Page 106 of The Don’s Virgin Obsession

“He asked about you today.”

That one hit me hard.

“When you get some strength back, go sit with your father. Spend those last moments with him.”

I nodded once. Couldn’t really say anything else.

Sade looked over at me after that, and I knew she could see it all over my face.

The fear. The grief. All that shit I was trying to keep tucked down.

Vanessa walked over and squeezed my shoulder. “You gon’ get through this.”

I ain’t answer her.

The meds started kicking in stronger after that. My body finally stopped fighting itself long enough for me to breathe normally.

Sade sat beside me on the bed while everybody talked quietly around us.

I looked over at her.

“Go home, Sade.” My voice slurred a bit.

She looked at me like I was crazy and laughed. “You know I’m not leaving.”

The room started getting blurry after that.

Everything finally slowed down.

I leaned my head back against the headboard and closed my eyes for a second while Sade’s hand rested against my arm.

Then, my mind got quiet, and I fell asleep.

$$$$$

A few hours later, I woke up and finally didn’t feel sick to my stomach, and my nerves were calm. Sade was next to me, asleep. Of course, she didn’t leave with everyone else. I looked her up and down. She had changed her clothes and looked fresh-faced. I didn’t want to wake her, but as soon as I started reaching for my water, her eyes slowly opened. She was not at the foot of the bed anymore. She was on the side of me and closer than I expected.

“What’s up, ma? You hungry?”

She sat up and stretched. “Yeah, a lil bit. How do you feel now?” she asked, sounding concerned.

“Way better. But I’ma be honest with you, I wasn’t expecting you to stay this long. No woman stays around a nigga when they’re weak.”

“What do they do? Leave?” She looked at me.

“Yup.”

“Well, I’m not them. I’m not going to lie, seeing you like this reminded me that I care about you.”

“Why? Because you feel sorry for me?” I raised an eyebrow.

“No, because this humanized you. You’re real, and I knew that since high school. But this is different.”

I smirked. “I thought you ain’t remember when we were teens.”

She giggled. “Okay, I lied. I remember a lot of things when it comes to you.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Like what?”