Queens Court

Chapter 8

Keira's emotions were obviously in control, because without even meaning to, she had driven to Alonzo's condo. Once she realized where she was, she just allowed her car to roll right on past his property. The official ex-lover drive by—but they'd been more than lovers. They'd been friends, and that's what hurt Keira the most. Friends have falling-outs all the time. Take her and Gabrielle, for example; but true friends—real friends—they talked things out and got past it. Keira felt especially strong about that, since her chosen profession was to help people communicate better. Once her anger subsided, she knew it was only right for her to apologize to Gabrielle for coming at her in the tone that she had. With Alonzo, she didn't know if she'd ever be able to go to him humbly after the way he left her. As much as she missed him, she simply refused to chase after someone who obviously felt as if she wasn't worth the race. If they were ever going to get back together, it would have to be because he reached out to her, not the other way around.

Keira glanced at Alonzo's place one more time in the rearview mirror before heading home. She decided that would be the last time she did that. She was not going to be prisoner to distracting feelings or regret about a situation that she couldn't change. In other words, "Fuck it. It is what it is," she told herself.

***

The following Monday, as she waited for her patient, Brooke Towns, to arrive for her appointment, she went over notes she'd made the night before regarding her situation. Ironically, Brooke was known as some would call a runaway bride.

"At least she made it to the altar." Keira spoke her thoughts out loud just before Anthony buzzed her, letting her know he was sending Brooke in.

Keira closed Brooke's case file, pushed it aside, and pulled out pen and notebook.

"Dr. Davis," Brooke said cheerfully as she galloped into her office.

There was one thing Keira had noticed about Brooke: She always looked like a blushing bride, even though commitment issues kept her from ever graduating from fiancée to actual bride.

"Hello, Brooke," Keira greeted. "How are you today?"

"Fine, just fine, and happily in love." Her eyes twinkled, confirming what she had just announced, as she sat down.

"Being in love is great," Keira stated. "But this is what, your fourth engagement? I guess if anyone knows love, it's you."

"You've got that right." Brooke had no problem acknowledging and admitting her truths, and the truth was, this girl had serious commitment issues.

"So, how are things with you and..." Keira had to quickly open her file to reference the name of fiancé number four. "Aaron?"

"Yes, Aaron," she said. "And things are better than ever." Suddenly, Brooke's mile-long smile began to dissipate.

"And things being good scares you?" Keira said, jotting down notes.

"Yes. Like I told you a couple sessions ago, growing up, my siblings and I thought our parents lived the fairytale life. Never once had ywe ever heard them argue. They greeted and parted with a kiss. We did things together as a family. Whatever Mom wanted, Dad seemed to get it. Whatever Dad's needs were, Mom seemed to have met them." She giggled. "I know that for certain, thanks to the thin walls in the home we grew up in." Just as before, her giddy demeanor saddened.

"My mom still lives in that house, you know. She got it as part of the divorce settlement. The divorce that took place not even a month after the youngest of us kids graduated high school and left for college."