Still Ours

After our eyes met, I couldn’t sit there another minute pretending I was okay. My stomach twisted, my throat burned, and every fake smile felt like a lie. I leaned toward my girls and whispered, “He’s here. With his boys. Don’t turn around. Please.”

Chanel froze mid-sip. Antonette, though—she was Antonette.

“Damn, he got some fine friends,” she said under her breath, laughing just enough to break the tension. “Girl, why haven’t you had a cookout?”

Even through my heartache, I smiled. That laugh, that shade, that sisterhood—it kept me from falling apart right there at the table.

We finished our meal before they did, and I made sure we walked out like nothing was wrong. Chin up. Shoulders back. But inside, I was unraveling.

As I drove home, my phone felt heavy in my hand. Every mile, I fought the urge to text him. I wanted to say something, anything, but fear kept me silent. What if he didn’t answer? What if he was really done with me? The thought alone made my chest ache. I kept wondering if his boys were telling him to walk away or to fight for what we had. I prayed it was the latter.

When I walked through the front door, the house felt like a stranger. Where there used to be warmth and laughter, there was nothing but stillness and regret. The photos on the wall looked back at me like ghosts of what used to be—smiles from a time when forever felt guaranteed.

I took a long shower, trying to wash away the guilt, the tension, the ache. Then I slipped into my “feel good” pajamas—silky, soft, the ones Duane said made me look like a dream—and wrapped myself in my robe. I made a hot toddy, climbed into bed, and turned on Sistas. I tried to lose myself in somebody else’s drama, but all I saw was mine. 

Somewhere between the second commercial and the third episode, I fell asleep, praying that Duane would walk through that door.

When morning came, the sunlight hit my face like an alarm. I rolled over—and my heart dropped. His side of the bed was still cold.

Panic set in. I jumped up, ran to the living room, and there he was—knocked out on the couch. The faint smell of liquor clung to him like guilt. His car wasn’t in the driveway, which meant somebody must’ve dropped him off. My heart whispered, Thank you, Lord.

I stood there just watching him for a moment. Even in his sleep, he looked heavy—like he’d been carrying all the same weight I had. I went into the kitchen, put on a pot of coffee, and set out a couple of Tylenols. 

If nothing else, I could nurse his hangover and maybe—just maybe—his heart.

As I got dressed, I heard movement. Then came the sound that made me wince and smile at the same time—Duane paying homage to the porcelain throne. I shook my head and chuckled softly.

“Mm-hmm. That’s what you get for trying to drink your feelings away.”

A few minutes later, I heard the shower running. I grabbed a towel and a clean pair of sweats, placed them on the counter, and whispered through the door, “It’s hot water and a clean start waiting on you, baby.”

When he finally emerged, the steam followed him into the hallway. His eyes were tired, but there was something softer in them—like the storm had passed, even if the sky was still gray.

I handed him his coffee and sat beside him. The silence stretched for a beat before he finally spoke.

“Stace,” he said, his voice low but steady. “We need to talk.”

My throat tightened. “I know.”

He set the mug down and rubbed the back of his neck. “Last night messed me up. Seeing you, hearing all that, feeling blindsided—it had me spinning. I didn’t know how to handle it. So, yeah, I ran. I needed a minute to get out my own head.”

I looked down, tears welling. “Duane, I was wrong for not telling you about Darius sooner. I should’ve trusted you with that part of my past. You’ve never given me a reason to hide anything, but I still did. That’s on me.”

He nodded, letting me speak.

“I was scared,” I said softly. “Scared that you’d see me differently. That my past would make you question my heart. But the truth is—you’re my peace. And I can’t keep saying I want forever if I keep holding on to yesterday.”

Duane exhaled, eyes glistening. “You think I don’t know what fear feels like? I’ve been scared too—scared of losing you, of being another man you can’t depend on. But love ain’t about perfection, Stace. It’s about choosing each other even when it’s hard. Especially when it’s hard.”

Tears streamed down my face before I could stop them. “So what now?”

He reached over, took my hand, and whispered, “Now we start fresh. No more walls. No more half-truths. Just us—real, raw, unfiltered.”

I leaned into him, my voice breaking. “I love you, Duane. And I don’t ever want to lose you.”

He pulled me close, wrapping me in his arms. “Then don’t. We’ve both been through too much not to fight for this. Let’s get back to building what we started. Let’s plan this wedding the way it was meant to be—together.”

Our foreheads touched. The air between us was heavy but healing. And for the first time in weeks, I felt the weight lift.

We didn’t need to say another word. The silence that once felt cold now wrapped around us like a promise.

Whatever came next, we were facing it side by side.

Still standing. Still loving.

Still us.

🥗“Maple Chai Harvest Salad with Pears & Toasted Quinoa”

This salad captures cozy autumn warmth in every bite — sweet pears, spiced dressing, and the unexpected crunch of toasted quinoa. It’s earthy, elegant, and full of texture — perfect for crisp fall afternoons or chic dinner gatherings.

