OnPointt.com ! I The Payback I Cashmere Episode One

Hi I'm Farra, Farra Hart. Right now I am headed to this place my girlfriend Tamera picked called Cino Grille located in the Southpark area of Charlotte. My girlfriends and I try to get together as much as possible to catch up on each others lives and talk about the lives of others. Valerie, Freda, Nicole, Tamera, and myself are friends. I've been friends with Valerie since 9th grade. I was a military kid and my dad was transferred to Ft. Stewart for four years. My mom and I did not want to stay on base, so dad found us a house in Savannah. After high school, I went to NYU and Valerie followed her then boyfriend turned Pro-Basketball Player nicknamed "A" to Georgetown. After connecting with Valerie in the same city, I met her friend Tamera and we became friends. Tamera introduced us to her long time friend Nicole, and we all met Freda through Valerie. Val and Freda are first cousins. So now you have the connection of the whole crew. Let me tell you more about us for a clearer insight. Each of us in our own way, brings much to the friendship.

I'm 31 years old, standing 5"4, and I am 140 pounds of brown complexion loveliness. I moved to Charlotte from New York Summer 2000. I drive a 1999 Saab Convertible, currently living uptown in The Arbors Apartments and currently single. I was involved with this guy named Casey who works for ESPN in Connecticut. We were an item for two years. After his act of a thressome when he took a trip home to Chicago for two weeks, I dumped him. Our relationship was very good in the beginning. Casey lived in Connecticut and I was in Manhattan. Depending on our schedules, one of us would commute and have our time on the weekends. I was an Assistant Book Editor at this company and doing freelance work on the side. Life was good, my pay was good and I loved New York. After taking Casey back foolishly, I just could not get over what he did. My mind would create scenes that were too hard to bear and move on from. I ended my relationship for the second time and I tried to get on with my life. After visiting Valerie in Charlotte for two weeks, I mentioned to her that I needed a change. She suggested I move to Charlotte, so I gave it some thought and returned to New York. In a moment of true weakness, I connected with Casey, we made love.

Afterward in the quiet of the night with him sound asleep, I was wide awake. I felt empty, numb and ashamed of what just happened between us. In two months time, I turned in my notice to vacate my apartment, contacted a moving company, emptied my savings, rolled over my 401K and I LEFT NEW YORK to pursue being a Literary Agent full-time. Even though I was changing careers, the main reason for leaving was to get away from Casey. I stayed with Valerie for two months, moved to The Arbors and I never looked back on the decisions I made. My deal is that I made good on ending my relationship but I needed to end the physical aspect with Casey. He manages to come down to Charlotte to see me and I let him. Then when I am in New York on business (my jobs requires me to be in New York regularly) I contact him like a complete idiot. I have to BREAK this pattern BIG TIME. Other than this current drama, I am mostly the peacemaker of the crew, which can be a full-time job.

My girl Valerie is 31, 5"9, 160 pounds of brown complexion loveliness, killer legs and she has a great personality! Val has gone through serious drama too. Valerie Aston Calabrese was engaged to her college sweetheart "A" (we'll just use his nickname because the brother can be quite silly at times). After the NBA draft, "A" took Valerie with him to California. "A" always was the whoring type brother, but when he put that rock on Valerie's hand after the draft, we thought he had given the PLAYA card away. After numerous infidelities, false alarm paternity suits, Valerie had enough. When "A" got traded to a better team and a bigger contract, Valerie did not go with him. She wanted a life free of drama, so she moved to Charlotte and landed a job at a reputable travel agency. On downtime from "A", Valerie met her husband, the love of her life, Monte (like Monty).

Monte Calabrese is of Scicillian Descent, 6"4, 32 and very handsome. Valerie and Monte started dating heavily and "A", well he was furious! One time "A" came into town to surprise Valerie and he got his own surprise when Monte answered the door in a robe! It was a sight to behold, when Valerie came up behind Monte to see her handsome new lover towering in front of her at 6"4. It was a sight to see her former handsome fiancee' towering at 6"5. It was good to be Queen V that day! After a year and a half of dating, Valerie and Monte were married in 1999. It was a beautiful wedding in Savannah. All of her girls were there witnessing a man who truly loves her. Valerie now works from their five bedroom, three and a half bath home in Lake Wylie, (Lakefront View) as an Independent Travel Agent. Monte is a broker/dealer and heir to a lucrative family business in Miami. Valerie drives around in her Pearl Colored 2000 Infiniti Q45, Monte drives a black 1999 Porsche and together they have the trusty 1993 Land Rover. Depsite what some people say, Valerie did very well without "A" and his extravagant NBA lifestyle. Valerie has a man that truly loves and respects her. "A" still manages to contact Valerie hoping to come back into her life. Disillusioned? Yes! Tabloids say "A" is now MARRIED. Valerie admitted there is still a part of her that will always love "A" but she moved on. Her deal is to stop falling for his lines of pity and to stop listening to 'the what use to be's. Valerie's father doesn't like the fact that she married out of her race, so he invites "A" to family functions. Sometimes he comes and sometimes he doesn't. Valerie is trying to find a less hurtful way of drawing the line with "A" and her father.

