The Don And His Flower

10

Pregnant.

Pregnant.

Pregnant.

Not pregnant.

Not pregnant.

Not pregnant.

Imani felt Hannah Marley's arm around her body. Eyes wide as they both forgot how to breathe.

It's been three weeks.

Three weeks since she had seen the light of day. Three weeks she went without her mother.

And her life has been hell.

Hannah gave her the courtesy of buying her a new cellphone after Valis had sent numerous calls and texts to her. Her, Theo, and her mother were the only numbers she had kept into the fragile device. Imani made Hannah promise not to give her new number to anyone, in hopes of it not reaching Valis.

Valis.

Valis Kholodov.

Three weeks since Valis had taken her virginity. Three weeks since she had sex twice within minutes of each other.

Three weeks since Valis had touched her without the mere thought of a condom or consent.

And here she stands, looking at three positive pregnancy tests as Hannah looks at three negatives.

"Well...shit." Hannah finally breathed, excited to not carry a soldiers baby after numerous encounters with him. But shocked to know that Imani Milton was in fact pregnant.

"I know you don't really like to you know..talk to people..you would tell me if my brother.. I'm sorry. But it's not Theo's right? The way he went fighting for you that morning-"

"Valis was the only one."

Hannah's arms tightened Imani again, eyes on the results as she nodded slowly. "Shit..shit we have to do something for you. Like..what the fuck?"

"Oh God.." Imani whispered, pacing back and forth in her bathroom.

Pregnant.

With a child from Valis Kholodov.

Valis Kholodov's child was living inside of her, growing.

A Mafia baby.

"Breathe, girl breathe!"

Imani found herself falling back first into the bed, realizing she was now in her room. Her eyes found the high ceiling, looking at the beige colored paint as Hannah's voice went in and out of her ears.

"..Mani. Imani please-"

The girl gasped, sitting up with Hannah guidance as she found the strength to breathe. The fresh cold water went down her throat as she's fed a grape. "Scary as hell, are you okay?" Hannah rubbed Imani's back, sitting on the edge with her as she kept her drinking more and more.

"Don't..please dont-" Imani felt the tears fall, her body cocooned in her friends embrace as she sobbed.

No mother.

No mental stability.

No Valis Kholodov.

Now she carries a child before a ring, before a husband to love and care for her.

Hannah Marley shushed her, holding her tight as her shirt caught her tears.

"I won't. I promise..I won't."

***

Valis let the flag fall from his fingers.

Familiar cheering loud as he stepped off the platform. As usual, he was surrounded by few soldiers, bragging and giving pointless advice to the man.