Page 21 of Intercept My Heart

“We all have a story to tell. It’s what makes us so unique because no story is the same. Thank you for helping me tonight. I hate you had to see all of that, but I’m glad you were there.” If he had left, I would have been sleeping on someone’s street tonight.

“It’s no problem. Can I ask you a question though?” I gulped, feeling like his question would be a heavy one from the expression on his face.

“Sure. Ask me anything.” I prayed he kept it simple. My life wasn’t something I liked to talk about with anyone.

“What did Mrs. V mean when she said you were trying to take her man?”

“W-what?”

“She called you a homewrecker outside. I may not be the smartest jock on the field, but I know enough to be able to read between the lines.” Tears welled in my eyes from the weight of his question. Dinero must have noticed the panicked expression on my face because his arms were wrapped around me within seconds.

“I-I didn’t want to.” My voice cracked while I held myself.

Normally, I kept my emotions to myself but I broke down in his arms. His hold tightened as we rocked back and forth. I didn’t know what I’d done to deserve such a terrible life, but I’d apologize in a heartbeat if it meant I could get a redo. My wails grew louder, but I didn’t care. My spirit had been broken more times than I could count, and I was tired of putting on the facade that I was okay.

“It’s okay. I promise I’ve got you.” My grip on him tightened as we stood there in the middle of the room. I’d learned not to trust in the words of people. They often broke their promises. As much as I wanted to believe Dinero, I needed to see his actions. That was how I would know whether he meant what he said.

Dinero gave me some clothes and then ran my bath water. That night, he vowed to have my back and help me get on my feet. I’d been disappointed by everyone in my life, so I wasn’t sure if I could trust anyone. However, my options were limited. I needed to believe in him, even if it turned out to be the wrong decision.

I’d been feeling off for the last few weeks, but I didn’t know who to tell. I thought it might be time for my period, but when it never showed up, I began to think the worst. I sat in the bathroom of my job with the positive pregnancy test in my hand, wanting to die. I hadn’t had sex with anyone, so there was no doubt who the father was. My head shook with disbelief, and I had no one to talk to about this.

“Hey, Charae. Are you in here?” my co-worker Michelle inquired while walking into the bathroom.

“Umm, yeah. My stomach was a little upset, but I should be out in a few minutes.” Hurriedly, I wiped myself so I could get back to work. The job was all I had, so I couldn’t mess this up. Once I made sure my face and hands were clean, I stepped out of the bathroom. Pregnant I’d never even kissed a boy before, and now this was happening.

The rest of the night was a blur, and before I knew it, it was closing time. Dinero sat in the employee parking lot with his music blasting loudly. He didn’t care about anyone else’s feelings either. I snickered as I watched his head bob to the music. At least for the time being, I had a reason to smile. I attempted to fix my face so he wouldn’t see how emotional I was.

“Hey,”

“What’s up, Sunny.” I snickered at the nickname he randomly gave me a few weeks ago. He still had yet to tell me what it meant, so I went with it.

“I’m glad to be going home. I think I hate slow days worse than busy ones because you’re stuck there with nothing to do.”

“I don’t know about that. Knowing me, I would probably be in the back watching ESPN.”

“How was your day? Did you get a chance to actually relax?” For a teenage boy, Dinero behaved like a grown man in every sense of the word. After school and practice, he would change his clothes and head right back out the door. There were so many questions lingering in my mind because he had all this money, yet he didn’t work a regular job. I wasn’t familiar with street life, but I wondered how lucrative it was to be able to afford the kind of life he lived.

“I don’t even know what that word means, to be honest. It wasn’t too bad though. I posted up at Tootie’s house for a while,then I kicked it with Dreis and Drake. It was straight. So, are you gonna tell me what’s going on with you?”

“What do you mean?” I hated the way he read me like a book.

“Your smile is off. I can tell when it’s real because your dimples poke through. Whenever you’re sad or forcing a smile, the lines right here are uneven.” Nero traced his finger along my cheek, making me blush.

“Are you trying to say my face is uneven?” I pretended to be offended.

“Naw, not like that. However, when you have a genuine smile, it has more symmetry. My uncle taught me how to read people’s body language and facial expressions. You need to be able to tell the difference when someone is being dishonest towards you or when something is off about them. For instance, you tuck your hair when you’re nervous. When you’re scared, you place your hands between your thighs. When you’re aroused, you bite your bottom lip, and whenever you’re angry, you bounce your leg.” The two of us glanced down at my hands tucked between my legs before we laughed.

“You think you know me.”

“I do, for the most part. There are some things I’m still learning, but give me a few more weeks, and I’ll have you down to a science.” Dinero grinned sheepishly, causing me to bite my lip. I heard him chuckle, letting me know he noticed too.

“So, what’s wrong? I can’t help you if you don’t talk to me.”

“I’m not sure if you can help.” I wasn’t sure if anyone could help me with this situation. I really needed to talk to Ciera because she would know what I should do.

“Don’t count me out just yet. Give me a chance to see if I can help before you count me out.” I tucked my hair behind my ear, trying to think of the right words.

“I need to get an abortion.” I cringed at the words, but only because I was ashamed to even be in this position, again.

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