“Oh sweet Jesus.” Lola closed her eyes briefly, like she could imagine the pain.
“It took a while for it to heal, but when it did, there was this ugly scar on my nipple and across my areola. When I got out of the relationship with him and decided I deserved better, the scar always reminded me of him, and I hated it. I hated my body and I hated myself. One day I got sick of feeling that way. I knew I could change the way they looked and get rid of the scar . . . so I looked up plastic surgeons. And that’s how I found Maxwell Aesthetics. I figured go big or go home, you know? So, I had the nipple slightly reconstructed and got implants as well, I guess to make a statement.” I shrugged.
“Wow, Ivy. I am so sorry you went through something like that.” She reached across the table and placed a caring hand on top of mine.
“It’s okay.” I sighed. “It’s the past and I’m learning to heal and move on from such a toxic, abusive relationship.”
“And I’m so glad you’ve moved on. Is that why you came to Miami? To get away from all that?”
“Partly. I didn’t want to live in Tampa anymore, that’s for sure. Everything there reminded me of him. I also saw Miami as a new opportunity for me. Start over. Rebuild.”
She nodded with understanding. “Well, you did the right thing. You’re a beautiful young lady and you deserve way better than what that asshole did to you.”
I nodded appreciatively. Telling her this would lead her to believe that I trusted her to keep my secret, and in return, she could trust me to keep any secrets she told me in the future.
It was only a matter of time before she started pouring them on the table to me, like she did all these fancy bottles of wine.
Not only that, but this piece of my sob story would make her want to keep me close. Lola loved sad women. Crazy but true. She loved women she could build up and make stronger.
She liked to treat women like me, Xena, and Keke as projects. A smile from one of us made her proud. Why do you think she created Ladies with Passion? She knew those mothers couldn’t afford shit, so she made their pregnant dreams come true by paying for their insurance or hospital bills, or by buying their diapers and formula when they couldn’t afford it.
Our food arrived shortly after that, and we ate while Lola talked about how great she thought the photos would turn out. While we ate, I couldn’t help glancing at my steak knife.
My mind wandered.
I always wondered how she’d react if I cut her. Just one little slice, preferably on her face. I could imagine her shocked expression, her jaw slack and her eyes round like saucers, once she realized her face was going to be scarred for the rest of her life. Not that she couldn’t afford to pay for a new face.
But nah. The face wouldn’t do it. It had to be her heart. Break that and not even all the money in the world would mend it.
After lunch Lola took me back to her mansion with brighter spirits, and I knew I’d won her back over. Before, she wanted to pretend the thing with Corey didn’t bother her, but I knew it did deep down. Now that she knew the reason, her confidence in her husband and me had been restored.
She gave me a hug as I got out of the Tesla. “Lunch was great today, Ivy. I can’t remember the last time I actually got to relax, eat, and drink, you know?”
“I should be thanking you. Lunch was amazing.”
She stepped sideways, like she wanted to let me go about my way, but didn’t all the same. “Okay, this might sound crazy, and maybe it’s a little too forward,” she chuckled, holding up a hand, “but what do you think about rooming with me at Passion Camp?”
I blinked quickly, pretending to be speechless for a moment. All a part of the act of course.
I’d heard from the other ladies during the volunteer meeting that Lola had her own cabin for Passion Camp. Vonyetta was so upset she wouldn’t be able to stay there this year—something about her back—which meant a bed was open. All the women were trying to figure out ways to get into Lola’s exclusive cabin.
“Wait, are you serious?” I squawked.
“I’m so serious! Passion Camp is always such an amazing time. We go on trail walks, have movie nights and spa days. My cabin has six beds, and usually Vonyetta stays with me, but she’s been having back problems and decided she’d drive home to sleep in her bed at nights. There’ll be an extra bed and I’d hate for the spot to go to waste. I’d love to have you there.”