Pernicious

|Chapter 10|

March 3, 1988
New York, New York
9:30 am

Naya's Perspective:

Annie and I take our breakfast food filled plates to a nearby table with the kids. We all take a seat and begin digging into our plates. The delicious bites of eggs, bacon, and pancakes filled my mouth.

"Mmm this is exactly what I needed. I love a good breakfast." Annie says taking a drink of her coffee.

"Yeah, me too." I agreed.

"So what do you think of the tour life so far?" Annie asks while taking a bite of her eggs.

"Hmm...it's been interesting to say the least. I mean the shows have been spectacular, but what goes on between them has been crazy." I answer.

"Has some of it been Tatiana's behavior?" Annie asks, looking intrigued.

I paused, not knowing how to answer.

Uhm...Duh! Without her, Michael and I may of had a decent relationship with each other. I guess It didn't help Michael decided to kiss me...Ugh...This has been a mess.

I thought about what to say. I knew I couldn't tell her some of what has been going on.

"I mean, yes and no. The way she treated me in Kansas City was really rude on her part, but oddly here in New York, she's been nicer. Especially when the kids and I were with her exploring parts of the city."

Annie shoots me an odd look.

"What do you mean by nicer?" She asks.

"Well, she actually talked to me, joked to me, and even had the decency to show me some of her favorite places here. Who knows? Maybe she's changed." I finished.

When we first got here, Tatiana, the kids, and I had the opportunity to do some sight seeing. Me being the New York lover that I am, decided to go through with the sight seeing. Unfortunately, Tatiana had to come along with us. To my surprise, she was actually super sweet during our little excursion. She acted the total opposite to the way she was acting towards me during the very beginning of the tour.

Something isn't right...

Annie shakes her head, unable to give me some sort of explanation to the sudden change of behavior. She changes the subject to Michael.

"Hmm I don't know what's going on with her honestly. How's Michael been? Must be weird spending all this time with your ex-husband." Annie asked lighthearted with a chuckle.

"Oh girl you have no idea." I answered back. I just realized how crazy everything was that has happened in the past weeks. Leaving home to go on tour with someone you used to love? I must be out of my mind.

I looked over at my kids who were half asleep, trying to eat their pancakes.

Well, maybe it was worth it. I'd do anything for them.

"Can I just ask you something crazy? You don't have to answer if you don't want to." Annie asks.

"Go for it." I say shrugging my shoulders.

"Do you...Do you still have romantic feelings for Michael?" Annie asked in a low voice.

"I...uhm...well...not..." I truthfully didn't know how to answer.

Suddenly, Annie signaled me to stop talking by putting a finger up to her lips.

What was going on?

"Hi guys! Do you mind if I sit with you?" I heard a cheerful Tatiana behind me.

I turned around in my chair.