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Chelsea put her arm around Sylvie and pulled her close.
“Say it, Sylv. You know what I want to hear. Say you will do it.”
“I don’t know what to say. I don’t want to be wrong again.”
“Sylv…what are you afraid of? I hate to be the one to tell you this, but you screwed up big time with Marvin. Gator could be your second chance at a good life. The ball is in your court now. Either you take control, or you continue to let yourself be controlled by the bad choices you keep making. I know you can do this, Sylv. I know you can make this work. You just have to be brave enough to admit that you want it and go for it.”
“I guess I will, but…it’s not fair. I don’t know how to do this…”
“You don’t need to do anything. Just go with the flow. Let him lead the dance. He knows what he wants. He can teach you if you let him. Trust me, he can take care of you. There isn’t a single woman who wouldn’t want a man like him. And when you think about it, you know him better than anyone in the world right now. You know what makes him tick and you know how to make him happy. That’s something no other woman in the world will ever have. You know his deepest secrets and you know how he likes to be treated. Don’t screw this up, Sylv. Be brave and let him see you again and let him make love to you. You won’t regret it.”
The following morning, Sylvie woke up and felt amazing. She’d slept well, and she didn’t remember dreaming about anything…other than a hot biker by the name of Gator. She could feel herself relaxing more each time she thought about him. She was starting to realize that maybe it wasn’t too late to start putting her life back together again. Marvin was like shit on a blanket. You can’t get it out, so you have to throw the whole fucking blanket away no matter how much you liked it. She’d been so beaten down by him over the years that she hadn’t even realized it. She’d been so depressed that she’d started drinking when she was only twenty and could have been an alcoholic if not for the one thing he’d bullied her with that wasn’t negative. He didn’t want her drinking and banned her from doing so, to the extent that he would search the house and even smell her breath if he had an inkling she’d been drinking on the sly.
Now though, she was starting to feel like a new person. She was starting to feel more alive, and she was feeling ready to make a change in her life. She wanted to see Gator again…and soon. She couldn’t tell him how she was feeling though, because she was afraid to be hurt again, but she knew deep down that she needed to face her fears and see where things might lead. If she didn’t, she knew she was going to end up alone and miserable.
8
Sylvie’s heartraced as she texted Gator. She hadn’t gotten him off her mind since the JazzFest. He was no longer the little boy she once knew. Gator had an air of mystery and danger that she couldn’t resist. She knew she wanted to meet him again, but she also knew she wouldn’t have done so without the push from Chelsea.
She wasn’t the same person she used to be. The years of emotional abuse had transformed her into a shell of her former self, consumed by fear, self-doubt, and a pervasive sense of worthlessness that suffocated her every breath.
“Hey Gator, if you’re free tomorrow, I think I’d like to meet up with you.”
As Gator typed out his reply, he couldn't suppress the grin that spread across his face, making his heart race with anticipation.She “thinks” she’d like to meet up with me.“Sure, Sylvie,” he replied. “My place or yours?”
She hesitated, feeling a wave of anxiety. “How about Café du Monde? Around 11 a.m.?” The café, nestled in the French Quarter, provided a sense of security…not that Gator made her feel unsafe, but the lively, open atmosphere diminished the likelihood of a panic attack. Besides, it was the spot she and Chelsea visited often, for beignets and café au lait after shopping, which they proclaimed as the finest in all of Louisiana.
“Sounds perfect,” he said. “See you then.”
Sylvie called Chelsea next and blurted out, “I’ve done it. I texted him, and we’re meeting tomorrow for coffee.”
Chelsea squealed in delight. “You go, girl! I’m coming over tomorrow morning to help you get ready.”
Early the next morning, Chelsea arrived, her arms laden with clothing options and makeup. They spent hours trying different outfits and makeup styles, with Chelsea pushing for a sultrier look while Sylvie aimed for something more subdued. Eventually, they reached a compromise that made Sylvie feel confident and attractive without being overly provocative.
As Sylvie stepped out of her house, she felt like she could almost smell fresh beignets and coffee wafting through the air, teasing her senses.
“Bye, beautiful,” she heard, in a soft old voice.
She looked over to her elderly neighbor who held up the cup she had in her hand as she sat in her rocker on the front deck. Sylvie smiled and waved back.Hmm…I can’t wait.
When she arrived in the city the sound of jazz music playing in the distance beckoned her towards the vibrant French Quarter. Just as she started walking, she saw Marvin standing nearby. Was he watching her? Was this just a coincidence?
“Sylvie, where are you going?” Marvin asked, his voice carrying a hint of accusation, as if she was doing something wrong.
None of your fucking business.“Shopping,” she lied, her heart pounding in her chest.
“I’ll come with you,” Marvin offered, a smirk on his face.
“No, stop stalking me!” Sylvie’s voice trembled as she spoke. He blocked her path. It was a trigger she couldn’t seem to control. Overwhelmed and upset, she decided to head back home, unable to face Gator in her current state.
Meanwhile, Gator sat at Café du Monde, getting restless and glancing at the time on his cell phone. He couldn’t help but wonder what could have kept Sylvie from coming. As he pondered, he saw Marvin walking by, seemingly in a hurry. A sinking feeling settled in Gator’s stomach – had Marvin been the reason for Sylvie’s absence?
He texted her, “Hey, are you okay?”
No reply. He frowned and decided to call. No answer, so he left a message. “I saw Marvin walking by. Is that why you didn’t come?”
Sylvie read the message with a heavy heart. “I’m sorry, Gator. A personal thing came up last minute. I’ll explain later.”
