“Was I a good husband to Cali?”
“Hmm,” she contemplated. “I think you were. Now I don't think you were perfect, but I believe you both tried your best.”
He scoffed at her statement. “You really think Cali tried her best when she was out here getting fu—I mean out here being unfaithful?”
“I do. Rio, no one is perfect. You can’t hold human beings to your expectations because we all fail. Now, you tried your hardest to be the best but I’m sure you came up short.”
“Cali said I didn’t spend time with her like I wasn’t out here trying to make sure she had everything she wanted.”
A part of Rio was infuriated that she’d fixed her lips to complain about the lack of time spent together. Then, the other piece of him hated that Cali’s reality was true.
“A woman needs time, Rio. I know with the state of this world that material things mean everything. But you have to take time to nurture relationships. You can’t just throw money and expect everything to be all good. No marriage would survive that.”
“Clearly.” He snorted. “I hate that I’m even letting her words get to me. I shouldn’t even care what she’s talking about when she was the one who ruined our marriage.”
“Rio, baby, your feelings don't shut off just because the status of the marriage changed. It’s natural to still love Cali.”
“But I don't want to.”
“I know but does our heart ever really care about what it is that we want?” She tittered. “It always has its own agenda.”
Rio rubbed his tired eyes. Sleep still evaded him when he laid down at night. He either tossed and turned or sifted through the countless memories he and Cali had made.
“You been good? You need some money?”
“No, honey, I’m okay. I picked up a part-time job at the school. I’ll be working four days a week.”
Rio wished Ruthia would retire but she was an ol’ school Black woman who believed in working until she couldn’t anymore.
“A’ight, Mama. I gotta go. Hit me if you need anything.”
“Alright, baby. Bye.”
Rio ended the call and responded to a few messages. He then went on Instagram and stopped at the first picture on his timeline. It was Bria posing with Cali, who looked so good that he couldn’t peel his eyes away. Her face was still the most perfect art God had ever mastered. The black dress fit her form as if it was second skin. Her seductive eyes always drove him to insanity. Per usual, her pixie was on point, making Rio wish he could palm the back of her head and devour her pouty lips.
I’m wishing my sister nothing but blessings on her new journey. Diamond Falls ain't ready for you!
“The fuck?” he uttered as he read the caption again. “New journey?”
Rio’s chest tightened right away as he went to Cali’s page. He tapped through her stories, looking at all the family who were wishing her well. Suddenly, Rio wished he was there. He felt like he was on the outside when he’d been the one wronged. Cali was moving on in her life. No longer did she sport the garment of depression. It seemed like she had shed the burden of destroying their marriage.
Meanwhile, Rio felt like he was stuck in cement. His heart couldn’t move on just yet. Cali had fucked his head up. Not even Rozalin could distract him from the ache in his chest. Never had he adored and despised someone concurrently untilhe met Calia. She’d started a fire that he couldn’t put out. It blazed inside him, burning his insides with the love he wanted to extinguish. Now he had to watch the woman, who still possessed his fractured heart, move away. Rio honestly didn’t know how to remedy this situation.
Two days later…
Cali grinned so widely as she spun around. She and her family had arrived in Diamond Falls, and she was in awe. The city was so beautiful with vibrant art, rich Black history, and walkable neighborhoods. Before she’d arrived, Cali had secured a loft that was ten minutes away from her job. She stood in the empty space, admiring the brick walls and view of Downtown Diamond Falls.
“Okay, I’m officially jealous,” Bria declared, looking out the bay window. “This is so beautiful.”
Douglas tested out the lights with one hand inside his slacks. “Everything seems to be working fine. Did they have any bad reviews online, Cali?”
She jokingly rolled her eyes. “No, Dad, I told you everything checked out.”
He was always so worried about everything.
“I think this place suits you.” Cecilia smiled. “And you said the train station is two minutes away, right?”
Cali nodded. “Yep, on the days I don't wanna drive, I think I’ll catch the A train to get to my job.”