Miss Tamera Towneson is 30 years old, 5"4, 125 pounds of fair complexion loveliness, freckles, honey colored soft curled hair and she is a flight attendant. Tamera drives a 1996 BMW 3series white convertible and she lives in the University Area of Chancellor Park. Tamera likes to date men with titles. She sets her standards high, sometimes too high for her own good. Tamera is never short on dates, but she desperately wants ONE man in her life. Sometimes she goes about it the wrong way, but one day she will learn. Tamera has been a flight attendant for ten years and she loves her job. Her standards for men leaves her mistreated and it leaves emotional scars less to be desired. We try to help her as much as we can, but in the end it will have to be her wanting to change her ways. Tamera was engaged to this guy Nate who had his own law firm. He was killed in a car accident six months shy of their wedding date. Miss Tamera was twenty-three at the time and we believe she wants someone in her life with the standards her fiance had. Tamera dates a wide variety of men. She can be very materialistic, but she does have a good heart. She will ask you all the time about your business and yeah tells all of hers. That is our Tamera better known as "T", the baby of the group.

Nicole Boss! Nicole is a serious-minded person and very career driven. Nic accepts dates here and there but her work is the first love! Nicole is 30 years old, 5"7, 150 pounds of caramel complexion loveliness and she is a Sports Photographer. Nicole drives a 2000 Lexus RX300 truck and she lives in Lake Norman at One Norman Square Apartments. Nicole is fond of older men and she rarely dates younger men or men her age. She doesn't show too much emotion on our drama, because she thinks of it as a weakness on our part. We all are human and even Nicole can get caught up but thank goodness there is always a stable mind around when things get so off the hanger! Boss is not Nicole's real last name but she changed it for a professional touch and it really fits her. I can truly say, Nicole is there for us when needed. By all means, Nicole is very, very, very, no-nonsense in all aspects of her life. When I grow up, I want to be just like her!

Our BAD GIRL is Freda Franklin-Dorsey! Freda is 31 years old, 5"6 and she is 140 pounds of fair complexion loveliness. Freda works as a legal secretary for a reputable firm uptown. Free is married to Jerome Dorsey. Jerome is 36, Hershey Chocolate complexion, standing 6"2, Bald Head, in the league of fine brother Tyreese. JD is one year off from Sergeant Major and he is stationed in Germany for another year. Freda is notorious for her affairs, since she decided not to follow Jerome to Germany. While she tells all of her lovers she will NOT leave her husband, she also tells them when to leave when HE COMES HOME. Freda pushes a 1997 Lexus SC400 Coupe, living in Matthews (Charlotte Suburb) at the Vinings At Matthews. Freda is very open-minded when it comes to all aspects of life. She admits what she is doing to her marriage is not right and as long as she admits it, she is not a hypocrite. We all try to tell her the right thing to do. (especially her cousin Valerie) but Freda says when she is good and ready, she will stop fooling around on 'Take No Shit Jerome'. That's his nickname when he is put in a position to set someone straight. Well there you have it! The LOWDOWN on all of us, so sit back and enjoy Episode I. "THE PAYBACK"

NARRATION: THE CHARACTER FARRA WILL BE NARRATING MOST OF THE EPISODES........ENJOY.

