Page 8 of Tell Me You Love Me Again

“So, why don’t you just wait until he has the time, Chiara. You’re sounding like a spoiled brat right now, and I blame your father.” She shook her head at me and went back to watching the TV.

“So, you’re saying I’m being selfish because I want or spend time with my husband?” I quizzed.

“I’m saying that you need to be a bit more understanding and compromise. You didn’t have to quit working, but you didn’t hesitate when Gabe suggested you did. You have to give the man credit, Chi. He works hard because of the promise he made to give you everything that your heart desires. Be a little more patient with him,” she advised. I hated everyone seemed to be on his side. I wanted somebody to understand where I was coming from. Not wanting to stay in my mother’s company any longer out of fear of what I would say, I kissed her cheek and left. I needed to beat Gabe home anyway, because I was still going on my trip.

Once I made it back home, I was glad to see that Gabe hadn’t returned yet. It gave me time to pack and leave before he got here. I wasn’t going to go far, only to Cannon Cove, so I could enjoy the water and get lost in my thoughts. I was only an hour and a half away, so if he really wanted to be with me, he could still come.

I wasn’t going to leave my house in a mess, so I made sure everything was put away and in order before I decided to leave. By the time Gabe got home, I should almost be at my destination, if not already there.

“I’ll let his ass miss me for once,” I thought as I packed my stuff.

After I hurriedly packed, I took a quick shower and was out of the door in less than an hour. Gabe was so predictable; I knew he would be leaving the office soon, and I wanted to be on the road by the time he got home and realized I was gone. Maybe a night alone will give him a better perspective on how I feel.

Making sure my bags were secure in the trunk, I started my car and pulled away from my home. Twenty minutes into my ride, Chiquita called me. I started to ignore her, too, but I answered.

“Hello?” I answered.

“You sound like you’re in the car. Did you really leave to go on that trip alone, Chi?” she asked.

“I did. Hell, I deserve it.” I huffed.

“I just don’t think it’s a good idea for you to be leaving town by yourself. Anything can happen.”

“You’re right, but it also can happen when I’m home alone, too. Look, Quita, I know you mean well, but I need to do this. Listen, do me a favor. If Gabe calls you, don’t tell him where I went. I know he’ll call you, eventually.”

“How can I tell him something that I do even know?” she replied, snidely.

“I’ll tell you when I get there.”

“Call me the minute you get there, Chi. I’m not playing, either,” she fussed like she was the big sister and not the other way around.

“Okay, mom,” I teased. “I’ll call you as soon as I get to my destination. I promise.” After promising my sister I would call her, I hung up and got on the interstate to head to Cannon Cove.The beach was just what I needed to clear my mind. This time of year, it wasn’t too cold or too hot, so it was the perfect time if you asked me.

I sang along with Mr. Biggs and his dumb ass woman on ‘Contagious’. She had to be the dumbest woman in the history of dumb women. I may have been upset that Gabe seemed to never have time for me, but I wasn’t stupid enough to cheat. My man was a reformed street dude. He threatened to kill any man that I cheated with and make me watch. I believed his ass, too. That’s why I also knew I was playing with fire by up and leaving, but I wanted him to get a dose of his own medicine. I didn’t even tell my parents or sister where I was headed because they would tell his ass and that would defeat the purpose. Continuing my route, I sang along with the songs that came through the speakers. I was so into Jazmine Sullivan telling that nigga to pick up his feelings that I didn’t notice the pickup truck barreling my way at top speed with the police chasing him.

“Oh, shit!” I shrieked, barely missing the truck. I must’ve steered the steering wheel too hard because now I had lost complete control of my car.

“Ahh!” I screamed, trying to gain control, but it was no use. I lost all control and hit another car. That caused another vehicle to ram into me, knocking my car into the pole from the driver’s side. The impact was so powerful that it banged my head on the steering wheel, knocking me out. The last thing I heard was Siri announcing that ‘Husbae’ was calling before everything around me went quiet and black.

***

The beeping sounds were making my head hurt. I didn’t know where I was, but they needed to turn all that noise down. Slowly, I peeled my eyes open, and the bright lights caused me to closethem back fast as hell. When I tried to open them again, I realized I was in the hospital.

“What am I doing in the hospital?” I asked out loud. No one was in here with me, so I was just asking in general. Moments later, a person who I assumed was the doctor walked in with two nurses.

“Good morning, Mrs. Hastings. How are you feeling?” I heard the doctor, but I didn’t know who he was talking to because my last name was Livingston, not Hastings.

“Uhm, I’m fine besides this headache, but I think you have the wrong room. My name is Chiara Livingston. Not Hastings,” I corrected. I saw them look at each other, then the doctor flipped through the chart he was holding.

“Mrs. Has-”

“Livingston,” I cut him off.

“Excuse me. Ms. Livingston. You were brought in because you were in a terrible car accident. It was a miracle you only came out with a sprained wrist and a headache. From what I’m observing now, I can see that you may also have amnesia as a result of the accident.”

Accident? Amnesia? What the hell was he talking about?

“I’m not sure what you mean. I don’t remember an accident and I can assure you I don’t have amnesia.”

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