Rather: The Therapist (The Grey List Book 2)

by Grey Huffington

Food sensitivity. It was one of the earliest signs of autism in Princeton. Eating had always been such an easy task. I never imagined how difficult it was for some. Not until him.

Respect and women were hand-in-hand. My tongue was hardly sharp when in the presence of, speaking to, or speaking about such beautiful creatures.

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.

“Controlled?” “In a sense. A healthy sense. There are leaders in my life, but it’s all family. It’s all business. I’m one of them. 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.”

“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.

MMHMM

“Delicate, beautiful, soft, influenced by her environment, silky, has gorgeous folds, withers gracefully –as she cums– and retains moisture… plenty of it,” I rattled off, still circling the garden beauty. “Then Rose it is.”

“Have you thought of me since our last encounter?” “Yessss,” she moaned. “Show me exactly what you’ve done when alone with me on your mind.”

I considered tardiness a sign of disrespect. It wasn’t tolerated. It wasn’t rewarded. It resulted in punishment of some kind.

FACTS because RESPECT MY TIME!

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.

“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.”

MMHMM Correct. Say it louder for the people in the back

The smartest women turn out to be the dumbest motherfuckers when it comes to a nigga. The shit you wouldn’t expect or assume she should know better than tends to take the backseat when a man is involved. I’ve witnessed it too many times before,” he explained. “But, how quickly I keep forgetting this isn’t the average woman. Nothing about that damn woman is predictable.”

“He’s nonverbal,” I explained. “We’re talking,” Rather said, immediately moving her fingers as she spoke.

He is only nonverbal for now. Princeton has chosen not to speak and until he’s ready he won’t. But, he is capable of expressing himself. The word he just spoke might be the only one he speaks for a while, but have patience. One day, he’ll have a full vocabulary. It won’t make sense when he begins his journey, but eventually it all will.

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

I wondered if she knew just how hard our goodbyes were getting. Each took a toll on me.

*Sigh 😔

“You’re like–” I paused, taking a second to catch my breath. “Warm tea on a winter’s night. Like honey glaze on homemade butter biscuits. Like the stillness after the storm that lets everyone affected know things are okay now that you’re here.” “Like ointment one slathers over their burned, bruised, or bitten skin. Like a love song. The kind they recorded in the eighties and nineties. Like a fresh face after a day in the brutal sun. Like lavender buds in cold water. Like light. Like warmth. Like comfort.”

“It was never just sex,” I confessed, “Not for me. It was always more. You were always more. Don’t insult this thing we have. No matter how complex it is.

“I crave you,” she admitted, closing her eyes and placing a hand on her chest, “Every waking hour of the day.”

“Because in no world and in no way will I ever have peace or utter happiness knowing you exist. The day I accept your brother as my husband will be the only time I will knowingly, and reluctantly, cause you pain. But, you won’t suffer alone.”

“I feel so comfortable with you. You make me comfortable with you.”

“Never apologize for giving your body exactly what it needs.”

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

“My thoughts are at war,” I confessed, “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.

“It’s you. And until I find the strength to forget the magic we created, it’ll always be you. Please don’t apologize to me for being a man, Priest. If you’re going to apologize for something, let it be the fact that you can’t be my man.”

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.

“The woman you’re marrying today, I’m in love with her. And, I’m not talking the kind that fades over time. I’m talking utterly obsessed. I’m talking willing to give up my seat at the head of the table and possibly tarnish the relationship I have with every member in my family.” “The kind that keeps you up at night. The kind that makes you want her every hour of every day. The kind that is in your soul. The kind that lives deep in your bones. The kind that spreads like cancer. The kind that won’t allow you to stand beside your brother as he vows to love her forever because you already do.”

I can’t lead the family by example if I can’t set a good one. I’ve broken a few commandments myself. And, as qualified as I am to run the family’s empire and as much as I love it, I love Rather more. The business doesn’t bring me the peace she brings. The business doesn’t give Princeton what he needs. She does. I can live with my choice to step down. What I can’t live with is the decision to let my brother marry the woman who has had my heart for two whole years.”

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.”

and a newfound sense of priority. I’m ready to wake up to you every morning. I’m ready to wrap you in the covers every night. I’m ready to dig into the corny ass Romance novels you love so much. I’m ready for coffee in the morning. I’m ready for countless dates.” “I’m ready for extra shampoo bottles in the shower. I’m ready for around the clock therapy from the best therapist in the fucking world. I’m ready to run your bath after a long day. 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.”

“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. Because, I can look at you straight in the face and tell you right now–I’d never love you enough to choose you over my people.”

I met a man, Richie. You know him so I don’t have to tell you I made a good decision,” I wept, unable to control my emotions any longer.

That’s how much my husband meant to me. At the sound of his name, my heart grew three times its size. At the thought of him, I was overcome with so many good things it hurt.

He was my completion. My comfort. My everything.

He’s kind. He’s reassuring. He’s attentive. He’s welcoming. He’s confident. He’s vulnerable. He’s open. He’s mature. He’s light. He’s love.”