The room had quickly mirrored a flower shop with all kinds of get-well-soon bouquets. Although the smell was lovely, it couldn’t mask the overwhelming scent of death. It loomed over Rio, prompting Cali to be haunted with a crippling anxiety. Notonly due to his condition but her betrayal. He had been suffering while she had been planning their marital demise. Cali didn’t think she would ever forgive herself for that.
“I know he’s going to make it through this,” Ruthia declared with so much hope laced in her tone. “My boy is a fighter. I know this isn’t the end for him.”
She had been so positive between her crying fits. Ruthia was a woman of God in spite of Rio’s reputation in the streets. Praying over him, speaking life, and spreading holy oil over his forehead had been her remedy to stay sane.
“I hope so,” Cali muttered.
“No, baby, you gotta have faith. Don’t be scared to say that he will make it through this. There is so much power in the tongue. Declare that he will recover in the name of Jesus.”
Cali nodded just as her phone rang. When she saw that it was Braye, she sent his call to voicemail. He’d been calling, wondering about her whereabouts and why she hadn’t returned his calls. Her mental and emotional capacity was at the maximum. Talking to him would send her over the edge, and she needed to be strong for Rio. For now, Braye would have to be put on the back burner until Rio came out of his coma.
“Girl, your phone has been blowing up all morning. People must be calling to see about Rio.”
No, it’s my side nigga calling because I haven’t responded to him.
“Yeah, the family is worried,” Cali lied, getting up from her seat.
She walked over to the side of Rio’s bed and stroked his contused cheek. So many cuts and scratches had marred his beautiful brown skin. She fixed his wicks before kissing his cheek. Resting her forehead against his temple, she prayed forsome kind a miracle. A sign that Rio would come out on the other side of this.
“I remember the day Rio came to me and said he was getting married.”
That jolted Cali out of her pity episode as she peered at Ruthia. A subtle smile was on her round face as her mind traveled down her memories.
“I thought he was crazy when he said he didn’t know you. He said something about doing a favor for your father. I didn’t agree but when I saw you the day of the wedding, I knew he had made a great decision.”
Cali’s brows rumpled. “How so?”
“My spirit of discernment told me that you were the one for my boy. You’ve kept him on his toes. There had been so many times when I’ve watched him make sure that you were taken care of. He’d get flowers sent to your job or try to surprise you with gifts or trips. It warms my heart seeing him strive to be a good husband because he never had an example. Rio chose to defy the odds against him. Although I don’t like how he makes his living, I am content with you being by his side because I know you have his best interest at heart.”
Suddenly, Cali’s eyes watered before her head hung down. How could she stand in this woman’s face and allow her to praise her when she had been the worst wife to Rio? She’d participated in an ongoing affair for years and had plans to leave him. He would hate her if he ever found out how badly she had been playing him. The lies had been endless, the deceit was uncharted, and the gall was astounding. Cali was worse than Rio’s number one enemy because she had been betraying him for years.
“I don’t deserve that,” she cried. “Please don’t praise me.”
Ruthia shuffled over to Cali, who was now hunched over, emptying her regret through her eyes.
“Oh, honey, it’s okay.” She wrapped her thick arms around Cali, giving her a hug that only a mother could. “I know all of this is so much. Rio may not be in the best condition but he’s going to pull through and you’re going to be by his side. I respect you a great deal, Cali. Just keep being here for Rio. He really needs all of us.”
Ruthia didn’t get it, and Cali couldn’t convey to her how much of a fraud she truly was. However, she would take her advice and make sure she didn’t leave his side. She could at least be a present wife during his misery since she had been a shitty one when he was conscious.
“Thank you,” she muttered, gently backpedaling out of Ruthia’s embrace. “I’m going to step out for a second.”
Cali didn’t wait for a reply as she headed for the door. Stepping into the hallway, she inhaled deeply before ambling toward the exit. When she stepped outside, tears crowded her eyes. This was complete torture. A knife to the gut would’ve been more bearable than what she was experiencing. She had no one to run to. No one to tell her that her guilt would eventually soothe. Cali was all alone in this boat of regret, and she was tempted to jump off.
The vibration from her phone jolted her. When she saw Irish calling, she quickly answered.
“Irish, I’m sick,” she confessed.
“I know, hun. Tell me what you're feeling.”
Cali paced in a circle, flailing her arm in frustration. “I feel like shit and on top of that, Braye keeps calling me. Rio’smother is telling me how I’m this good wife when I’m not shit, internally. Oh, and Rio has made no progress. I feel like he’s dead and we’re being selfish by keeping him on the machine.”
Cali had to inhale a breath after that. It was all so much to bear.
“Listen, I know you may feel guilty but you gotta deal with that later. Rio needs you to be his rock and pray for him. Just focus on him and his recovery because he’s going to pull through. Have you heard from the police?”
“Not since yesterday. They had a few witness statements, and they think he ran a red light. They believe that’s what caused him to crash into a pole.”
Every time Cali’s imagination painted the picture of Rio’s accident, her stomach recoiled. He must've been scared, being thrown from the car and landing on a concrete island.
