Chapter Nine
Zamora
When I woke the following day, the house was eerily quiet. I headed to the bathroom, and as soon as I pulled down my panties to pee, the soiled pad reminded me that I was no longer pregnant. Though crust was in the corners of my eyes, tears still managed to fall as I disposed of it. I wiped myself and saw a dark shade of brown on the tissue, which meant the bleeding would stop soon. I would be grateful when it did; one less reminder of my loss. After starting the shower, I stood in front of the mirror and cried while brushing my teeth. My lashes were gone, except for the couple hanging on for dear life. I reached for the lash foam to take them out of their misery and was glad the water was still hot by the time I finally got in the shower.
After finishing my daily routine of getting ready, I went to the kitchen to brew a cup of coffee. When I thought of how I had stopped drinking coffee when I found out I was pregnant, it brought me to tears again. Maybe I should talk to someone, I thought to myself. Then I reminded myself it was only four days ago that it had happened, so maybe I wasn’t doing too bad. Not having much of an appetite, I made myself a light breakfast that consisted of a toasted croissant and fried egg topped with a slice of gouda.
Sitting at the island eating, I wondered what would be next for me. I had to get out of Evan’s space sooner rather than later. We had nothing left, so I had no reason to be there. I didn’t want to go to my parents. As much as I enjoyed their love and support, I knew they would smother me with it. My big sister wasn’t an option. She lived in an atheist home, and imposing on my friends was a negative. So, I needed to find a place to rent ASAP. I just wanted to grieve alone. Then Marcus came to my mind. He told me to reach out if I needed anything, and I needed a place to stay. He and his family owned several hotels, so I’m sure he would give me a reasonable rate on a room for a few months until I found something of my own.
Once I finished my breakfast, I went to the bedroom for my phone. I didn’t know if he would be at the hotel, but it was my only shot since I didn’t have a direct number for him. After stalling to gather my words, I hit send and pressed the buttons to get to the front desk. When she answered, I froze.
Back in the Day
When Marcus and I first met
“Hi, I …I…hello, my name is Zamora, and I’m looking for Marcus,” I said nervously.
It had taken me a week to call him finally. It wasn’t because I didn’t want to; it was because I never had a moment alone after the school year ended. My parents were retired, and my big sister, Zaria, had moved out over two years ago. So, I was stuck helping my parents with things that needed to be done. If I wasn’t at my part-time catering job, I was at the grocery store or church with Momma, at home cooking for my parents, or working in the yard with my daddy. I was so consumed with my parents that I couldn’t wait until the school year started again .
Finally, my parents had decided to go to dinner and the movies. That was the first time I had the house to myself since the night I met Marcus. I was nervous and scared he wouldn’t remember me, and when she answered, I fumbled over my words.
“Yes, Marcus is around here somewhere. Hold on a moment, please,” she told me. Then I heard Gerald Levert’s music on the line. I hummed along while waiting.
“Thank you for holding. This is Marcus. How can I help you?” he said, sounding so professional, unlike the teen I had met a week and a day ago.
“Hi, Marcus. I know you may not remember me, but this is Zamora. We met
“Zamora, yes!” he said, cutting me off. “Hey, hey . Hold on, okay? Do not hang up.”
Before I could respond, I was back on hold, humming to Sade’s “Cherish the Day.”
“Hey, Zamora, are you there?” he asked , returning to the line sounding winded.
“Yes, I’m here . Are you okay?”
Letting out a breath, he replied, “Yes . I just sprinted to an empty office that no one uses so I can talk to you privately.”
“Oh, okay . Well, do you need a minute to catch your breath ?”
“I’m good. I’m good,” he assured me, and soon, his breathing slowed. “What took you so long to call me? I didn’t leave this building. I’ve been taking two-minute showers and eating in the lobby , waiting for you to call.”
I chuckled because I knew he was exaggerating.
“I’ve been swamped. Plus, I don ’t have a cell phone yet, and since school is out, my parents are around a lot. So, I hardly get any time alone.”
“I feel you. I’m around my folks often, too, because work is home, and home is work.”
“What is it like to live in a fancy hotel?” I asked excitedly.
“Home, I guess. I’ve never stopped to think about it. I’ve watched it grow and change over the years. The hotel industry has just been my life.”
We ended up talking for hours , and he invited me to a movie. When I heard my parents coming in, he made sure I had his cell phone number, and I rushed to greet my parents . After they filled me in on their evening out, I asked if I could go to the movies that Tuesday .
“I don’t see why not. Who’s going? Courtney , Arianna, and Mia?” my mother said, naming my girlfriends.
I swallowed hard, lowered my head, and replied, “No. I wanted to go with Marcus.”
“Marcus who?” my daddy questioned.
“Marcus Diaz-Coleman,” I said softly.
“Zee, who is that?” my mother asked. “A boy from school? We don’t know any Diaz-Colemans. Do you, honey?” she asked my dad .
“He isn’t from school,” I said, lifting my head . “He’s a boy I met last week when I was working downtown with Mama’s Kitchen. He was nice , Ma, and he asked me out to the movies. Can I please go?” I asked, waiting to be told no .
“Was that the young man you were talking to when we picked you up from work?” my dad asked.
I looked him straight in the face and decided to be honest. I knew I was only sixteen and hadn’t had any boyfriends like Zaria, so I understood why date talk coming from me was strange.
“Yes, Daddy, that was him. We kinda ran into each other when I was working, and he came out to introduce himself before you pulled up. I just want to hang out with him . I won’t be out late or anything like that ,” I added, nearly begging for their permission.
My parents looked at each other, and then a smile grew on my mother’s face.
“Of course, you can go. It’s fine as long as he comes by early enough to meet us.”
“For real?” I asked, bursting as I leaped from my chair.
“Yes, you may go,” my father confirmed .
“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” I celebrated, giving them both hugs and kisses. “Do I have permission to call him?” I asked, and my mother nodded yes while continuing to smile.
I walked out of the living room, and before I could hit the bottom step, I heard my father say, “I told you she likes boys.”
“Indeed, you did,” my mother replied.
What they said gave me pause , but I was too excited to tell Marcus we had a date to question it. So, I hurried to my room to call him.
Present Day…
I had the same nerves I had back then I experienced now when I asked for him.
“Yes, Mr. Coleman is in. One moment, ma’am,” she said, and I was placed on hold.
This time, it was Jhene Aiko’s “While We’re Young” playing. As I listened to the words, tears came to my eyes because there was a time in my life when I felt these lyrics for Marcus. It was like the song was never-ending. It pricked my heart more and more, and I got emotional because I missed him and what we had so much at that very moment.
Fear overtook me, and I quickly ended the call. I put my phone down and let out a loud cry that was a mixture of all the emotions I had bottled up inside of me. It was everything from our initial breakup. How could he have been so angry with me for going after my dreams? When we were together, I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it without anyone’s help. But now I knew I didn’t have to back then when I had a good man like Marcus in my corner.
I fell on my knees and cried out to the Father, repenting for everything again. As if He hadn’t forgiven me already, I wanted Him to know I truly meant it. I prayed for everything to be renewed––to heal from my losses and move on from the marriage I didn’t consult Him about first. I released it all to the Father.
When I got up from the floor, I released a deep breath and went to the bathroom to clean my face. Then I returned to the kitchen and sat at my island, still in deep thought. I wanted answers as to what to do next. A minute later, my phone rang. The caller ID read Royalty Inn and Suites. I already knew who it was, so I answered.