All Chapters of THE MEET UP: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

I'm staring at spreadsheets that have become a blur of meaningless pixels, and it hits me that I've been holding my breath again. It's been three months since my divorce, and I still can’t seem to breathe properly.The café is filled with the smell of burnt coffee and the optimism of others, and I can’t stand it. I dislike couples sharing pastries and how everyone appears so comfortable in their own skin. I'm wearing a crisp white blouse, perfectly pressed, as if it’s armor—if I can control my appearance, maybe I can manage the chaos raging inside my head.My therapist calls it "processing," but I think of it as drowning on dry land.The cappuccino is bitter, just like everything else lately. I should eat something, but my stomach has been knotted since David signed the divorce papers, since I discovered those messages, and since I realized that three years of my life were built on his lies and my own ignorance.I force myself to focus. Work. Numbers don’t lie.I'm so absorbed in drai

David’s wearing that smile. The one that looks friendly but isn't. The one that says he owns the space he’s standing in and everyone should admit it.“ Sarah. What a surprise. ”His voice carries false warmth. Zainab tugs his arm. Uncomfortable. Good. She should be uncomfortable.“ David. Zainab. ” I nodded at them both. Cool. Professional. Like my heart isn't trying to claw its way out of my chest.David’s eyes moved to Amon. To my arm linked through his. His jaw tightens.“ Making new friends, I see. ”There’s an edge to his voice. Jealous. Disapproving. Like he still has rights to my choices.Amon extends his hand. “ Amon Kato. And yes, Sarah’s been kind enough to let me carry her groceries after I revealed coffee to her this morning. ”His tone is friendly. Disarming. David does n’t shake his hand. Just look at it like it’s defiled.The personality is deliberate. Public. Designed to establish scale.Amon lowers his hand. No awkwardness. Just grins.I want to kiss him for not recoi

I stare at David’s name on my screen. My heart rate spikes. My throat tightens.Amon notices incontinently. “ Everything okay? ”“ It’s my partner. He keeps calling from different numbers. ”Amon’s expression darkens. Not with jealousy. With concern. “ That’s not okay, Sarah. Is he draining you? ”“ No. I mean, not really. He just wants to talk. Says Zainab broke up with him and he made a mistake. ”I declined the call. It incontinently rings again.“ Do you want to talk to him? ”Amon asks it precisely. No judgment. Just a genuine question.I look at him. This man who sees me. Who doesn't try to control me? Who asks rather than assumes?“ No. I really, really don't. ”I answer anyway. Put it on a speaker, so Amon can hear. So I have a substantiation. So I’m not alone.“ What, David ”“ Sarah, thank God. Hear, we need to meet. In person. I’m outside your apartment right now. I’ve been staying — ”My blood runs cold. “ You’re WHERE? ”“ I’m at your structure. I need to see you. We need

Amon’s mother terrifies me.Not in a bad way. In a“ this woman sees through all my b*llsh*t” way.We’re standing at the gate of their compound in Ntinda. Sunday lunch. Family tradition. Amon promised it would be casual.He lied.There were at least thirty people then. Aunties under the mango tree. Uncles arguing about politics. Children run everywhere. The smell of roasted meat and posho making my empty stomach grip.“ How numerous people did you say were coming? ” I hiss.“ I did n’t. Because if I told you, you would’ve run. ”“ I’m running now. ”“ Too late. ” He grabs my hand. “ Mama’s already seen us. ”She emerges from the house. Round and warm and radiating the kind of authority that comes from raising five children successfully. Her eyes lock onto me with ray focus.“ So this is the girl who has made my son smile like a fool for weeks! ”Her voice carries across the compound. Everyone stops talking. All eyes on me.I want to die.Mama Grace pulled me into a hug before I could e

Entebbe Airport at dawn is full of endings.I see them everywhere. Families saying goodbye. Couples adhering to each other. Children cry crying. Everyone pretending they’re okay when they’re not.We’re not okay either.Amon holds my hand so tight it hurts. I didn't tell him to stop. The pain helps. Keeps me grounded. Keeps me from fully falling apart.Miriam is here. Mama Grace. Jjajja Florence. Even Mama, who drove from Mbarara at 4 AM to see me off.Too many witnesses to my breaking.“ You better video call me as soon as you land,” Miriam says. Her eyes are red. She’s been crying in the bathroom. Thinks I do n’t know. “ I don't watch about time zones. ”“ I promise. ”Mama Grace hugs me. Tight and maternal. “ You take care of yourself, child. Eat properly. And call my son regularly. He’s going to be unendurable while you’re gone. ”“ Mama, I’m standing right then,” Amon mutters.She ignores him. Touches my face. “ Your family now. That doesn't change because of distance ”The words