I Am Yours by Reema Zaman

Author:Reema Zaman
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: General Fiction
Publisher: Amberjack Publishing
Published: 2018-11-24T05:00:00+00:00

AN IDEAL FALL DAY, the sky arrogantly spectacular, the leaves a bonfire of color daring us not to swoon. We are driving into the City for his godson’s birthday party. The little guy is turning 1 today. The Suburban has held up, although it groans and wheezes. My husband is singing. I join him for a few lines before letting him have his airtime. I love his voice. He’s a much better singer than I am. He says I sing like a Disney princess. Sweet, wholesome, without much personality, and not a smidge of sensuality. His voice is pure sex, rich, thick, and coiled like syrup. He’s singing “I Wan’na Be Like You” from The Jungle Book, jazzing it up, weaving in some reggae.

I’m wearing my favorite dress. It’s silk, light pink, short, and fitted with spaghetti straps and delicate ruffles along the neckline and skirt. It’s the second time I’ve worn it. I’m excited for the chance. I bought it a month ago as a rare treat, to wear to my agent’s birthday party. A few years ago, my agent enfolded me into his tribe of close friends and family. They’re a safe, loving clan. Every year now, I’m in charge of my agent’s birthday cake. His favorite is strawberry shortcake, but the tribe favorite is banana chocolate chip. I layer one of each.

I have framed one of my drawings for today’s birthday boy. It sits tucked beside me. On my knees I balance his cake. We offered to make it, and his mama was happy to have one less thing to do. All my baking pans are heart-shaped. I found them, finally, a few months ago. I’ve been baking more for the kids I babysit. All of them are toddlers and older now. With a picky eater who needs more vegetables, fruit, or a higher calorie intake, I’ve learned to get crafty with ways to woo their taste buds. I create recipes for each child off what they need and like, cakes sweetened only with fruit juice and purees, folding in carrots or zucchini for more veggies and nuts, seeds, dried and fresh fruit for richness, flavor, and healthy calories.

I love being a part of so many lives. It’s such a joy, and I get to brainstorm recipes and lessons I can use one day when I’m a mother.

Suddenly, my stomach is clutched by a thing that hasn’t a name, like the creature that lives under our bed. My skin prickles. The climate in the car has changed. The light hasn’t shifted, neither has the temperature. But the air is clotted with emotion.

“Honey, is everything okay?”

He looks at me, sideways.

“I don’t know why you dress like that. And all that makeup. You look like you’re dumb. What’s that line from Hamlet? A painted whore?”

I order my face to remain immovable.

“I don’t know why you work so hard to make women hate you. Everyone at that party knows my ex-wife. Now they’re gonna think you’re my child bride, a rebound.

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