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substantial income, but there was a time when I didn’t. One
outfit in there could easily blow nearly a month’s worth of pay
before I started my consulting firm.
    Tina held up a black dress with the price tag
of seven hundred and fifty dollars.
    Car note plus insurance. I shook my
head.
    She shoved the dress back on the rack. “Do you
even want to go to this thing?”
    “ Of course I do.”
    “ Then act like it and help me look
for your dress!”
    We left the store. Her long legs out matched
mine as we made our way to the next destination. I winced as we
stepped inside another high end retailer.
    “ Tina!” a male sales associate
called out. His eyebrows were arched to perfection, and he walked
better than me in the heels he wore. “Girl, where have you
been?”
    They hugged and blew each other fake
kisses.
    “ Around. Look.” She pointed at me.
“This is my sister, and we need a killer dress for her to wear to
an event. She’s married to a white guy, and the dress needs to send
a statement to the white women to know they don’t stand a
chance.”
    I rolled my eyes. What did whom I’m married to
or the fact that I am married at all have to do with anything with
getting a dress? Yes, I’ve encountered women who felt they should
be the object of my husband’s affection in the past, but not once
had Daniel ever made me doubt his love.
    From now on, I was keeping my stories to myself
instead of telling blabbermouth.
    “ Honey.” He bobbed his head up and
down. I felt like a lab specimen. “I have a white man, and these
old crows know better. Follow me.” He did a twirl and walked
off.
    I held back a laugh as I followed along,
watching him rip the mock runway. Five dresses later, I found the
one—or given up on trying on anymore. It was a simple with a small
swoop in the front and an exaggerated V-dip in the back.
    “ Are you happy now?” I asked my
sister.
    “ Yes. One day, you’re going to let
me completely have my way instead of getting these onesie twosie
outfits for you.”
    “ One day.” I checked the time on my
watch. “I need to get to my office. Enjoy the rest of your
day.”
    I left Tina to finish her own shopping and
headed to the other side of town. Kathy greeted me with a smile and
my messages as I walked in the building. Two were from my current
clients and one from a prospective, Cynthia Trapp.
    Dolores was first on my list to call once I was
settled in my office.
    “ Good afternoon, Jennifer,” she
said.
    “ Hello, Dolores. Do you have a
moment?” I clicked on the file I saved.
    “ Yes. Go ahead.”
    “ Are you aware that Chris was
incarcerated?” I leaned back in my chair.
    “ I had no idea.”
    “ He has an extensive rap sheet for
running Ponzi Schemes.”
    There was a gasp on the line. “I’m such an old
fool.”
    “ Your age can be debatable, but,
Dolores, I’ve known you for years and you are far from a fool.” I
lost my serious tone and smiled to lighten the mood.
    “ I’m so glad I have you on my
side.”
    I clicked off the file. “I’m just doing my
job.”
    “ Thank you.”
    “ You’re welcome.”
    I ended the call and then dialed the number of
my other client who left a message. The voicemail picked up.
“Hello, Karen Norman. This is Jennifer Ross returning your call.
You can reach me on the office phone or by email at
[email protected]. I look forward to hearing back from
you.” I hung up and looked at the pink slip of paper for the number
to the next person.
    After pulling up my new client file and
scanning what Kathy prefilled in, I dialed the number.
    “ Cynthia speaking,” a woman
answered.
    “ Hello, Cynthia. This is Jennifer
Ross, and I’m returning your phone call regarding your inquiry
about investment strategies.” I leaned back in my seat, getting
into full business mode. The name rang a bell. Facebook. Yes. Now I
know why I had the friend request. I would be sure to add her
soon.
    “ Yes, that’s correct. I’ve recently
come