Page 61 of A Trial of the Heart
“I actually have to make a run. Rain check?”
“Of course,” Isla said, backing toward the door. “Thanks again.”
Preparing to push my drawer closed, I stopped and glared down at the box of tampons. I bought them during my last cycle,and as my eyes stayed glued to them, I realized it had been some time since I’d needed to use them.
“No way.” I spoke out loud, grabbing up my phone and going to the calendar. I wasn’t trying to get pregnant by any means, but I tracked my cycle each month. “Oh fuck.”
I cupped my hand over my mouth, seeing that my cycle was three weeks late. I’d been so caught up with things I hadn’t had the time to realize. I sat in my thoughts about the situation, but I had to get to Anita before she changed her mind. Dealing with my late cycle would have to come later. Slamming the drawer shut, I grabbed my things up before heading out the door.
In the parking garage, I started my car before quickly putting the address into the GPS. I backed from my personal parking space and headed to the address Anita had given me. I processed the questions I’d ask once I reached Anita while coasting through the streets of Williamsburg.
Turn left in one thousand feet, and your destination will be on the left, my GPS indicated. The drive that was supposed to take only ten minutes took close to thirty since I ran into some traffic from an accident. I pulled to a slow stop next to the curb reading the number on the house; I had made it. With a long exhale, I killed the engine and climbed out of my car. Ambling slowly up the rocky driveway, I hit the lock button on my key fob, and my car’s horn beeped.
With each step I took, the crunching of the pebbles against my four-inch heels sounded. Once I reached the front door, I raised my balled fist and knocked lightly before stepping back. My nerves went into overdrive. I knew I was the one that had asked to meet Anita, but she acted so strange on our last encounter that I was having second thoughts. Moments after knocking, the door slowly crept open, and Anita’s small head poked out from the side before she slowly opened the door.
“Hi,” I mumbled.
Anita didn’t speak. Instead, she pulled the door open wide, gesturing for me to enter. Once inside, she quickly closed the door, and the sound of it latching caused me to jump because it closed so hard.
“Would you like something to drink?” Anita asked, facing me.
We stood in the middle of her place. The house seemed so serene and welcoming. It had a boho theme, and the soft colors just made me feel at peace. The smells that filled the place were intoxicating.
“No, thank you.”
“Okay.” She gave a weak smile. “You mind taking your heels off? I kind of have a no shoe rule in my house.”
I understood that people wanted fresh carpet and things, but it always bothered me that people really asked their guests to remove their shoes. Shoes may carry bacteria, but so did people’s unkempt toes. Either way, I always respected people’s homes even if it was something I wouldn’t do.
“This way.” Anita was already walking away, so I followed her.
I trailed Anita into this room that was even more beautiful than the one we’d walked from, and it smelled like heaven.
“You can have a seat.” She gestured to the oversized, fluffy beanbags.
Adjusting my skirt, I slowly sat on the floor, tucking my legs slightly under my butt ensuring I did not flash Anita in any way.As I sat, Anita flopped down on the beanbag chair opposite of me.
“So why the need to continue to harass me?” she half joked.
I nervously laughed. “I really need to know about that friend of yours that was involved with Rashad.”
I had kind of put two and two together after seeing that photo of Lauryn and Rashad that Lauryn was also the friend that Anita had referred to.
“You sure? Because once you know, you’re involved, and those people are some grimy individuals.”
My interest was piqued, but did I really want to get involved? I mean, after all, I was on the opposite side of Rashad anyway, so why did I care so much?
“I’m sure.” My integrity wouldn’t let me turn a blind eye to a man that was possibly innocent. Plus, I actually did like Rashad.
Anita sat back, sitting Indian style while placing her hands in her lap. She sighed lowly, so I knew I was about to be in for a story.
“Lauryn and Rashad dated for a few months. While Lauryn seemed more invested than he did, Rashad was also nice and seemed to care for Lauryn. The thing is, though, no matter how nice a person was, Lauryn suffers from DID and schizophrenia disorder.”
“DID?” I knew what schizophrenia was, but I’d never heard of the other.
“Dissociative identity disorder… previously referred to as multiple personality disorder.”
“Wow,” I whispered.
