“They told me I had to stay married to Jeremy no matter what or else I’d bring down the whole black church religious community.” I motioned with my hands to make my point.

“Lies! Did they say that?”

“Practically. Seriously, Dru,” I said, turning back to my office. “I just cannot wait for this to be over tomorrow. I don’t even know how I’m going to sleep tonight. The wait is killing me when all I want to do is move forward one way or the other.”

“Well then,” Dru said over my shoulder. “Let’s just go ahead and move forward.”

It took a moment for me to understand her words, but still when I did, I was confused. Pivoting to face her, I said, “What are you....”

Dru stood behind me, holding up a manila envelope. “One way or the other.”

I just stood there staring at the envelope, knowing already what was inside and Dru just stood there staring at me.

*****

It felt like we were having a face-off that had lasted for at least a day. I just couldn’t get my feet, or any part of me for that matter, to move. Just couldn’t take the few steps to Dru, even though she held her hand out, ready to pass the envelope to me.

Finally, I spoke my truth in this moment. “I’m afraid.”

She nodded, she swallowed. “I know you are.”

Then, I wondered how had she passed that lump that had been in her throat to me? Still, I was able to squeak out, “Have you looked at the results?”

“Of course not,” she said in a tone that made me think I’d asked a stupid question.

“How did you get them?”

“I’d asked for a rush, but I wasn’t sure if I would really get them today. I didn’t want to get your hopes up...or down depending on what’s in here.” She waved the envelope.

“So this was the errand you had to run?”

She nodded. “But I don’t want to stand here and have small talk with you.”

I bit the corner of my lip, almost trying to draw blood. “I’m only doing this because I’m afraid. I know I said that already, but I wanted to make sure you heard me.”

“I did and I understand. But this,” she waved the envelope again, “is what you need.”

Staring at Dru for just a moment more, I turned away from her, and returned to the chair where just a while ago, I’d faced off with the Real First Ladies of D.C. I had to sit so that my heart could start beating again. Dru did the same, sitting across from me. And then, she leaned forward, placing the envelope in the center of my desk.

My eyes stayed on the packet that held not only the truth, but my future.