Trapped (Incomplete)

A Typical Day

The chatter from the gym rang in Sasha's ears as she passed the entrance. She followed the source of the noise to the snack bar, where skinny girls drenched in body oil and sweat laughed amongst themselves, continuously flipping their hair and making googly eyes at a couple of guys on the opposite side of the gym who were flaunting their muscles. The girls- practically drooling- confirmed their kill as they started to approach them. In the midst of the crowd, Sasha recognized one of the airhead girls as Joss Lyn. When Josselyn glanced in her direction, Sasha waved her over.

"Fancy seeing you here." Jennifer smirked.

"Well, I told you I planned on getting out more." Sasha said, a small smile on her face."

"I honestly thought your husband wouldn't allow you to leave your room, let alone the house."

"Cut him some slack, Kenneth is just a little over protective."

"Sure, if that's what you call it. What happened to you though?" Josselyn said, hinting at Sasha's appearance.

"A robber broke into our apartment and attacked me when I got home."

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry!"

"It's nothing to be sorry about, the wounds will heal soon." Sasha said, shrugging it off.

"Well in the meantime, let's go have some fun!" Jennifer said, smiling deviously.

"Oh, is that what you're doing over there with those girls?"

"Not really. I helped a girl catch her boyfriend in the act once, and ever since I've gained access to their sanctuary. "

"And what would Alex say about your extra-curricular activities?"

"What he doesn't know won't make his brain explode."

"Well, you do have a point there. "

Jennifer led Sasha over to a empty spot in the gym which had an entirely different decorum.

There was no machinery that added to the noise of egotistical men. Instead, it was a bit more quiet, and yoga mats of different colours were spread across the entire room. They both searched for adjoining mats and sat next to each other. Sasha watched as Josselyn stretched and proceeded to do the same.

"Since this is your first time, just follow me."

"Got it." Sasha said.

"Relax and breathe." Jennifer said, drawing out the word nervously as she tilted her body far enough to prevent Sasha from seeing the phone in front of her.

"So tell me, how has everything been since the robbery?"

"It's been okay I guess. Lots of changes" .

"What do you mean?"

"Well, Kenny has been more attentive.  There's the different apartment and then there's therapy."

"Therapy?" Jennifer blurted with her legs behind her head.

"Yeah, it's until I've got through my PTSD."

"Oh I get it. You seem fine though, not many PTSD patients bounce back so quickly.

"Well, what can I say. my doctor is great."

"I bet she's Chinese."

"Not exactly, she's a he, and he's African American."

"Oh? Hunk of chocolate then huh?" Jennifer commented deviously.

" I don't know, I haven't really focused on that. Plus I'm happily married."

"Are you really?"

"What does that mean?"

"Nothing, all I'm saying is you're young, and nothing is wrong with looking at an attractive person who isn't your spouse. It's a girl thing."

***********************

Sasha's eyes followed the silver balls that swing back and forth on Dr. Ashleigh's desk. Quite unaware that Merton's eyes were no longer in his notepad nor was he writing anything down.

"Are you okay Miss Walcott?"

"Yes doctor. Where were we?"

"You were telling me how you're adjusting to life after all that has happened.

"Oh yes. Things are getting better, I've found a new friend."

"And how does that make you feel?"

"I honestly don't know, she's my first girl friend in a long time so it's fun I guess.  I have someone to talk to."

"So what am I? Can't you talk to your husband or me?"

"It's different, she's a girl and you and Kenny are guys."

"I see. So what does she talk about?"

"Well, our last conversation was about you."

"Really?" Merton said, quite amused.

"Yeah, it was."  Sasha said, silently wishing she hadn't said it.

"What did she say?"

"Oh you know, the usual thing- that your name was weird and that you must be a chocolate hunk." She said, her voice trailing off at the end of the sentence.

"You think I'm a chocolate hunk?"

"Her words, not mine."

"And what do you think?"

"I'm not answering." Sasha said.

"Am I a chocolate hunk?" He said, getting up so Sasha could see his full stature.  

She noticed that since she was short and, she had to look up to his face, as he was very tall. His skin was a little lighter than the color of chocolate, but dark all the same. His shirt, which was not buttoned up all the way revealed his buff chest. Merton comically flexed his muscles for her to see and when she quickly glanced up at him, she saw the childish grin spread across his face. She forced herself to not look any lower.