It's been about two weeks since the wedding, and my lip has returned to its normal state. I can't say I'm not pleased.481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADzXy9mllk
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mOzkzzy4y
I haven't seen David since the morning after the wedding; I've had at least one photo shoot each day, which is a 180 from the level of struggles that I was facing not even four months ago.481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwhi4J7nt1
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBmPpFGAHz
As I walk to the kitchen in my small apartment, I begin to wonder... what does David do? He's never told me. He must have a pretty good job to own two houses, but somehow, I've been fuckíng the man for weeks now and I still don't know.481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspgPT5vsUs
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAHOWI2I8I
I shrug off the thought, and reach up to open the cabinet and pull down the jar of Jablum Instant Coffee, I feel a sharp pain in the left side of my pelvis.481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRU4tigtZGl
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiB3VMZJqM
"Fuck," I hiss, bending over.481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3A9B09iug
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmcKcjEGog
This is what you get for not eating dinner last night. Gas pains.481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSupIRRBBg
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFsJ8fPG2Y
I straighten up and reach for the coffee again, this time retrieving it, and make myself a cup of steaming black coffee with scrambled eggs and bread along with it (I'm too lazy to do anything else).481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBCY4jfxF9
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PyzbPwoib
So, back to David. What does he do? For some reason, I wouldn't be surprised if he was into some shady shit. 481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVuSYoDhKv
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuxko8EY1d
Oh, well. 481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvZ5VxhWVp
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdkoAY6pKH
I guess I'll just have to ask the next time I see him. I make a mental note to do so, and even though I'm extremely forgetful, I'm pretty sure that I'll remember this.481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnE5xDtxyfL
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3rKAeszjx
After resolving to ask David about his occupation the next time we speak, I continue to eat, not really for the taste of the food, but rather out of necessity. It's something that happens to me sometimes — I don't feel the urge to eat, but I know that I have to do I force myself to.481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuyVIEtShn
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iC4Ch1bYA
On other occasions, I'm like a pig, consuming everything in sight until I feel as if I'm about to burst like that poor man at the end of 'Monty Python's The Meaning of Life'. 481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVfw0ipwao
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6D9lp5eS2D
I have no idea why my eating patterns are so random — they aren't affected by my mood or period, they just seem inconsistent.481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjxKYBS9cB
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLDiMIaFNg
After I finish and wash up the plates, I go back to my room and check my phone.481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoEmX0Wku3
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXr8NAsFow3
I have two missed calls from none other than Marcus.481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUR6mbpHaq
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlMWt131KS
"Answer your goddamn phone," he growls when I call him back.481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxk0EkCAzr
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGyz59DHv1
"Whatever. Why are you calling me?"481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FiVw06tXw
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWccqhcqsak
"You have a new job offering. It's an event. But—"481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVdzcOBWqz
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9AJmFq0us
"I—"481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVW1kKGxsw
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU990wjUJKA
"But—"481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XppGX1Og8
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKN7uJwMghr
"You—"481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhuHz3TMLN
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyMf9AOmMF
"But," he says, drawing out the word so that I will let him continue.481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CVChLJNTW
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbBHmvz5Tf
I shut up.481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFZ2BxsK3p
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0KGCRyGAo
"It's a free speaking/poetry open mic event. They're offering thirty thousand, because they're a little low on funding, but—"481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7R3gnFoSRG
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GE9WOsOme
"I'll go," I say before he can finish his sentence. I love poetry — and he knows it. I love reading it, I love writing it, I love hearing it. There's no way I'm passing up this opportunity.481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF123ylfymh
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbifhamjZo6
"Great. It's on Thursday coming at nine p.m. I'll text you the address and remember to get there early."481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThFASl2S3p
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZ8kjnM3PB
"Yes, sir!" I say in mock salute.481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8g4us2R9LA
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VO58qyfmW
I hear him laugh through the phone.481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUiHuoUrSu
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Cyrqfo32X
"By, Leah."481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGG1elG2acB
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEFGp23Qe4
"Bye."481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSa5AY4Afi
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSdFG1r3Ko
I sigh as I hang up the phone. Today is Monday. What is it with all of the late bookings? 481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfesSB9dsT
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rSNAM2sRC
Well, at least you aren't broke anymore.481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbr46CZYnt
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOLBXMr002
With that optimistic thought in mind, I go back to the kitchen for another cup of coffee.481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4ZqQQJvql
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppVI0tUPOd
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREhUtoIhTa
***481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Q2P0CSqFc
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDHxWmaLhK
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvSs7AhcV7
Poetic Justice is a small, intimate setting. It is located outdoors, and has a small stage area with a few small tables and a bar located at the back.481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLM7ZQQqpW0
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXu1vjXA9I
"Hello, you must be Leah," says a young woman who has just approached me, dressed in a pair of jeans and a grey blouse.481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8EgC6APtz
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzo5DmWwyw
"Good evening. Andrea, right?" I ask. That's the name Marcus gave me.481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Cve6nZpvE
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsZvdwhjxe
