Divided Heart

Chapter 4

Thanksgiving 3 years ago

The annual Alexander-Justly Thanksgiving was a tradition as steadfast as the changing leaves. The two families, bound by friendship and shared history, gathered in a harmonious blend of laughter, food, and football.

While the men retreated to the den, a sanctuary of sports commentary and camaraderie, the women reigned supreme in the kitchen. The air was thick with the intoxicating aromas of roasting turkey and sweet potato pie. Amidst the whirl of culinary activity, a lighthearted chaos ensued, punctuated by shared laughter and gossip.

"Can you believe the drama with the new neighbors down the block," Veronica Justly, Amara's mother, exclaimed, shaking her head.

"I know, right? It's like Love & HipHop over there," Layla, Amara's younger sister, chimed in.

Amara and Layla exchanged a knowing glance, their teenage minds already plotting their own dramatic escapades. Their grandmother, a silent observer, watched their antics with a twinkle in her eye.

"Grandma thinks we're being too loud," Amara signed, a mischievous grin spreading across her face.

"Tell her we're practicing for our future careers for Reality TV," Layla retorted, earning a playful swat from their mother.

Veronica raised an eyebrow. "Well, if that's the case, I expect a cut of your profits."

The kitchen erupted in laughter as they continued their preparations. Later, as Amara stood alone in her room, anxiety ripped through her. She was desperate to reveal Rahn as her boyfriend, to the family. They had been a secret long enough. Three years to be exact. In the beginning Amara's age might have raised eyebrows but even after she turned 18, they never dated out in the open. Amara was happy but she tired of hiding the man she loved from her family. It was funny they could show up to a family event and act like play cousins but at night Amara slept in his arms with no cares in the world. Now she was almost 20, the time to live in her truth was now. Dialing his number, she couldn't contain her excitement.

"Hey, baby," she greeted him enthusiastically.

"Where are you? I thought we'd tell everyone about us tonight."

"I know, I'm running late," Rahn replied, his voice filled with apology. "I'll be there soon, I promise."

Meanwhile, Rahn was facing a different kind of drama. His other girlfriend, Niki, was eager to meet his family, and she a truth of her own to share.

"Ready to meet my family?" he asked her, his voice laced with a nervous undertone.

Niki's excitement was apparent. "I can't wait! And I hope we can tell them our good news too."

As Rahn pulled up to the Justly residence, the aroma of Thanksgiving dinner wafted through the air. The warm glow emanating from the house created a welcoming atmosphere. Inside, laughter and the clink of glasses filled the room. Rahn introduced Niki as a friend, a temporary measure to buy him some time.

Amara didn't suspect anything when Rahn arrived with Nikki. She'd seen her around his friend group when she and Connie would sneak to parties at the college they attended. She gestured for him to meet her upstairs with one motion of her index finger and a raised eyebrow.

Rahn excused himself for the bathroom but snuck up to Amara's room. He couldn't enter right away at war with himself for letting things get out of hand. He gripped the handle with sweaty palms and shaky breaths. His head rested against her door while he tried to compose himself. His heart was pounding, the weight of his secret overwhelming him.

"Ima bitch." Rahn thought to himself. The bond he and Amara created would be ruined tonight. And he couldn't face her. But he wanted one last moment with her before they were shattered.

A tear threatened to escape as he entered the room. Amara was at her vanity when he walked in, oblivious to the turmoil he was in. She turned to her door once she heard him come in, smiling from ear to ear.

"Baby," she said sweetly wrapping her arms around his torso, inching up for kiss.

Rahn obliged her but didn't embrace long. Amara cocked her head to the side feeling slighted. Their usual affectionate greeting had become brief and distant. Amara immediately sensed something was off.

"What's wrong?" Amara pouted her lip while searching for an answer in his face.

Rahn chose his words carefully. He knew the next words out of his mouth would disappoint her if not crush her. "Tonight's not the night for our big reveal."

Amara withdrew from him immediately, retreating to her ensuite bathroom, locking the door behind her. Instead of throwing a tantrum in front of him she did it in private. She was tired of sneaking around. Sure, the thrill was fun, but she was 20 years old now. Grown enough to do what she wanted.

He could hear her cursing him out, but he preferred this reaction. He sat on the edge of the bed waiting for her return. Amara emerged from the bathroom with a heartbreaking forced smile.

"Amara," Rahn called to her, but she ignored him busing herself with her appearance in the mirror.

"Amara," Rahn's tone was cautious laced with uncertainty. She continued to ignore him taking deep breaths to steady her thoughts.

"May," Rahn grabbed her wrist and gently pulled her into a comforting embrace.

Amara always melted when Rahn called her "May." What began as a playful nickname had become a term of endearment that resonated deeply within her. His gentle touch soothed her, and she felt a sense of calm wash over her as he held her close.

"Okay. We'll wait," she finally whispered, "You better make it up to me.

Rahn offered a sheepish smile, tilting Amara's chin upward before capturing her lips in a deep kiss. "You know I will," he promised softly.

As everyone gathered for dinner, a lively buzz filled the room. Amara couldn't contain her secret; she longed to share their news with everyone despite agreeing to wait. She exchanged a hopeful glance with Rahn, but he shook his head subtly. Frustration bubbled within her. He'd been hesitant before, claiming the time was never right, but she was tired of waiting. Before she could voice her impatience, Rahn stood up abruptly, his expression turning serious.

"Niki and I have something to share," he began, his voice steady. "We're engaged, and we're expecting a baby."

A wave of nausea washed over Amara as the roomerupted in congratulations. The words "engaged", and "baby"echoed in her mind, a jarring disparity with the future she had envisioned. Thejoyful clamor around her felt like a physical assault, each congratulatoryremark a sharp blow to her heart. She couldn't breathe, couldn't think. Theworld narrowed down to a single, overwhelming truth: her heart was shattered.Desperation clawed at her as she fled to the bathroom, the only place where shecould collapse without judgment. The confines of the small room became asanctuary as she surrendered to the storm of emotions, her body wracked withsobs and tears.