THE PAYBACK
I arrived at Cino Grille and I parked my ride. It had been three weeks since we all have gotten together and we have alot to catch up on! As I approached the table, my girls were getting up to greet me. "Hi Ladies!" I said to them as we hugged, so very happy to see each other. Freda motioned for the waiter to come take our order. We ordered salads, breadsticks, water with lemon, iced tea and wine. We gave specific instructions to bring our entrees out thirty minutes after our salads and drink orders. This Saturday was not to be rushed, we had lots to talk about. "You're looking great in that outfit!" Nicole said to me smiling. "Thank you girl, lost about five pounds!" I said smoothing out my top. "Shut up girl!" Valerie said to me laughing. "Yeah all that running around New York can do that to a sister!" Tamera said sipping her tea. "I was so busy up there, you won't even believe!" After pitching the manuscript to the Publishing Company, they finally gave me a deal!" I said to everyone. "The check is in the mail!" Valerie said giving me a high five. "Correction, the check is in the bank, direct deposit!" I said winking to her. "So what's new?" "Who wants to go first?" Freda said wiggling in her chair. "I have some news I've been sitting on for a minute!" Valerie siad to all of us. Our girl Val, never wanted to go first on details and I do mean NEVER! This was going to be too good we all knew it. She began to speak and we were listening.

"I had gone to LA with my mom. We had gone shopping courtesy of Monte. It was suppose to be a five day trip filled with shopping, dining in, dining out, and just doing whatever we wanted to do." "Guess who showed up at my suite?" Valerie said to us waiting for a reply. "Who?" We all said in unison, excpet Freda. " 'A'!" Valerie said to us calmly. "He sure has some balls coming to your suite unannounced!" "What if Monte was there?" Nicole asked shaking her head. " 'A' would have gotten the beat down, because you don't disrespect another's man's wife in front of him!" Tamera said answering Nicole's question. "No honey, all bets would have been on "A" if a fight broke out!" "Monte would have not backed down to "A" but he most likely would have gotten the beat down." Freda said laughing. We all laughted, even Valerie laughed. "I would have helped my baby though!" Valerie said luaghing so hard now she was crying. We all were laughing and in tears. It was a funny moment. Valerie started to speak again, with a more serious tone. " 'A' somehow got tipped off about my trip to Los Angeles and he wanted to see me ." "As I stood there looking at him , he started talking about taking me out for ol' times sake. I was so shcoked that he walked right passed me into my suite." I kept asking myself, "What if Monte was there?" "Anyway, I got pissed and told him to leave!" "Mom was in the ajoining suite, so I tried to keep my tone down as much as I could." Valerie said to us in a higher pitched voice now. " 'A' tried to be very persuasive bringing up ol' times, but I did not give in, so he left pissed as usual." Valerie said to us getting mad all over again.

"Girl that is so romantic, I would have been flattered now that you've told us everything." Tamera said. We all looked at her increduously. "That is not romantic, thait is disrespectful, know the difference!" I said to Tamera. "I believe ol boys ego is shattered, especially since Monte is white!" Nicole said bluntly. "Now you gotta throw the race card in! He is Sicillian!" Tamera said. "Valerie married a non-black man, not by design, yet still Monte is paid, good-looking, a provider, and he loves her." "That is ego buster for sure!" Freda said to us and we all laughted again. "I have no doubt that he still loves you, but now that Freda has enlightened us he was dead wrong for doing that!" Tamera admitted. Isn't it funny that "T" said we all were ENLIGHTENED? "All I wanna know is how did he find out where you were going to be?" Nicole asked Valerie. "I have a pretty good idea." Valerie said to us. "Who?" We all said in unison again. We all asked, except Freda. "Val's daddy, my uncle." Freda said dryly.

"We all looked from Freda to Valerie. Valerie nodded her head in agreement with Freda's statement. "See my daddy doesn't approve of Monte and he wanted me to marry "A". He gave me the one two about how it's in a man's nature to sow his wild oats." "Three days before mom was ready to leave with me, daddy called wanting to make sure he had the correct information on where we were staying. Daddy doesn't care about mama's comings and goings because he's so glad to see her get OUT when she does. I should have known something was up." Valerie said to us shaking her head. "That's deep." Tamera said in a small voice. "He needs to stay outta people's business!" Freda said clearly pissed. "Well I am doing a little PAYBACK on ol' "A"!" Valerie said to us mischieviously. "How can I help ya girl?" Freda said not missing a beat, ready for some action. We all asked was there something we could do. "No I don't want to involve you all directly, but the PAYBACK is going to be so sweet!" Valerie said to us smiling so grand we knew it was going to be good.

