Chapter 7: The Confrontation

She’s unconscious. He’s holding all of her.

She weighs nothing. “Has she been eating?She looks thin.”

Check her breathing. Thumb over her wrist. Phone in his hand, 911 ready, but he waits. “Kisha? Can you hear me? Says her name like a prayer.

On the hospital bed, a drip tube was passed through her veins.

She wakes up with his jacket over her. It smells like him.

“Ceiling first,then his face. He was sleeping peacefully, his head rested on the bed. How uncomfortable, she thought.”

His heart was a drum. Too fast. Was it hers or his?

Corey felt the atmosphere change, he stirred, then woke up to see Kisha finally wake.

“I’m fine”, she uttered without looking at him.

The floor rose to meet her. But it never came because he was there. He held her like she was made of spun sugar. Like if he breathed wrong she’d dissolve.

Hungry?

Hmm, she nodded.

Brenda will be here soon, she prepared a meal for you.

Tsk… “What does Brenda have to do with me being here”? She questioned.

“I don’t need her to babysit me”, she remarked.

Brenda is my ally, a friend, we go way back.

Don’t feel too important. She isn’t here for you.

She’s here because I’m here with you, she’s making sure I am okay.

Hope you don’t have a problem with that?

Kisha turned away, not wanting him to condone such nonsense.

Don’t bother, I am not hungry.

“He’s here, I thought ... .not because he wants to, he felt he had to.

Tears secretly welled up secretly in her eyes.

She wipes it fast before he notices.

Am hereee!!! Who's hungry?… Brenda barged in charged with so much energy.

Ooops… So sorry for taking too long, Corey.

I made your favourite.”I made you steak! Your favourite!”.

“I don’t like steak”, he frowned.

“But you ordered it last _”

It’s fine. I'm going to eat anyway.

He took a bite, uhm it’s nice.

Kisha shut her eyes to the madness happening in front of her.

She needed to keep her sanity in check.

“I would like some rest please” She said looking directly at them.

The kind of look that says screw you both.

“Ok then, take care” Corey walked out holding Brenda’s hand.

Her eyes bulged out in seeing him hold her hands, acting all caring and soft.

They walked out of the hospital like a couple.

He wanted to make sure that information got to Kisha, for her to lose her cool just to spite her.

“Uhm… Rey, I want us to go see a movie together”she says looking down, acting like a cute bunny.

Corey feels irritated by her action, don’t do that it doesn’t suit you.

Let me remind you. You’re not the one in charge, stop acting desperate.

Lastly, get your hands off me, you’re only allowed to touch me when I want you to. Is that clear?

Brenda nods, she wants to say something but Corey shushes her immediately.

I don’t like girls who talk too much or disagree whenever I speak,

I find them unattractive.He got into his car and zoomed off.

Brenda's mouth was wide open by his action.

“What on earth is wrong with him? Is he fucking with me?” She yelled in frustration.

No, no! I won’t give up on you Corey Lawson. You’re mine and mine alone.

I couldn’t stand what was happening right in front of me, all I knew was they both needed to leave. I felt something wet on my cheeks.

My hands lifted, brushing my skin. I hadn’t even realized I was crying.

I shook my head slowly, like maybe if I shook hard enough, I would wake up from this twisted reality.

I laughed bitterly. “You know what ?” I said, voice hoarse barely above a whisper. Kisha you’re pathetic.

I pressed harder against the bed, still wiping at the tears with the back of my hands.

Something inside me snapped. My whole body shook with rage,

My vision blurred with anger, I could feel good roaring in my ears.

… the door creaked open, I said I didn't want to see anyone.

Breathing heavily, I feel shallow inside seeing my mom.

“Dear it’s me, your mom” her voice came out barely in a whisper.

I heard you were sick, I brought some soup, you’d love it.

My gaze darkened. I didn’t know what was more surprising, her words or the fact that despite all my frustration, despite every logical part of my mind screaming at me to throw her out I couldn’t.

Mom, please I want to rest. I looked at her indifferently, she was standing beside me, her hands pressed against my cheeks.

Her gaze trailed down my body, like she was inspecting if I was hurt badly. The way her eyes lingered made something rise in my chest.

I wasn’t a complicated person. I didn’t need expensive or grand gestures to feel special. I just wanted someone, just one person to understand me, to regard my feelings.

Sigh…I let out a dry laugh.

I wiped my tears roughly with the back of my hand."Keep it. I don’t need it”.

“I don’t want anything from you, absolutely nothing. Stay away.” She yelled. Kisha, I just wanted to know if you are alright, I am your mother, I certainly care about you

“Cut the crap, mom” I snapped.

She flinched. She had probably never seen this side of me.

I was always the obedient, diligent daughter she designed to be.

We were happy, weren’t we?

So why? Why did you choose this life over what we had back then, peace and love. A true family with Morgan.

You blew that all away when you decided to return to Robert, your husband.

“Kisha, things weren’t as easy as you place them to be. I needed to see your brothers, my sons”.

Tsk… fear, you were fucking afraid. Afraid to be happy.

You used me, I was just a tool, a cover for your infidelity. A perfect daughter to make you cover up for your mistakes. And I loved you.

Despite everything I loved you, despite how cold you were to me most times. I held my chest, my heart thumps loudly like it was about to rip out.