Page 318 of Call Me Baby 2: Side B

“Jesus, Sonny… I’m so fuckin’ proud’a you,” he murmurs into my ear.

And I close my eyes,

pretending that was from Dad.

54 / THIS WOMAN’S WORK

MAXWELL

// DEC 21, 10:42 AM - MIDTOWN, NYC //

“Your call has been forwarded to an automated voice messaging system. Bianca is not available. At the tone, please record your message. When you have finished recording, you may hang up, or press pound for more options.”

BEEP—

“Hey, Bianca, it’s Allison.

“I know you told me to leave you the hell alone. Still checking in on you anyway. Still here. If you need me.

“Even if it’s to curse, scream, or fight.

“I’m still… I’m here, okay?”

I press the button on the steering wheel to hang up, then look out the windshield.

In front of me, the skyline’s bleeding glacier, snowfall cascading down glass buildings that look like shards of ice. Like the city got stabbed in the chest and Antarctica poured out.

Manhattan’s terrifyingly quiet at this hour. Along Fifth, the storefronts are still dark, their holiday displays haunting and frozen behind frosted glass.

The speakers pump out “Christmas” by Darlene Love, but my brain’s pumpin’ out Andrew’s voice.

‘I got three conditions—non-negotiable.

‘If you can’t do it… I’ll walk… for good.’

‘Alright. What are they, huh?

‘You’re mine, Allison. Like I’m yours.’

And each passing day with Andrew, all I can still feel is the ghost of my mistake between my thighs.

The guilt of Raymond is eating me alive.

Growing stronger.

Screaming louder.

Bleeding into everything.

Jalen was right when he said:

“Keepin’ shit in? It leaks out.

“In your tone, your body,

“how you treat people.

“You hide a lie long enough,