Nephele
My meetings let out early today and I had plans to hang out with Solana. Ever since she found out about Knoton's engagement she has been in a funk, not nearly as cheerful as she usually is.
"Lana, I'm here." I call after knocking once at her door.
Van bounces up and down next to me. "AUNT SOLANA!" He screams and his little fists impatiently knock on the door. "It's me!"
Solana opens the door and smiles weakly down at Van. "Hello, tiny nephew."
Van quickly throws his arm around her legs and stares up at her with a wide smile, "Will you go to the park with me? Mommy said that we were going to do what you want today because you're sad, so....park?"
Solana sighs and picks up Van holding him at her hip. "Park it is, kiddo."
"We can play together!" Van claps.
"Solana, we don't have to..." I trail.
"It's fine." She dismisses me. "Come on, Van, let's all go to the park and I'll play with you."
Van keeps his grin stuck on his face, "And be happy?"
"I will try, Vanny." Solana says,
"Why are you sad?" Van pokes her face.
"Having your heart broken isn't fun." Solana frowns.
Van's head jerks back and his big green eyes are so wide. "How did you break it?" He places a hand to her chest and turns to me, "Mommy is my heart broken?"
"No baby. Your heart is fine and I won't let it break. Ever." I lean in and kiss his chubby cheek.
Solana smiles slightly. "My heart will heal itself, don't worry babe."
The park is desolate except for one other family that has three little kids around Van's age, maybe a little older judging from their size. Solana sets Van down and we sit on a bench as he runs to the slide. "Momma! Watch me! Watch me!"
"I'm watching, Van." I smile at him and turn to Solana, "Still bummed over Knotty? Didn't you replace him yet?"
"Yeah, Asher." Solana slumps her shoulders. "I mean the sex is incredible, but...the love isn't there."
"How do you know that? I'm surprised you replace Knot. Where did you find this guy? What does he look like? I haven't seen him come out of your room yet or even heard him, which is a blessing, but peculiar."
"You haven't heard me because I haven't been vocal." Solana crosses her arms. "I just kinda sit there and take it. I found him at the club and Knoton wasn't coming around so I invited him to take Knot's day because...well obviously I need a replacement. He's got dark brown hair, brown eyes." She shrugs.
"Wow, you really seem interested." I remark sarcastically.
"He's cute and has a great body and like I said the sex really is good, it's just...there's something missing."
"His personality maybe?" I chuckle.
"I don't exactly know his personality. I think it's just our connection. Knot and I could look into each other's eyes for hours...same with Jasper too. With Ash, he's just solely sex, no connection."
"Have you ever had sex like that before? Do you like it? Maybe you could connect with him if you knew him, you knew both Knot and Jasper outside of sex."
"I hardly knew Jasper, but we clicked and made wonderful love. Besides Asher doesn't want a girlfriend, he...he literally only wants sex, he'll finish and then leave. He's all about how he looks, how I look--the image."
