Conclusion of short story "In a Perfect World" Will Lyzell let the woman he loved go? Will Rah try to save her love or will she just let it fade away in the wind?

(Pt. 5) Back In the Saddle

Rah grunted as her back was hurting and she felt as though had used so many muscles carrying around all this extra weight! She was glad to have the baby, but also wished that Lyzell would at least talk with her. It had been about three months since she heard from him and she suspected that he didn’t intend on talking with her ever again. That was the sad part. Well, at least she had support from Moni and her extended family and friends. As Rah grabbed a hold of her stomach, she gingerly walked towards the elevator in her condo building. Her long dreadlocks were out of control, as she didn’t really have time to go to Amazon to get her locks updated. Oh, well! Honey , that is life.

Shifting her purse on her shoulder, she heard the light peal of her Nokia cellphone. Since her purse was completely filled with baby lotion, a bag of fruit/raisins, african oils, her wallet and a whole bunch of stuff, she was having a hard time trying to find her small silver and
Black phone. Finally, after a couple of rings, she was able to find the darn thing. It was hiding in that side pocket that she always forgot about.

Stepping into the lobby, she hurriedly flicked the phone on. “Hello. Hello.”

“Rah, it’s me Moni. Where are you girl?”

Almost out of breathe, Rah said, “Look I’m in the lobby of my building.” She waved her hand in her face as to get some air flowing her way. She really was getting out of shape.

“Okay. Well, I’m in front of the building now.”

“Okay. I’m coming out now.” She flipped the phone off, walked through the doors of her condo building and smiled as saw Moni’s Black Ranger shining brightly. Shaking her head she grinned as she greeted her sisterfriend.

“You act like I’m an invalid girl!” She kissed Moni on the cheeks.

“Well, you know I gotta be careful with you now. You are closer to your due date. And I am your child’s godmother.” She rolled her eyes. “I’m a sexy young god momma too!”

Giggling, Rah threw her big black purse into the back seat, and carefully slid into the passenger seat. “Seriously. You are so fast girl! Are you still messing around with that cute Malik?”

“Naw. That didn’t work out.”

Squinting her eyes at Moni, she whooped. “Dang! Another one bites the dust.”

For a while there was nothing but the sound of WGCI and the Crazy Show. Then Moni turned off the radio and spoke quietly. “Has he called you yet?”

With a lump in her throat and tears beckoning to stream, Rah stuffed her feelings. Her voice was strong and clear. “No. And I don’t suspect that he will. Don’t worry girl. I hope he at least forgives you. I knew you would understand. I knew he wouldn’t and I’m not mad at him. I just hope he doesn’t forget that this child is his too.”

“What if he doesn’t ever come around? What if he just doesn’t get involved in the child’s life?”

Rah was not going to think about it. She wouldn’t think about it. She just wanted to have a healthy and happy baby. “I can’t take time to do worry about that. The only thing is for me to be a positive and healthy mom. If he wants to be involved in the baby’s life, he can. But I won’t beg, borrow or pled to have him be active. He has a problem with me, not this child. It’s his choice.”

Rubbing her stomach she smiled as she said, “This little sucker is gonna have me busy. I can tell.”

Moni just looked at her friend and said. “If he misses out on this blessing, that is just his problem girl. Not yours.”

As Moni and Rah zoomed down the streets towards the hospital, each woman had thoughts of a man, a man who once was full of life and love. A man who now is full of hate and rage. All because of one lie. All because of a hidden secret that threatened his manhood and made him question his sexuality. Moni was full of regrets of trying to be the perfect friend, and Rah of trying to be the perfect lover. Lyzell was the one who wanted a perfect relationship and found out that life is full of many things and that nothing and nobody is perfect.

That’s just the way life is. Unpredictable, yet beautiful and sweet.

(c) 2002 Pam Osbey