Take Her Man

p talking about?”

Just then Alex from school came pushing through the crowd. I looked at Alex and then back at Tamia.

“You two?” I asked, smiling. “Together?”

“That’s right.” Tamia laughed. “The white boy’s with me.”

“Hi, Troy,” Alex said. He kissed me on the cheek and shook Kyle’s hand.

“But I thought you…you know?” I said, confused.

“Well, after Professor Banks won the case and I came back from L.A., I decided to talk to Alex about my concerns,” Tamia said. “We went out for a little victory dinner and over a bottle of wine I realized how much he respected me and how ridiculous I was being. We started chatting again and…well…here we are.”

“We’ve been dating on the ‘D.L.’ for a couple of weeks,” Alex joked.

“Oh no, what do you know about the down low, Alex?” I said, laughing. Alex put his arm around Tamia and they looked great together. My only wish was that they would stay away from the library…the days I was there, anyway.

“Well, we have to get going,” Tamia said, winking at Tasha. “We know you have some things to clear up here.” She looked at Kyle.

“Yeah, your parents invited us to your party,” Tasha said, laughing. “We got you something special, an official 3T celebration gift.”

“We’ll be there,” Kyle said as they all walked out.

“Take it slow.” Tamia looked at me. She kissed me on the cheek and walked out with Alex following right behind her.

“So I guess everyone’s gone.” I turned to look at Kyle. The studio was empty except for one of my students, who was walking out the door with her parents.

“Yeah, they are.”

“I can’t believe you’re here.” I pinched my arm to make sure I wasn’t dreaming. “Why are you here, Kyle?”

“I missed you, Troy. One day I woke up and I decided I couldn’t continue to ignore my feelings for you anymore. I had to see you.”

“Really?”

“Well, there was that and Tasha and Tamia saying they’d join the choir at the church if I didn’t at least give it a shot. Do you know how bad their voices are?”

“Yeah.” I laughed. “But what about L.A.?” I asked. “Are you okay with what happened there?”

“L.A. is L.A. It happened. I can’t change the past. But I can forgive. I can forgive you and move on.”

“Really, Kyle? You can forgive me?” I felt so humbled by his words and the sincerity in his voice. This man standing in front of me was truly amazing.

“That’s what I teach,” Kyle said. “It’s only fair that I practice it. I might as well start with you.”

“I was hoping you’d say that.” I started crying again. “I really was…deep in here.” I pointed to my heart.

Celebrate Your Sister

It Girl No. 1, Ms. Oprah Winfrey, threw the ultimate It Girl party for her girlfriends—the Living Legends. She invited and totally spoiled all of her best gal pals who had changed the world we live in. Well, you and your gal pals may not know Oprah or be able to afford Oprah party stuff, but you can certainly celebrate your girls—and not on their birthdays or when they die. Give them their flowers now, It Girls! The truth is, if we don’t celebrate ourselves, no one will. So break out the good china and have a fabulous party. Why? Because you can.

Party Tips

Pick Three Diva It Girls: Pick three different ladies to be celebrated at each party. These three ladies will be the guests of honor and will be showered with flowers, expensive gifts, and words that get at who they are and why we love them so much. Speak their names into the world and let these ladies know they count. Make sure they dress up for the occasion.

Spare No Expense: Please don’t give the guest of honor bubble bath and potpourri from the dollar store. You may have to pool your money to get your girl a fur for her special day, but do it. Your time will come, too. Don’t think cheap, think big and beautiful. She may not be able to afford a diamond ring and no one may be there to give it to her…but why should she have to wait on money and a man when she has cool friends like you?

Make the time: If you’re a real It Girl, you’re probably saying to yourself that you have no time to plan these parties. You do! Make the time and commit to celebrating yourself. Cook good food, wear your favorite clothes, and tell the rest of the world to wait. Trust us, it will.