#utraymond

Honey:  This was amazing, Tina.  

Tina didn’t hear her. She’s still stuffing her face.  Don’t nothin’ else matter.

Carmen:  Bye ya’ll....it’s getting late.

It’s early evening time, but when Mama Wynn is tired, she’s tired.  And that’s that.

Tina:  Bye, Ma!! Thanks again!

So, Honey, what you think about Asya’s new hubby?

You heard him...he’s not the easiest to talk to.  They wouldn't say where they met or why they got married so fast.

Honey:  You think she might be pregnant?

Tina shrugs:  I dunno.  Everyone’s kinda wondering that. But her fitness is too important to her. I mean, she works out with Ush, religiously.  And, I think she would’ve told me..we’re not the best of friends but we’re close enough.

Honey:  He’s a police officer, huh. He’s got them evading skills.  *they laugh and give dap on that one*  

There’s something about him. I don’t know what it is.

Tina explained the creepiness when she went to visit:  I don’t know either.  But, it seems like Asya’s really happy, though.  I hope she is.  She took a big gamble leaving like she did. 

Usher:  Everything okay in here?

Tina:  Yeah we’re good, babes..thanks.

Tina and Honey walk into the den together, where Asya and Darryl are whooping it up, acting very excited about something...

Tina: What’d we miss...?

Darryl looks at Asya and silently tells her with his expression to stop jumping up and down.

Honey looks at Darryl suspiciously

Then the newlyweds leave the room.

Tina & Honey:  What thaaa heck? What was that about ..?!

Tina:  Girrl, the only time I act like that is when I’m bout to get...

Honey & Tina:  That D! 

They both laugh

Usher talked to Jared like he promised Tina.  

Usher:  I just need to get it done, man.  My agent is asking for a physical so I can get out there and start booking jobs.  

Jared:  We can do this TO. DAY. It won’t take but 20 minutes.  I keep telling you.  Follow me back to the hospital, but shower first, dude. I don’t need you funking up my exam room.

Usher:  You’re the one that looks like you need to be sweating more, my dude. What happened to your strength training, man? 

Jared scoffs:  Psssh...

They both laugh.

He had nothing to worry about.

Tina looks at Usher, then back down to her plate:  What you smiling about?

Usher:  I love watching you eat.  You love your food.

Tina:  What you trying to say?!  ....I’m fat?

Usher: No! Geez, woman..will you take a compliment?  I think you’re glowing.  I’ve never seen you look more radiant and beautiful, Tina, I swear.  Can a man be in awe of his pregnant wife?  And let’s not front, you’re a food critic. I mean you gotta love good food.  

Alright...I’m gonna go change.  I’m meeting with the boys at the gym before I start work tonight.

Tina:  You excited?

Usher:  I’m building stages, Tina..not much to be excited about. Wish I was on the stage..not building it.

Tina:  Why don’t you talk to someone at the new agencies in town? SMS Entertainment isn’t the only place now.  See if they can get you an audition. Your album did great a few months ago, and now you can expand your horizons. You’ve got the looks for more than just singing, babe...if you were interested in maybe doing movies...I’d give it a shot if I were you.

Tina felt a slight panic: This isn’t as creamy as Mom’s is..and it doesn’t taste like hers either.  But I did everything she said. *talking to Usher-like he can do something about it*

Five minutes later, Carmen lets herself in.

Carmen:  Heyy Heyy, it’s Mom!  Where are my children?

Tina raises her voice to be heard:  Look who decided to show up!  We’re in the kitchen, come on back!

Carmen:  Mmm-hmm!..it smells good in here!  How's it going?

Tina: It’s not going. 

Carmen:  What you mean, babycakes?

Usher:  Mom, please calm her down.  I tasted it, and it’s fine.

Tina:  I need better than fine.  It looks dry...it’s not creamy-looking like yours.

Carmen:  Well, why didn’t you wait for me? I told you I was on my way. 

Tina half-teases but is low-key serious and panicking, looks over her glasses and into her mother’s eyes:  

Read my eyes, Mom... 

*Tina wills her eyes to start welling up with tears, on the spot, and it’s pretty easy*  

...you know full well if I had waited on you there would be nothing to eat. 