As we ate our salads and the waiter refilled our drinks, Tamera began to speak. "I had flowers delivered to me yesterday morning when I flew in." "From who?" I said to her. "This guy I met in Puerto Rico. It was my last night there and we met at the bar of the hotel we both were staying at." We danced, flirted with each other, his name is Carl, and he is really cute!" Tamera said blushing. "What's his title?" Nicole said to Tamera. "I know you are not going to believe this, but we did not get around to discussing that, because his conversation was just so good." Tamera said proudly to all of us. "I dont' even believe you!" Nicole said frowning. "Well it is true and I don't care if you believe me or not!" "I just hope whatever he does it has some potential!" We all started laughing, because Tamera looked at us like she was dead serious. She could not lie really good, so we knew she was telling the truth. She did not know what he did for a living. "I'm proud of you girl, you are coming a long way!" Freda said patting Tamera's back. Sometimes Tamera could shock us without even trying. "How did he know where to send the flowers?" Valerie asked. "Yeah!" I said sounding off after Val. "This flight attendant who works with me named Cheryl gave him the terminal address and when I arrived a dozen roses were waiting just for me!" Tamera aid to us smiling from ear to ear. "You go girl!" I said to her and we all laughed again. What seemed like tension at the table had fade away between Nicole and Tamera.

"Next!" Valerie said to Freda. "Oh you want me to go next, you are a trip cuz!" Freda said sipping her drink. "Jerome will be here in two more weeks and he'll be in town for three weeks, so it's clean up time for me." Freda said to us wiping her mouth. "Freda you live your life so dangerously." I said in a scolding tone. "Oh no darling, I live my life under control. I'm only dating this guy named Dave and he knows the deal." Freda said smiling wickedly. "Yeah right!" Tamera said sarcastically but laughed. "Yes honey, I have it under control ever since I got rid of what's his face." Freda said trying to remember the name. "Looney Larry!" Valerie screamed. His name was Larry and we all called him Looney Larry. Larry loved himself some Freda. He knew Freda was married but she made the mistake of letting him get comfortable in her place. Larry would leave clothes, leave his shoes over at Freda's place and he stayed over the weekend alotted THREE DAYS. This was a train wreck relationship.

Jerome was home on leave one time and Larry kept blowing up Freda's cell phone. Freda's nerves were so bad, she began to feel guilty about her couch and her bed. These were the places she had sex with Larry at, unless they went to his place or a hotel. A week before Jerome came home, Freda had gone to Rooms To Go and bought an entire new bed! By the third day Jerome was home, Freda made up some story to get rid of the couch, so Jerome went with her to Rooms To Go and purchased a new couch set. "Larry Looney, yeah that was his name!" Freda said to us. " I thought he ws going to blow up my spot!" Freda said laughing. "Remember she kept calling all of us freaking about that couch?" Nicole said laughing hard. "Larry was not even caring about Jerome at all!" Freda said laughing too. "You should have cared!" Valerie said. Freda ignored the comment. "This couch has gots to go!" Tamera said mocking Freda. We all laughed for a good minute, while the waiter took our salad plates preparing to serve our entrees. "Well I have Dave under control!" "We don't even have sex at my place for one and he doesn't sleep over!" "If he wants some, or if I want some, I go to his place or a hotel uptown." So what do you do at your place?" Valerie asked her cousin disapprovingly.

Valerie did not believe in adultery. "We watch movies, kiss, eat in but that is it!" Freda said to us, we knew she wasn't lying. "You had betta be doing just that or Rooms To Go inventory is not gonna be able to keep up!" I said to her and we all laughed again, even Valerie. Freda did keep it real with us and I had to admire that part at least. Freda has told us over and over again, she knew what she was putting down wasn't right but she and Jerome had hidden issues that she was not about to discuss with us. Freda also stated that they were determined to stay together and work on the marriage more once Jerome got out of the service, which would be January 2003. Freda told us she wasn't leaving Jerome for nobody and they would get through whatever it was they were going through. I figued like this, Freda had to make the final decision on what she was doing with her life, not us no matter how hard we tried to direct her to do the right thing. "Nicole Boss!" Freda said ready to take the limelight off herself. When it came to news, Freda did not like talking abut the infidelity too much! She had a conscience, so this was a sign of hope that she would soon stop cheating on Jerome.

