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.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6xVIAMWHC
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMl0yKVR50
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.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvn6WqPDeeU
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuEMlBoNUE
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.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNwfK4gPGs
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OA8z0Z0pT
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.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUaODozuGa
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNks1D4kg4
"Fuck," I hiss, bending over.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuLTTe5rup
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRo0qHECNV0
This is what you get for not eating dinner last night. Gas pains.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzE6wrpuXgC
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeS9YZWOnL
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).506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIr84Dnnp7o
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QpLJsx9Xp
So, back to David. What does he do? For some reason, I wouldn't be surprised if he was into some shady shit. 506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lJBR0Aa8R
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAd8jFj1xo
Oh, well. 506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FOTkgkC6C
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9pFB8vGqE
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.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqdKBeYfDl
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGGMm9EBti
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.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhtbO7D4Uy
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemSMnyHAks
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'. 506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcksIm017IS
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCMuK20gfS
I have no idea why my eating patterns are so random — they aren't affected by my mood or period, they just seem inconsistent.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfQgkwzSEz
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPtp16BQQq
After I finish and wash up the plates, I go back to my room and check my phone.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAU6Iss9Hho
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmdZvwbOnT
I have two missed calls from none other than Marcus.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcUuFPPP1m
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVgIBqop3H
"Answer your goddamn phone," he growls when I call him back.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMm319P0pR2
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLhUVMUt6B
"Whatever. Why are you calling me?"506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQEBAFswvy
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWEJswQ2iF
"You have a new job offering. It's an event. But—"506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6TEFtECga
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5sL97A4hR
"I—"506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTzZdIZ8K3
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwenCsotbR
"But—"506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoB758i933b
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdqqlXgR3H
"You—"506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QMXZjqaoh
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTVxNjTR37
"But," he says, drawing out the word so that I will let him continue.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIObBtbKtzw
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgiLytudc5H
I shut up.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVI7UAj4Wx
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqTW0luHBY
"It's a free speaking/poetry open mic event. They're offering thirty thousand, because they're a little low on funding, but—"506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBTWGmulkU
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreiE8vh8Fc
"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.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvVU5S69xT
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd57cp0cydJ
"Great. It's on Thursday coming at nine p.m. I'll text you the address and remember to get there early."506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciY02XAIN7
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKUB8IpK8X
"Yes, sir!" I say in mock salute.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0H2dicetv
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdhdJIVBO6
I hear him laugh through the phone.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgQpUA2LtB
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9giovlMjwz
"By, Leah."506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9OZ4XJCGW
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ047HRfbOc1
"Bye."506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVI8w1QYbjJ
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIfo0UcCQ3
I sigh as I hang up the phone. Today is Monday. What is it with all of the late bookings? 506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0xsTV6FAk
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhxLoMfzRP
Well, at least you aren't broke anymore.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwA58pjbp2
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKn6O6NmB9M
With that optimistic thought in mind, I go back to the kitchen for another cup of coffee.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTmG2BWXtF
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8UuIX3cTn
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftcuvFFpir
***506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRqSLHHYYv
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHP2ySauKE
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79Ownq3LFF
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.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATlbxjtXdB
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZKa8lZZ0F
"Hello, you must be Leah," says a young woman who has just approached me, dressed in a pair of jeans and a grey blouse.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡER1Lb5VzZ3
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVzOm6FeAj
"Good evening. Andrea, right?" I ask. That's the name Marcus gave me.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfhclYPtVW
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsg1h01mlQ
"Yes," she replies, and begins to walk, so naturally, I walk with her.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RggZ775OQ
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KiHB9qd4A
"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.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMG2RMVvZ3M
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccPkVSPZrB
Well that's an odd offer. 506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ844VAR6Vrb
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSFx3Ffjmh
I sigh and place my camera bag on a table near to me and start to set up my camera.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnQdSsb89Q
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXgYS2rR2L
"Leah," I hear in a voice that is all to familiar.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8X8E34Osc
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqqwWfvnkm
"David?" I reply, spinning to face him. "What are you doing here?"506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RR9ZXyyNY
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPu3dXLPyF
"I come here all the time," he replies, his eyebrows knitted together, "and I love poetry."506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzUKegMRo6
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNnWJ6T2O5
"So do I."506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyiNlYmuWj
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XqoFR4Gq2
I now have my camera in my hand, and I remember the pressing question that I had for him.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRgCPIIeBn
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrnNdQvYiX
"What do you do for a living?" I blurt out.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMpKbnAKpX
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkX0Tup8vAf
To be honest, I'm prepared to hear anything; from a drug dealer, to a pimp. I wouldn't judge him, though.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDzo1AjN1u
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWV9IcA3ut
"I'm a graphic designer."506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4FLB81MGU
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmejQzDcbu
Well I wasn't expecting that.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyGDlTsZqa
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPzM6gjZy3
"I also sell ganja on the side. I have links with a ganja farmer."506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbACGQQFumo
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkYmirkzDf
That's more like it.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PuosrKfT0
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVi3LGFo1L
We stand there in silence for a few seconds, and then he clears his throat.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0KrpC0eDo
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIijd3aGRY
"I have to, use the bathroom. See you later."506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjbBUbDV8h
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJefjnXEddf
"Okay. Bye."506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzjjGZ6r0j
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRSsfvDAle
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.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclIW8rp8C1
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRZDilkawN
"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?"506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxO8jhiGQSS
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RLoUOaBkj
A young girl around my age walks awkwardly up to the stage, and performs a dramatic rendition of Dry Foot Bwoy by Louise Bennett.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNcOypmkt7
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMW0ZdINfr2
