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.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaL0UmW5rfs
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwHeNaBiSB
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.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBylpj4uMb
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHJcXcvxqY
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.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpeEREOd6Hf
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKpL8Dp9eF
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.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdZe2KU2mF
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpOgZHyLbd
"Fuck," I hiss, bending over.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo81VKRsTOz
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDiqN2iBaH
This is what you get for not eating dinner last night. Gas pains.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxXwiHl2Yq
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXVnVagOlS
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).473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXIlUwCArM
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlMyQ0HuMj
So, back to David. What does he do? For some reason, I wouldn't be surprised if he was into some shady shit. 473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3inSgS7rEY
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0YE0PEgwy
Oh, well. 473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrmtDTOJJa
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sKhETBSHH
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.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtB8QToOKha
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡce8eX9ogyn
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.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQMDfQZUwk
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9aOpnhSt0
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'. 473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69a46f2IrS
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7a0lYqWYMO
I have no idea why my eating patterns are so random — they aren't affected by my mood or period, they just seem inconsistent.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJWLVhuQdx
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYm8G42vCu
After I finish and wash up the plates, I go back to my room and check my phone.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cHG6s683v
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡap2c8IrgLk
I have two missed calls from none other than Marcus.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vNkkIqXxQ
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9HPqlJaFM
"Answer your goddamn phone," he growls when I call him back.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBU0cPE2RE
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KxoRnenP9
"Whatever. Why are you calling me?"473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMTGsxuFgV
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZ22TnUUCQ
"You have a new job offering. It's an event. But—"473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWMjXR7jBX
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVW0gn9pNE
"I—"473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jiGP3kKTJ
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPliM2RLK4I
"But—"473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtanlBsoeQ
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnufunclhn7
"You—"473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgdCnnqkCW
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSlbhTmiAN
"But," he says, drawing out the word so that I will let him continue.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Lk8cEQn1w
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5i0f3Vp4H
I shut up.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfazio0pwxv
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7GKSajOTT
"It's a free speaking/poetry open mic event. They're offering thirty thousand, because they're a little low on funding, but—"473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Iitukvdyx
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzQMqAGrCm
"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.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZzpOxYH9H
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx05iG2xwN6
"Great. It's on Thursday coming at nine p.m. I'll text you the address and remember to get there early."473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fPPKFZiek
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0fRlRMjf7
"Yes, sir!" I say in mock salute.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzlCUgZs7W
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DVOh2vN6e
I hear him laugh through the phone.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXPCif2Q8n
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNynTjqr8F
"By, Leah."473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6uwslWrMw
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bPn4dBJea
"Bye."473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBibLTvWEE
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmdk8wA8As
I sigh as I hang up the phone. Today is Monday. What is it with all of the late bookings? 473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QaEsi4Bvz
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmZZMsyBmr
Well, at least you aren't broke anymore.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5b2XK9qnpP
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOUv1d9zXB
With that optimistic thought in mind, I go back to the kitchen for another cup of coffee.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQNCKHykET
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZaShyoNoJ
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFOJr7JBqc
***473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpG7t3P76C
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBdbPPC2Ix
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt88fmAdMwa
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.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd54St0pxQN
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wUbkqwghq
"Hello, you must be Leah," says a young woman who has just approached me, dressed in a pair of jeans and a grey blouse.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe43HoBdZNQ
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHdLZTSHn1
"Good evening. Andrea, right?" I ask. That's the name Marcus gave me.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6d7wdOxP6w
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXdQ2J09tL
"Yes," she replies, and begins to walk, so naturally, I walk with her.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFsPwrNYWR
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EO5DTpEAd
"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.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJd6qa85rMz
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡil45sFmikA
Well that's an odd offer. 473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDhb0Gugma
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpu8bmilHfb
I sigh and place my camera bag on a table near to me and start to set up my camera.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1xRATdZtW
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGpsMgnsYy
"Leah," I hear in a voice that is all to familiar.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD40XJb0Wo1
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EmzfUYtFh
"David?" I reply, spinning to face him. "What are you doing here?"473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39w5TeMcNF
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfcK0ozPP4
"I come here all the time," he replies, his eyebrows knitted together, "and I love poetry."473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4SsmsUGRJ
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7dif5Ys4T
"So do I."473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRTY64maLI
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKgPFxstRm
I now have my camera in my hand, and I remember the pressing question that I had for him.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqDSC6TP4A
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJH0S2VJsal
"What do you do for a living?" I blurt out.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGREp861J1C
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cxZvUALii
To be honest, I'm prepared to hear anything; from a drug dealer, to a pimp. I wouldn't judge him, though.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBbvYL1RML
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkiHJj4JRcO
"I'm a graphic designer."473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMxONaxqDY
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIw9zf9FGG
Well I wasn't expecting that.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpeH9W2smg
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJkzjeFdga
"I also sell ganja on the side. I have links with a ganja farmer."473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1yWHfqR2w
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfb2lkoCGQ
That's more like it.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFeeBEMCkX
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztmKvT3N3m
We stand there in silence for a few seconds, and then he clears his throat.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCLWqoAVOV
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbXNmshcTR
"I have to, use the bathroom. See you later."473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhGDkScktH
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8S2atvv4hg
"Okay. Bye."473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftUOaZC9zd
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzc0sTwB1Nd
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.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL20EckNnQe
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBZsunCYHz
"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?"473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡga8xWAJwfI
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LDxz0mMEE
A young girl around my age walks awkwardly up to the stage, and performs a dramatic rendition of Dry Foot Bwoy by Louise Bennett.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4erDIuQng
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpkXEaWlJl
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. 473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhp5smEmpfz
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6j5w8kQhD
Then, a tall gentleman steps onto the stage.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0at1f6UZbG
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4tbMmjjHR
"Hello. My name is Henry."473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wM23RFxRW
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDm6cK7lqg4
People in the crowd say their greetings.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoi19AbzC8t
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0T97tYjCtx
"Tonight, I will be performing a free verse poem I wrote."473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡactLu4JRKw
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNursUkMbyq
He clears his voice, then begins.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnewYtKDLC
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoblXlC4VFp
"Have you ever been in love?473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EJzbsSehN
Had your soul so deeply entwined473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDBC75CNss
With another's473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MDzZnwao7
That you cannot figure where yours ends473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLicDtCiEi
And theirs begins?473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pLq2oXDA4
So madly and deeply in love473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJzqb0j1lb
That that person's heart beats with yours;473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvGRX6o2H4
Just looking at them is blinding; 473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsyJJUWJvN
It's like staring at a supernova 473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7lE0tUhIy
But you do it anyway473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1diMSnBpDI
Because when she's there473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6KB40tVKI
Logic and Reason die."473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBW5ky2rO8x
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgY5Rdx8Np8
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.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygOSrwqMPK
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdayLMhXyAi
"Now imagine what it feels like 473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXKCdldT2T
To have that person473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDRtGGd8hB
Ripped 473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FI23yIn1Y
From your life;473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONx6WaUjBV
Torn away from you.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJTv4aEjas
You can't breathe. 473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXU3j1ND1Kb
You're dead, yet you aren't,473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9HrCU9Vm6
You still 473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj84jTMYaTt
Walk473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHrfkHwGvn
Talk473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrCygbVh2p
Interact 473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZP8QlxvhU5
With the people around you,473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mMN84g95a
But on the on the inside, 473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4cU7swSGw
You're hollow;473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbI5h9b92O
Dead."473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDS8AYZ9Sqb
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUe0jkTxkBA
This is not how my night was supposed to go.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TN27AHywf
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3cMyfpGQZ
"It's been ten years,473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jEd5LHkWW
My love, 473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEiEAwgcIf
And every day, 473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZLSc7XHjt
Every hour, 473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9ZCbUiWJp
Every second without you 473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7ZciyPQic
Feels like 473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3fy9C7J0k
Torture."473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1JLMkB4Om
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6G30IydnRk
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfusawNvhJ
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.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVapz3kb3A
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oDrf8U9Af
"I would ask for 473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNNCbcggIC
Forgiveness,473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYGhqmIU9u
But I can see that you've... 473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyQxOPFBXw
Moved on, 473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3X67fxfJP
And found happiness elsewhere. 473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSmC8E3nrT
And I have to live473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYxnRfF3kZ
With the consequences 473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOf7FI7iFcw
Of my stupid actions 473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYym2i6GnJz
For the rest of my life. 473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9U5Bd16LO
I have to live with this 473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60QeDpqHat
Torture, 473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEGj1PoZyK
This 473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUB0eUSjZiP
Pain,473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7oj3KtGMf
Because I have never stopped,473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTNL5nBfI8
Loving 473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qbwld8wUs
You,473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHIF1BcDwt
And I don't think I ever will."473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkx4HL1Q3bH
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTRjr2y9jQ
By the end of the poem, I feel like I might drop my camera.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvSDSCmEhT
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlVnHGqdIG
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.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPCGAhlUkT
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1AVDMsY97
Tears fill and spill over my eyes as the audience applaud Henry; I can no longer see Henry through the viewfinder of my camera.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELIbRVC2ZY
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgplWtXc6l
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.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JhnhSzMSD
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy89EiwQGuO
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.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUdPW5o8FG
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFaLxWSP01
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.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeUVHqbn3P
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9NHW9BDkt
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.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAlY8VK0Od
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPs9cR4vgL
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.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotq0yHB10O
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDTwBHy8qF
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWEZw2UxzY
***473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOA9rhlZHT
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IgSGKjZh5
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27RY7iocFn
We finally pull apart, and he looks at me cautiously, as if I'll break.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGay3FVlOI
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeERRFLxpmW
"I'm okay," I say to reassure him.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAAtBTFpEO
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXxqX76Ev4
He doesn't look convinced.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZPBZEJK4x
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0S6iQfRj9
I look down at the ground and sigh, then look back at him. 473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ202vU90nI8
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmJvYzpf1w
Then I realise he isn't holding my camera.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIVjpq5ROp
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa54o2dnqAc
"Where's my camera?" I ask frantically.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfAK0ZUI2e
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoo8ntlBXM
He nods behind me, and I see my camera bag sitting on a table behind us. I sigh loudly in relief.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3W3vhbZmq
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymPCNIrTBP
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.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqa49tjUKjg
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSyApEglTe
"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." 473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxttxay2KO
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I'm hyperventilating.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwf0H8XK1w1
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"Breathe, Leah. Take deep, steady breaths," he says to me while rubbing circles into my back.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xNwsks0rK
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When I finally calm down he speaks again.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡot3VR399Cq
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"If you don't mind telling me... what happened?"473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCk6HjphGz
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My chest starts to hurt, my eyes are burning, but I owe him an answer. I brought this up.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfkXNLqqec
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I look him dead in the face as my eyes fill with tears once more.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbj5d20Jmb
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"He died."
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