Ingredients

• 2 cups arugula

• 1 cup shaved Brussels sprouts

• 1 pear, thinly sliced

• ¼ cup toasted quinoa (adds a nutty crunch)

• 2 tbsp dried cranberries

• 2 tbsp pumpkin seeds (pepitas)

• ¼ cup crumbled blue cheese or feta

• Drizzle of chai-spiced maple vinaigrette

Chai-Maple Vinaigrette

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tbsp pure maple syrup

• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

• ¼ tsp ground cinnamon

• ⅛ tsp cardamom

• Pinch of nutmeg and sea salt

Whisk until creamy and fragrant.

Why It Works

Toasted quinoa brings a modern, healthy twist. The chai spices in the dressing echo cozy fall flavors without being overpowering, and the arugula–pear–blue cheese trio delivers a perfect sweet–savory balance.

Halloween 2025 sees Americans channeling the spirit of the season with costumes inspired by the latest cultural trends.

AI-inspired fashion is everywhere, with revelers donning metallic fabrics, LED-lit accessories, and holographic accents to become robots, cyborgs, and digital characters.

Barbiecore remains a bold statement, as pink ensembles and glitzy accessories capture the enduring fascination with Barbie and other pop culture icons like 'Wednesday Addams' and 'KPop Demon Hunters.'

Nostalgia also holds strong, with retro looks from the ‘90s and early 2000s—think butterfly clips and platform shoes—making a playful comeback.

Many are embracing sustainable and DIY costumes, creating unique outfits with recycled materials and items already on hand, a nod to both environmental concerns and rising costs.

Weather shapes local festivities: New York City’s cool 58°F hints at cozy layers, while Los Angeles enjoys warm, sunny celebrations around 80°F.

Joke Of The Day

Why did the empowered woman in her 50s bring a ladder to the bar?

She heard they had a "high spirits" section up top!

Vitamin IV therapy is transforming self-care in 2025, delivering essential nutrients directly into the bloodstream for fast, noticeable benefits.

With a promise of increased energy and enhanced immunity, these treatments are now available in wellness clinics nationwide, reflecting the rise of precision wellness.

Personalized IV infusions aim to address specific goals—from glowing skin to resilient immune systems—appealing to those seeking efficient self-care.

The popularity of hydration therapy and energy drips mirrors a broader trend toward active, health-conscious lifestyles.

Still, medical experts urge caution.

Excess nutrients may simply be excreted, raising concerns about cost and true necessity.

With questions about long-term effects, the balance between enthusiasm and evidence remains crucial for those exploring these cutting-edge wellness options.

Interesting Facts

As crisp autumn air settles in, it’s the perfect time to adopt eco-friendly habits that embrace seasonal change.

Preserve the last of your summer harvest by canning or drying herbs, reducing the need for imported produce and shrinking your carbon footprint.

Don’t forget vehicle upkeep—maintaining tire pressure and rotating tires boosts fuel efficiency and longevity.

Be sure to service your heating system before winter hits by replacing filters and scheduling a professional inspection, ensuring safe and energy-efficient warmth.

Upgrading to a smart thermostat helps curb energy waste by learning your routine and minimizing heating costs.

Bringing houseplants indoors improves air quality and adds tranquil greenery as windows stay shut.

Use fallen leaves for mulch or compost, and plant bulbs to prepare your yard for spring.

Enjoy the outdoors on bike or foot, reaping health and environmental benefits.

Opt for beeswax or soy candles and support local artisans, combining cozy ambiance with sustainability.

Quote Of The Day

"Today's quote of the day: 'Age is not a barrier to greatness; it is a gateway to wisdom, empowerment, and limitless possibilities. Embrace your journey and let your light shine bright, for the world awaits your unique contributions.' - Lifestyle and Empowerment After 50"

OpenAI has introduced Atlas, a groundbreaking Agentic browser that reimagines how users interact with the web.

Atlas integrates ChatGPT into its core, allowing users to engage with content dynamically and intuitively.

Whether you're searching for the best restaurant, Atlas goes beyond lists to compare menus, analyze reviews, and can even draft reservations automatically.

For students or researchers, Atlas instantly summarizes key ideas and surfaces supporting sources, all within one window.

This leap signals a new era of digital innovation, shifting browsers from passive information tools to active assistants.

From streamlining daily tasks for families to empowering small businesses with smarter marketing, Atlas adapts to users’ needs, retaining context across activities for true convenience.

As we embrace the Agentic Web, Atlas sets a milestone where intelligent assistants work alongside us, transforming the browser into a proactive digital partner.

This marks a bold step toward seamless AI productivity and enhanced web automation.

Sharing is Caring - F.L.Y. After 50