Page 34 of Stoplight
She gaped at how casually her sister had delivered the news. “Ivory, you got an abortion?”
“Yeah.” She shrugged before taking a gulp of water. “I wasn’t about to have ol’ boy’s baby. I got shit to do.”
“Well, then you need to get on birth control then.”
“Hell no,” she griped. “Do you know the damage birth control do to our bodies, Irish? No way.”
“Well, what do you think sperm does to our bodies, genius?”
Ivory simpered. “Ruin our lives.”
Irish smacked her lips at her high-pitched cackle. Ivory thought life was a joke but at nineteen years old, she couldn’t blame her. She wished she had the luxury to live life carefree at that age. Back then, Irish was too busy being a mother to Ivory. She didn’t regret it one bit, but she often pondered on how life would’ve been for her if they had a reliable mother.
“Look, sis, everybody ain’t blessed with a husband that loves them so dearly,” she spat sarcastically. “You got all the answers because you have a great husband. Shit, come back to the ghetto and see how weak these men are in the dating pool.”
Irish snorted, contorting her face into an annoyed expression. “You don’t think I know this new batch of men are trash? That’s why I’m telling you to get on birth control if you’re going to be having unprotected sex.”
Ivory kicked her feet up on the couch, getting cozy on the plush leather. “Believe it or not, I don’t have unprotected sex. I just so happened to slip up with this guy though. Don’t worry, it won’t be happening again. I promise.”
Irish wanted to believe her, but she knew how sound decisions evaporated in the midst of heated passion.
“Yeah, you better not. So, you're only staying for the weekend? You can’t stay longer?”
Ivory shook her head. “Nope, I can’t so make time for me, sis.”
Irish smirked since spending time with her sister was always a great treat. They had an endearing relationship despite their age difference.
“I got you.”
Walking back to her bedroom, Irish grabbed her phone and dialed Jovanis’ number.
“What’s up?” he answered groggily. He too had spent most of the night at the hospital before he dropped Irish off at her car and went about his way.
“You were still sleeping?”
“Hell yeah,” he groaned. “But I’m ‘bout to get up. What’s up? You heard anything ‘bout Rio?”
“No, I haven’t. I’ll probably call Cali and see how she’s doing. I called to let you know that Ivory was here so maybe you should come home for a couple of days. She’s only staying the weekend.”
Irish even had to play her dutiful wife role in front of Ivory. She had no clue about their arrangement. She only assumed that they were this great couple or as Ivory put it, couple goals.
“Oh, yeah. Her lil’ sassy ass gon’ milk us dry before she leaves.”
Irish tittered. “You know she is. That’s all she know how to do is use her baby doll eyes to get what she wants from us.”
“Lil’ charming ass.” He snickered. “But I got you, Irish. I’ll be there after I take care of business.”
“Okay.”
“Yep.”
Irish’s thoughts instantly traveled to Noble when Jovanis hung up. While at the hospital, she thought of him and ruminated over their kiss. She wished she could live in that moment all over again. The feel of his lips and the taste of his tongue had caused her to develop a sudden yearning for Noble. He hadn’t reached out and neither did she. Figuring he had to get things in order due to Rio’s accident, Irish gave him space, hoping it wouldn’t be long before she was in his arms again.
The beeping sound of the heart monitor had quickly become white noise to Cali. A week had passed since Rio’s accident, and things weren’t looking great. His injuries were massive including trauma to his head. Doctors gave her a bleak outlook on his diagnosis, stating if he were to survive that he wouldn’t be the same man that she was accustomed to. Despite that, Cali and Ruthia couldn’t bear to take him off life support.
There was this hope she possessed that had formed overnight. Cali didn’t think Rio would give up on life. He was a fighter, always one step ahead of his enemies. She was certain he would come out of this; he just needed time to heal.
“These are beautiful,” Ruthia noted, sitting the gorgeous flower arrangement on the stand.
