Page 4 of Always Been You
I snicker at their reaction “Kidding. Seriously, I’m fine.”
They all chuckle and after a moment of silence, Aria says softly, “Babe, do what you need to do. There’s no rush. What’s the point of everything if you’re not okay?” Her voice is as though she’s trying to coax me to agree to something.
Just then, I hear my niece whining in the background, “Mommy!!!" pulling Aria’s attention away. I smile, genuinely for the first time in a long while.
“Go take care of her. Go on.” I shoo at her.
She gives me the eye that says,“I don’t believe anything you say but you are off the hook for now."My sisters know that look too and they burst out laughing.
“Will talk to you girls later. I have to attend to this Princessa over here.”
“Sure”, I responded.
“Kiss Janette for me,” Elisa said.
“Tell Jeannie I love her,” Laurel added, all bidding her bye.
“Okay. Call me.” She hangs up leaving my other two sisters and me.
“I’m going to take my bath now.” I glance at the clock on the wall before turning back to my sisters. “It’s 7pm here” I add. I rinse my mouth and finish brushing my teeth, then I carry my phone back to the bedroom and place it on the bed.
“Are you okay? With the divorce and everything? I mean, I know you are strong and all that but I have to confirm.” Lauren’s voice boomed over again softly this time.
“To be honest, I don’t know how I feel about the whole thing. I’m trying to reason logically rather than emotionally. It’s been a battle between my heart and mind.” They both nod. My sisters and I are tightly knit so telling them how I feel is a relief in its own way.
“Why don’t you make a reckless decision for once? Let loose. I know that’s a me thing but try something new and let’s see how it works.”Of course, Elisa will suggest something like this.I roll my eyes.
“You know we are here for you, right?” Lauren says massaging the right side of her head. A tell, she is really worried about this and me.
“Yeah right. Let me freshen up and decide which advice I will take. Talk to your girls later.”
"Sure,” they respond. After we have spoken for a while we say our goodbyes and end the call. Scrolling through the messaging app, I click on my parents’ messages and then realize it’s the same, if not similar message.
Sweet Papa:Hey, baby girl, just checking up on you. How’s the weather there today? Just know that you have us, okay? Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do. >wink emoji<
Stern Mama Mia:You good? Do I need to find that cheating ex-husband of yours and destroy him to hear from my daughter? Get in touch!
Smiling to myself, I reply to their messages and then toss my phone on the bed, sighing.
Maybe my sisters are right. Perhaps it’s time to at least step outside to take my life back. I’ve been hiding for weeks, and it’s not helping.
I sit on the bed, staring at the covers, tempted to crawl back under them, but instead, I push myself up, freshen up, and walk over to my closet. I stand there, eyeing the pile of clothes draped over the place, debating whether to change out of the night wear I’m wearing.
My phone buzzes, breaking my thoughts. Dzifa’s name flashes on the screen. I sigh but answer it anyway. If anyone can talk me into leaving this room, it’s her.
“Please tell me you’re not still lying in bed after you promised me you would do something.” Her voice travels over. I roll my eyes even though she can’t see it.
“Hello to you too, andNoto your question, but I’m sort of closer to my bed.” I tease.
“Girl, it’s been a month. Get your butt out there! You didn’t fly all the way to Florida just to sulk. At least pretend you’re enjoying that sunshine for me.” I can almost hear the exasperation in her voice, probably shaking her head as she says it.
“Seriously, Law, it’s time. You’ve been hiding long enough. Go out, get a drink, and remember that you’re a catch. You’re not letting that cheating asshole win, are you?”
I put the phone on speaker and set it on the table, then picked up a dress from the pile, laying it on the bed, still undecided. A catch? I don’t exactly feel like one right now.
“It’s not that easy, Dzifa. I don’t even know who I am anymore.”
“That’s why you need to go out. Find out. You don’t need to know everything right now. Just start somewhere. And maybe starting with a cute dress and a margarita wouldn’t hurt.”
