Something inside of him cracked.
“Protect yourself by any means.”
“Always. This is so fucked up, like the police came out of nowhere, it was like they were specifically waiting on us.”
“What you thinking?”
She went quiet again.
“Something ain’t right, we followed every rule of the road. I feel like this shit was a set up.”
Duke swallowed hard.
“We gon’ get you out that jam.”
“My dad told me you stopped by. I appreciate you for that.”
“You know I got you.”
“You promise?”she whispered; her words hit him straight in the heart.
“On my life. I don’t promise what I can’t deliver.”
There was a long pause, his chest tightened.
“I ain’t never said it to you because I don’t say shit I don’t mean, but I love you, Diamond.”
“Ibeenloving you, Duke… I was just waiting on you to catch up.”
The operator announced they had one minute left. That last minute was silent, but the silence wasn’t heavy, it was real.
24
The abortion clinic smelled like guilt and bad choices, females carrying every emotion surrounded her. Some cried, some laughed, and some were like her, terrified. She just wanted to get it over and move on with her life, she couldn’t wait to leave for school.
Farrah sat stiff in the chair, hands folded tightly as Pooh sat with her. Her leg bounced like she was having something, her nerves were through the roof. Sunglasses covered her eyes, shielding the fear and shame. Her being there was supposed to fix everything, but she felt like her world was crumbling.
“Relax, sister,” Pooh placed her hand on her leg to stop the shaking.
“I’m trying to. Is it going to hurt?”
“How the fuck am I supposed to know? I’ve never had an abortion.”
“But you said…”
“I know, I lied to get you here. I’m sure this doesn’t hurt as bad as pushing a baby out.”
Farrah dropped her head and closed her eyes.In and out, erase the mistake, and go to college.She played those words in her head until her name was called.
A nurse came out with a clipboard, her voice was too calm, “Farrah,” she said gently with a smile. “The doctor will see you now.”
“I’ll be right here, sister,” Pooh assured her as she followed the woman.
Farrah jumped when she heard the scream of another woman, she felt like she was going to throw up. Minutes later, she was undressed, lying on her back, staring at the ceiling tiles. She counted the cracks to keep from hyperventilating.
The doctor that was examining her sighed.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “You’re past the window for this procedure.”
