Forty Two

*AALIYAH*

I'm not sure how long I slept for hours on end, but right now my body feels rested. Still lying in Nikki's bed, Linda and Nikki are keeping watch over me as I awaken.

"Hey, guardian angels." I smile in jest.

"Hey, sleeping beauty." My shoulder is rubbed by Nikki.

"How was your beauty sleep?"

"Splendid." My scratchy eyes itch. I haven't had one in a very long time. I speak slowly.

“I understood you required that.”

“Will you not seek evacuation? You're aware that your fetus is dead, right?” Linda's eyes are fixed on me.

"What?" Nikki scoffs. "Linda, I know you're direct, but not as direct as I am, trust me. There are better ways to say things. I'll go violent with you.”

“Don't misunderstand me; I had no malicious intent.”

“Oh, like now is the appropriate time to act insensitively?”

"Don't you think now is the safer time?"

Nikki turns around and looks back at me; she can see that I'm relapsing since my arms are now across my chest. She is the only person who has ever seen