Page 168 of Rather: The Therapist

Pain.

Trouble.

Unrest.

Hell.

Today, I didn’t know peace because my peace was clothed in white preparing to marry the man who wasn’t made for her. The man who wasn’t right for her. The man I’d chosen for her.

“Priest. I asked you a question son. Where are you?”

“It’s her.”

I grabbed the small box from the passenger seat and exited my car. My steps were swift. I covered more ground in ten seconds than I would in two minutes on a normal day.

But this was not a normal day. This was the day my Rose would be walking down the aisle. This was the day she was to begin her new life. The life destined for her. The life that didn’t include much of me.

“I don’t understand, Priest.”

I pushed through the door of the chapel.

“You asked me who she was. The woman I’ve fallen in love with. It’s her.”

“It’s who, son?”

“Rather. It’s Rather.”

Her silence was revealing. So was my presence. There was no way in hell I would stand beside Kofi as he vowed to learn to love the woman who’d been created, especially, for me. I didn’t have to learn to love Rather. I already loved her.

“Oh God, Priest. Where are you?”

All eyes were on me as I pressed through the space reserved for those responsible for making this day possible.

“I’m here, Mother.”

“Here? Here where? I’m coming to find you.”

The ruffling in her background muffled her words, but I still heard her clearly. She was headed for me. I was headed elsewhere. There was only one person I was interested in conversing with and he was behind the door I was standing in front of.

“There’s no need.”

“Priest– What are you going to do, son?”

“Something I should’ve done a long time ago.” I killed the line and shoved the cell in my pocket.

I stepped into the groom’s suite with my eyes trained on the man of the hour.

“Where the fuck you been, nigga?” Killian shouted at me. “We’ve been calling and tex–”

“Lower your voice,” I instructed.

All chatter ceased. Silence replaced the corny jokes and obnoxious laughter of men.

“Nigga, what is the matter with you?” Confusion plagued Killian, but there was no time to explain. Kofi and I needed a minute.

“Give us the room,” I demanded.

No one moved. Everyone stilled, unsure of what was happening or where to go.

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