Page 67 of Rather: The Therapist

“Let her finish, Roulette,” Rome complained.

“It’s the potential I’m most excited by, and not his alone. I know better than to fall for who I believe a man can be when who he truly is, is staring me right in the face and calling me a bold-faced liar. It’s the potential of a union I wasn’t sure what to expect of that has me smiling.”

“When I learned of the sacrifice and stepped forward so Rome didn’t have to walk into a life of uncertainty, it was because I didn’t want a man breathing down her neck and demanding anything of her she wasn’t willing to partake in on her own.”

“I didn’t want that life for her, but I knew I could handle myself. You know. Not saying you couldn’t, babe, but I’d much rather it be me. So, I stepped off that plane clueless with my guard up and my guns drawn –mentally of course.”

“Why not physically? That’s what I’d p–”

“We know, Rugger,” Roaman concurred.

“You know me, sister. They were ready just in case. But, as I was saying–” I sighed, finally glossing my lips, “I was expecting the unexpected. What I wasn’t expecting was to walk into a room full of people who reminded me of the people I love most.”

“I wasn’t expecting the handsome man I’d be marrying to be so enjoyable. So attentive. So honest. Men lie. That is a proven fact. So, I’d much rather him tell me not to hold my breath waiting for him over the next ninety days than him let me run out of oxygen while doing so.”

“He lifted a weight off my shoulders when he expressed his desires, because I have a few of my own.”

“Aw shit, now. Talk to me, sister,” Roulette effused.

“Quiet,” Range demanded.

“Desires?” Rome questioned.

“Yes. I was getting overwhelmed thinking about moving back to the states, maintaining my freedom, missing my family, getting to know a stranger, falling in love with him, planning a wedding, finding a dress, and getting down the aisle in ninety days.”

“When it’s all said and done, I’ll be marrying that man in less than ninety days. It doesn’t matter if we’re in love or if we are meeting for the first time. The deed is not up for discussion. Learning he’s tolerable and actually has plans to commit fully to our marriage when the time comes lifts the burden. But, until he’s obligated, his only commitment is to himself.”

“He’s fresh out of recovery. I am not opposed to his idea. So, I’ve tasked myself with enjoying each and every day leading up to the wedding as well.”

“Starting with–” Roulette asked, waiting for what she knew was to come.

For six months, after our departure and Chem’s arrest, I fed Roulette breadcrumbs about my experience at The Mansion. Not only because I wanted her to expand her business and create a similar experience, but because there was one detail about the experience I simply couldn’t get out of my head.

PS102.

“A quiet place where I can forget the rest of the world exists.”

“Which is where you’re headed now? At nine o’clock at night?” Rugger searched for answers.

“It is. Hopefully, I’m there by ten. And, the only way that’ll happen is if I get you girls off the phone.”

“Oh, she’s rushing us off the phone?” Rome sounded partly surprised.

“Dick will do that.” Roulette sniggered as she hung up.

“We all know not to mind her. She’s a special case,” I reminded everyone, “But, I need to finish getting dressed and head out. I’ll talk to you girls tomorrow. I love you. All of you.”

Rugger responded by ending her call. Rome, Royce, Roaman, and Range all said their goodbyes before leaving the call. With my line free, I continued humming to the background tunes, prepping for a night out.

I stood in the closet that only held a handful of tops, bottoms, accessories, and dresses, trying to decide what to wear. Chem had insisted he recreate my wardrobe, but I denied him the opportunity. So much had changed in the last two years and most of the clothes I’d collected prior didn’t correlate with the woman I was becoming.

Ding. Dong.

The bell sounded around the house, slightly startling me. Not because I was afraid, but because I wasn’t expecting anyone and my phone was still on my bathroom counter. There was no way for me to see who was trying to gain access to my home… access to me.

My limbs stretched beyond their average capacity, helping me retrieve my phone quicker than usual. I located the application on my phone that showed all angles of my home. The front door was the view I was most interested in until I tapped it and realized there was no one there.

While strolling through my home, headed for the kitchen, I tapped the view of the driveway. A black Mercedes appeared, but there was no sign of human activity.

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