Since You Been Gone

Since You Been Gone: Chapter 16

"What?" Dawn said into her Blackberry. She couldn't even begin to fathom why Justin felt the need to call her after all this time. Why did he think to call her now after two years had passed? Hadn't she specifically told him don't call me, don't text me, don't even speak to me if you ever see me? There was so much she wanted to say to him now that he was on the phone with her, and just as she was about to give him some choice words she remembered she was sitting on Que's lap. She didn't tell him when it happened so why did he need to know now? As far as he was concerned her explanation for why she and Justin no longer talked was that they just drifted away after she had settled down with Que and Destiny. It wasn't really a lie it was just....omission. She kept it buried inside her, and she didn't even have the words to try to explain to Que what happened.

Que gazed up at her trying to figure out who was on the other line. Even trying to get her attention with silent signals motioning the words with his mouth "Who is that?" She could only do one thing in a desperate attempt to save face.

Dawn stuttered into her phone, "Oh, no thank you. I'm not interested in changing my wireless plan I am perfectly satisfied with the plan I have." She looked at Que who looked puzzled, but seemed to be buying it a little from her perspective.

"Huh...what are you talking about?" Justin said just as confused as Que was. Then he realized what was going on. In a saddened tone he replied, "Let me guess Dawn he's around isn't he?"

Dawn immediately came up with a counter. Putting on a false smile and a levelled tone of voice she hurriedly spoke, "Again thanks but no thanks. I don't think that will be necessary. You have a good day, bye."

Dawn pressed the red button on her phone and double checked to make sure the call ended. She just couldn't believe he would even have the audacity to call her. All the drama he brought into her life and almost her marriage flashed right before her eyes. But her thoughts were interrupted suddenly as Que looked at her for a response.

Dawn tried to hide all suspicion by avoiding Que's eyes. Gazing downward at her phone and pretending to send a text and then store it away in her purse. Que caught on quick that something wasn't right because Dawn wasn't very good at lying or hiding anything. There was something definitely peculiar about that conversation that he picked up on. If it was a telemarketer then why did Dawn look so nervous and upset after they told her who they were? And since when did telemarketers call from a restricted number and at 10:30 at night? Que had a million things he wanted to ask Dawn because he wanted to know what she was hiding, but instead he thought he'd play along to see how far she could take it.

"So...telemarketer huh?" Que asked Dawn with a smirk.

Still looking down at her purse Dawn said nervously, "Yeah... Something about them wanting me to change my phone plan to make it more compatible with the amount of minutes I use."

"Oh for real...why didn't you change it or ask more about it. They obviously had a good reason to change it." Que looked at Dawn who was still looking down at her purse and fingernails. "I mean why didn't you get more information?"

Dawn sensed that Que was a little suspicious, but she hid the truth behind her defensiveness.

"Because Poppa, I don't need to change my plan it's perfectly fine already, okay." Dawn said now meeting Que's glare. She faked normalcy and brushed it off.

She zipped her purse close and got up from Que's lap in a nervous rush. She turned around and gave him a passionate kiss, hoping that would erase his suspicion temporarily. Dawn broke away and looked at Que's face; it was obvious he was studying her.

"Look I have to go get Destiny. I'll see you when you get home later or in the morning okay?" Dawn said suddenly.

"Alright ..." Que said with hesitation in his voice.