Chapter 2: The Morning After the Explosion
Aaliyah spent the night at a small hotel fifteen minutes away from the house.
It wasn’t luxurious.
The room was simple.
The bed was uncomfortable.
The walls were thin enough that she could hear someone’s television through the hallway.
But for the first time in a long time, she was alone.
No expectations.
No demands.
No one telling her what she should do.
She sat on the edge of the bed and stared at her phone.
Thirty-seven missed calls.
Twenty-two text messages.
Most of them were from Marcus.
She didn’t open them immediately.
She already knew what they would say.
Not apologies.
Not understanding.
Probably explanations.
Probably excuses.
Eventually, she unlocked the screen.
Marcus:
You really embarrassed me last night.
Aaliyah stared at the message.
She almost couldn’t believe it.
Not:
Are you okay?
Not:
I’m sorry I let my family treat you that way.
Just embarrassment.
Another message appeared.
My mom is extremely hurt.
Aaliyah closed her eyes.
Of course.
His mother was hurt.
Everyone was hurt.
Except the person who had actually been hurting.
Another message came.
Can we please talk when you calm down?
Calm down.
Again.
That phrase.
Like her emotions were the issue.
Like if she could just become quiet enough, everyone else could continue behaving however they wanted.
Aaliyah placed the phone on the bed.
She didn’t respond.
Instead, she got ready for work.
Because unlike Marcus and his family, the rest of the world did not stop because she had reached her limit.
At 6:30 a.m., she arrived at the hospital.
Her coworker, Jasmine, immediately noticed something was wrong.
“You look like you haven’t slept.””
Aaliyah forced a smile.
“I didn’t.””
Jasmine raised an eyebrow.
“Marcus?””
Aaliyah looked at her.
“You already know?””
“Girl, your face tells the whole story.””
Aaliyah laughed quietly.
It was the first genuine laugh she had had since the night before.
During their break, she finally told Jasmine everything.
The dinner.
The dishes.
The comments.
The way Marcus reacted.
Jasmine listened without interrupting.
When Aaliyah finished, Jasmine shook her head.
“I’m not even surprised.””
Aaliyah looked down.
“That’s the sad part.””
“What?””
“I’m not surprised either.””
The truth hurt.
Because deep down, she knew this moment had been building for years.
The dishes were just the final crack.
That afternoon, Aaliyah received a call from Marcus.
She almost ignored it.
But something inside her told her she needed to hear him.
She answered.
“Hello.””
There was a pause.
Then Marcus spoke.
“We need to talk.””
“Okay.””
“My mom thinks you owe her an apology.””
Aaliyah became silent.
An apology.
Of course.
“For breaking the dishes?””
“For disrespecting her.””
Aaliyah leaned against the wall.
“Marcus, did you call me because you miss me or because your mother wants something?””
Another silence.
That silence answered everything.
“She’s upset,” he said.
“So am I.””
“You destroyed things.””
“You ignored me.””
“That’s not the same.””
Aaliyah smiled sadly.
“You’re right.””
Marcus relaxed slightly.
“I’m glad you understand.””
“No,” she said.
“It’s not the same because the dishes can be replaced.””
Marcus stopped.
“But the way you made me feel?””
Her voice softened.
“That’s harder to fix.””
For once, Marcus didn’t have an immediate answer.
Aaliyah continued.
“I need space.””
“Aaliyah—”
“I’m serious.””
The fear in his voice surprised her.
Because for the first time, Marcus sounded like he realized he might actually lose her.
“I love you,” he said.
She closed her eyes.
“I love you too.””
“Then come home.””
Aaliyah looked out the hospital window.
Cars moved through the busy street below.
People rushed to their next destination.
Everyone carrying their own battles.
“I love you,” she repeated.
May you like
“But I need to love myself too.””
Then she ended the call.
