Page 17 of Aug

I leaned over and planted a kiss on Tiana’s forehead. Leaving her for even a split second was becoming more difficult than I imagined. I’d spent the last four days tied up in her arms, tangled in her limbs. There was hardly anywhere else I wanted to be.

“Good morning.”

“Go back to sleep,” I encouraged.

Tiana had a big night ahead of her. It was opening night, and I needed her well-rested. Balle had warned me not to tire her out too much after their last rehearsal. I’d made a promise that I intended to keep. The cast was depending on her return to the stage in The Many Gardens of the Sun .

“Mm kay.”

I rested my hand on her belly subconsciously. One day, her left hand wouldn’t be empty. And, her belly wouldn’t be flat. We had so much time between then and now, but I was counting down the days. Looking forward to the times.

“I’ll be back in a few hours to help you get ready.”

“Mm kay.”

“I love you.”

“Leave already, Aug.”

My hesitation was clear. I wanted to crawl back in bed with her. Lying under Tiana made everything alright in my world.

“I’m leaving.”

“Bye.”

“Bye, baby.”

I landed one more kiss on her cheek before leaving her to rest. I exited her place and headed for the elevator. My thoughts were all over the place, but I was managing. It was my first time out of the house alone since I’d returned to Tiana’s good graces. Quite honestly, it felt foreign.

I stepped onto the elevator and pressed the Lobby button. Once the doors reopened, I strolled through the lobby and to the black SUV parked illegally in front of the building.

The lights flickered as I unlocked the doors and started the engine with the fob. I slid into the driver’s seat, wishing that the passenger seat wasn’t empty.

Wishing Ti was beside me.

Wishing I wasn’t alone.

Wishing I could reach over and grab her hand.

Wishing I could hear her complain or laugh or sing along to whatever was playing.

“You’ve got it bad,” a familiar voice disrupted my thoughts.

My hand was on my gun before the first syllable registered. However, there was no need to be alarmed.

I nodded, confirming The Chemist’s suspicions.

“How bad?”

“As bad as it gets.”

“Sounds good to me.”

Silence echoed in the distance. I had nothing to say, but I was all ears.

“My condolences. I’ve been where you are.”

“Yeah?”

“Three times.”

“Three?”

“My mother took her husband’s life. Then hers. I was a boy. A teen, but a boy, nonetheless. Years ago, cancer ripped my father away from me.”

“Cold fucking blooded.”

“It’s life. It fails us. Fucks us. And then gives us a funeral.”

“Have I done my job?”

“Very well. That’s why I’m here.”

“I’m listening.”

“Will this relationship affect your employment?”

“It won’t.”

“If I were ever in a situation where I had to choose between saving my wife and my sister… I would save my wife, August.”

“I haven’t made it to that point yet.”

“And when you do?”

“I won’t turn in my resignation.”

“Why not?”

“Because I will die trying to save them both.”

Chuckling, The Chemist kissed the skin of his teeth.

“Save them both?”

“Balle saved me when she accepted me as her guard. I failed to save her. I owe her one. Tiana– Tiana is saving me from drowning as we speak. She deserves it.”

I felt his hand on my shoulder.

“That’s the response I was expecting. Please know that there will never be a situation where I don’t save them both, either. I just needed to know you’d do the same.”

I didn’t get another word out before he was out of the SUV and in the wind. With a smile on my face, I shook my head and switched gears. I had a place to be, and if I didn’t get a move on, I would be late. Tardiness wasn’t an option. Not for me and not for the person I was headed to see.

Silently, I chased my destination, running through the Clarke streets. I entered the parking garage twenty minutes after my journey started. I stalked the lobby for the suite number and then took the elevator to the twelfth floor after my discovery.

Tap.

Tap.

I knocked on the wooden door, unsure if I was supposed to enter or wait in the hallway. A familiar face opened.

“August–”

“Rather, what’s good?”

“Come in.”

I followed her through the receptionist area and into the second room in the office.

“You can sit there. You’re a bit early, but that’s better than on time, huh?”

“That’s what they say.”

“That’s what my father always said.”

She took the seat across from the couch she invited me to sit on. I pressed my hands together, nervously waiting on what was to come.

“I’m so sorry about your mother’s passing. That must be hard. Is that why you’re here today?”

“Nah. It’s not. That’s life. I’m he– I’m here for love.”

“Tiana?”

I nodded.

“I’m listening.”

I pressed my back against the couch and placed my hands beside me. After a long exhale, I decided that I would lay my shit out on the table.

“I want to fix myself so my woman won’t have to. Cause that’s not her job. It’s mine.”

Silently, The Therapist stared at me. Eyes wide with curiosity. Head nodding as she made note in the pad on her lap.

“Can you help me?”

“Yes. Yes, I can help you.”

The end.