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. 506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5Cmr9g7yI
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0m6srkqKiq
Then, a tall gentleman steps onto the stage.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbru5FLas8
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SBHNfYRfp
"Hello. My name is Henry."506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqF5atwQgwJ
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwLUIqNSdb
People in the crowd say their greetings.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbq2qdr3g0
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvKVZiOsWT
"Tonight, I will be performing a free verse poem I wrote."506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gQOmOAxjU
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4gkUxtbwL
He clears his voice, then begins.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3c4Qs58kMh
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jBNqmeGbM
"Have you ever been in love?506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXiw7Zsec1G
Had your soul so deeply entwined506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHN1a3PVb1
With another's506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2bG3kkxPA
That you cannot figure where yours ends506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjn1Vwbcfxs
And theirs begins?506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡih0XVjYDdp
So madly and deeply in love506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNEEOg2Ua8
That that person's heart beats with yours;506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAT1EhTfDT
Just looking at them is blinding; 506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzBOmxXrnb
It's like staring at a supernova 506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRP5ymeIGIb
But you do it anyway506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡak2Lcw4Xf9
Because when she's there506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhXMKvs1UF
Logic and Reason die."506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OhtpLt99k
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AOeNr82fA
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.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSwgWf0vEl
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBikaZSFcb
"Now imagine what it feels like 506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDdTlj16la
To have that person506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7Z5t6ydo0
Ripped 506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CraZ7agGI
From your life;506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRFtvii1Zd
Torn away from you.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4WxkJcr3T
You can't breathe. 506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OHNmUoINV
You're dead, yet you aren't,506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzMvgLTtIR
You still 506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlrqeyetgc
Walk506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKFKv7DkG8
Talk506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmRLCnZE12
Interact 506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOemtJjJEj
With the people around you,506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19dYte6vMI
But on the on the inside, 506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4FQpboTRD
You're hollow;506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4bCrGmciA
Dead."506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizMfhGrZO1
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwo1wfMhEed
This is not how my night was supposed to go.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiYp81EK3j
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeqv6u2idi
"It's been ten years,506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhzR8DMCoO
My love, 506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3BZC1d4yG
And every day, 506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9xhiOLJy7
Every hour, 506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGYLcJpVMa
Every second without you 506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVtKc9gQ6M
Feels like 506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvX6phvb8WD
Torture."506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KoODuDBKg
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vTbOUAr4A
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE77pIxS3JL
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.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUg9X7zTLQX
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmHJUP6EDe
"I would ask for 506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjYqlr1Y2U
Forgiveness,506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmQ70xTBPP
But I can see that you've... 506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLTY3Z0Te5
Moved on, 506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4BGcVG2su
And found happiness elsewhere. 506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBO5PpWuL0Y
And I have to live506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSA8Qzvl0g
With the consequences 506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiS0uKdkWOe
Of my stupid actions 506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXmieUQqv7
For the rest of my life. 506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ744WgjcsNq
I have to live with this 506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3V7p1gTjM
Torture, 506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbLrQJriLi
This 506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf97drdAPoH
Pain,506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyYyjaHNKB
Because I have never stopped,506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58RhoLFzzA
Loving 506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH09Xuqfw6U
You,506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE73GuR1l8F
And I don't think I ever will."506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlfRQUFlXV
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZizWpJjsg
By the end of the poem, I feel like I might drop my camera.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOGc2o2o21
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkhHEYjsWM
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.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDWznfzv2w
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2qnj72Zzl
Tears fill and spill over my eyes as the audience applaud Henry; I can no longer see Henry through the viewfinder of my camera.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FqLZ5WXUx
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2fqkbPT7A
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.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbI9jc7W7sS
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAn8ba6JQP
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.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCwYWIGR2Y
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡof0w0ae7YW
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.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhVKmhDJx3
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqLDJdZInX
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.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYhkLlCwSN
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatgLaRevja
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.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppsbsmMo0t
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6R6kD17TZW
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVY7a5n1Amj
***506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7sp2weNtQ
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVj4hkMdIhl
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuLjDXkvXp
We finally pull apart, and he looks at me cautiously, as if I'll break.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42LbUhpk1r
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwKBNtRb4y
"I'm okay," I say to reassure him.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uhyyB3yiS
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPa0cH6N4B
He doesn't look convinced.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpclOEcYIO
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvx6Sv8KJXp
I look down at the ground and sigh, then look back at him. 506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yVCNnmAzH
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOKZoQ5eVv
Then I realise he isn't holding my camera.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrmMOsD5VH
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2SyweBJjF
"Where's my camera?" I ask frantically.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGrLeDEv0a
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3fkV0w2G5
He nods behind me, and I see my camera bag sitting on a table behind us. I sigh loudly in relief.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSt0PTWEVT
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLJ4qOL8ts
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.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhe9sEt5FA2
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIiTXGTaIPq
"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." 506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrbzny88bv
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpRompkt2q
I'm hyperventilating.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRH4NQoPlNN
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"Breathe, Leah. Take deep, steady breaths," he says to me while rubbing circles into my back.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EFp0XLTqp
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When I finally calm down he speaks again.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4YOgqcVAj
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPz4QUApl9M
"If you don't mind telling me... what happened?"506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCd6aUsJqA
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My chest starts to hurt, my eyes are burning, but I owe him an answer. I brought this up.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVba5EVNWH
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I look him dead in the face as my eyes fill with tears once more.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXey1wfYejH
506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrlHlcth3S
"He died."
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