"Talking about won't believe, I'm dating someone!" Nicole said excitedly to us. "How old is he?" Tamera said to Nicole. Nicole rolled her eyes at Tamera and then laughed. "Yes ladies and Tamera, he is an older man!" "His name is MacKenzie and he is forty." "Good for you Nicole!" Valerie said smiling. "Omigoodness that is wonderful girl!" Freda said. "I am happy for you Nicole." I said. "Me too, you know that I am." Tamera said. "Is he fine?" I asked. "Umm Hmm! Finger licking good fine! I met him at this ball game I was taking pictures at." Nicole said proudly to us. "He was there watching his son play during halftime and we talked at the concession stand." "How old is his son?" Freda said sourly. "The son is fifteen years old and his name is MacKenzie Jr." Nicole said to all of us. "How long has MacKenzie been divorced?" Tamera said sipping her iced tea figuring he had to have been married. Nicole fell quiet. We all fell quiet waiting on a response from Nicole. This wasn't good. Finally she spoke. "He is separated." Nicole said very quietly. I surely thought I had not heard her correctly. I think we all thought that by the look on our faces.

"Welcome Nicole to the club of infidelity!" Freda said smiling. "Welcome for what?" He is NOT WITH HER, he has his own place! "Don't go putting me in the same category as you!" Nicole said snapping back at Freda. "Married is married, if he isn't divorce! Watch your tone and be careful is all I'm saying!" Freda said giving Nicole the same tone Nicole had given her. "Have you gone over to his place sweetie?" I said trying to calm Nicole and the tension that came back to the table. "N-No he doesn't have any furniture right now, because he is letting her have everything!" "We've gone out several times and he stays over on Friday nights." Nicole said to us trying to make it sound good, IT REALLY DIDN'T. "You need to make sure he doesn't live at home with his wife." I said to her. "Nobody is coming down on you, we all care at this table, we love you." Tamera said squeezing Nicole's hand. There she was amazing me again and I am sure everyone else. "Well we're going out tonight and I will bring up the issue with him." Nicole said sounding unsure of her previous convictions. "Do that, because we all do care!" Freda said pushing Nicole playfully. The tenison was gone once again at the table.

Our entrees came and they were piping hot and delicious. We talked about other people, we talked about Power 98 (radio station in Charlotte) and what they were tripping on during The Breakfast Brother's Morning Show. We were tripping out on what was happening on The Tom Joyner Morning Show "It's Your World" and we kept everything Calm, Cool and Very Collected. After our lunch, we headed over to Southpark Mall to do some shopping. After two hours, our shopping spree was over. Everyone said their good-byes and we went our separate ways. I stopped off at the gas station on Woodlawn to fill up the Saab. I saw this strikingly handsome brother. This man was good-looking and he was looking in my directon. As I paid for my gas at the pump, I saw him approaching me out the corner of my eye. We talked for a bit, he gave me his number to call him. I did not give him my number, he did not press, so that was cool. His name was Phil. He looked like Blair Underwood but a little thinner. I got into my car, he left to get in his, and I drove away. My ride home was a happy one. It was a good day out with friends, and I got a number from a fine brother. This yearning for Casey was getting out of my system slowly but surely. Even though I did not tell the girls I slept with Casey on this last trip to New York, there was no going back to him. I would never go back to him if I had any sense and God gave us all GOOD SENSE.

I arrived home ready to settle in. I listened to some Jazz, talked on the phone with some clients, read over some manuscripts and I ate some Ben and Jerry's New York Superfudge Chunk Ice Cream. I had on my comfortable sweat pants with a t-shirt and was very comfortable in my King Size bed. At times, I miss the city, you know hearing the traffic, seeing a play on Broadway, just the whole vibe of New York. Charlotte was growing on me though and now my life didn't seem so rushed in the space of my living quarters. It was Saturday night, the time was 8pm. I was going to read over one more manuscript and call it a night. Tomorrow I would head to the gym, do some cardio and clean up my place. I was flying out to Virginia to meet with a client on Monday. Sunday would be my rest day. It was now 10:30pm, I had finished my ice cream, made my calls and read over the last manuscript. I decided to call Phil after looking at his number for a few minutes.

