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Thursday January 4th 2001
"I'm so glad you called" Tiffany said into her cell phone as the doorman opened the doors of her apartment building at Washington Square Park for her to walk out into the cold January afternoon. "You aren't going to believe what happened after you left the apartment this morning," she said.
"Starlene get job," Amir asked in his broken English referring to her younger sister that had come for a visit from Georgia and now wanted to live with Tiffany.
"No. I think Starlene blew off the appointment and went to Laney's apartment," she said annoyed with her sister. "Anyway, guess what?" she asked excitedly.
"What?"
"I'm on my way to Clark's house now…he called and said he wanted to talk with me right away," she said pulling her coat tighter to her legs as the cold wind blew on MacDougal Street.
"This good news. You go there now?"
"Yes. I'll call you after the appointment. Keep your fingers crossed," she said.
"Why cross fingers?" he said having never heard this American expression.
"It's good luck!" she said laughing.
"I cross fingers. Eat peas with black eye," he said referring to the New Year's dinner she had prepared for him.
"The black eyed peas only work on New Year's day. I love you. I'll call you soon."
"Good luck," he said hanging up the phone and turning his attention towards his secretary that had just entered his office to announce a movie producer was in the lobby waiting to visit with him.
Tiffany put her cell phone back in her purse and picked up her pace against the cold air, smiling as she thought of her wealthy lover Amir and how unfamiliar he was with southern expressions.
"Tiffany", she heard a man's voice from behind her. She quickly turned and was surprised to see her estranged husband running towards her.
"Hi Skeeter," she said.
"Why haven't you called me Tiffany. You could have least called me and wished me a Happy New Year," he said in his slow southern accent as he grabbed the arm of her coat.
"I've been busy. Happy New Year," she said never smiling.
"I wanted to talk to you."
"I can't now. I have an appointment."
"You moved back in with your boyfriend didn't you?" he asked angry that she had just walked out of his life when she thought she had caught him cheating again.
"I don't think we need to get into that again Skeeter. I tried again...and it didn't work again," she said pulling slightly to free her arm from his grip.
"That's it. Just like that," he said holding her arm tightly.
"What are you talking about. I gave you a chance. You were late coming home again and again."
"I work Tiffany. If you worked as hard as I do you'd understand," he said remembering how he'd sneaked over to Jan's house while Tiffany waited for him to come home.
"I'll have you know I will probably get my job back today," she said defiantly.
"Oh really," he said noticing that she was wearing high heels.
"I have to go Skeeter. It's too cold to stand here and argue with you. Besides there's nothing for us to talk about anyway," she said pulling harder to try and free her arm from his grip.
"How about a divorce. Don't you want to talk about a divorce", he said angry that she had once again left him. The first time she left him in Georgia. Since he moved here, he thought surely he should have been able to get her back, and show her that he was the one that didn't want her anymore.
"Are you serious?" she said shocked by his sudden change of heart.
"Why not. If you aren't going to try, we may as well get it over with."
"Why would you suddenly want a divorce Skeeter? Are you thinking about getting married again?" she asked suspicious that Amir's assistant Jan had something to do with his sudden change of heart.
"Do you want to talk or not?" he snapped.
"Sure but I can't now. I have an appointment and I can't be late," she said studying his face for clues.
"Then meet me later. Where's your appointment?"
"Clark's" she said motioning up the block to MacDougal Alley which was within sight.
"I'll meet you here in an hour," he said pointing to the Washington Square Hotel and the restaurant.
CONTINUED TOMORROW. MORE PHOTOS BELOW.
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