Rather: The Therapist (The Grey List Book 2)

by Grey Huffington

Femininity was the most sacred, unprotected aspect of a woman and I loved that shit dearly. It enhanced my masculinity. Made me wiser. Stronger. Better in every way possible.

“Are you going to eat your food?”

“What I’ll be eating isn’t on ceramic. It’s freshly lasered with an uncontrollable thud.”

ACTUALLY SHUT UP 😂😭

“Yes. In that reality I sometimes need a break from, I was born to lead. I’m expected to lead, and I am not given grace. That’s not the way it works. So, here, I want to relinquish my power. I crave submission.”

When the work day ends and the sun settles, I want to shed myself of those responsibilities. All responsibilities. Give them to someone else. Give myself to someone else.” “To me.”

I’ve never heard a woman address that natural instinct so beautifully.” “Natural instinct?” “To submit. To be led. To be guided.”

“Never, and I mean never, get too far removed from reality that you don’t remember you’re a prize. You’re the prize. And, I’m lucky to have you here. Your presence is a gift, my dear. One I will treasure in spite of everything else. Understood?”

“Dear God, thank you for the food I am about to receive,” I whispered.

I CANT OMG 🙈😭

“Furthermore, a normal guy couldn’t handle me if he tried. I’m not water. I’m not flowers. I’m not sunlight on a rainy day, Teddy. I’m wind. I’m fire.”

Women are doers. Women are human. Women are feelers. Women are thinkers. Women are more than objects. Women deserve softness and support. Women owe no explanation for our rightful nature. Women should govern their own bodies, minds, and hearts. Women deserve grace from everyone in their lives, including self. Women are the most fragile beings on the planet and should be treated as such. Women are the superior gender. Put a man in our shoes and his ankles will bleed.

Women’s femininity is a direct reflection of the masculine energy that surrounds them. Without women, life isn’t possible. The quicker the world remembers that, the better the world will be.

Discovering yourself is the first step. Becoming sure of yourself is the second step. Loving yourself, unconditionally, is the final step.

Skipping the song that reminded me of a finer time led me to On Read, a Lucky Daye piece that was timeless.

“He’s a man,” Teddy explained, “He’s a fucking man, Rather.” “What’s that supposed to mean?” “It means guard your heart, maintain your sanity, and don’t let that motherfucker get to your head.

It means guard your heart, maintain your sanity, and don’t let that motherfucker get to your head. Remember who you are and don’t ever forget it. You’re a Childers, Rather, and we don’t move foolishly. Most of all, maintain your individuality.

Don’t let that nigga speak for you, think for you, or move for you. Make your own moves. Do your own thinking. And, speak your mind.

Two fucking years, I’d waited and so easily she falls into the hands of a kid I nearly raised with marriage as their fate.

“For a woman he loves, even a woman he likes enough, a man will not have to be asked, told twice, urged, or reminded… He just will. Anything. Any day. Any time. Any place. Nothing will ever be too much to ask of or expect from him. So, crossing an ocean for a woman you love isn’t surprising to me. It’s inspiring.”

With my lips twisting into a smirk, I nodded. No, Killian. I don’t like women. I like that woman.

I CANT 😭🤣

She’s not the one, Priest. “She’s not,” I groaned, “Unless God has fucking jokes or some shit.”

when we tell God our plans, He laughs. this is proof.

I didn’t want to wait anymore. “Rose.”

the way I would 🫠🫠🫠

“Stop patting my fucking back,” I insisted. “Would you prefer I rubbed your ass?”

KILIAN 😭😭😭 officially my fav sibling

“It should’ve been you.” “It will be me–until it’s not.”

UNTIL ITS NOT 😓

“Hear me well when I say don’t ever let that stop you again. I’m not a law abiding citizen, Rose. I run red lights.”

SHUT THE FRONT DOOR

“You don’t have to beg for what’s rightfully and undoubtedly yours, Rose.”

Feelings. Fucking feelings! They didn’t outweigh the structure of our family’s syndicate. Neither did they surmount the influence of the commandments. It was inevitable. I had to tuck them away so I wouldn’t get in the way of Kofi and Rather’s destiny.

I imagine your voice is like silk on the line. Make me a believer, Rose. 555-230-9917.

someone pls slap this man and bring him back to earth, he is GONE

“Don’t ever change, Rose. Remain delicate, remain graceful. Those parts, they’re the best parts of you.” “And the jagged ones.” “They’re most addictive.”

Too good. Like the fairytale stories I read in my downtime. Like the love I root for in the books I can’t pull my eyes from. Like the movies that make my heart slow it’s beat but increase in intensity.

“Dear God, thank you for the meal we’re preparing to receive. Thank you for life. Thank you for health. Thank you for the breath in our lungs and the beat of our heart. May the food we’re waiting to receive is nourishing to our minds, bodies, and souls. In your darling son Jesus’ name, Amen.”

“You deserve someone who can handle your heart, son. It’s one of the rarest, finest ones out there.”

She’s everything I need.” But, can’t have. Not for the lifetime I need her for, anyhow.

STOPPP 😭😭🙈

She’d made space for me in her heart. And, while I’d accomplished so many great things in my thirty-six years of life, conquering her heart was the greatest.

“My thoughts are at war,”

“You’re the only person with the ability to stop it. You’re my peace. I don’t want anything, Rather. I don’t have anything to say. I just need you near.”

Find someone you can learn to love and don’t wait until your heart gives you permission. Do it sooner than later to put us both out of our misery. I’ll live my life, Priest. I want you to live yours. What’s going to happen to us is inevitable. Your lonesomeness doesn’t have to be. For Princeton’s sake, find somebody to love.

Compensation, baby. If a nigga chooses to do you dirty or waste even a second of your time, make sure you’re well-compensated. They say time isn’t something money can buy, but that’s because they’ve never met a woman who has punished their pockets. Be that woman. Never let them play you if they can’t pay you.

“I can’t let you marry her.”

my head is SPINNING omg 😭

“You’re not talking to a pussy. My guns shoot like yours.” I reminded him. With a smile, he nodded, “But your aim isn’t as accurate. You have my blessing.”

The way Chemistry will always protect his sisters >>>

What you’ve given me, I’ll spend my life trying to repay you for. In this lifetime and the others I often hear you refer to, I promise to love you, cherish you, protect you, and meet you where you are time and time again.”

I’m ready to build. And, more than anything, I’m ready to give my son the mother he deserves.

But, first, I need to know if you’re willing to take a chance on us and meet me at the altar.”

“Yes.” I released the breath I’d been holding as she wept, “I was ready the day I met you.”

“You see the way he’s looking at you. Has no one told him, I fight niggas bout you?” “Five year olds, too?” I cackled. “Five month olds if they look like they’re trying to make a move.” “You’re ridiculous.”

SHUT UP, THAT IS YOUR SON 🤣😭

His eyes returned to me shortly after. Mom. He placed his hand in the air with his thumb against his chin. Is pretty.

WAIT PRINCETON 😭😭😍🥹

I can already feel it. You smell that?” “Smell what?” “That fart?” “Kofi, please don’t make me puke. Why woul– Ugh.” “You chose this place. I told you coffee makes my stomach bubble.”

Kofi 😭

You chose Priest and that nigga chose you. “He was willing to choose you over his position and his family. If that doesn’t tell a motherfucker y’all meant to be together then I don’t know what the fuck will.