Page 127 of Range
“Go ahead.” She insisted.
“What?” I groaned.
“Go ahead and ask me.”
I swallowed back, digesting her words. The request wasn’t unusual. I’d wanted to ask all along.
“Is he– Is he mine?”
Nodding, Rome confirmed. “Yes, Range. He’s yours.”
“Does it end well?”
She nodded again. “There are rocks before you reach the water. Once you’re there, nothing will ever be the same. Not even the same will be able to muddle your clear blue waters…Sunshine.”
“That’s what he calls me,” I choked out.
“Um hm. I’m aware.”
“Sometimes I feel foolish. Other times, I feel liberated. While I’m far from confused anymore, I’m concerned.A child?It feels so reckless of me.”
“This is no mistake, Range. It’s fate. It doesn’t matter how your story started. The middle and the end are going to be the best parts for you.”
“Yeah?”
Rome nodded.
“Now, let’s get going before the entire table is crammed in this restroom.”
“How is my makeup?”
“As flawless as you are.”
“Thanks, baby.”
I cleaned my hands and dried them with Rome’s help. I didn’t need it, but she understood my head was all over the place. Her assistance was welcomed.
Our returnto the table didn’t go unnoticed. Neither did our absence.
“Everything okay?” Roaman asked.
“Ladies,” I cleared my throat. Instead of grabbing the champagne, I opted for water.
I garnered the irises of every woman at the table.
“Let’s promise to listen and not judge.”
“I can’t confirm or deny my lack of judgment,” Roulette clarified.
“I didn’t expect you to.”
“Good.”
“I have found myself in a very sticky situation with a very lovely man. It’s no secret that he’s in prison, fighting for hisfreedom. But what I have yet to confirm is where we stand as of now. A few weeks ago, just before a scheduled court appearance, we shared time alone. At his home.
“While it feels so big and so lonely, I spend every Tuesday and Thursday night underneath his covers. Twelve days ago, the pain in my breasts signaled the start of my period. Today, as I emptied the contents of my stomach into the toilet, I realized that period never came.”
Roulette’s champagne spilled from her mouth as her eyes blossomed.
