Page 87 of Intentional Foul
I got another round in me.
I closed my messages with an uneasy chuckle.
For once in my life, I was on time somewhere, and it churned my damn stomach. I followed the security guards to level two, ready to live my truth.
“Jhae,” I faintly heard my name, but kept walking.
Before I could exit the ramp to the seats, the attendant paused and pointed behind me. I turned to see Anissa and Kal. The air restricted my chest the more she waved me over.
“Ma’am, you’re blocking the entrance,” the attendant said, and I stepped to the side.
I placed one hand on the wall as the room continued to spin.Jhae, you are in control,I repeated to myself several times before a hand touched my shoulder.
“Jhae, are you okay? You’re sweating,” Khalil asked.
“I need a minute,” I stammered.
It took me a few seconds to focus and perform a breathing exercise.
“Jhae, I’m calling for help,” Khalil said but I paused him with my hand.
“No, I need a minute,” I managed to get out between breaths.
Closing my eyes, I thought back to sitting in Dr. June’s office. She’d triggered a few panic attacks and walked me through them while Malcolm had been on the road.
I searched my purse for a napkin to pat my sweat.
“Jhae, are you having a panic attack?” Khalil asked, and my eyes traveled to Anissa.
Ivey now stood next to her, holding Khaira in her arms.
“We were trying to get your attention. Anissa said you were going to the wives and girlfriends section.”
My eyes danced over to his and we read each other’s body language without saying a word. He caught on to my ring finger and my diamond incrusted beam note necklace.
“Your Music Note,” he asked, and I confirmed with a head shake.
I waited for the judgement to cover his features, but his eyes or mouth never shifted.
“Oh shit, Niecy triggered your panic attack,” Khalil said.
The sight of Anissa approaching us caused me to turn away. I struggled to get my hand free of my ring, cuffing it inside my purse.
“I got you, Jhae, but I’m not going to lie to my wife,” Kahlil said.
I shook my head in agreement at his comment but I was also upset with myself. This was not supposed to be this way. I was going to sit with the wives and girlfriends. When Anissa asked, Malcolm and I were going to come clean together.
“Jhae, are you okay?” Anissa asked, but I couldn’t voice an answer.
It’s as if peanut butter coated my mouth, making my words sticky and hard to pronounce.
“Yeah, she is better. She had a mild panic attack,” Khalil answered in my place.
Anissa’s eyes widened as she tried to grip me, but I shied away from her touch. She gave me crowded brows as if she was offended.
“I’m okay. I needed to reset,” I said.
Khaira reached for me, and I pulled her out of Ivey’s arms as a distraction. She wore a T-shirt jersey with Marquise’s number and two curly ponytails. Khaira played with my necklace Malcolm bought.
