Only for the Week

by Natasha Bishop

There it is. The reason why I can’t wait for this wedding to be over is not the fact that the bride is my sister, and the groom is my ex-boyfriend. It’s the fact that everyone keeps bringing it up with pitying glances like I’m some sad sack hung up on the guy.

“Do you make it a habit to sacrifice things that make you happy for others’ comfort?”

“Of course. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to come off like I was judging you. I just think sometimes we lose ourselves in our compromises and forget that ‘no’ is a full sentence.”

“Because the landing at your destination means you’ve reached your safe haven away from whatever plagues you at home. Takeoff from your vacation spot symbolizes the end of peace and landing at home means watching your problems take center stage again.”

“You look beautiful.”

“What’s your favorite drink?” I take a moment to study her, gliding my gaze down her form, lingering a second too long on those God damn waist beads, and then back to her face. “I haven’t had it yet.”

Resisting Janelle is like resisting the urge to breathe. It tears you apart from the inside out until there's only fragments of you left. Quite frankly, I’m tired of trying.

I’m just wondering when my value became tied to a man

Can’t I have the freedom to just…be? To love myself enough to be comfortable in my own company?

“Does it overwhelm you?” She asks, tilting her head further. “Not at all. I’m just happy to exist in your orbit.”

“You are my favorite drink.”

“If that’s what you want to call it. Be selfish with me. Give me all your yes’s this week and I promise I’ll take care of them. And you.”

Never post your location until you’ve already left

I take my finger, still coated in her release and dip it in my drink, stirring it around. Her eyes widen at the sight and when I hold my glass up to her and wink, her jaw goes slack. The taste of her is exactly what this drink was missing.

“You…you rented an entire yacht…just so I could read by the water?” He holds up the tote bag he packed for me and hands it over so I can see my Kindle and both paperbacks I packed resting comfortably inside. “I did. You ready?”

Me: No it’s me telling you plainly I’ll get you whatever you want and need whenever you want and need it

“I can pay for some fruit, Rome.” “I know you can, but when you’re in my presence you should never be reaching for your wallet.”

“Sometimes the people who are supposed to love you the most are the ones who hurt you the worst. They don’t get a pass just because they’re family. Choose yourself.”

“Then no. But I will be. I’m used to this by now.” “Doesn’t make it okay, J. Come on.”