Jay was already late for work when he realized he couldn’t leave Bey alone. The panic attacks had been coming more frequently, and today seemed especially overwhelming. He picked up his phone and called Tina, desperately asking her to come over and be with Bey while he was gone. He didn’t explain the situation; all he knew was that his wife needed someone to comfort her.
Tina arrived at their house within minutes, her heart heavy with concern. She didn’t know the details, but she could sense Bey’s distress the moment she walked in. The atmosphere felt thick with anxiety, and Tina found Bey curled up on the couch, tears streaming down her face.
“What’s happening, sweetie?” Tina asked softly, sitting down next to her daughter.
Bey struggled to explain through her sobs, but the words tumbled out in a chaotic rush. “I just... I can’t breathe... everything hurts...” Her voice cracked, and a wave of dizziness washed over her.
Tina’s instinct kicked in; she immediately pulled Bey into her arms. In that moment, she didn’t see an adult woman crying—she saw her baby, struggling and panicking, just like the times when Bey was bullied in school. “I’m here, baby. I’ve got you,” Tina whispered, her voice steady and soothing.
“Mommy, it hurts!” Bey finally managed to say, her body shaking.
“I know, baby, I know,” Tina replied, gently rocking her back and forth, hoping to provide some semblance of comfort.
Just then, Blue came barreling down the stairs, her eyes wide with concern. “Daddy! Come home!” she shouted into the phone, already dialing Jay’s number.
Bey, still caught in her spiral of anxiety, began to whisper Jay’s name over and over again, like a prayer for solace. “Jay... Jay...”
Tina frowned, trying to decipher what Bey meant. “What is it, honey? What do you need?”
Blue, catching on, chimed in, “She wants Daddy! He can calm her down quickly!” Her young voice was filled with urgency. “I already called him. He’s on his way!”
Tina continued to hold Bey, soothing her as best she could. Slowly, Bey began to calm down under her mother’s comforting embrace, though tears still streamed down her cheeks. Just as Tina was about to breathe a sigh of relief, Jay rushed through the door.
The moment he saw Bey in Tina’s lap, still trembling, his heart sank. He quickly went to her, scooping her up as if she were a child. He held her tightly, cradling her as he rocked her back and forth, whispering sweet nothings to calm her.
Bey nestled against Jay, feeling the warmth and strength of his presence. The rhythm of his heartbeat began to soothe her frayed nerves. As she calmed, a wave of guilt washed over her. “I’m so sorry for making you leave work, Jay. I didn’t mean to...”
Jay tightened his grip on her, looking deep into her eyes. “Bey, never feel bad for needing me. I’d drop everything for you. You’re my priority,” he said softly, brushing a strand of hair away from her face.
Bey felt the weight of his words sink in, but the guilt lingered. “But I hate breaking down in front of Blue. I don’t want her to see me like this...”
“Bey,” Jay interrupted gently, “it’s okay to feel this way. We all have our moments. Showing vulnerability isn’t weakness; it’s part of being human. Blue will understand.”
With his reassurance, Bey took a deep breath, letting it out slowly as the last of her tears fell. She might have felt guilty, but in this moment, wrapped in her husband’s arms, she knew she was not alone. Together, they would face the storm, one breath at a time.
