Page 47 of Lemon Pound Cake Club

No one interrupted.

"I don't mean physically." She gave a short, dry laugh.

"I mean, I'm tired of pretending everything's okay." She swallowed hard.

"I'm tired of covering bruises. I'm tired of saying I bumped into another cabinet." A tear ran down her cheek, and she wiped it away quickly.

"I just…" Her voice broke. "I don't know how much longer I can do this."

Miss Evelyn reached across the table and gently placed her hand on Danielle's trembling hand.

"You don't have to carry it by yourself anymore."

Danielle closed her eyes and nodded. Camille stood up slowly.

"Come walk with me."

Danielle looked around the room, then followed Camille into the hallway. No one started talking. There were no whispers or questions. Everything felt normal.

A minute later, I got up and said I needed the restroom. The hallway was quiet except for the faint sound of two people talking behind a half-closed office door. I hadn’t meant to listen, but I could hear Danielle’s voice.

"I'm scared." A pause, then Camille.

"You don't have to be."

There was a pause and another sniffle. Camille spoke so softly I almost didn’t hear her.

"When you leave here tonight, you won't be carrying this alone anymore."

I hesitated for a moment before going to the bathroom. Maybe they were talking about shelter, a lawyer, or divorce. Whatever it was, it wasn’t meant for me.

When I came back, Danielle seemed different. It was like she had finally let out a breath she’d been holding for years.

Camille smiled brightly.

"Now let's get to the important business."

"Dessert."

Laughter returned right away. Someone poured wine, and plates of cake were passed around the table. Everyone complimented Camille’s recipe, at least until they tried mine.

Simone blinked after her first bite.

"Nia, you've got to try this."

Nia took a forkful.

Then another.

"Oh," she said, looking at me. “This poses a danger.”

Everyone at the table started laughing. Jade shook her head.

"Camille, I think your reign is over."

"Oh, hush," Camille said, laughing.

"It was bound to happen eventually."