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it’s time I do something about this limbo I’m living in. It’s time to let go of the past and start living again.”
    Crystal’s eyebrows shot up. “Really? You’re interested in getting married again?”
    “No. Mark is my husband. I could never replace him.” Gail twisted the wedding band she still wore on her finger. “But maybe I’m ready for some male companionship. Maybe it’s time I started accepting some of the invitations that I’ve been turning down.”
    “If you’re ready to start dating again, you’ll definitely need your privacy. I’m sure you wouldn’t be comfortable inviting a man to spend the night here.”
    “Crystal, I didn’t say I was ready to have sex, just that I was thinking it was time I start dating again.”
    She smirked at Gail, inwardly laughing at her naiveté. “Believe me, now days, the two go hand in hand. Besides, you’re a grown woman and you have needs. If you want to indulge in a little hanky-panky then I say, good for you. Jason is the one who died. You are still very much alive.”
    “I know, but it’s only recently that I’ve felt like living.”
    “Grief is hard to deal with. It grabs you in a chokehold and refuses to let go. I’ve grieved the loss of every one of my babies.” She paused a moment to blink back tears. “I can only imagine the pain you must have felt, losing both the love of your life and the child you created together at the same time. That’s why I say that you’re strong. You’ve survived something that would have crushed lesser women.”
    “I’m no stronger than the average woman. I mean, my God, look at you. Do you know how much courage it takes to lose one baby and keep trying? And you’ve lost five. Besides, I couldn’t crawl in the grave with them. I had no choice but to live. I just took one day at a time. It’s all I could handle. But now? Maybe it’s time to start looking towards the future and making plans rather than this day by day existence that I’ve been living.”
    The two women shared a moment of complete understanding.  Then Crystal said, “Well, you’re helping me to make my dream come true. When you allow yourself to dream again, maybe I can help you achieve yours.”
    “I’ll hold you to that.”
    Crystal stood and straightened her pants. “Well, it’s time for me to go to bed before Rashid sends out a search party. Some of us still have to go to work in the morning.” She laughed as she dodged the pillow Gail threw at her. “Goodnight,” she sang as she walked out the door.
    “Goodnight. See you tomorrow,” Gail called out, just before the door shut.
     
    * * * *
     
    Crystal entered the bedroom to find Rashid already in bed, waiting for her. “Did you speak with her?” he asked tensely.
    “I did.”
    “And?”
    “Now we wait. I know Gail. She has a soft heart. She’ll probably do as we ask, but not if we badger her. I can’t believe you threatened her.”
    “I admit, it was ill-advised of me to do so.”
    “Yeah, well, fortunately for you, you have me to fix things for you when you screw them up.”
    “So what do we do now?”
    “We wait.”
    “For how long?”
    “For as long as it takes. She’ll think about it and see the sense in it. In the meantime, we make her as comfortable as possible and hope it’s enough.”
    Crystal could tell that Rashid wasn’t satisfied with her answer, but Gail was her friend. Crystal knew her best. If she said they needed to be patient and wait, then that’s what he’d do. Crystal slid into bed naked and reached for him. He welcomed her into his arms with a kiss. She stroked his body, silently inviting him to do more than kiss her goodnight.
    They kissed and touched each other, building the passion between them until Rashid rolled Crystal beneath him. Then he reached into the bedside drawer and pulled out a condom.
    “We don’t need that, baby.”
    He tore open the package and sat back on his heels, sheathing his penis with the protective covering.