Carmen teases:  Heyy, don’t look at me in that tone of voice.   

*Carmen starts laughing hoping Tina doesn’t really start crying..she knows her baby...so when Tina starts laughing, too, Carmen is relieved. But then Tina looks at the time and the panic grows again.  Her face turns tomato red.  

Tina whines:  Mom, seriously though...I talked to you over an hour ago.  You come waltzing in here with 30 minutes before everyone arrives.  I don’t know what to do.  I’m a food critic and this don’t pass the test!

Carmen:  No use panicking. This can be fixed.  I would neverrr leave you hanging, my dear.  You gonna stress my little grandbaby.  *talks to Tina’s belly*  I’m here now.  Mimi’s here and gonna save the day..yesh I am, little one!  *to Tina* Get me that heavy cream and that basil paste. Im’a work my magic...It’s gonna be great.

Sunday, October 5, 100

While Tina prepares the house for their dinner guests, Usher takes a quick nap.

But, he assured Tina he’s gonna step up and do his part.

The Gang’s All Here...

Friday, October 3, 100

Tina decides to go to San Myshuno and let Asya know she was just “in the neighborhood”.  Last month, Asya took her and Sergio Spencer’s daughter, Sierra, from the farm to the city without telling him.

Since then, she’s secretly married some red-headed guy that no one’s ever heard of.  And everyone in their friend circle has been curious about who this guy is, and why she married so fast.

Asya thinks Tina’s come over there to be nosy and she’s not happy about it.

Tina:  Hey, I know you’re pissed at me. I’ve been a bad friend. We haven’t hung out since August. 

Asya:  No, yall dissed me since I split from Sergio. Ain’t nobody called me to sip tea anymore.  Nothin’.  Just cause his new girlfriend is in the clique now.  It ain’t right, Tina.

Tina:  I’m sorry you haven’t been called to hang out. But, nobody’s hung out. So you haven’t missed anything.  It’s not about his new girlfriend, it’s about Honey joining the group.

Asya:  Oh, so new girls Honey and Sergio’s girlfriend are replacing me. Okay. And you gon’ tell me Tehya’s Labor Day party wasn’t anything too, Tina?  

Tina, not surprised she heard about it:  Sure it was something.  But it was for their friends, Asya.  Honey is good friends with Tehya.  And Tehya is one of my best friends. When you left Sergio you know that everyone was talking about it, cause it was so out the blue.  Sergio and Tehya were working at the old elementary school before they tore it down.  And he was so upset over it.  Tehya told me she hardly knows you so she can’t pass any judgment, but she feels for Sergio.  And Jared hardly knows you, even tho ya’ll work out together, he said you guys have never really had a conversation.  It ain’t my problem, so leave me out of it.  Besides all this, I think we can both agree it’s up to Tehya and Jared who they invite to their home. Take that up with them.  For me though...

Let me extend my own olive branch for not reaching out to you sooner. I came by personally  - with my pregnant arse - all the way from Blythe friggin’ Harbor to invite you and your new hubby over for dinner this Sunday at my house.  How ‘bout that. I wanna throw Honey Michels a bit of a birthday dinner, to be honest.  She’s new to the rest of the group.  And I want to have an opportunity for all of us to get to know each other better, your husband included.  Nothing big or fancy.  It’s only gonna be us five.  

Asya snipped: He’s right there. You can speak to him.

Darryl says hello to Tina and she jumps..feeling a little startled.  How long has he been creeping in that corner?

...Yep, we met at the front door earlier. *with a weird expression on her face, Tina turns back to Asya as she speaks*

Asya lets go of her tension and anger:  Oookay, so we cool now. I hear you and I truly do like Honey.  She was sad when I first met her that day you and I hung out.  This will be good for her.  

*Then her mood totally shifted again...Asya snaps her fingers high in the air* Yass honey! I’m always down for a free meal!  

...Uhmm, but Tina, where your shoes at?

Hours later, Tina has finished her 1st children’s book and self-published it.  She goes outside to check on Usher, and he’s nowhere to be found.

Why does he just rake the leaves, and not throw them away?  Uggh...

To Tina, it looks even messier to leave the piles sitting everywhere.

Despite how annoying it is, she reminds herself...teamwork makes the dream work.