Jadish walked out to her car, running her hands up and over her skirt. She felt like a huge burden, a huge weight, was lifted off her shoulders.

She felt she could breathe. The chains of the unknown snapped free, releasing her from bondage.

She felt whole, like a real woman and not a zombie. She was no longer coming and going throughout her life because she didn't understand why she felt the way she felt after her graduation.

She knew something wasn't right with her body, she knew it then, but couldn't prove it.

And now she knew the truth.

Tommy lost her trust forever.

She called her father.

"Hey, Dad. Where are you?"

"With your husband. He says hi."

"Tell him I love him."

"She said she loves you, Sax," her Dad said, his voice a little distant.

She heard her baby say, "I love you, sweetheart. See you when I get home."

"Dad, give Sax the phone."

"Damn it, why can't you call him on his own fucking phone?"

"Because I pay your cell phone bill."

"Low blow."

"And I pay Mama's bills."

"She's your Mama, you're supposed to."

"No," said Jadish, getting in her car and leaving Tommy's house forever. "You're supposed to be paying her bills."

He avoided the imposing argument. "Here's Sax."

"Hey, baby," he said, faking.

"Hello, Sax. When are you coming home?"

Does it matter? Am I gonna get to fuck? "In about an hour."

"Make sure you do."

He sucked his teeth. "Whatever, and do the

same thing: hug, kiss, maybe a little rubbing, cuddle, watch TV, and go to sleep. Wow, I'm really looking forward to that."

She smiled, turning up R. Kelly's old school cut "Your Body's Calling," from the 12 Play album (his best album) on the radio.

She snapped her fingers, bobbed her head and said, "I'm looking forward to it, too, baby."

And she hung up...