Page 55 of Kings Fear No One
“We’re not doing this. Get up.”
I’m nudged out of his lap. I tug on the hem of my dress in confusion.
So lost I’m not even sure what to ask.
Logan strides out of the room. His bedroom door slams shut, sounding twice as loud in the silence.
My phone vibrating does too.
I glance at its lit up screen notifying me that I have a voice message. Still numb with confusion, I reach for it and play the message.
“Hello, Mrs. Cutler? This is Rita Lewis-Castillo with the Pulsboro Clerk’s office. I’m calling because I finally got a chance to speak with my supervisor. She believes we may be able to process your annulment after all. If you would like to discuss this matter further, please give me a call back at 391-476-9235. I tried reaching your husband, but his voice mailbox is full. I hope you enjoy your evening.”
A beep sounds in my ear before an automated voice comes on asking if I want to repeat the message, save the message, or delete the message. I listen to it a second time with my heart racing and my gaze trained on Logan’s closed bedroom door, wondering if I’m ready to give up.
Mind made up, I press option three for delete.
Not yet.
14
TEYSHA
“Tey Tey baby, it’s time for you to come home.”
I roll my eyes and turn away from the window, my phone to my ear. “Mama, why do you keep bringing this up? I’ve already told you.”
“It can’t be good for you there. Cohabitating with that… that man.”
“Mama, we’re married.”
“What does God say about mistakes? A person who refuses to admit their mistakes can never be successful. But if they do, another chance is given. There was a mistake made, sweetie. All you need to do is admit the truth and take the time to start over.”
“But I didn’t make any mistake…”
“Don’t act smart. You know what I’m speaking of, Teysha,” she scolds. “What you have been through would traumatize anyone. This is why you should be with loved ones.”
“I’m with my husband.”
“I said loved ones. Come home and allow us to fix the mistake.”
“Mama, I’m happy here.” I almost wince at the stitch in my ribs. The sharp pain is a dose of reality jabbing into me. I push back against it, stubbornly sticking to my story. “We’re working things out. Haven’t you always stressed the importance of sickness and health in marriage? Rich times and poor?”
“Sweetie, you know that doesn’t apply here?—”
“Logan and I might’ve gotten married under… unusual circumstances, but we’ve come to care for each other. Respect our union like you would anybody else's.”
“Now wait a dang second, Teysha Patrice Baxter?—”
“I’m hanging up now, Mama. God bless.”
A sense of satisfaction tugs my lips into a smile. If you’d asked me even a year ago if I’d ever hang up on Mama, I would’ve looked at you like you were crazy.
Because you’d have to be to suggest such a thing.
But things have changed. I’ve changed.
The girl that was taken from the parking lot of the Sunny Side Up would never be seen from again. What would follow would be months of pain and trauma. The one and only bright spot she found would be in the man she called her husband…
