Page 95 of Margot
“No, I knew better. We um…we actually made love. We’ve been making love for the past three days. We’ve never been able to do it so easily before.”
“I can honestly say that Sutton is making giant strides when it comes to intimacy. I’m proud of her.” I rubbed Sutton’s knee and she beamed at me. That’s all I ever cared about.
“That’s amazing, you two. Keep on pushing through it but you know I’m here if you need help over a roadblock.”
“Speaking of blocks, Dr. Adler,” Sutton glanced at me and I nodded at her. I wanted her to talk about Margot.
“Yes? What is it, Sutton?”
“Well, I can’t reach Margot. I can feel her but I feel like she won’t talk to me. Like she’s still pissed that I played the piano the other day.”
“That’s normal, Sutton. Sometimes, like best friends, alters can get upset with you. Sometimes you can hurt their feelings or offend them. When that happens they go away for a while. Give her time. Keep writing to her, okay?”
Sutton nodded and smiled politely.
For the rest of the session, we talked about ways to keep the momentum going in our marriage. I was excited to continue pushing forward with Sutton. I liked our new normal.
We couldn’t stay long because Sutton had a concert to get ready for. We said our goodbyes to Dr. Adler and set up another appointment. As we left, Sutton turned to me and squeezed my hand in hers.
“When we get home, I’m going to write to Margot one more time before rehearsal. I want her to know that it’s okay to be afraid but the piano isn’t what’s causing it.”
I walked her to the car and opened the door for her to get inside then I walked around to the driver’s side and got in. “I think the doctor is right. Give Margot some time. Keep communicating with her though.” I pulled off and Sutton’s shoulders drooped a little. It really was like she was in a spat with her best friend. It was so interesting to witness. She’d gone from hating a part of herself to loving it. She was turning into a butterfly right before my eyes.
Just like she said, when we got home, she wrote to Margot. “What did you say to her?” I asked when she finally emerged from the bedroom. Her dress for the concert was zipped away in a black garment bag hanging over her forearm and her hair was styled in a perfect bun.
“I told her about my concert tonight and I told her I know she’ll be there somewhere. I also asked her to pay attention to the way the piano makes me feel. The way playing on stage in front of people makes me all warm inside. I want to show her how happy music makes me.”
“Hopefully that’ll work.”
“You promise you’ll be there at my concert tonight, right?” She stood on her tiptoes and pressed her lips to mine.
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world. I don’t have any showings today so I’m in there front row.”
“Good. I want to look into the crowd and see your gorgeous eyes,” she smiled. “Shit, I gotta go. I’m gonna be late for rehearsal.” She rushed out of the door and I wondered if she knew how relaxed she was becoming.
I could see the tightly coiled energy unwinding from her and it was amazing. I couldn’t wait until she was fully unwrapped and living as her true self.
I checked the time and decided to answer some work emails until I had to get ready for the concert. I put Sade on the stereo and went to work.
I’d been staring at the computer screen for a couple of hours when the doorbell rang. I checked the time to make sure I wasn’t getting lost in a sea of emails then I got up to see who it was.
My entire face dropped when I opened the door and saw Ebony.
A gust of cold air rushed in when I yanked the front door open. I glared at her, narrowing my eyes. “Ebony, what the fuck are you doing at my house?”
“Lennox, can I come in? Is Sutton home?”
“You need to leave.” I could smell liquor on her breath. I squeezed my eyes shut and pinched the bridge of my nose. I didn’t have time for this shit. Soon, I was going to have to get dressed and go to the concert.
“Lennox, I just want to talk.” She tried to stumble her way into the foyer but I blocked her with my frame. I stood in her way with my arms folded.
“God, I forgot how huge you are,” she giggled and let a hiccup slip out. “Excuse me, I’ve been drinking a little bit but I’m not that drunk. Can I come in?”
“No, you can’t and honestly, you’re wasting my time and yours. It’s cold out here.” I glanced at her outfit, a slinky low-cut dress that showed too much cleavage. As usual, she was trying too fucking hard.
“If you’d let me come in, I could warm up.”
“No, Ebony.”
