swore that I would never have unprotected sex again. It wasn’t Tyquan’s betrayal that affected me, it was his disregard for my life. I had to look out for my own safety and damn sure couldn’t rely on a man to do it.
Graduation day was approaching and I was more confused than ever. For months I’d been thinking of things to do and places to go post-graduation. The only thing I was sure of is I sure as hell wasn’t returning to Jersey. I liked North Carolina but felt I needed a change.
A couple of days before graduation day Michelle arrived in town. I was so happy to see her ; I was beside myself. I talked from the airport to dinner to breakfast the next morning. And even through all of that chatter Michelle knew her good friend wasn’t herself. During breakfast Michelle interrupted my story to ask, “What’s next?”
Huhn? I looked at my dear friend with confusion. “What do you mean what’s next?”
“You know…for your life. What are your plans?”
I grew quiet as I caught the revelation and pondered the question. Emotions began to rush in and I, within seconds, began to weep. “I don’t know! I’ve been asking myself this since you left. I’ve worked like a machine since I’ve been in college just to get to this point in my life. I’ve done fairly well, maintaining good grades while participating in internship after internship and volunteering hours to charitable organizations. I’ve avoided meaningful relationships with men and women all to feel like I’m busy—like I’ve been on a mission. Well, now the mission is over and I’m lost,” I cried as my body trembled over the table.
It would take her to evoke those hoarded feelings. We were sitting in a restaurant and I was boo-hooing. Michelle gently grabbed my hand, “You’re coming with me.”
I raised my eyes at her with a blank look on my face and an uncontrollably quivering bottom lip trying to process her words. I never thought about going out to California with Michelle. I didn’t want to be her third leg. But oddly enough, I immediately felt the warmth of the idea. Michelle was the closest thing to family. I began to cry even harder. People at the restaurant took notice. Michelle played it off by laughing and gesturing to patrons that all was well. On our way back to the campus, we made plans for my move. After all, I had to be off campus in three days.
Michelle flew into town with solutions for my dilemmas, saving the day. I was sure that she knew from the moment she’d met me, I was running from my life back in Jersey. We talked for hours about my future. Michelle’s family had a physical therapy practice back in Southern California. She told me that she’d already spoken to her uncle about hiring me as an administrative assistant until I was done with my Masters and could start taking on my own clients. I majored in Exercise and Sports Science with a minor in Business at Duke. It was something that I took an interest in since I was a kid and into sports.
At that table, there in the restaurant , I decided to move to L.A. with Michelle. It was that simple, I had no reservations, no one thing or person holding me back. Something about that instant decision felt right. I didn’t know how my life would fare on the Pacific Coast but I would try it and eventually find out.
Chapter 3
Rayna
As soon as I arrived, Michelle allowed me to move in with her and her new boyfriend, Mark. Mark was a handsome dark haired Italian man. He was about five feet eleven inches and weighed at least two hundred twenty five pounds with dimples to die for. He was all solid muscle enveloped in olive skin. I could see how Michelle had given him a chance. He was extremely pleasant and welcoming. Technically Mark didn’t live there. He had his own place in Santa Monica but spent almost every night with Michelle. He asked to marry her and make it official but sadly she declined his offer. I always wondered why but seeing that she didn’t offer
Graduation day was approaching and I was more confused than ever. For months I’d been thinking of things to do and places to go post-graduation. The only thing I was sure of is I sure as hell wasn’t returning to Jersey. I liked North Carolina but felt I needed a change.
A couple of days before graduation day Michelle arrived in town. I was so happy to see her ; I was beside myself. I talked from the airport to dinner to breakfast the next morning. And even through all of that chatter Michelle knew her good friend wasn’t herself. During breakfast Michelle interrupted my story to ask, “What’s next?”
Huhn? I looked at my dear friend with confusion. “What do you mean what’s next?”
“You know…for your life. What are your plans?”
I grew quiet as I caught the revelation and pondered the question. Emotions began to rush in and I, within seconds, began to weep. “I don’t know! I’ve been asking myself this since you left. I’ve worked like a machine since I’ve been in college just to get to this point in my life. I’ve done fairly well, maintaining good grades while participating in internship after internship and volunteering hours to charitable organizations. I’ve avoided meaningful relationships with men and women all to feel like I’m busy—like I’ve been on a mission. Well, now the mission is over and I’m lost,” I cried as my body trembled over the table.
It would take her to evoke those hoarded feelings. We were sitting in a restaurant and I was boo-hooing. Michelle gently grabbed my hand, “You’re coming with me.”
I raised my eyes at her with a blank look on my face and an uncontrollably quivering bottom lip trying to process her words. I never thought about going out to California with Michelle. I didn’t want to be her third leg. But oddly enough, I immediately felt the warmth of the idea. Michelle was the closest thing to family. I began to cry even harder. People at the restaurant took notice. Michelle played it off by laughing and gesturing to patrons that all was well. On our way back to the campus, we made plans for my move. After all, I had to be off campus in three days.
Michelle flew into town with solutions for my dilemmas, saving the day. I was sure that she knew from the moment she’d met me, I was running from my life back in Jersey. We talked for hours about my future. Michelle’s family had a physical therapy practice back in Southern California. She told me that she’d already spoken to her uncle about hiring me as an administrative assistant until I was done with my Masters and could start taking on my own clients. I majored in Exercise and Sports Science with a minor in Business at Duke. It was something that I took an interest in since I was a kid and into sports.
At that table, there in the restaurant , I decided to move to L.A. with Michelle. It was that simple, I had no reservations, no one thing or person holding me back. Something about that instant decision felt right. I didn’t know how my life would fare on the Pacific Coast but I would try it and eventually find out.
Chapter 3
Rayna
As soon as I arrived, Michelle allowed me to move in with her and her new boyfriend, Mark. Mark was a handsome dark haired Italian man. He was about five feet eleven inches and weighed at least two hundred twenty five pounds with dimples to die for. He was all solid muscle enveloped in olive skin. I could see how Michelle had given him a chance. He was extremely pleasant and welcoming. Technically Mark didn’t live there. He had his own place in Santa Monica but spent almost every night with Michelle. He asked to marry her and make it official but sadly she declined his offer. I always wondered why but seeing that she didn’t offer
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