Dark Like Me 3: Open Up

16

As I and Riki walk along the Rockport beach, I'm barefoot and Shiriki is holding my sandals. I think to myself on how I would love to word what I wanted to tell Riki. Just when I have it formulated in my thoughts, I open my mouth.

"Babe, what do you think about staying here until I get back from basic?" Shiriki beats me to it. He takes my hand.

"I don't know." Damn it, I thought about this last night. And now that he's actually saying it. It makes me not so sure, all of a sudden.

"My family loves you and I don't want you in the house by yourself," he sympathizes.

I mumble, "I actually was just thinking about this last night."

"Really?"

"Yes. Especially after seeing Nubia in the mall."

"You saw one of your sisters?" He sings out.

"I did. She looks so much like Sequan...dad. She stays down here and it would give me the chance to spend time with her and meet Zakia and Zadia."

"I think that would be amazing."

"Yeah!" I rejoice but it fades, "the house?"

"Isn't Andy getting out soon or already out?"

"Yes."

"We can rent it out to her, until I get back."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. If this is what you want. Though, it seems like you have already thought this through."

"I kind of have. Even down to what to do about my job," I say.

"There you go."

I grin, "Good. I'll talk to Mr. Sasson when we get back to the house."

We continue our walk and continue with the talk about the plans for me to stay down here with his family.

When we get into the car, seatbelts on and the car running, Shiriki stares into the distance. It's a stare of deep thought. He turns to me with his face cloaked in so much seriousness, it cause my breath to get caught in my throat.

"Let get married." He says.

"Wh-what?" I stammer.

"Let's get married. Like right now."

The seriousness on his face is telling. There's not a sign of a smirk or anything that indicates he is messing with me. I know how serious he truly is about this.

"Or tomorrow," he sits back, puts the car in reverse, and backs out. Still without a smirk, he puts the car in drive and drives away from the beach.

Silence fills the car on our way back to his parents' house. Now my thought process is all fucked up.

"So?" He speaks up, "What do you think?" He glances at me.

"I'm not sure what to think or say. I mean there would be a lot of people mad at me-."

He cuts me off with a miff tone, "So what?" We abruptly pull into an abandon restaurant parking lot. He puts the car in park and stares at me.

"When are you going to stop worrying about what other people would think? Or how they are going to feel?"

I'm taken aback by his tone with me.

"It's not their life. It's your life. So, the only thing you should be worrying about is what makes you happy. Fuck what others have to say, feel, or think. Fuck them all."

He has never spoken to me this way. A sharp pain pierces my chest.

He sighs figuring he isn't going to get an answer from me. He drives the car once again and silence fills the car.

When we get to the house neither of us says anything to the other. I greet his family and go upstairs to get changed. I'm meeting Nubia for lunch.

I can't believe he spoke to me like that.

I stand in the full length mirror with my bra and underwear on. Gently touch my tummy, better life huh? I look at the small bump and feel a flutter. Tears swell in my eyes, "you two are moving. Wow."

"But what do you think little ones? Hm?" I stand there as if I'm going to get an answer from the babies. I resume getting ready as I wipe the tears from my eyes.

Shiriki enters the room and stands by the bed, staring at me.

I say nothing, I finish getting ready. Check myself in the mirror, a once over. Just as I'm about to leave the room, he gently grabs my hand.

"Are you okay?"

I feel an uncomfortable twinge in my chest, I snatch my hand from him.

"No, but I will be. Now, excuse me. I'm late." I strut away with my nose in the air until I get to his family in the family room.

They ooh and ahh at my dress and sandals. I would have worn heels but my feet have been swollen to hell lately.

I tell them where I'm headed out to and head out.

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