chapter 12

Nickola is surrounded by three mirrors. There is a dim spotlight flickering overhead. She is dressed in a white full length nightie with a lace white robe. She turns to her left only to find she is blocked by a mirror. A turn to her right keeps her surrounded by more mirrors. Panic begins to rise in her. "Hello?" she calls out. There is no answer. She begins to feel her way around until she sees a faint white light. She walks in the direction of the light. At the end is an exit and a man dressed in black pants and a black hoodie standing with his back towards her. "Hello?" she says in a low voice. Just as he turns around she jolted awake by the sound of her phone alarm. After disarming it she sits up in the bed for a moment pondering the significance of the dream before getting ready for work.

Once at work Nickola is greeted by a very chipper Ros.

"Buenos Dias!" Ros sings.

"You're in a good mood this morning," Nickola says interested to know why.

"Only two months till the wedding," she hands Nickola an envelope.

"I'm excited for you," she presses her palms together.

"Are you inviting Miles?" she places an invitation inside an envelope.

"Uh...I haven't decided."

"Why not?" Ros turns in her chair to face Nickola.

"I think I'm falling for Herring."

"Are you still hanging out with him? I thought you like Miles."

"I do. But I really really like Herring," she says cringing.

"Nikki!" Ros shakes her head. "You're going to have to make up your mind at some point. I think Miles likes you. Believe it or not men get their hearts broken too," she turns to continue stuffing the envelopes.

"I know. And I will," she sighs. "Just don't know when," she says under her breath.

"You know who I'm still voting for," Ros smiles devilishly.

"It's not a contest," Nickola rolls her eyes.

"I'm just saying," she shrugs.

"See ya later Ros," Nickola says smiling.

While out on route, Nickola stops at a traffic light waiting for it to turn green when suddenly there is a crash from behind the bus. Pieces of the vehicle come flying in front of the bus. Nickola gets out of the bus and follows the trail of debris to check on the driver. Smoke billows from the crushed hood of the car. The air bags are deployed. "You ok!" Nickola shouts to the driver but she is not responding. Blood falls from the crown of the drivers head and her nose is bloody. Nickola radios to the dispatcher the details of the accident and request an ambulance. Her manager arrives first followed by the police and ambulance. She watches as they load the young woman on a stretcher. Nickola gives the police her side of the story and returns to the garage to fill out paper work.

At the garage she texts Vanessa and pulls up Herrings name to send him a text but decides against it. Per Met transit procedure the manager drives her to the clinic for a drug and alcohol test. While waiting to be called she receives a text.

Herring: Is everything okay? I heard about the accident.

Nickola: Yes, I'm fine. Thanks for checking.

Herring: I'm glad you're not hurt.

She sat smiling at the idea of him checking to see if she was okay. By the time she got back to the garage she was told to go home early to which she was grateful for. That was enough excitement for one day. Later she called Vanessa and gave her the details of the accident.

That evening at REX studios. Case is going over some new beats with Bronze while Herring sits listening. Case's girlfriend and Krista sit scrolling through social media on their phones.

"Those Dolce and Gabbana pictures are hot. Was that in L.A?" Krista ask looking at Herring.

"Yes, thank you."

"I've never been to L.A. Do you get a lot of people asking to take selfies with you?" running her fingers through her bra length blonde hair.

"I wouldn't say a lot. Some people recognize me," he says humbly.

"I always wanted to be a model. Was it hard to get into?

"Yo Heir come check this out," Bronze holds up the headphones.

Glad to be pulled from the conversation Herring puts on the headphones and listens. He smiles and nods his head as he removes them from this ears.

"That's the shit right there!" Bronze says excited. "We going to Crown One Saturday. They gone play one of my tracks."

"Brilliant!" Herring's phone rings. Nickola's name appears on the caller I.D. He steps to the back of the room before answering.

"Hello?"

"Will you come over tonight?" she says gloomily.

"Of course. Would you like me to bring you anything?" concern in his voice.

"No thanks."

"I'll be there soon."

"I'm going to go," Herring says to Bronze.

"It's that older chick?" Bronze ask.

Herring nods his head. "It's actually Nickola."

"Word! Nikki?" he says shocked. "Vanessa know?"

Herring shakes his head no.

"You hit it yet?"

"It's not like that. We're only hanging out."

Bronze looks at his phone, "At ten o'clock at night? Do ya thang man."

They pound fist. "Crown One," Bronze reminds him.

"I'll be there," he promises.

"Bye Herring," Krista says. He give her a low wave before closing the door behind him.

*******

Nickola opens the door and immediately hugs Herring. He is taken off guard but holds her until she breaks away.

"What exactly happened?" he follows her to the couch.

This is the most relaxed he's seen her dressed, with a bright pink sweat shirt on and the sweat pants to match.

"I got rear ended. The girl was pretty banged up. I hope she's okay," Nickola grabs a pillow and brings it to her chest. "How did you know I was in an accident?"

"I was at the office and overheard Vanessa telling dad about it. What happens to you now? Do you work tomorrow?"

"Yeah. I'm not at fault."

"Well that's good," he says sounding relieved.

"I've never had an accident that bad before. The front of her car was smashed and pieces of it were everywhere."

He put his arm on her shoulder and pulled her close. She slowly breathed in his cologne, the smell comforting her.

"What cologne is that? You always smell so good."

"Do I?" he smiles. "Thank you, it's Ferragamo."

She positions the pillow on his lap and lays her head down. He scoots to the far end of the couch and adjusts himself to help her get comfortable.

"I could never do this with Wes."

"Do what?" he caresses her arm.

"Lie here like this and talk. We didn't' spend much time together. He was always with his friends. I don't even think he liked me."

"Why did you stay married?"

"The question of the century," she let out a long breath. "In counseling I realized marriage was more than a piece of paper. It was a promise a made to God that I would show love continuously to Wes when he was at his poorest, sickest, and worst. Even if that meant every day until death. When he died the first thing I felt was freedom."

After a moment Herring ask, "How long were you married to him?"

"Ten years. Too long to go feeling unworthy."

"Nickola. You are worth it to me," empathy in his voice.

She sits up and turns her body to face him.

"What happens when I make you mad or say something you don't like?" tears forming in her eyes.

"It's inevitable I will at times disappoint you but I give you my word, I will always try to give you the best of me." He gazes into her eyes wanting to kiss the pain away.

"You're doing a bad job disappointing me," a smile escaping her. She turns and repositions herself with her head on his lap. "What do you wanna watch," she reaches for the remote on the side table.

"This is fine," he says just wanting her to relax. He continues caressing her arm and watches as her eyelids drift shut. Carefully lifting her head, he reaches for the remote and turns off the television. Taking a throw from the wooden basket, he covers her then plants a gentle kiss on her forehead.