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.514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRV4wcgQbk
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKup3tBtyxT
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.514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05G1ipEXAA
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyd2hPKPtG
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.514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3YTnU2IY6
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71gmuyQNv7
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.514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhOY9mhZYd
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqGio9LecE
"Fuck," I hiss, bending over.514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWv2p2NOk4g
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQyI0qZvqJ
This is what you get for not eating dinner last night. Gas pains.514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmI7UhzGqd9
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8XW5O2erz
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).514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YFrORVQUb
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Ec12EfOf6
So, back to David. What does he do? For some reason, I wouldn't be surprised if he was into some shady shit. 514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypsI4zlHOu
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlB3VHS9ln
Oh, well. 514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3SiJ57ZLh
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHj3ay8dQla
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.514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsEPMBF8SM
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2Czk9krfV
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.514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9gJ8VnrGO
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSPRMahfwz
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'. 514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NvbHX20iJ
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwcUHXqgae
I have no idea why my eating patterns are so random — they aren't affected by my mood or period, they just seem inconsistent.514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjTbrBCRQv
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9IiD2v48g
After I finish and wash up the plates, I go back to my room and check my phone.514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3S4pvYLInu
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpES73zWoNM
I have two missed calls from none other than Marcus.514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9kOv2LrjQ
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLxMu6O5Zf
"Answer your goddamn phone," he growls when I call him back.514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfz0AqDp98G
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfaTIDPcIuP
"Whatever. Why are you calling me?"514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRMqU8rnnj
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoiWekYJk7
"You have a new job offering. It's an event. But—"514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhtzOxhiZS
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiCTz3I2NW
"I—"514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHJpiIwF1y
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAwmfAUq2p
"But—"514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDumMAFyAiO
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgeiMWppET
"You—"514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6UzMp2tW2
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVeOg1NNxHm
"But," he says, drawing out the word so that I will let him continue.514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNwShVNzu1
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2x6JfyYv8k
I shut up.514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLpvZc77V3
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQGbrhsLlE
"It's a free speaking/poetry open mic event. They're offering thirty thousand, because they're a little low on funding, but—"514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDC5maaCx5z
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0oLcFtWcQ
"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.514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RnJrWJQ1x
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWVEGUWgNj
"Great. It's on Thursday coming at nine p.m. I'll text you the address and remember to get there early."514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3rDkryOPb
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAeAfHDhvH
"Yes, sir!" I say in mock salute.514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4GfBR4Zkw
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXKamzACz4
I hear him laugh through the phone.514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjncJHeva5w
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzyRzA3DzM
"By, Leah."514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmweYNPQft
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslFQFTc3da
"Bye."514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVYfJAMeiC
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsm1vWczal
I sigh as I hang up the phone. Today is Monday. What is it with all of the late bookings? 514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcA76SKJnRD
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJj1uk2IImT
Well, at least you aren't broke anymore.514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKvZbtTPCM
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8j4NU3KOu
With that optimistic thought in mind, I go back to the kitchen for another cup of coffee.514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6svmdfIdV
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDPiFkhsTI
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocjC6bY2JS
***514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDkI0fG38V
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQL5ApQ8vM
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ094nijfzgs
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.514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1W4PNK5Dqb
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMLlRmZfEt
"Hello, you must be Leah," says a young woman who has just approached me, dressed in a pair of jeans and a grey blouse.514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iv7jTtVz2
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡceRygLj4mJ
"Good evening. Andrea, right?" I ask. That's the name Marcus gave me.514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqn4aibyqT
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPkDY3MVxq
"Yes," she replies, and begins to walk, so naturally, I walk with her.514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7GU5sdjg0
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkYKd013Ok
"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.514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtEHLgIQpH
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgQSTEdTti
Well that's an odd offer. 514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpva5DEnLe2
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXxYXnqbTP
I sigh and place my camera bag on a table near to me and start to set up my camera.514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfFtuiQDTY
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54QQsGjmPG
"Leah," I hear in a voice that is all to familiar.514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yCrJA38eP
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE34AQHbDh3
"David?" I reply, spinning to face him. "What are you doing here?"514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXWRLqbxMR
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoG2eEZ83uw
"I come here all the time," he replies, his eyebrows knitted together, "and I love poetry."514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWZhASACN8
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGrqO24p88
"So do I."514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SMZ7K5tMn
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBC2dSUFtA
I now have my camera in my hand, and I remember the pressing question that I had for him.514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEW1iHLvBuO
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5wCbnsVLz
"What do you do for a living?" I blurt out.514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQlyQC7S70
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡck4hrh2HWv
To be honest, I'm prepared to hear anything; from a drug dealer, to a pimp. I wouldn't judge him, though.514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6Mz84wQ5n
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKM4lTYWV5A
"I'm a graphic designer."514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9wIfilhYX
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWy2eCg2p3r
Well I wasn't expecting that.514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOSMq40T5D
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡth31ClsJaC
"I also sell ganja on the side. I have links with a ganja farmer."514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gerPkxeuo
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77Vm7G2BbF
That's more like it.514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CTtXkk690
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiN127svw8H
We stand there in silence for a few seconds, and then he clears his throat.514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2OcLAxulM
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6lO6kysNl
"I have to, use the bathroom. See you later."514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRzi3tuEnh
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJcDUg58JF
"Okay. Bye."514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxou6ByPkw
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTGzOZ6mnT
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.514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENx4LdQdmb
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtYmUa18sF
"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?"514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsfurMsaDc
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjadU54FEit
A young girl around my age walks awkwardly up to the stage, and performs a dramatic rendition of Dry Foot Bwoy by Louise Bennett.514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzJmVFakcd
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYB2TdKtDI8
