Gwen didn't know what had brought on the dramatic change in CJ, but she didn't decline the offer.
"Sure, is there something wrong?"
"No, but I don't really feel up to seeing a movie anymore. I just want
go home and listen to some happy music, talk and make a banana split.
Do you want to join me?"
"I would love to."
Once the girls reached their cars, CJ informed Gwen that she had to
stop by the market to get a few things for their banana splits. Gwen told
her that was fine and she would just follow her. Slowly, CJ drove her
Jeep Cherokee down Sunset Boulevard as though she had nowhere to
be. Finally they reached the store. Gwen sat in the car while CJ went in
to get the goods she needed for their treat. While Gwen waited for CJ,
she took the time to leave Jes a message at home. She left word on their
machine that she would be over to CJ's place and that she may not be
out late after all. Gwen could see CJ exiting the store. As she was
returning to her car she saw CJ throw her hand up in the face of a man
that had approached her. CJ gave Gwen a signal that said come on, so
Gwen started her car to continue on to CJ's place. They continued their
route on Sunset. CJ turned left on La Brea and made another left into
the driveway of a gray building were she motioned to Gwen to park on
the street as she parked underground.
"Make yourself at home," CJ said as they entered her apartment.
CJ placed the bag on the table and pressed the button on the
answering machine to retrieve the messages as she placed their coats in
the closets. She listened to a heart-felt apology from a male voice, but
before it could finish, she cut it off.
"Niggas,"
CJ replied to the message,
"never go back with them. Gwen,
remember this for as long as you live, men are like tapes, when you
rewind them and press play, you hear the same song."
"Someone must have really done you wrong 'cause you're talking
about every man you come in contact with?"
"Is it that obvious?"
CJ asked as she reached for the remote to the CD
player.
"Yeah, the two guys today while we had lunch, the guy in the parking
lot of the store and now the phone call. Yeah, I would say it's that
obvious."
Just as CJ was about to respond, the ANGELIC voice of Whitney
Houston presented itself on the stereo.
"See girl this is what I need to know,"
CJ spoke with tears in her eyes,
"where do broken hearts go Gwen, do they find their way home?"
"I don't know, but if I spent all of my time thinking about where they
went, I would be doing the same thing that you're doing, holding every
man accountable for the mistake of one fool who hurt me."
"Well what am I supposed to do, I hurt?"
"CJ, everybody hurts once or twice in their lives, I hurt too,"
Gwen
responded sympathetically,
"but I can't allow someone else to change
who I am and the way I live my life. I knew what I'm going to tell you,
either you take control, or control will take control of you. CJ, you have
to shit or get off the pot."