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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQggB85O1F
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bkgsFSROB
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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKbLDdsv9a
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3kraWklHy
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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Gj7r0Ptmb
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMFlG96g2z
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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERyQelh7dX
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBUk034Tbn
"Fuck," I hiss, bending over.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWz0IrfyPz
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvKJb74EUe
This is what you get for not eating dinner last night. Gas pains.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3W2z0s31Bn
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3UFVq7IsM
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).442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bFIs1qX3p
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXykAauQuM
So, back to David. What does he do? For some reason, I wouldn't be surprised if he was into some shady shit. 442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohImYyn6uc
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkt5hwb1uv
Oh, well. 442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fBMoEgFnA
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLWgsBo4Sc
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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxW3qmmOsUF
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9sFk0RZbw
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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgp7UNd5YBj
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFkfCSYQk9
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'. 442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qQmjux1xw
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDAeNwocDn
I have no idea why my eating patterns are so random — they aren't affected by my mood or period, they just seem inconsistent.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IlAnHSSxu
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBg74KHPizg
After I finish and wash up the plates, I go back to my room and check my phone.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhHLep4fuG
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvvDetBNQm
I have two missed calls from none other than Marcus.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLw89owbWX
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFWAMpJVLA
"Answer your goddamn phone," he growls when I call him back.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPd4D7Nhx4G
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjy8jZHYJHb
"Whatever. Why are you calling me?"442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtrME2LFP3
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RrK8QL8jb
"You have a new job offering. It's an event. But—"442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NVKj0kWEd
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNWoZJtVYO
"I—"442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBE3VLLIvJ
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzDeE9Kz4B
"But—"442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBj2aT5mvIn
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKXx49Anm4
"You—"442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLiVO1NnkG
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgzXcFSbX2
"But," he says, drawing out the word so that I will let him continue.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡED32Gigtfd
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuquZMoNL8c
I shut up.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XW2X45451
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAsTaoZiEj
"It's a free speaking/poetry open mic event. They're offering thirty thousand, because they're a little low on funding, but—"442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡil6WrIn0jk
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyb0hlUXr9
"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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxii5Jy0pp3
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0E5rdGo5n
"Great. It's on Thursday coming at nine p.m. I'll text you the address and remember to get there early."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLDc6J2jRX
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUeBVCPeUa
"Yes, sir!" I say in mock salute.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaAxU2zG1H
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDoIpXqZNl
I hear him laugh through the phone.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqvzWRlknm
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrawmILAgZ
"By, Leah."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWP7KhnCXk
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9uQHW6vda
"Bye."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURbuKEuJxq
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijpHMBZWab
I sigh as I hang up the phone. Today is Monday. What is it with all of the late bookings? 442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wnSjqEuEy
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4BLMz2HqP
Well, at least you aren't broke anymore.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6ZilO4NB3
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZB8otrblT
With that optimistic thought in mind, I go back to the kitchen for another cup of coffee.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRj1uEAIFdI
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4HFGVW6cm
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtfXwfRI7W
***442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4i6hF5PcUY
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2FrwqBUj0
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJNSMXQ7OY
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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZp6zmEWo4
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2emCHnREUb
"Hello, you must be Leah," says a young woman who has just approached me, dressed in a pair of jeans and a grey blouse.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kbs7AgCm2
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAejAt1ZXr
"Good evening. Andrea, right?" I ask. That's the name Marcus gave me.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWM5C9Fuouz
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUi5yIFJkA
"Yes," she replies, and begins to walk, so naturally, I walk with her.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡis0hOnIOiy
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEDxoKB1pG
"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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26iZv6Dmtz
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSdFozojv1
Well that's an odd offer. 442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLS6zKvOaV9
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbNiuHLcoa
I sigh and place my camera bag on a table near to me and start to set up my camera.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWufvKU8SJ
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPNgyXmIbL
"Leah," I hear in a voice that is all to familiar.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiS0fjnCAc
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4QwyaX6ks
"David?" I reply, spinning to face him. "What are you doing here?"442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNI7aoU2bfD
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQW2FcpI3v5
"I come here all the time," he replies, his eyebrows knitted together, "and I love poetry."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwiHItqEOK
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqkjzya24g
"So do I."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupiBhmnAgf
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZoFOwnmdz
I now have my camera in my hand, and I remember the pressing question that I had for him.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcISbkXVlr
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrBnthgGlz
"What do you do for a living?" I blurt out.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIXNgaNncT
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLTM6wiBV7
To be honest, I'm prepared to hear anything; from a drug dealer, to a pimp. I wouldn't judge him, though.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTMqX4nfz2
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnAPEmZwVQ
"I'm a graphic designer."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjRm6q97pS
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0jxmWI7Jl
Well I wasn't expecting that.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWflEGRTC6I
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlysRchwzMs
"I also sell ganja on the side. I have links with a ganja farmer."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWWUMq7yCo
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPG3Y4svZG
That's more like it.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCkuzzqCXF
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNNrSV9Mkz
We stand there in silence for a few seconds, and then he clears his throat.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDUSSsO1m3
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH11dxp6dgc
"I have to, use the bathroom. See you later."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhF8tT5s1p
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqLdmJmz4e
"Okay. Bye."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHhReAbEnz
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfZBRGjnlu
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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCU7JJOI5qy
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgEaM2ClNJ
"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?"442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFZuuf7Dm2
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOnEYGLAPs
A young girl around my age walks awkwardly up to the stage, and performs a dramatic rendition of Dry Foot Bwoy by Louise Bennett.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKaltJz5wwf
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0aJiMtB7a
