Sunbeam

40)

"Morning, love," Kez says, wiping the sleep from her eyes, her other hand gently squeezing Bea's waist as she places a kiss on her forehead, "what you reading?" Kez asks, noticing a book in her hand.

"Treasure island," Bea responds, reaching for the bookmark, placing it between the pages and shutting the book, turning her head slightly to look at Kez, who smiles at her, "don't stop on my accord."

"I want to talk to you," Beatrice states, her hand slipping beneath Kez's top, softly tracing patterns on her skin.

"I'm listening," Kez replies.

"I'm sorry I went quiet on you yesterday," Bea apologises, "don't get me wrong, I appreciate the lengths you would go to, to keep Isaiah, and anyone else, safe from what happened yesterday. I just don't like that we have to rely on someone for those things to stop happening. It wasn't anything you did, you reacted in the right way, but you shouldn't have had to. You shouldn't have to be a saviour. That's what frustrated and upset me, you shouldn't have to get involved, because this should not be happening. I know this is nothing you change, it's nothing I can change, so I don't expect you to have an answer to the this problem, I just wanted to communicate with you how I was feeling. I don't expect anything from you, Kez, but I thought it right to explain myself."

"Don't apologise for getting frustrated and upset about something you have every right to be frustrated and upset at, it's understandable that you went quiet, I never expected you to be talkative after what happened," Kezia states, "I don't like that you feel you have to rely on me either, because you're absolutely right, yesterday, I shouldn't have had to show up yesterday for them to stop hassling Isaiah. There is no disputing that you shouldn't have to rely on anybody to show up for that not to happen."

"But you will, you will show up everytime something like that happens," Bea says.

"Of course I will," Kez replies, "I don't want to have to, but I will."

"What if you can't be there?" Bea asks.

"Then you underestimate me," Kezia says, "it sucks that this even has to be a conversation."

"It does," Bea nods, "but thank you for letting it be a conversation."

"How'd you mean?" Kez queries.

"Thank you for listening to me, and not shutting me down, or making me feel like I'm overreacting or feeling the need to defend yourself," Bea states.

"You're not overreacting, and why would I feel the need to defend myself?" Kez asks, confused.

"When my Dad used to tell my Mum about things that he'd experienced, she'd tell him 'that's not how they meant it' or 'it's not all white people, it's not me, why are you speaking to me about it, I've done nothing wrong'," Bea tells her.

"Wow, your mum truly was a bitch," Kez mumbles.

"Mmhm," Bea hums.

"I never want you to feel like you can't speak to me about something," Kezia states, "even if it's something insignificant like you've stubbed your toe, you can talk to me about it. I'll always listen."

"I know," Bea smiles, kissing Kez's cheek, "I did actually stub my toe the other day, it really hurt."

"Want me to kiss it better?" Kez teases.

"You're not going anywhere near my feet," Bea states.

"Why? Are they ticklish?" Kez asks.

"...no," Bea responds, "do you want to go near my feet?"

"I hate toes, they weird me out," Kez laughs, "you're ticklish."

"I just said I wasn't," Bea replies.