Page 5 of Aug
We were granted access immediately. I made the necessary turns to reach Tiana’s building. Near the entrance is where I backed into a parking spot. I rested my arm against the door, angling my body in the sleeping beauty’s direction.
She was poetic.
Consuming.
Like words of reassurance.
Like a sign that good still exists.
Like a blanket on a cool day.
Releasing a long, regretful breath, I exited the SUV and headed around to the passenger side. Upon arriving, I opened the door, slowly and quietly as possible.
Tiana’s forehead creased with lines. Her eyelids pulled together, tightening and creating small line patterns. Waking her was something I wished I could’ve avoided, but being stuck on the side of the road without gas or blinding her with gas station lights were the only other options. Neither would suffice, so getting her into her apartment would have to.
I tucked my arms underneath her and lifted. Carefully, I pulled her out of the vehicle. Her head rested against my chest. Makeup smeared on my shirt. And, for the first time, I didn’t give a damn about staining my threads. I flattened my foot against the door and slammed it shut.
Instant regret nudged me. Those forehead creases returned. I stilled until they relaxed. It wasn’t until peace found her again that I continued toward the building that led to her unit. Brightness met me at the door’s threshold.
Fuck.
Lobby lights jarred Tiana from her sleep. Long, exaggerated blinks helped her regain consciousness.
“Aug–”
“Shhh,” I demanded. “Go back to sleep.”
But first, say it again.
“I’m sorry,” she groaned, removing her head from my chest.
I stepped onto the elevator with my head moving from one side to the other. Tiana patted the place her face had been, leaving its mark.
“I’ve ruined your shirt.”
I was still trying to find my footing. Hearing my name fall from her lips was encompassing.
“It’s all good.”
“I can walk,” she explained, “I promise.”
A yawn widened her mouth. My mind went to another place. A darker place. A filthy place. It wasn’t until her feet hit the ground that it returned.
She pushed the number six, reminding me that I hadn’t touched a single button. We hadn’t moved an inch.
Tiana retreated, pressing her back against one side of the rectangular cart. My hands gathered in front of me as I did the same, taking the corner next to her.
My eyes were trained on their target. Drunkenly, she chuckled, shaking her head. I wasn’t sure what the fuck was so funny, but her laughter was pleasant. Like the sweetest melody.
Don’t stop.
I never wanted it to end. That sound. That look on her face. The humor in her stance. And, the comfort she exuded.
“Months ago, I couldn’t walk or even use a pen properly. I was wondering if I’d ever become the woman I was, and it saddened me every day,” she sniggered, “But tonight made me realize I’ll never become her. And, frankly, I don’t want to. I’m so much better than her. And, though it was messed up and that girl was bat shit crazy, I needed that. I didn’t deserve it, but it was part of my story that just had to happen.”
I observed, longing to wrap my arms around the unraveling woman before me. There was nothing humorous about her revelation. She was simply laughing to keep from crying.
“I don’t know, Aug, and I doubt that you even care. Sorry to trauma dump on you. I’m just–” she paused, “I’m just so happy to be surrounded by genuine people. People I don’t have to question. People with no creepy motives. People who just want to live and get better every day. Ugh. I’m just rambling.”
