Exposure

EX:38

Chapter 38

Ally's perspective

"Your body can stand almost anything. It's your mind that you have to convince."-Lauren Gleisberg

•••••••

      SLICES of a fresh tomato sat on the cutting board in front of me as I continued to dice up the red fruit. I tossed the chopped tomatoes into a medium glass bowl along with some spinach and onions.

         Tonight Tiana and I were preparing lasagna with a Cesar side salad. I was in a cooking mood and Tia was in the mood to talk, so we had been in the kitchen for the past hour. Oven fumes permeated an addicting odor all around the kitchen and living room area.

"It's a good thing that he's tryin' I mean my sperm donor couldn't give a single fuck about what I have going on," I spoke washing my hands at the sink.

Tiana set the oven to three hundred and fifty degrees taking off an oven mitt.

"You're right but I just don't want to give him a chance and he shits on me."

"Do you think maybe you're just making yourself believe that he's going to screw you over?"

"I could be, but I have a reason to he's done it before."

"That was over twenty years ago and he's trying to make up now so give him the chance to do so."

She shot me an aggravated look before agreeing with me.

Tiana was a close friend of mine and I cared a lot about her, so sugar coating shit to make her feel better was never my intention.

I finished mixing the salad while Tiana stirred a pitcher of sweet tea adding sugar every now and then.

"I'm surprised you like sweet tea."

"Why?" Tiana asked sitting the pitcher in the freezer.

"Most people who aren't from the south don't like it."

"It's a nice taste, I'm not really that picky either."

Once the oven timer went off and the lasagna was done baking we were in the midst of fixing our plates when my phone began to ring inside of my purse.

I sat my plate down sighing before walking into the living room to grab my phone before the call was sent to my voicemail.

I picked up the cell phone silencing the apple chime.

The name that appeared on the phone caused me to roll my eyes.

I sighed answering the phone call, "yes?"

"That ain't how you greet people over the phone Ally."

I put my hand on my hip growing irritated, "what do you need momma?"

"I need you to come on over here tomorrow and help me move around some of this furniture I have in the living room."

I threw my head back. There was always something with her.

"Momma why don't you just ask Craig or Andre? Ya know, two able body grown men."

"Both of them have to work tomorrow, and I know you don't."

"Well, what if I have other plans? Tomorrow is my only day off and I plan to spend it relaxing."

"Girl it's not gon take long to help me move some damn furniture besides I need to talk with you about somethin' anyway. Be over here tomorrow at three."