything. He glanced at the coffee table and noticed that his phone was on.

He snatched it up and clicked the off button. “Larry, you couldn’t turn the fucking phone off after you used it?”

“I didn’t use it.” Larry took a gulp of his beer. “You had a call.”

“Well, did they leave a message?”

“Nah, Rhonda didn’t leave no message. She was still on the line the last time I checked.”

Paul looked at his friend. Because of Larry’s bullshit, he knew that he’d have to hear Rhonda’s mouth. Before he could press the issue, the phone rang. As soon as he clicked it on, shouting came from the other end.

“You muthafuckas better stop playing with me!” Rhonda barked. “Got a bitch on hold for forever. Y’all be on some bullshit.”

“Rhonda, don’t be calling my house yelling and shit, all right?”