“Yeah, that Benson is hot as fuck, girl. If I wasn’t married, I wouldn’t mind being tied to his bedpost.”
“Lindsey!”
“What? I’m just being honest.”
“Well sometimes you’re too honest. Besides, Larson would throw a fit if he knew you were fantasizing about another man, let alone one of Justin’s brothers.”
“For your information, he knows, thank you very much. He’s asked me to confess my darkest fantasies in great detail. He doesn’t care if it involves him or another man, the shit turns him on.”
April shakes her head. “Y’all are so twisted.”
Lindz lifts one shoulder. “He knows who my body belongs to, that’s all that matters.”
I couldn’t ask for better friends. After everything happened, Lindsey and April were right there for me. Justin hated having to return to work. He worried about me constantly, but Lindsey and April came to visit me nearly every day for a month. And have even dragged me out of the house a few times as well, against Justin’s wishes, of course. I think if he had it his way, I’d never leave his side, but he knows how important my independence is to me. Although, I must confess, I do love his possessiveness. He never lets me forget whom I belong to or where I belong, and for the first time in my life, I have a sense of self.
I have Justin to thank for that.
“Oh, I forgot to ask, how’s your booth doing at the market?”
“Really good actually. I nearly sold out last week. I’ve been working like crazy to catch up. I can’t keep up with the demand. I’m still blown away that anyone would want to buy my work.”
“Your creations are beautiful. Have you ever thought about opening your own store?”
“Oh, I don’t know about that. With a baby on the way I want to devote all of my time to being a mother. That is what is most important to me.”
“Well, it might be something to consider later, when the baby is older.”
“Perhaps.”
Justin is the one who encouraged me to sell my pottery in the first place. I was reluctant when he’d first mentioned it. I didn’t think anyone would pay money for my work, but I’d been wrong. Now I make my own money and I am able to contribute and help provide for our family.
It’s something I never imagined I could have.
I rub my growing belly, wondering how I got to be so lucky, my fate completely different than my mother’s yet our lives almost parallel. Both stolen. Both living in fear for years. Both pregnant so young.
“So when are you going to tell us what you’re having so we know how to theme the shower?”
“I’m not telling.”
“Oh, come on, Selena. Please tell us. We promise not to tell Justin.”
I shake my head, smiling. I found out the sex of the baby at my four-month checkup but Justin hadn’t wanted to know. He said he would be happy if it were either as long as the baby is healthy, but I know he wants a son. A precious little boy who will grow to be just like his father.
Strong, noble, and someone to carry on his family name.
The girls have been begging to know ever since but I can’t tell them unless Justin knows. It wouldn’t be right.
“The suspense is killing me!” Lindz says. “I’m gonna have to have a come-to-Jesus moment with that man of yours. This is a special form of torture.”
I giggle.
Patience is a virtue she does not possess.
There are moments I wish my mother were here to share this journey with me, moments like right now. I know she would adore Lindsey and April. I’m extremely thankful for these two women who have been with me every step of the way.
They are my best friends.
My sisters in heart.
