What He Won't Do

Chapter 6:Breaking Truths

Tonya was awake, but Sasha was still sleeping. Quietly, Tonya slipped out of bed and padded into the kitchen naked, unbothered. She glanced around, wondering how Sasha could afford such a beautiful home without a job. Not her concern, really.

Opening the fridge, she pulled out bacon and eggs, then began prepping the kitchen. As she cooked, her mind circled back to why she had come here, what she was still scared to say. Would Sasha understand? Would it shatter everything they had? Tonya wasn't just here because she missed her friend; she needed to get this off her chest.

When Sasha left that night without a word, Tonya had been heartbroken. What could she do? Sasha disappeared without goodbye, without explanation. Tonya wondered if she'd done something to drive her away. But she shoved those thoughts aside; other troubles weighed heavier, and bitterness had taken root in her loneliness.

Sasha entered the kitchen just as the eggs started sizzling. Her eyes narrowed; she looked ready to fight. Tonya saw it coming and braced herself.

"Good morning, beautiful," Tonya said softly, chopping fresh fruit and sliding the plate toward Sasha. "How was your night?"

"Fine. Everything's fine," Sasha said curtly, pushing the plate aside.

Tonya sighed. "You sure? You don't seem fine."

Sasha folded her arms. "Tonya, why are you here?"

Tonya draped her robe, ignoring the question for a moment. "Aren't you hungry?"

Sasha's eyes flashed. "Stop dodging. Why are you here?"

Tonya left the kitchen, heading for the living room. She poured two drinks, her hands shaking. They sat in heavy silence, the air thick with unspoken pain.

Finally, Sasha broke it.

"Whatever it is, it can be fixed. If you need help, tell me."

Tonya swallowed hard, heart racing. Fear clawed at her insides. Every breath tightened the knot in her chest.

"Sasha," Tonya whispered, trembling. "I slept with your uncle."

Sasha's head snapped up. A laugh, sharp and bitter, escaped her lips. "Really? That's not so bad. Which one?"

Sasha only had one uncle she was close to. The others were distant, only showing up when they needed something. None of them mattered to her, not like Joey.

"Joey," Tonya said quietly.

Sasha stared in disbelief. She had talked to Joey every day at one point. How could he keep this from her?

"Yeah, right," Sasha said, her voice thick with sarcasm. "He'd have told me."

"I asked him not to," Tonya said, tears pooling in her eyes. "But that's not all. We had a baby."

Sasha stood abruptly and began to pace, struggling to make sense of it all. "Where is the baby? Why isn't he here? Boy or girl?"

"A boy. He was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen," Tonya sobbed.

"Was?" Sasha's voice cracked.

"He was stillborn. Two months ago. We both loved him; his name was Jay-Jay."

Sasha's breath caught. "Jay-Jay?"

"Joey Jr."

"You're lying," Sasha screamed. "Why say things like that? Where's Joey? I'm calling him!"

"It's not a lie," Tonya whispered. "None of this was supposed to happen. US, the baby... the marriage..."

"Marriage?" Sasha cut in, eyes wide.

Tonya lifted her hand, showing a ten-karat princess-cut diamond ring.

Sasha's eyes locked onto it; had it always been there? The shock hit her like a punch.

Before she could think, Sasha lunged. Tonya hit the floor hard as Sasha's fists rained down. They rolled, grabbing, fighting. Their robes tore, the tension breaking with raw fury.

Panting, Sasha demanded, "I haven't talked to him in months. Where is he? He will tell me the truth."

Tonya sank onto the couch, voice barely a whisper: "He's dead."