Page 40 of Dying Without You
“Oh, God, no. Honey, what I mean is I just knew I’d have a big family. About six kids and two husbands.”
“Two husbands?”
Cynthia fell into a fit of laughter again. Tears sprang from her eyes as her amusement grew, and Langston twisted his lips.
“You find that very funny.”
“That’s....” She inhaled in an attempt to calm herself. “That’s because you almost shed your soul.” Her cackle kicked up a notch before she calmed again. “Whew.” Cynthia wiped the tears from her eyes. “There’s nothing wrong with two husbands, is there?”
“I know you’re joking because one is more than enough for you.”
“How do you know that?”
“I’ve heard you say it in passing when you were talking to friends.”
“I always knew you were snooping those other times, too.”
“I only do it to ensure I can keep up with you—and in case I need to put someone’s Social Security number through Homeland’s mainframe.”
Cynthia shook her head. “My God, you sound like Tristan.”
“Still, I understand what you’re saying. You always saw yourself as the friend with the life put together, husband, kids, church, family, friends.”
“Exactly.”
“You still have those things; life has a way of building our roads differently. No one’s idea of a perfect life ever really comes to fruition. But it doesn’t mean the path that opens won’t be the perfect path for you. For example, it seems you like King Isaac Winthrope.”
Cynthia’s brows arched, but she didn’t object to his observation.
“He could be a friend—or someone to change your life and open your heart to new experiences.”
Cynthia squeezed his hand. “Would you be okay with that?”
Langston’s eyes widened. “Of course. My mother finding the friend she’ll be tied to for life, or the man of her heart would bring me so much joy.” Her eyes began to glimmer with tears. “Don’t ever think you have to hold yourself back because of me or anyone of us. Live your life as unapologetically as you want with a lot of love.”
She drew his face in and kissed him on both cheeks. “I love you so much. Thank you for saying that.”
“Now I’m glad I snooped. You see? Good things come from those who snoop.”
Laughter circled around them. After their laughter died, Cynthia straightened up and smoothed out her shirt. She took a deep breath and looked at Langston with a newfound determination in her eyes.
“You’re right,” she said. “I shouldn’t hold myself back. It’s time for me to start living my life as I want.”
Langston smiled. “I’m glad you see it that way.”
Cynthia’s eyes drifted into the distance as she thought about her newfound attitude. “I think I’m ready to explore some new experiences,” she said.
Langston grinned. “I knew it! So what’s the first thing on your list?”
Cynthia leaned in and whispered in Langston’s ear. “I want to try something new, something I’ve never done before.”
Langston’s eyes widened with interest. “What is it?”
“I want to Zulu dance.”
Langston lifted his arms in the air and imitated Zulu dancers. His hips jerked side to side, and his arms swayed as he twirled.
Cynthia laughed and clapped her hands, mimicking his steps as she moved beside him.