Chapter 9
Sage ran at full speed to the edge of the deck and jumped off, cannonballing into the lake.
“Ahhh!” Portia screamed as water splashed all over her face.
Since returning from Costa Rica, Sage and Portia had been inseparable. Until Sage spoke to her father, they found the safest retreat at the Washington family lake house.
Sage doggy paddled over to Portia, who was effortlessly floating on her back. Portia embraced the gentle movement of the water around her, gazing up at the bright blue sky.
“Look at my little bubble guppy,” Sage said, smiling. “You know, after all of these years coming out to the lake, I still can’t swim forreal.”
“Whaaat!?” Portia exclaimed, sitting up in the water.
“Yeah, I just be out here doggy paddling and shit,” Sage said, moving her arms in a paddling motion and laughing. “Pops always tried to teach me when I was younger, but I was always too scared until I saw my brothers out here. One day, I just jumped in and started doggy paddling to stay afloat.”
“That’s crazy,” Portia said laughing. “You have to learn to swim, forreal, forreal. Out here cannonballing and shit–risking your life. You might as well.”
“You right, but the doggy paddle has been keeping me alive for yeaaars.” Sage splashed Portia.
“Well, I’ma teach you,” Portia ensured, holding out her hands for Sage to grab onto.
Sage was a little hesitant, but she trusted Portia.
She reached out and grabbed Portia’s hands.
After spending hours in the sun, Sage went from flailing in the water to mastering a decent front crawl and backstroke to keep herself afloat.
By the time they got out of the lake, their fingers and toes were wrinkled like raisins.
They headed inside to shower and get comfortable before dinner.
Sage sat on the bed with her legs folded, feeling refreshed after her shower. Comfortable in her sports bra and boxer briefs, she began rolling a blunt to relax and settle in. Once satisfied with her handiwork, she placed it between her fingers and lit it up, taking the first hit.
"Soooo, your three-month sobriety party tomorrow..." Sage sang, blowing out smoke as Portia stepped out of the bathroom wrapped in her towel. "How you feel?"
Portia looked at Sage, grinning from ear to ear. “It feels.. really good, y’ know? There were days when I couldn’t even imagine life without drinking, but now I can’t even think about having one. Makes me wanna barf just thinking about it.”
“I’m proud of you,” Sage said, passing the blunt to Portia. “You’ve been doing so well and will continue to thrive on your journey.”
“Thank you,” Portia said, planting a kiss on Sage’s lips before taking a puff. “I’m finally confident about it. There’s nothing I can’t do. AA has been beneficial, but therapy has really helped me stay focused.”
Since Costa Rica, Portia had been deeply engaged in soul-searching, reflecting on what she truly wanted from life.
Her trip with Sage had opened her eyes to the vast possibilities ahead.
It wasn't just a getaway; it was a journey back to herself.
She was no longer willing to operate from a place of fear or trauma, yearning to spread her wings and experience true freedom in every aspect of her life.
Determined to confront her emotions and past experiences head-on, she decided to start therapy.
Unpacking her emotional baggage wasn't easy, but each session with her therapist brought clarity and relief.
With the unwavering support of Sage and her father, she felt safe to continue evolving.
Her growth surpassed all of her expectations, as if a light bulb had suddenly illuminated her path.
“Look at you growing up,” Sage said, admiring the stunning woman who stood before her.
Sage wasn’t only captivated by Portia’s beauty, but also by her resilience and courage in confronting her shit head-on.
She believed that she could—and should—finally reveal their relationship to Pops.
There was no longer any reason to hide. She wanted to acknowledge openly the woman who had captured her heart, to celebrate their love without reservations, because they both deserved that.
"Yeah, yeah," Portia said sarcastically, waving her off and taking a seat on the bed. "It’s your turn now."
“I know, I know,” Sage whined. “I’ma talk to Pops tonight and let him know everything.”
Although Sage had been avoiding the conversation since their return to Eastbourne, she knew it had to happen before the party tomorrow night. She wanted to arrive hand-in-hand with Portia freely without a doubt in her mind.
“I’m here for you no matter what happens,” Portia affirmed, placing her hand on Sage’s leg.
Slam!
“What the hell was that?” Portia said, turning her head to the bedroom door. Her heart dropped.
“I don’t know,” Sage whispered, getting up from the bed. She leaned over to the nightstand and pulled her Glock from the drawer.
“Where you going?”
“Stay right here,” Sage insisted, holding her hand out. “I’ma handle it.”
