The Unusual Suspects Book 2

Domonique

"You're doing really good with the walking. How's your pain level on a scale from 1-10?" My nurse asked me.
"Maybe about a 5." I said.
"Is that in your pelvic only or is it all over?" she asked me.
"Just my pelvic." I told her.
"That's expected for a while, but you're recovering quite well. But there are some brochures that I have for you." she said as she passed them to me. I looked them over and they were mostly support groups for women who lost their babies and PTSD booklets. "You don't have to decide on any of that right now, I just wanted you to know what you have available to you." I set the pamphlets down on my tray.
"Can I ask you something?" she gave me her undivided attention.
"Sure sweetie, what's that?"
"Do many people attend these?" I asked her and she smiled.
"Yes. I actually attend them myself. A little over a year ago, I was in a similar situation as you. It helps to know people can relate and you're not alone."
"Yeah...I have one friend that understands...that's it."
"No one knows what it's like until it happens to them. It changed you, your mind, your heart. Hell even your relationship. My marriage ended after all of that." she said and immediately it hit a soft spot.
"Yeah...my relationship is over now too." I said softly. She came over and sat down in the chair beside me.
"This is when you pull that strength from others. I can't force you, but Monday nights at 7, we meet. You should come. Where you are, I've been. I'm just about 8 years older than you, but you're handling everything better than I was. You're gonna be fine. This too shall pass." she said as she squeezed my hand.
"Thank you. I will come by." I told her and her smile widened.
"Good, I'll save you a seat." she said before she finished up on the computer and walked out. I took a deep breath before I heard a knock on the door. I looked and saw Little Man standing there with a bag.
"Hey Beautiful! I didn't want to impose, but I thought you might like something other than this hospital food." he said walking in with a bag and setting it on my tray.
"Whenever you're ready, I got you some jerk chicken and rice." he said as he sat down. "Aww you didn't have to do that." I said to him.
"I know, but I wanted to." he said to me. "How are you feeling?" he asked me. That was a loaded question for real. "There's no right or wrong answer Love." I looked into his eyes.
"I'm just in a lot of pain." I told him. He leaned inward and placed his hand just above my waist.
"You're in pain here or here?" he asked as he then moved his hand up to right over my heart. I didn't know how it was like he just knew without me saying anything. "Go ahead and let it out babygirl." he said as he reached out and hugged me, it was something about his embrace that literally eased the tears out. He rubbed on my back as I cried into his shoulder for several minutes before I pulled myself together. I pulled away from him slowly and he just looked at me.
"I'm sorry." I said as I sat back.
"Don't be, you needed to release that." he said to me.
"Why are you so nice?" I asked him. He smiled and leaned in.
"I know what it's like to not have anyone in my corner. When we met, me and you instantly vibed. Like I feel like I've known you forever and the music we made together, flowed naturally. Nothing is forced. Listening to my music was like you listening to my soul and you never looked at me differently. You're rare. But I see the pain in your eyes. You give a lot of love, but I'm not sure that you get it in return. I hate that you're with this nut ass nigga, but I respect you enough to not disrespect that. I just want you to realize that your world can be as beautiful as your heart is. If you allow it to be." I instantly wiped the tear away that trickled down my cheek.
"Thank you." I told him and he looked me up and down. "What?" I asked him.
"What's bothering you?"
"At the time when I needed him the most, he left. I should've known because he did this when my dad passed too. But...we're just done now." I said.
"You don't deserve that." he told me and more tears fell.
"Maybe I do." I started.
"No, don't blame yourself for him being a coward."
"Maybe I was too..." I said. "He got mad at me because he was unaware that he was the first guy I was with because I used to date women. I didn't think it mattered, but obviously that was a problem."
"You don't owe anyone an explanation for your past Dom. What matters is what yall built, not where you came from. Hell, he should feel honored. You gotta learn to carry yourself with the attitude that it is a luxury to be able to fuck with you." I let that sink in for a moment. "I mean that. You're literally everything I dreamed of. And I'm not just saying that. I don't want to come across too strong and I don't want to rush you into anything at all. You need time to heal and I want you to have that, but as a friend..." he said picking up my hand. "...I'm here. If it becomes anything more, great, if not I'm still here." he said as he kissed my hand. Again he had me speechless, but made me wonder a lot. "I know you don't trust me yet and I'm sure Jay ruined that for you right now. But I'll show you better than I can tell you Gorgeous." he said just as Martin walked in.
"Hey sis!" he said happily. He looked over at Little Man. "What's good G?" Martin said.
"What's happening Big Dawg?" Little Man said as they shook hands.