Page 81 of Intentional Foul
Heat coated my body as I faced Dr. June. I sucked my teeth with half a mind to write the head office of the Basketball League. My feet dangled as I thought about sleeping in his big ass bed alone. I still had my condo, but I hadn’t slept in my bedin months. My clothes, shoes, and makeup were in Malcolm’s closet.
“Well, Malcolm, you will be missed,” Dr. June said. “Before we conclude, Jhae, call me optimistic, but I believe with some tools, you can navigate these waves with a different boat. I implore you to schedule another session. Jhae needs tools on how to fight fair. Remember, you two are now a family unit. Protect your family with strong boundaries, hard conversations, listening, and agreeing. This includes outing your relationship.”
We scheduled a new date with Dr. June before we left. I exited the office first, in a daze. Malcolm is leaving in a few weeks, the Anissa thing is still looming, and my unfinished album exhausted me.
With the days before the tell date winding down, I scheduled lunch with Anissa. I sat at a wooden table with a mini potted plant as the centerpiece.
Hubby
Music Note
Seeing the nameHubbycome across my screen made my shoulders bounce. After I changed his name, I texted him something random to see it on my screen. It made this marriage real to me, especially when I’m hiding my ring. I had intentions of keeping it on my finger, but once I sat down, I slid it off. My guilt of avoiding Anissa continued to put Malcolm in the middle and it hurts.
Me
Meeting Anissa.
Hubby
I prefer you to wait until we are together
Me
Malcolm, don’t fight me on this. We settled it last night.
Hubby
You sexed a yes out of me
Me
Not my problem
“Jhae!” Anissa said, and I jumped, almost dropping my phone.
“Girl, what is wrong with you?” she said, taking the seat across from me.
It had been months since we sat across from each other. She was back to her original size before the pregnancy. The dark hue of her skin glowed and for once, she allowed her hair to hang at her shoulders. In true Anissa fashion, she wore a black fitted suit.
“Bestie, you are glowing. Are you pregnant again?”
She crinkled her nose, creating a tight line in her forehead.
“Oh, hell no. Kal is fixed. Khaira has worn my ass out. I left her and her daddy at home,” she said.
Anissa’s ring glistened when the light from the window hit her hand. I found myself jealous that I didn’t have the confidence to wear mine. She scanned the QR code and browsed the menu.
“I don’t know, Anissa, you look great,” I countered.
She gave me a sharp stare before rolling her eyes.
“Girl, it’s a sex glow. Kal and I had a quickie before I left,” she said without shame. “Did you order?” Anissa asked.
“No, I was waiting for you.”
I scanned the QR code and ordered a chicken salad sandwich I had no intention of eating. My stomach was doing a floor exercise as if I was at the World Games.
“Alright, give me the update. It’s been a while since we connected and what was urgent you had to tell me?” she asked.
