the clothes on the bed, Sierra said, “You’re going out for treatment?”
Nyoka nodded. “Yep, today’s the day. Remember I’m doing it at home
soon.”
“Don’t worry, I’ve blocked it on my calendar,” Sierra confirmed.
“Great.” In the mirror, Nyoka threw her a smile. “What if I told you I met
a cool Jamaican guy today?”
Sierra’s jaw dropped open, then she squealed. “For real?”
“Uh-huh. He’s a writer who did a segment on the show this morning.”
“Are you seeing more of him?”
Smiling wide, Nyoka teased Sierra. “Maybe.”
“Come on, spill it.”
“There’s nothing to tell yet. But, if I go and mess about with him I could
lose my job. The station frowns on staff and clients fraternizing. Anyway,
you know how I feel about men and relationships.”
Sierra sucked her teeth. “Pschaw. Don’t let your experience with that
bum make you miss out on a good thing.”
“Honestly, after the way he used me for a leg-up with his career, it’s not
easy to trust anybody.”
“I know, but it’s been almost two years,” Sierra said, “and you got a
beautiful daughter out of it.”
The thought of Gaby softened Nyoka’s heart. “True that.”
“Enjoy the ride and forget that wanna-be photographer,” Sierra said, “He
isn’t worth your time.”
“Good advice. I think I’ll take it.”
At the clinic, Nyoka had time to think but she hated letting DeWayne
occupy space in her head and hoped he wouldn’t turn out to be a problem.
He’d followed her Instagram account and liked pictures of Gabrielle. The
message he sent yesterday jarred her.
Can I see my daughter?
She hadn’t responded and didn’t plan to acknowledge him.
The door of the treatment room opened and the technician entered to
check the machine and her vitals.
Nyoka rested against the back of the chair, swiped the screen on the
Kindle, and checked her social media accounts. Two additional messages
from DeWayne awaited her on Instagram.
I need to talk to you.
If you haven’t changed your number, I’ll call you later today.
Her heart thumped in a slow, painful rhythm.
Nothing good could come of him contacting her. After ending their
relationship without a word, what reason did he have to talk to her now?
J.L. Campbell is an award-
winning Jamaican author who
has written over thirty books.
She writes contemporary and
sweet romance, romantic
suspense, women’s fiction, as
well as new and young adult
novels. Campbell, who features
Jamaican culture in her stories,
is fascinated with the island’s
flora and has hundreds of
photos in her collection. She
is a certified editor, and also
writes non-fiction.
www.joylcampbell.com