Janet
I watched Amina as I breast fed her. It had been a week since she'd been born and everything was blissful. Tommy had left to move into the dorm before the semester started next week, but TJ and Taylor were still here. In fact, Taylor had not left my side since I had the baby. She had grown very attached to me which I was upset about. It wasn't an obsession, but more like a support. "Okay, Mama J. I got the bottles." Taylor brought a case into the bedroom.
"Okay, sit them here." She sat them on the bed.
"I cleaned them real good, so all you have to do is put the milk in."
"Cool." Amina finished and I fixed my clothes back. I held her up to burp her.
"She's so cute."
"I know." Taylor watched with a smile. "You've been such a big help to me. I appreciate it, but don't you have to get things ready to go back to campus?"
"Oh, no. Everything I brought from school is here."
"Okay, I just don't want to occupy all your time."
"I don't mind it." Amina burped and cleaned her mouth before laying her back in her crib. I sat back down and took the milk I pumped and filled some bottles before putting the rest away to be frozen.
"You're such a great mom." I smiled.
"Thank you, sweetie."
"I have a question and it's kind of personal, if you don't mind."
"Sweetie, you saw that baby come out of me. We have no more secrets." We laughed. "Go ahead."
"I was talking to Tristan about something and he said you went through the same thing."
"Okay."
"So, about a year ago, I was raped at a party and I'm just trying to figure out how to get all the way through it."
"Explain."
"Well, I know it's not my fault and all that but because I love Tristan so much, I want to learn how to forgive the boy because Tristan doesn't deserve me being mad at him out of fear."
"Why would you fear TJ?"
"Because I had dated the boy who raped me."
"Ohh. Well, TJ isn't like that but I get what you're saying." I sat next to her. "Sweetie, rape is something hard to get over. I've been raped.....I've actually lost count of how many times, but what I do know is you have to find someone to talk to. Someone that will give you sound advice."
"I talk to you."
"Yeah, but I've been out of practice for over ten years. Plus, I wouldn't be the best person because I'm too close to you now."
"Oh."
"But I know a great lady and she's very good at getting people through this type of thing. I'll talk to her if you want."
"That'll be great."
"Good." I looked at her. "You really like being here, don't you?"
"Yeah. Everything is just happier here. Plus Tristan is like the best boyfriend ever." She blushed as she talked about him.
"Y'all are too cute." She covered her mouth as she giggled. "You two really love each other."
"Yeah."
"It's not shocking. Considering how fast Toni and I fell for each other, it's not surprising for that to happen with our children."
"So how long did she wait before proposing?"