"Yes," she replies, and begins to walk, so naturally, I walk with her.481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8i0V1dgGQ
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuZvsBgpRb
"The bar is straight to the back. Have whatever you want; I've already told the bartender that your drinks are on the house. And feel free to come up and do a little poem; putting down the camera for five minutes won't hurt," she says with a smile, then turns and walks away.481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvTxFnAz7f
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTx1dWekmb
Well that's an odd offer. 481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuWylD6ut9
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTCO3fQyr8
I sigh and place my camera bag on a table near to me and start to set up my camera.481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTZYoSepc6
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMxPK8DqFH
"Leah," I hear in a voice that is all to familiar.481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4j0712UKNN
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UPL92L3U3
"David?" I reply, spinning to face him. "What are you doing here?"481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLtYBJ7o1Z
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfLVhqm9wp
"I come here all the time," he replies, his eyebrows knitted together, "and I love poetry."481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6oFeJpzbhu
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71WzhfbNmt
"So do I."481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHkA7KoTqK
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MpbcOSFvG
I now have my camera in my hand, and I remember the pressing question that I had for him.481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtXTwwjfQ1
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqS82NlM4Bq
"What do you do for a living?" I blurt out.481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJj1IVFMA3A
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ioudH8vxS
To be honest, I'm prepared to hear anything; from a drug dealer, to a pimp. I wouldn't judge him, though.481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdQHHjB9uL
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YJ7PnU75K
"I'm a graphic designer."481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoviQfuvvQQ
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡai5EF9Zl9D
Well I wasn't expecting that.481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFE1nPhkJRq
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUykhVCiZOw
"I also sell ganja on the side. I have links with a ganja farmer."481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KtJ5Eit1N
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ifvNQY2dx
That's more like it.481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsgYDo0isK
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZj955IyhEe
We stand there in silence for a few seconds, and then he clears his throat.481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWUuAARh1q
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMlfMwbjzs
"I have to, use the bathroom. See you later."481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFa3v5ihxwE
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI37PWNxcKC
"Okay. Bye."481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhHG49ljxI
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvU1z6CTUGP
He walks off and I go to the bar and get myself a glass of ginger ale. I stand idly by the bar for a few moments, and before I know it, Andrea is on the stage.481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdrYfo3I10
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRziLI8skBe
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. My name is Andrea, and tonight, I'll be your hostess. So as you are all probably aware, we are having a poetry/free speaking open mic event tonight. Who would like to go first?"481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXK74JKGGZ
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYCvp2sKFV
A young girl around my age walks awkwardly up to the stage, and performs a dramatic rendition of Dry Foot Bwoy by Louise Bennett.481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInlkZzf4pQ
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8r3ycLbpgp
As the night continues, I find myself being more and more entertained. One man performs a ballad inspired by his daughter; a young boy performs a free verse dedicated to his mother in the audience. 481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrJTFzYiKS
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqgVOatbAk
Then, a tall gentleman steps onto the stage.481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9Pso6jKzA
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLLydEnDxt
"Hello. My name is Henry."481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8a5xDDZVk
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGu885nPFne
People in the crowd say their greetings.481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxjSEhSvJi
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNvmmGG8qw
"Tonight, I will be performing a free verse poem I wrote."481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wpnnGNukJ
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVnK89T4WO
He clears his voice, then begins.481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Ds8IyIzRc
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnumHPqzZzE
"Have you ever been in love?481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnK5zlQMcB
Had your soul so deeply entwined481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufC6UySfbp
With another's481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6J76sHh1Hi
That you cannot figure where yours ends481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQh9y6EF0VN
And theirs begins?481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKJYckUWUE
So madly and deeply in love481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kwi1yxpxi
That that person's heart beats with yours;481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuihmvPx4T
Just looking at them is blinding; 481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrolpHXudqx
It's like staring at a supernova 481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWwECoA8kc
But you do it anyway481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcQXEhcjEZ
Because when she's there481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0v7ZMBEaS
Logic and Reason die."481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9xQHoWTl8
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Nwu2BVFyV
I feel my stomach curl with unease, tension filling my body, because I know that it's going to go downhill — I can feel it.481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAm2duLETy
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ksL5bqc4E
"Now imagine what it feels like 481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQ0Gh9rZAu
To have that person481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iTlkRGGxr
Ripped 481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfcOevlG1P
From your life;481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGZISw04zW
Torn away from you.481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijkynoLs8k
You can't breathe. 481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdgSnXgVuq
You're dead, yet you aren't,481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjzXSo1zbb
You still 481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprtjnXfAk4
Walk481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7QSIFEhv6
Talk481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDlCVsZA4e
Interact 481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPkxKFzl1o
With the people around you,481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKe1mwbdy09
But on the on the inside, 481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquBYGIUOKK
You're hollow;481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1IjTrX6Bh
Dead."481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXf5vpTmrpI
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjjKq9QkHK