"Hello may I speak to Phil?" I said in my sexy voice? "Speaking." "Hey Phil, this is Farra Hart." "Glad you called me Farra Hart." "What's up Farra for this evening?" "Can I see you lady?" He said to me in his husky voice. Phil had the kind of vocie that sent some nice feelings through any red bloodied female. I didn't want to say no, I wanted to scream to him YES! "No not tonight, I'm really tired from a long day Phil." "Oh yeah, out with the girls today, I feel you." "So what about tomorrow baby?" "What about tomorrow Phil?" "How about you and me, me and you Farra Hart catch a movie." "What time?" "Whatever time is good for you baby." This was the second time he had called me baby. I figured this was his line for all of the females. I Farra Hart would not call him out. At least he didn't take me there and call me 'boo', because I would have to check him on that. "A movie will be fine Phil, I would like that." Seven in the evening would be great for me." I said to him. "Wonderful baby." Phil said to me. This was BABY number three, I had to go there with him. "Wonderful BABY, I WILL MEET YOU AT AMC AROUND SEVEN my BABY BOO!" I said to him stressing the words 'baby'. There was a brief silence. "You are something else....Lady." Phil said to me laughing into the phone. "Lady or Baby?" "Which one is it?" I asked Phil. "Lady fits you Farra and I hope one day in the future my saying baby will be okay with you." After talking to Phil for about two hours of great conversation, I had a beep come in. I could have talked to this brother all night long. I told Phil I would have to take the call and would talk to him on tomorrow. You could tell that we both didn't want to end the conversation. I answered the other line.

THE PAYBACK CONTINUES.........
I answered the other line. It was Nicole. "I did what you told me to do, you know what you all said to do!" Nicole yelled into the phone. I could tell she was crying. "MacKenzie admitted he was still living with his wife but thinking about leaving her!" Nicole was now crying on the phone yelling louder than before. "I'm so sorry girl, but at least you found out early. "Not early enough Farra.... we slept together I feel so used!" "We stayed on the phone for an hour until she calmed down. Nicole wanted to do a PAYBACK! She wanted to ride up to MacKenzie's house, tell his wife what was going on and just go off!" I told her he was not worth it. "I cannot believe he lied to me, he just lied to me and I fell for the shit!" Nicole said to me at this point not yelling anymore. It was as if she was thinking aloud to herself. "I know, I really know Nicole how you feel, but don't beat yourself up. He'll get his, you can be certain of that! You just keep your self respect and don't go over to his place! I said to her. "I won't do that girl, it's just that I am angry! "I am not going to lower myself like him." Nicole said to me. I believed her. I truly believed her.

Nicole was too much of a woman for tacky crap. "You will find someone who will respect you and will not lie to you." "Farra everyone lies at some point, even if it is not intentional like this creep!" Nicole said to me sounding pissed still. She was right, I had to give it to her. Everyone lies at some point in their relationship. "Well you know what I am saying to you girl, this will pass." He will become a distant memory Nicole. Soon you will be like MacKenzie who?" "Thanks Farra for listening to me. I would have called Tamera, but I wasn't up for hearing the I told you so line." Nicole said to me laughing a little. "Call me anytime.... call any of us Nicole. That is what real true friends are for." "You are so right Farra." Nicole said to me sounding much better than when she first called. "You okay?" I asked. "Honestly Farra?" "Honestly Honey." "I will be.... I will be fine in time." "You have a good night." Nicole said to me. "You too Nic, good night." As I put the phone back on the receiver, I was so glad I was the comforter tonight. I knew Nicole would be okay, but she would have to go through the process of questioning herself. Nicole would cry like we all do when our hearts are broken. She would want to call him, she would miss him she would get pissed again and wish him everything short of death. Nicole would question herself some more, cry some more and in time Nicole would HEAL! This I'am sure because Nicole Boss is RESILIENT, just like the rest of us.

FARRA'S COMMENTS:
On a high note... Valerie sent flowers to "A"'s house with a note attached for his wife. Valerie timed it so perfect! She got the 411 that "A" would be out of town and his wife wouldn't be going with him. The note read: "Somebody loves you and waits for you in North Carolina "A". Thanks for visiting me while I was in LA, Love, "V". Everyone knew about the once great love affair of Valerie and "A". His wife would certainly know who "V" was. Word got back to Valerie that the wife was pissed. This slowed "A" down from contacting Valerie for a minute. Her PAYBACK worked for now. Whatever Freda's reasons for doing what she does, I guess is her PAYBACK for whatever Jerome is doing or had done to her. Nicole's payback would not have been worth it. She would have felt more pain in the end. Sometimes you have to play the part of an unaffected person to the one that hurt you. Sure you can cry, rant and rave in the confines of your own place. Play the role, to let the cause to your pain see they didn't send you to the point of therapy. That is a PAYBACK.... it is priceless. Everyone has to know when to cross a line and accept what happens when they have crossed the line. As for me, I pick and choose my paybacks. Make sure you can cash the check you have signed up for. This is Farra Hart, signing out until next time. Peace, Love and Always.... Cashmere.!