Blowout

"Where are you headed, baby?" Elizabeth asked unhappily, looking at Antoine's full suitcase.

"Three weeks back in Gulfport," Antoine said, all business. His new holding company owned the real estate and built the facilities. The franchisors would pay a healthy fee to lease the facilities, and they'd manage it subject to Antoine's supervision. In theory, it'd work beautifully. But Antoine was stretched thin, and things always felt one disaster away from ... a bigger disaster.

"Why can't you just stay here for awhile?" Elizabeth asked, a little bitter. Douglas had always been away too, and they'd withered on the vine.

"You don't get it," Antoine said, sighing. "All my life, I've wanted to accomplish something. On my own merits. Always people telling me, no. And when I can finally make my way in life, I got another bitch telling me no." Elizabeth glared at him.

"I just want a husband that will stay with me, always. When it was just local, I was fully onboard, Antoine!"

"Then go find some bitch white boy like you used to have, Elizabeth. I'm going to make my own path, and you'll be with me then, right? I need your loyalty now, not when I'm success. You know what? I'll be back when I'm back. And we'll see where we are." He took his suitcase, slamming the door on his way out, as he took Douglas's old Mercedes to the airport.

Elizabeth collapsed into tears. It'd felt like she'd been crying for hours when the doorbell rang. She hoped it was Antoine. She hoped it was an apology. She ran down the stairs, opening the door. It was LaDonna. LaDonna saw the distress on Elizabeth's face, and did something surprising to Elizabeth.

She kissed her, long and hard.