“You ain’t goin’ out there by yourself!” Portia said.
“Chill, I got it,” Sage said, approaching the bedroom door.
Portia nodded as Sage crept down the hallway. Entering the dim hallway, she held the gun in front of her, ready to shoot at a moment's notice. No one ever visited the lake house, so she knew anyone attempting to break in was on some slick shit. Only the family knew about the Washington Lake House.
As she reached the end of the hallway, she noticed the light on in the kitchen. When she turned the corner, she was greeted by a familiar face.
"Oh my gosh, Ma!" Sage gasped, clutching her chest. "What are you doing here?"
"Sage Washington, don’t point that gun at me!" Kaliyah scolded. "I should be asking you the same thing. The vacation isn’t for another week."
"No, but forreal... what are you doing here?" Sage countered, avoiding the question as she placed the Glock on the kitchen table.
“You know I always come out here a week before to get things set up. Now answer my question,” Kaliyah said, placing her hands on her hips. She could tell Sage was up to no good. Mama always knows.
“You good, babe?” a soft and concerned voice came from down the hallway.
“Ohhhhhh,” Kaliyah said, smirking at Sage. “That’s what you’ve been up to.”
Sage looked down the hallway, silently praying Portia wouldn’t walk any further. Sure enough, Portia hurried down the hallway with a bedsheet wrapped around her. When her eyes met Mrs. Washington's, her mouth fell open in shock.
"M-Mrs. Washington," Portia stammered in astonishment. "Heeeey." Awkwardly waving her hand in greeting, she felt like clicking her heels like Dorothy, wishing she could disappear into thin air and be home.
"Mhm," Kaliyah said, folding her arms and scanning Portia's lack of clothes. "What y'all been up to?" She didn’t even know why she asked, because it was obvious from the looks of it.
“Look Ma,” Sage said, holding out her hands. “I’ve been meaning to tell you and Pops..”
Kaliyah raised her eyebrows, waiting for a follow up.
Sage looked back at Portia. “P, can you give us a minute?” Portia nodded and headed back down the hall to the bedroom.
Sage walked over to the kitchen table and pulled out a chair for Kaliyah. “Ma, please sit,” she motioned towards the chair.
Kaliyah came over and took the seat as Sage sat across from her. Sage rested her arms on the table as she pulled the chair in with her feet.
“Me and Portia have been seeing each other,” Sage said, getting straight to the point. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you guys earlier. I was planning to tell you tonight after our family dinner, but it looks like time wasn’t on my side.”
“Why did you feel like you couldn’t come to me about something like this?” Kaliyah inquired, genuinely concerned. She wasn’t upset at the fact that Portia and Sage were together, more so that her child hadn’t come to her sooner. “You usually tell me everything.”
“I don’t know,” Sage replied. “I guess I was afraid to disappoint you. I know the expectations y'all set on us when it comes to business, and I didn’t want to let y'all down.”
“You could never let me down, Sage,” Kaliyah said. “And since you’ve been stepping up, we’ve been nothing but proud of you.”
Sage smiled in relief. “Seriously?” This conversation was going better than she thought it would.
“Your father can’t stop talking about you to all his boys,” Kaliyah said, chuckling.
Sage's heart warmed with her father's approval, confirming that all her hard work had paid off.
“Sure, it messes with business to sleep with one of our partner’s daughters, but I trust that you’ll make the right decision. I’ll keep this little slip up between us,” Kaliyah assured.
“This wasn’t a slip up, Ma,” Sage clarified, clearing her throat. “I-I think I’m in love with her.”
Kaliyah leaned back in her chair, taken aback. Sage, too, was stunned by what had just come out of her mouth. She hadn’t admitted it to herself yet, so saying it out loud confirmed everything she had been feeling.
“In love, huh?” Kaliyah said, smirking. “Sage Washington in love.” A smile filled her round face.
“Yeah,” Sage confirmed.
“Well, that changes everything,” Kaliyah said. “You have to tell your father. I love you, baby, and support you in whatever you want to do.”
“I know,” Sage responded. “I’ll tell him tonight.”
“I’ll be right beside you if you need me to,” Kaliyah said. “You know your father.”
“No. I can handle it. I think I should tell him alone,” Sage said confidently. “He deserves that much. No matter what happens, I have to stand firm in my decision.”
“Okay,” Kaliyah said, letting out a breath. She held her hand out, showing support of Sage’s decision. “I’m here if you need me.”