Damsels in Distress

Damsels in Distress by Nikita Lynnette Nichols Page B

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Authors: Nikita Lynnette Nichols
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Anthony wiped Celeste’s tears then leaned over and softly kissed her lips. “You know I love you, right?”
    Celeste smiled. “I do.”
    * * *
    They arrived home at six-fifteen in the evening and Celeste immediately walked to the caller identification box that sat on an end table in the living room. She pressed the scan button. Ginger or Portia hadn’t called her cellular phone all day but Celeste was hopeful that one of them would have called her home and left a message. There had been two calls but neither call was from Portia or Ginger.
    Anthony saw the disappointed expression on Celeste’s face. “They didn’t call, huh?”
    Celeste didn’t answer him.
    Anthony stepped to her. “Baby, why are you doing this to yourself? Just call your girls. You know you want to.”
    â€œAfter what they said to me, Tony? I don’t think so.”
    â€œCeleste, you never told me what Ginger and Portia said that’s got you so upset with them. What did they say?”
    Celeste froze. She and Anthony had been married for six years and she had yet to share with him what happened during her sophomore year in high school. Celeste couldn’t tell him that Ginger’s recollection of the abortion she had in high school was the reason the three of them weren’t speaking.
    Early in her marriage, in a private session with her gynecologist, Dr. Bindu, Celeste revealed her secret. After examining Celeste, Dr. Bindu explained to her that the wire coat hanger that was used many years ago had caused irreparable damage. Her right fallopian tube had been punctured and her entire uterine wall was contaminated. Too much scar tissue had developed. In his opinion Dr. Bindu advised Celeste that her chances of conceiving were next to impossible.
    Celeste had decided that it was in her best interest if she didn’t share the news with Anthony. Instead, for years, she had kept the secret and prayed for a miracle. She would continue to pray that God would bless her womb and Anthony would never have to know about the abortion.
    Celeste stood in the middle of her living room wondering how she could answer Anthony’s question without revealing the truth. “All of the other times when Ginger, Portia, and I fell out, you didn’t wanna know any of the details. So, why are you asking questions now?”
    â€œBecause your arguments usually don’t last longer than two days,” Anthony responded. “In the past the three of you would have made up by now. But you’ve been walking around here miserable and with your lips poked out for almost a whole month. And every new day that passes when Ginger or Portia don’t call, you get even more depressed. That tells me that what happened between y’all had to be something heavy. So, what was it?”
    Celeste looked at the mail she’d gotten from the mailbox as she walked toward their bedroom. “It’s sista stuff, Tony. You wouldn’t understand. By the way, your mother called,” she said over her shoulder.
    * * *
    An hour and a half later, Anthony and Celeste were at the kitchen table finishing a meal consisting of broiled tilapia, steamed asparagus, and baked potatoes.
    Anthony savored his meal. “Celeste, baby, you put your foot in these potatoes.” He inhaled his food and licked his fingers as though he’d gone a whole year without a decent home-cooked meal rather than a month.
    Celeste smiled. “I’m glad you are enjoying them. Wait ’til you taste the dessert. I put both my feet in it.”
    Anthony became excited. “What is it?”
    She smiled. “Your favorite.”
    He returned Celeste’s smile. “Strawberry shortcake?”
    Celeste nodded her head. Anthony leaned over and kissed Celeste’s lips. He then stood from the table and hurried over to the refrigerator. Anthony retrieved the strawberry shortcake from the refrigerator and brought it back to the

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