“Girl, she’s not the petite princess she used to be, but she looks good. And she’s one of your most ardent subscribers. She says she’s been a Capricious woman since the first issue came out.”

Dominique shook her head in wonder.

“A lot of people look up to you, Dominique,” Faith continued. “More people than you even realize are watching you, and cheering you on. You have a great career ...”

Dominique snorted.

“And a wonderful son. You’ll get through this,” Faith finally added, addressing the elephant in the room that they’d been tiptoeing around all day. “You’re strong and—”

“You know what, Faith?” Dominique interrupted. “I’m tired of being the strong one, able to pick up the pieces of my broken heart every time it’s shattered! I’m tired of being the one who has to make all of the decisions and put on the brave face. I’m tired of being by myself. I’m just tired!” The tears came, and Dominique didn’t try to hide them.

“Call him,” Faith said, rushing to Dominique’s side and hugging her firmly. “He’s probably hurting just as much as you.”

Dominique shook her head. “I’ve left several messages. I’m not calling him again.”

Faith rubbed her sister’s back. Words of comfort failed her. She’d been there when Leland had left Dominique, and when Kevin had stolen her money. Both of those times, Dominique had been strong. “For my son’s sake,” Dominique had told her. She understood why her older, always-together sister was tired of keeping it together.

Faith took Dominique’s face in her hands, forced her sister to look her in the eye. “It’s going to be all right, Nikki, do you hear me? No matter what happens, you have people around you who love you: Mama, me, Aaron, our kids. I know you’re hurting and you have a right. But together, we’ll get through this.”

On the way home, Dominique noticed that her normally chatty son was quiet. “Did you kids have fun?” she asked.

“Yeah,” Justin replied.

“What?”

“Yes,” he corrected himself.

“What did you do?”

“Just movies and stuff.” Justin paused a moment. “Did Jake call you?”

Where did that come from? “Why do you ask, baby?”

“I told you I saw him back at school.”

“Yes ... and?”

“Nothing.”

Dominique glanced over at her son. “Justin, is there something that you want to talk to me about?” When he didn’t respond, she continued. “Baby, I don’t want you to worry about me and Jake. He’s been really concerned about his brother, and work is keeping me busy.”

“But y’all still like each other, right?”

This is the very reason why I didn’t want Justin to know about this relationship ... to have him know that another one has bitten the proverbial dust.

“Huh, Mom? You still like him, right?”