“So, what now, girl? How have you been? Don’t tell me you suddenly remembered I exist?” Casey fired off one question after another the moment I stepped inside her apartment. One eyebrow was raised dramatically, a mug of coffee balanced in her hand—already in full chika mode, as if she’d been waiting for this exact moment.

Since Terrence wouldn’t let me go out to work, I told him I’d visit my best friend instead. He didn’t complain—not even for a second. He agreed immediately, ...