setting: Mark and Amy are sitting in their kitchen after dinner, and they have just put their son to bed. Amy is putting the food away with her back turned to Mark, unable to look him in the eye.

Amy: Do you think we should talk about the divorce papers now since Malik is asleep? I don't want to argue anymore. I'm tired of crying, I just want this to be over already.

Mark: It doesn't matter to me. I told you I don't want this. Amy, I love you and I want our family to stay together. She knows I'm never leaving you or Malik. You two are my life and it was only a one time thing. I swear to you. I'm sick to my stomach that I did this sh*t to you, to us. I wish I could take it all back.

Amy: I wish I could look pass all of this. I'm pushing you years old, do you think I want this? I wanted to die with you. You were my best friend. I told you how my dad's cheating broke my mom's heart and sent her to an early grave. How could you do this to me? My body? Our son?

Mark: I know I've hurt you, Amy. I was just so unhappy. When I lost my job, you just didn't look at me the same anymore. I just wanted to feel loved and respected. We were so broken because I could not the man you needed and provide for our family. I failed you. She was there and available. A shoulder to cry on because I already broke my promises to you. Disappointing you is just something I became good at.

Amy: It was hard when you got fired but I never stopped working for us. I was busting my ass to keep us afloat. I even took a second job, and this is how you repay me? I never lost respect or love for you, until now. I thought that this experience made us stronger! How stupid of me. YOU broke US.

Mark: That's not true Amy. You've resented me from the day you found out I made less money than you. You've talked down on me in front of our friends, in front of our son and in front of your dad. How do you think that makes me feel as a man? I feel weak and unneeded. Like I'm not even here. Those issues still do not change the fact that I broke our trust. I risked our family and your body. I knew your brain and still chose to deceive you and Malik. She meant nothing but now she cost me everything. (He puts his head into his hands and began crying).

Amy: (she turns around- now burning a hole in his face with her eyes, her voice slightly raised) Bullsh*t! I loved you with everything in me. Resentment may come up during tough times in marriage but that don't mean you go out and have sex with the mother of Malik's best friend! You don't even have enough "love" for me to wear a condom. What if she would've gotten pregnant, huh? You gave me HIV, Mark, and I would never risk your health ever in life! You only want to stay together because you think sh*t will be easier. Staying with the woman you gave HIV to will be less hard than explaining to other women why you're divorced and have HIV. You don't love anyone but yourself. Sign the damn papers, Mark.

Mark: No, Amy. I love you. I will never get over losing y'all and I know it's all my fault. You deserve better than me. I just wish that you could give me one more chance to show you the man I want to be for you. You'll need help and we can be there for one another and help each other through this. Please, Amy. I'm begging you! (he gets on his knees with tear filled eyes).

Amy: I can't. I've known you 21 years now. You have always been selfish. You can never care about anyone other than yourself or your mother. I've supported you through college while I stayed home to raise our son. I stepped up when you lost you job and couldn't pay the bills anymore. You have never loved me and respected me in the way you want for yourself. I have given you everything and now you put my health at risk to satisfy you, once again. I'm drained Mark and to be honest, after this, I never want to see you again.

Mark: Ok. I'll sign them. I never wanted this for you and me. It was only one time. You deserve more than what I give you and Malik and I'm sorry. I hope one day you can stop confusing your parents' marriage with your own. I cheated one time, and I had to tell you because it was killing me. I couldn't lie to you knowing how good of a wife you've still been through everything. Your father cheated on your mother every chance he got. Your half siblings are the undeniable proof. I love you Amy, why can't you see that?

Amy: Shut up before you wake up Malik. He does not need to hear this. He's already been through enough. Kids at school are picking on him now because his father decided to f*ck his best friend's mother.

Mark: I will sign the papers tomorrow and I'll go stay with my dad for a while. I'm going to keep hoping and praying that you will change your mind and your love for me and our family will help api see how big of a mistake you're making.

Amy: Yeah, you do that. Stay far away from me while I am divorcing your sorry ass. That is the least you could do after all this pain you caused us. We are done and I am taking Malik and moving to California to stay with my sister for a while. We could use a change.

This part of the story influenced my writing in this class tremendously. The writer uses foreshadowing and even though the hints are there about what he may do next, there was still a twist to every move he made. This helped keep me engaged and visually imagine someone on the highway being chased by police with a plush toy! What amazed me even more is that he kept driving so he completely lost the plot. It all started out as him needing something to bring his girlfriend and he ended up facing more charges than theft. This style of writing also influenced my writing because I am so used to reading stories with a happy ending. In my Full Drama Assignment, I used part of that in my assignment to keep the reader guessing or wanting a part 2!

This influenced my writing for "The Final Chapter" as well. It was refreshing to see an author use African American or even Southern vernacular. It helped me read the story directly through the lens of the person telling it. It felt more familiar and it also gives me an insight on the story tellers education and why they were so upset with her. I used this in my full Drama Assignment to help the reader feel connected somehow to the main characters. Whether it was through infidelity, marriage in general, or even just reading someone speak in a familiar way can keep one engaged.

I squeeze through the maze of women waiting to be transformed.

Long hair, short cuts, curly and straight.

Hair like Neapolitan scoops, sweet in every strand.

Assorted colors for every flavor

Spanish swirls through the air bouncing off each wall, blurring my thoughts. I wonder, "are they talking about me?"

Girls shout "ouch" from the heated instruments, but society taught them beauty is pain.

Hair, nails, chemical peels. The crave for perfection overrides the suffering.

As I reach the washing station, I began to panic,

Memories of stinging soap and water race to the front,

my eyes flash with heat. I tiptoed to the sink and accepted my fate.

My eyes are now red in the places where they once were white.

I thought I survived, until Marie ushers me to the final stage of agony. Drying.

I felt relieved knowing I am serving a shorter sentence today than usual.

CD's and bootleg dvd's for sale shoved in my face while I let Marie bake bread in my hair.

She spins the final curl and then seals it with spray.

Filling the air with a mist of olive oil.

Jumping from the chair after paying my tab and tip, I race to the door.

Longing to smell fresh air again, I am finally free.

But even the thought of next time haunts me like going home with a bad report card.

You don't want to, but you can't afford not to.