her boat. "You want to kidnap a pregnant woman." She b

e sake of our friendship. And I won't harm he

t find her? He has

thinks I'm a softie and all about whining for my dreams to come true. He doesn't know t

than frustrated by me. "Oh, fuck me, Mells," she groans. "I'm gonna be roast

first if you don't

an inch, the hospital sw

no

nd quite pissed. She ignores me for seconds as she reclines in her cha

me where she is

"'Thank you, Oasis.' It's simple courtesy

hen I know I go

und and was probably waiting for someone in the VIP section. Guess who? That makes things more complic

re warning, "Now I've taken precautions in handling Yolie so f

with a shrug. Then, on second thought, I frown. "You shouldn't even think

in a few. Drop your car keys and leav

grabbing her keys, dropping mine

mplicates things, but she doesn

r Earth hear

t in the hospital when he arrives. Let th

f Yolie's safety eat him

I find Yolie carefully

eeks that are evidence of good sleep, light brown baby hairs

wish guilt works the same way too-showing on the face as one sleeps-becaus

toward the hospital entrance, a shuffling

h the rearview mirror. She's glancing around, confused. And th

our dearest boyfriend

just driven into

uilding, Yolie looks at

knew it was useless. No one will hear her. Zeat

om me?" She snaps af

lost when you play

uff. If anything

, or I'll cut your tongue

stomach. For a moment there, I

e hisses, "This won't go unnotice

aby mama, hon. You'll see him long enough for me to

ut of the

sionally, just in case Yolie tries to strangle me from behind. She kee

alight the car, going around it to usher Yolie out. S

omething when she can barely

keep Yolie prisoner in one of my sp

in front of her. She rests her backside against t

sk after staring at the woman for some time. It's a rhetorical

e fifth," s

room," I snap back. "Your conscience is what you lost. S

nant women is ethical, th

er for you. I know you could

sk about my

notice a crack of your envy and fear. You're scared Zeath might actually love me. That

pregnant. What's your excuse?" She stops laughing, then sniffles before swiping her index finger under her nose. "At least

ve toward the

ren't you?" I mutter, facing Yolie and leaning on the

be used. You were like an empty vessel

vessel,

smell your misery from afar. Even with all your raised chins and un

t you, Yolie," I

e woman. "Sweet, add assaul

try so hard. Whatever she's doing, it's working. Because

d the same thi

owly as Yolie rests her head on the wall and closes her eyes. "But wha

ings. It's

call from her meant

ere's

, careful voice comes from

before repl

. What do you say we talk over tea this afternoon? I

ow if I can, Mama Tia," I say flatly whi

ossibly be doing? I thought we

ing on the threshold. I tear it to reveal the main

sis. Best f

t Yolie's ultrasound result. Maybe

, expect