Page 353 of Call Me Baby 2: Side B

Then the stall door.

Then the lock.

Then me as I slap both palms against the steel, breathing hard enough to turn my insides into a tornado.

The party still pulses through the walls.

Jazz.

Laughter.

Christmas cheer.

My blood is confused,

rushing fast all over the fucking place:

between my legs,

up my neck,

in my ears.

I rip my phone from my clutch,

almost dropping it in the toilet.

Celie picks up on the second ring.

“So? How's our Cinderello man?”

Feeling sick, I bend forward,

one hand gripping my stomach.

“Teddy Vale,” I choke out.

Silence.

“Say what?”

I grip the phone harder.

“Teddy. Vale.

“Teddy fuckin’ Vale.

“He’s here.”

She laughs.

“Shut the fuck up right now, you lyin’.”

“Celie, I’m serious. He’s here. Like right now. He held my hand, Celie. My hand. Teddy Vale touched me,” I whisper-shout.

The phone rustles on her end.

“Oh my God. Oh my GOD.”