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. 442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5tO9zu6Y6
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuvmbasuuc
Then, a tall gentleman steps onto the stage.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HegQBqOEL
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFQapLg6r7
"Hello. My name is Henry."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBYeZJmGt3
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPjBOg2MIY
People in the crowd say their greetings.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrE10xVViFx
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLqcDl42Us
"Tonight, I will be performing a free verse poem I wrote."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIAB9RSzdL
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYJIR62oMm
He clears his voice, then begins.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31HQVHNypK
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4u3QbWnlwy
"Have you ever been in love?442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1JTFa2Qi3
Had your soul so deeply entwined442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRVo6NyF6h
With another's442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsA1loeTPFC
That you cannot figure where yours ends442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIofNwoLc87
And theirs begins?442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeN0RYlxt2K
So madly and deeply in love442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyrzB4ZN3a
That that person's heart beats with yours;442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2WP8gsd7O
Just looking at them is blinding; 442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrwIs76UHA
It's like staring at a supernova 442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8p6PKpAWiq
But you do it anyway442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuKNufGnRs
Because when she's there442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pzRJeK0Q8
Logic and Reason die."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmXhqMFqbW
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMw7DlBUoG
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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2xPbMzMrP
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItpaGFP00P
"Now imagine what it feels like 442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2PmPVMr7r
To have that person442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkV3tNQLMI
Ripped 442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2h6JpRAOpM
From your life;442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAwzFQTsWx
Torn away from you.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyX0jEEDvtT
You can't breathe. 442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDHjoBq8Vh
You're dead, yet you aren't,442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNu9LlzvcUf
You still 442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPX9NYewrib
Walk442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3H2BQdwXt
Talk442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2qU4nNXPC
Interact 442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJbPQm9qXn
With the people around you,442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfd3QhGWCIv
But on the on the inside, 442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUnwDYM1wz
You're hollow;442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDqA8PTBhE
Dead."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnSkDcbjky
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhS52mFYFJl
This is not how my night was supposed to go.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgH802weKrP
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLzlfO4hXH
"It's been ten years,442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiOJz3vPLG
My love, 442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87ySLYadTd
And every day, 442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIH79saijJe
Every hour, 442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpK3riyGSA
Every second without you 442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1sPkKNGBy
Feels like 442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6jUWRc8GF
Torture."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfLppW3mmG
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaF6jqk44R
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRYFRLDTPC
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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxys68uM0aG
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCOJaaYOqA
"I would ask for 442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLkr6ycpnx
Forgiveness,442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Zet8XTNIb
But I can see that you've... 442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVh7xVKuioN
Moved on, 442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMfWiDmbi5
And found happiness elsewhere. 442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXx8WRlleF
And I have to live442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDE8CXA8yM9
With the consequences 442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1TuNLef1W
Of my stupid actions 442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXqKFBnL9j
For the rest of my life. 442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02NllBQRR2
I have to live with this 442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWwrn1Ni9c
Torture, 442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHFd2hgVF0
This 442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQwu15dnaE
Pain,442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LKZitazb0
Because I have never stopped,442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqlSWKD8qD
Loving 442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgd28ogj1h
You,442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujN3rVNbbM
And I don't think I ever will."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dZBJ8TUr3
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxW5Uz2zXg
By the end of the poem, I feel like I might drop my camera.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROb048MhAd
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCzEt34Eb4
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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlullz9Fs1
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIlIj3dHZJ
Tears fill and spill over my eyes as the audience applaud Henry; I can no longer see Henry through the viewfinder of my camera.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2ab4ISLPk
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9oDwCcCiR
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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlHz40CWA1
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3pcDQXH02
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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXoFHSuHYh
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZaigLtYpX
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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeQ2nNoNpJ
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpR4M07kF6a
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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqd9OABjCf
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMp0jdKRz85
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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdCoLPZJy1
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2blOsilYb
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5BTCpHU7p
***442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLlzbixPAy
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTGwOPPcDh
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6LllpT34O
We finally pull apart, and he looks at me cautiously, as if I'll break.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruTiVwSOpE
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNYagezisW
"I'm okay," I say to reassure him.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3PyK2PmMa
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9znzpbepTq
He doesn't look convinced.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23PZUZ5c3Y
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLZWOu2nlP
I look down at the ground and sigh, then look back at him. 442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uX4bqtckW
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ56zdpnshX
Then I realise he isn't holding my camera.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0p64SgqSA
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHorDfF5O9
"Where's my camera?" I ask frantically.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWbIEUnoXB
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3COY17m58E
He nods behind me, and I see my camera bag sitting on a table behind us. I sigh loudly in relief.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0doWq9sZ3
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4cBD8YQRj
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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrjWsBYoUf
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkDVvyyXzV
"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." 442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTaHaILrOcR
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5huH5iXFmO
I'm hyperventilating.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCJwqR6CTu
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1dwCPjyQd
"Breathe, Leah. Take deep, steady breaths," he says to me while rubbing circles into my back.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lxqvlnQUd
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoxgRWNOjo
When I finally calm down he speaks again.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AhT2pzXE9
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnLHj4guBz
"If you don't mind telling me... what happened?"442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEU3AGI7iIh
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyrI7Hrowy
My chest starts to hurt, my eyes are burning, but I owe him an answer. I brought this up.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Noc8XD8Hq
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrp13lpQFi
I look him dead in the face as my eyes fill with tears once more.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJ5OKYPnlg
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6i1zt6cFY
"He died."
ns 15.158.61.20da2
