Exhale

Chapter 30: R&M

Roman

Raven and Mila scream, jumping with excitement. 

"Did you bring pizza?" Raven points to our bags.

"No, but I did bring a Zuri." Both the girls pushed me to the side and gasped, grabbing Zuri's hands and leading her into the apartment.

"What about me?" I can't help but pout while walking through the front door.

The girls led Zuri into their room while I looked for Sharon. I'm surprised she didn't open the door. Before I can call out for her, she emerges from her bedroom, holding her laptop in her hand, and she ushers me to come over.

"Ivan's on Skype." A smile spreads across her face, and I let our bags down, grabbing the computer and taking a seat on the barstool at the counter.

The screen is empty at first, and as soon as he comes back. Into frame, he's holding a box of souvenirs and trinkets.

When he sat down, I couldn't help but laugh.

"Don't say it." He asked.

"Dude, you look like Sasquatch." Our laughter fills up the living room.

"Shut up, Ro! I'm trying something new." I chuckle, "You need some razors." He laughs, setting his box aside.

" Aren't you supposed to be getting ready for your spring show? What are you doing at Mom's?"

"Z and I needed a hideout." He sits up. "Dude, call her over. I gotta see this girl."

"Raven and Mila took her into their lair." I smiled sarcastically, and he nodded."

"She'll be stuck in there all night."

He cleared his throat and grabbed a glass of water from the table while drinking it. He sat back in his chair, behind him, I could see the view of New Zealand's greenery, shining bright.

"Don't do that." I raised my eyebrows before they furrowed in confusion. "Do what?" I asked.

"Second-guess yourself." I was about to say something. When he counted me off.

"When you decided to do music, that was not a bad decision. My view is nice, but the work is hard."

"You're a Farmer everything you eat you grow. I can feel the years being wiped away every time I eat a fry or drink a soda." I roll my eyes.

"Don't forget the pizza." He points at me, shaking his head. I can't help but chuckle. He might be right about the pizza.

It's been about a week and a half since I've had any time to call Ivan; his environmental work gets rather busy in spring. We talked for the next hour or so until he had to say goodbye.

Sharon yelled for the girls, and they said goodnight.

The evening was spent with the girls and me cooking dinner. They also wanted to watch a movie, and we did, even though it was a scary one.

I wonder who's gonna be waking me up in the middle of the night.

Zuri didn't talk much, not unless she was spoken to. I've been so busy with the girls tonight. I haven't had a chance to ask her what's bothering her.

By the time the movie was over, it was only ten o'clock. Sharon went to sleep after she ate dinner, and the girls a few minutes after the movie ended.

After I straightened up, I wanted to find Zuri.
She's standing outside on the balcony. She doesn't turn around when I open the sliding door.

The railing is almost as tall as she is, stopping at her stomach. I stand behind her, putting both my hands on either side, pulling her into a hug. She lets her head fall back, and a shaky sigh of relief escapes her lips.

"It's cold out here. Come inside." I whispered. She sways side to side. "Just hold me, I like it out here."

"You're gonna get sick," I responded, turning her around to face me.

She wraps me in her arms, looking up.

"I'll be fine." She turned away, keeping eye contact. I lift her chin with my hand to face me, and for the first time since I've known her, she's avoiding eye contact.

Unintentionally, my brows furrowed. "What's bothering you?" I didn't know my voice could get softer.

She closed her eyes, and they twitched as tears began to fill them.

"Baby, please? Talk to me."

She buried her face in my chest and shook her head, sobs slowly pouring out. I could feel the heat burning through my temples. Anger I've never felt before. I hate seeing her so defeated, and I'm tired of not being able to stop it. Why won't she tell me what's wrong?

.

.

That was nice.

Any Thoughts?

See y'all Thursday!