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. 514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJp51XtIrur
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJemGOsc8dx
Then, a tall gentleman steps onto the stage.514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYdRVkZnBQ
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4GwBNt8wS
"Hello. My name is Henry."514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjD0jK4t03N
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswKHx7YBjF
People in the crowd say their greetings.514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BhZKOiUYl
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ThN9cOVyt
"Tonight, I will be performing a free verse poem I wrote."514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI92L4Johzh
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPB9tpHjtwE
He clears his voice, then begins.514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeW54iyJrKr
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWwnRqCLyF
"Have you ever been in love?514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpx7QKMCb0O
Had your soul so deeply entwined514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6U3e8HGvv
With another's514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCQBKtmGBQ
That you cannot figure where yours ends514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrGuZIxBzA
And theirs begins?514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJzPFYTb7k
So madly and deeply in love514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2G0qoRegVP
That that person's heart beats with yours;514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDUNU0gnfM
Just looking at them is blinding; 514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZTkczmnpA
It's like staring at a supernova 514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AXeMP5Hnl
But you do it anyway514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEydbcFdnf
Because when she's there514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3tR9caxKj
Logic and Reason die."514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPZVWjhsJF
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBogxQ08xB8
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.514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2ZYQklX69
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwkWqwhwrP
"Now imagine what it feels like 514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYMZxspot1
To have that person514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLlMqBOjuQ
Ripped 514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGS24eG61Z
From your life;514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaJTzg38Yh
Torn away from you.514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmDtIyq2J4
You can't breathe. 514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHTXE8oLRV
You're dead, yet you aren't,514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Th3TKfDfX
You still 514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB12Ijegd2L
Walk514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZtpsQnXzI
Talk514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmV2ysBgSj4
Interact 514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyPMPENuUS
With the people around you,514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1cP2QeWzy
But on the on the inside, 514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGSeyH2Ev7
You're hollow;514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOUl6pZzjG
Dead."514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMDZxL2xGS
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDWPC6H8bX
This is not how my night was supposed to go.514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpOW7YUTxP
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfx2dtZRkpx
"It's been ten years,514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckZsRcBmZu
My love, 514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sA1xSQkRl
And every day, 514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoi3el9WOx
Every hour, 514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCb8O602lVK
Every second without you 514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaZn7nPYRi
Feels like 514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3e67JjM9xd
Torture."514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEOylmAl6j
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQazGFBfzat
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyuHz2nin8
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.514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeL168tlFEj
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveK0EvLicA
"I would ask for 514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJZQe2p3nE
Forgiveness,514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBSqt0LtPW
But I can see that you've... 514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBFotg5Ofb
Moved on, 514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfUzUDiGbW
And found happiness elsewhere. 514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8r0GCm1wF1
And I have to live514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTsEX2cRGW
With the consequences 514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3HRYF11KR
Of my stupid actions 514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHc0H7Qmbv5
For the rest of my life. 514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhzlQjUGQ6
I have to live with this 514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8j18paXyfC
Torture, 514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRz91J9AAwH
This 514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwNRJusPW3
Pain,514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHM2fikPbZ
Because I have never stopped,514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcw5pIT3RX
Loving 514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DwoAVcA1M
You,514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV479DVtIR3
And I don't think I ever will."514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gDrq0NN8t
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdXN7vXvfM
By the end of the poem, I feel like I might drop my camera.514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2V5JgGW49R
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7mtiUuRMs
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.514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGeBfjaBn6
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUDxlscYtF
Tears fill and spill over my eyes as the audience applaud Henry; I can no longer see Henry through the viewfinder of my camera.514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMOrXvIytp
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhN4Ymyvof
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.514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnjSNRfj4o
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GwVesy9Eu
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.514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyeA7kQeRC
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1z7kb0kZ0
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.514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUdsbekMNm
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHfL9cFmtr
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.514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyalYzAYto
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OcCjkY5oU
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.514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRe66aw5tDz
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBcqC6nkQT
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiw0jzANoOH
***514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sVSz305vI
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkDLRUPDxd
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjz4gTOGI2O
We finally pull apart, and he looks at me cautiously, as if I'll break.514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uMfq7JsFd
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOi7ivqSyd
"I'm okay," I say to reassure him.514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWBDmSE0Xp
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnY4q4Hztz
He doesn't look convinced.514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoHHfOczY2
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ueikl50DI
I look down at the ground and sigh, then look back at him. 514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsaB8l208P
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IO4bl8Kqf
Then I realise he isn't holding my camera.514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOwNbNEvYp
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIxy8rnoz1
"Where's my camera?" I ask frantically.514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIE74Tkcg5
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5DWJrcojW
He nods behind me, and I see my camera bag sitting on a table behind us. I sigh loudly in relief.514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgsnTl1tAk
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZz0aGkaG4
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.514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesnBoSyV48
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnl4B6MpR2S
"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." 514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLnoBrwWI5
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I'm hyperventilating.514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSQPlcTIWC
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"Breathe, Leah. Take deep, steady breaths," he says to me while rubbing circles into my back.514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQ2dDdBfok
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When I finally calm down he speaks again.514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepYU7iYeM8
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"If you don't mind telling me... what happened?"514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61HuPJX3cz
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My chest starts to hurt, my eyes are burning, but I owe him an answer. I brought this up.514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2zWlZhdx5
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I look him dead in the face as my eyes fill with tears once more.514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OGYeW9Bxb
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"He died."
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