This is not how my night was supposed to go.481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8WboJKm7h
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAU4waVV0Ea
"It's been ten years,481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNdTsHMeHj
My love, 481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2ZBH1LZGQ
And every day, 481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ymPqWpHFo
Every hour, 481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DsYzQXrFq
Every second without you 481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1GSTyHyqM
Feels like 481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMpen5FSRf
Torture."481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkB6HPXe6b
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIk7pGV4u8
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBCTARb1LQ
By now, I feel like I'm being tortured. I want to leave, but as I look through the viewfinder of my camera, I know more than anything that I can't.481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFvA7P7xTV
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVtO4MajM5
"I would ask for 481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dbYp4tcUN
Forgiveness,481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75zNa0dtc7
But I can see that you've... 481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbja41EUBH2
Moved on, 481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUSSdCJUS2
And found happiness elsewhere. 481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiM9QmGYbuS
And I have to live481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxWSB4I6u1
With the consequences 481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYkSMCc1Wm
Of my stupid actions 481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjay5zI05EO
For the rest of my life. 481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuKsru03xn
I have to live with this 481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKCaR7lkwF
Torture, 481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoSt5G8Jrz
This 481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTxs4MErIX
Pain,481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaJ05UjNlp
Because I have never stopped,481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ605aH0akJr
Loving 481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJ9W3C6A5c
You,481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXC6QMDQtt4
And I don't think I ever will."481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDm9FLB1B0
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qNKvyYINK
By the end of the poem, I feel like I might drop my camera.481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQJzBavujh
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhmDK0C0iv
All of the emotions that I have been trying to surprises come rushing forward as Henry says his poem, because I know exactly what that feels like. I don't want to remember it, but I do.481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcGLxfDz4g
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnw2nhxRASW
Tears fill and spill over my eyes as the audience applaud Henry; I can no longer see Henry through the viewfinder of my camera.481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bM8E1VSTb
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UAQOtABr6
This pain, this ache in my chest, this is what happens when you suppress your emotions, and pretend that your past is nonexistent, when you refuse to acknowledge what was once there.481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsgloXjgL3
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuV5PTaeSnG
Pressing the ignore button on the past — repeatedly, in my case — is not only disrespectful to the highest degree, but also stupid, because the past won't change.481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVbiV8jn5Y
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvC37PfhJMm
The fact that I'm in a place called Poetic Justice and my stupidity has finally caught up to me isn't lost on me. How ironic.481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFlq8iNnKH
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkdQj7v1e7
Suddenly, a strong arm is wrapped around me, and the camera is being taken out of my hand. I let out a broken sob into his chest as he rubs my back soothingly. I don't even know how long we stand there like this.481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUos1vSdXV
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHseOJGZLS
In the back of my mind I know that I'm crossing a line, breaking my own rule letting him comfort me like this, but in this moment, I feel too broken to care.481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIGVEO98OJ
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVN1WGEIEn7
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNa5SQcQnf
***481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoAPpOCWmH
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODCH0qxJip
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCR4wpSEVM
We finally pull apart, and he looks at me cautiously, as if I'll break.481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPrRYkC6Y5
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmSvGSGY4p
"I'm okay," I say to reassure him.481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRewXsHSGD9
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqYwYkWt7f
He doesn't look convinced.481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbEOkvjIKO
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyYJ5Alz22
I look down at the ground and sigh, then look back at him. 481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Nj9mhYIuE
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgjq1PrS3B
Then I realise he isn't holding my camera.481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGxzLGIVqD
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bvruFXkdH
"Where's my camera?" I ask frantically.481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqDKGNveRR
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83a7AcTMZ2
He nods behind me, and I see my camera bag sitting on a table behind us. I sigh loudly in relief.481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZwQvaj2dB
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGZvHjI7da
I look up at him, and maybe it's because of how vulnerable but safe I'm feeling with him right now, but what I say next just feels right.481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxy1a3MjcE4
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBFsfjR5gu
"I've been in love before; madly, madly, deeply in love," I say, my voice cracking all over the place. I take a shaky breath. "It hurts to think about what could have been; what will never be. I wanted to be a mother, to be the mother of his children." 481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysQoLngO6q
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKB685SCEH
I'm hyperventilating.481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqo7RXld0Xl
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOL24H3UOZ
"Breathe, Leah. Take deep, steady breaths," he says to me while rubbing circles into my back.481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLaxk9uSYq
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrSpiZNp0E
When I finally calm down he speaks again.481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlPk1W0lHZ
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIfY1iZ7cf
"If you don't mind telling me... what happened?"481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNf189136S
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMnZ8QJhsS
My chest starts to hurt, my eyes are burning, but I owe him an answer. I brought this up.481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3atdd9v5dE
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dn05pmvuP
I look him dead in the face as my eyes fill with tears once more.481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2EaZvB3ld
481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZdIRA59h5
"He died."
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