Cessation

Prologue

ces·sa·tion
/seˈsāSH(ə)n/
noun
the fact or process of ending or being brought to an end.

Cheryl's Point of View
Greenwich Village
2:45 p.m

I sat at a table in the empty Café Wha? with what seemed like so much nervousness. Knowing that the choice that I was about to make could determine so much that was soon to come. However, I had to do something about this because I wasn't happy. Thinking; was I ever happy? Has Cheryl ever really been happy?

Sitting here with my legs crossed at the ankles underneath the table, I fidgeted with my hands and examined my newly done fingernails. Next, I looked over at the empty stage that has once been touched by every single musician that you could ever find here in New York.

I simply smiled because I had the opportunity to be upon that stage many, many times. I knew all of the open mic joints around town. You needed to find one? I knew the location.

I then looked back down at my hands and lightly sighed at the endless thoughts that ran through my mind.

Impatiently, I picked my phone off the table and checked to see if Inaya was almost here.

Café Wha? wasn't even open yet but since my name holds weight, I can come in here anytime the manager is in by herself. This place looks so different when it's empty and it also feels different too. Music has always been my outlet but I gave up my passions years ago. All I can remember is giving everything up for my marriage and honestly, maybe I gave myself up the same day I gave my passions up too. That's what happens when you sacrifice everything to let the man you love know that he should come first from now on.

Finally, I heard the door open to the music venue and instantly turned around to see who it was.

There was Inaya smiling her innocent and cheeky smile. Her dreads grew longer singe the last time I've seen her and yes, her piercings were still in tact.

I stood up and put my arms out for her to embrace me.

Once she finally reached me, she hugged me ever so tightly and it seemed as if the tighter she hugged me- the more I wanted to cry. She knew my pain and she knew how hard this was for me.

"Come on...let's talk, twinster," Inaya said as she broke the hug. I nodded my head and we both looked into each other's eyes for a brief moment.

Next, we both sat down and that's when a deep sigh escaped my lips. I could feel the back of my eyeballs starting to burn from me trying to hold back the tears.

Inaya placed her purse on the floor and rushed to grab both of my hands.

"Cheryl, are you really about to do this?" She asked me as she held my hands tightly.

Staring down at the both of our hands together, I slowly nodded my head and that's when the tears started rolling down my cheeks.

"I have to..." I vocalized. "Why shouldn't I?" I added as I sniffled.

Inaya looked at my face for a second and then sucked her teeth as she looked away from me.

"This-...it's not right, Cheryl. What is he gonna think?" Inaya asked me as she rubbed both of my hands with the side of her thumb as she continued holding my hands in hers.

"Who gives a damn about what he thinks? I don't!" I exclaimed as I pulled my left hand out of hers and wiped my cheeks.

Inaya let both of my hands go and sat back into her seat.

The air started to feel cold and my body even colder.

"Look at what's happened, Inaya. I don't want a burden to be on me because in the end, that's what this whole situation is gonna be. All on me. Not him," I told her as I shook my head and looked over at the stage once more.

"Now you know that's not true, Peps. It would be on him more than you. Overall, it's his fault because of what he did to you. You're really talkin' some nonsense..."

"Am I? After all the stuff I done told you and you really think that this is nonsense?" I asked her as I stared at her stern face.

She then lightly rolled her eyes and placed her single right hand upon her forehead with eagerness.

"You'll regret it..." she assured me as she stared down at the table.

"Will I?" I asked her as I looked at her and felt disappointment starting to brew in my chest. How come my friend can't just back me up?

Inaya then looked up at me and slowly shook her head at me.

"Just back me up? Let's-...let's show him together that what he did was fucked up. If you come along with me, I wouldn't feel scared to crush his entire spirit. Yet, if I crushed his spirit alone? Well, maybe I would feel some sympathy but in the end, I don't want to," I asked her.

Inaya reached over, grabbed her purse and then stood up without saying a word. Next, she looked at me with cold blooded eyes and said, "I've backed you up on a lot of things, Peps but this?" She said as she started to breath heavily. "I could never..." She added as she started to walk off.

She disappeared behind me and I sat there staring at her empty chair.

I heard the door slam shut and as it did, I lightly jumped in my seat.

Truth be told...the whole world is about to turn against me....

Star/Vote⭐️