Capricorn
Chapter 33

Capricorn's Physical Strengths and Vulnerabilities:
- these body parts have a strong influence on Capricorn's physical wellbeing
* back, spine
* skin, cutaneous system (barrier against external environment)
* joints, knees
* teeth, throat

*

Adena waited as her phone rang, her leg was shaking in anticipation with each ring, were they busy? She couldn't leave a message about something as serious as this.

"Hello?"

Adena sighed with relief, "Oh thank God. Hey Miss, are you busy right now?"

"Nah not really. What's up? You good?"

"No," Adena said honestly, telling someone else would make it so real. She wouldn't be able to pretend, stall or run from this.

Missy sat up on the spot she was laying on her couch. Adena's voice was shaky. She didn't sound good at all. She knew her best friend. "What did he do?"

"Who?"

"Craig."

"No, this isn't about him."

"I knew it. What did that bighead nigga do now?" Missy asked with a sigh. She couldn't understand or even believe that Taye and Adena would be getting a divorce, let alone all the mess that came with it. "Do I need to come by? Want me to call my brothers?"

"No...don't...but if you can come by that would be nice," Adena said shakily. 

Missy sighed and threw her big, soft, fleece blanket off of her. She was so comfortable and now she had to get dressed and go out in the cold. "Ok, you owe me, girl. I'll be there soon-"

"Ok great-"

"What am I leaving my warm and comfy apartment for?" she asked as she paused.

"Um, it's kinda a major SOS."

"Oh, shit," Missy said. She, Kim, and Adena would text each other the SOS emoji whenever they needed support because something was going down or about to. If Adena was actually calling instead of a text it must be serious. "Did you text Kim too?"

"No," Adena said. "I thought about it but shit is still weird between us."

"Ok, she and I haven't talked much either, we'll get into that too. I'm on my way."

Like clockwork, Missy was knocking on her door 30 minutes later. She hugged her before she could say anything. Adena tensed up, then relaxed and hugged her back. That calmed her down some but she felt the tears welling up and she ended the hug abruptly. "Come in."

"What's going on?" Missy asked her. "Oh, and it's 10 now so I'm staying over."

"That's fine," Adena said. "Thank you for coming all this way, I felt bad-"

"Don't. You've done the same for me." Missy said brushing her off. "So what's going on?" she asked again anxiously as she followed Adena into her bedroom. 

Adena sighed and sat on the edge of her bed. She was going to need to sit down for this. "So I still feel like shit-"

"Eww girl, why did you let me hug you?"

"It's not a cold. It's not something you can catch, don't worry. I got back from the doctor a little over an hour ago."

"Ok, what did they say?"

Adena closed her eyes and took a breath. Here it goes. She couldn't look Missy in the eyes at all as she said, "I'm pregnant." The room fell silent. She sat there waiting for a response. She opened her eyes and Missy had her arms crossed with a pissed-off expression on her face.

"Really Adena? What the fuck? You know I was in the middle of binging my show. My free trial ends in a few days and I gotta finish this shit before it cuts off-"

"You think I'm joking?!" Adena asked her. "Why would I joke about something like that?"

"You tell me," Missy said. "I even left my blunt at the apartment and your ass don't smoke so that's dead too. You got HBO? I got 4 episodes left, you owe me now-"

"Missy, I'm not joking!" Adena said as she turned around and picked up a small plastic bag that was sitting on the bed. She pulled out a pregnancy test and waved it in front of her face. "The doctor said I'm not sick, just pregnant, but now I feel even sicker."

Missy froze, digesting the information, and she took her jacket off. "You don't believe them?"

"I don't know..."

"Did you pay off your bill last month or this month?"

"Huh? What do utilities have to do-"

"Your monthly bill, girl. Keep up. You pay it off every month. Did it come?"

Adena sat there and tried to think.

"Your Friend. Miss Redd. Scarlet. Is the Red Sea flowing? Have you had a period girl??" Missy said impatiently, waving her arms around motioning her to hurry up and think. 

"I know what you mean now, damn, and I don't know. My period's always been irregular."

"Too bad we don't live together anymore. Our vaginas were synced up for 4 years like Bluetooth."

"Pffffffttttttt" Adena laughed suddenly, she wasn't expecting that. Missy said whatever she wanted and it was always either funny or crazy. Why was she laughing at a time like this?

"OOOOooh how's your doctor by the way? If I switch teams again, I want her."

"I didn't see her, she stood me up the last time. I went after work to Urgent Care."

"Oh, they're not even your regular doctor? They could be wrong. They don't know you like Miss Dr. Velazquez does."

"That's why I got these pregnancy tests. I need a second opinion."

"You're doing this backwards girl, you take the pregnancy test and then go to a human," Missy said. Adena read the back of the box like it was in a different language. She's never had to take one before. "You just pee on it, girl. It's simple" she said as she held her hand out. Adena sighed and gave her the box and walked into her bathroom. Missy opened it and pulled a test out. "Ok you pee on the stick and we wait," she said as she handed it to her. Adena took it with shaky hands. Missy held her hand. "It's gonna be fine."

"I already peed, I don't have anything left" Adena realized with a groan. 

"No, hold on," Missy said and walked over to the sink and turned on the faucet. "Maybe the running water will trigger your poom poom."

"Stop making me laugh Missy," Adena said as she held her head in her hands.

"Look if anyone needs to laugh it's your ass," Missy said.

"Oh...Oh!" Adena said as she sat straight up. "I think...I think..."

"Ok don't pee right on the stick, do it midstream ok. Pee a little in the toilet and then pee on the stick" Missy said. 

"How long did it say for?" Adena asked. 

"Like 5 seconds." Adena took a deep breath and then she aimed at the stick and sat back down on the toilet and kept going. "Lay it on a flat surface," Missy told her and she put it on the sink and continued to pee. "Damn bitch I thought you said you just went?"

"Stop Missy," Adena said as she laughed and groaned. "I've been drinking a lot of water."

"Ok well whatever, now we wait," Missy said as she turned off the sink. They were silent for a few seconds before they both started laughing again. "Ohmygod Adena!"

Once she was finally done, she took out her wet wipes. "How long do we wait?"

"You can check now. This thing is fast" Missy said. "And you peed for 5 minutes."

"I can't look," Adena said nervously, her chest starting to tighten. Why was it so hot in here now? She closed her eyes. "I can't do it."

Missy sighed and looked down at the test.

"Ok, is it a line? A plus or a minus? What?"

"You ready?"

"Just go ahead," Adena said as she rocked back and forth.

"Babygirl, you're pregnant," Missy said. Adena opened her eyes immediately and looked at Missy. She had a shocked expression on her face. 

"Are you sure? Is the line long? Maybe it's-"

"Girl it literally says it, of course, you would get the most expensive one," Missy said. Adena picked up the test and looked down.

PREGNANT

"Ohmygod. Ohmygod. Ohmygod" Adena repeated over and over again as she rocked back and forth again. Missy sat on the edge of the tub and reached over and hugged her again. Adena kept repeating and rocking and Missy let her. They were both in shock. Adena flushed and went to wash her hands. 

"Ok so...you know what my next question is."

"I don't know is the answer."

"No, you know," Missy said and Adena looked at her. "You and Craig fucked while you were staying with him huh? I'm not judging but you said you didn't-"

"I didn't. Our first time was in San Francisco" Adena said as she stared at herself in the mirror. Was it her or did she look really pale? What if it were Craig's? Would she feel different? Would she be happy? Why wasn't she happy? This is what she's wanted for so long. 

She probably would be happier if it was his but she shook away the thought as soon as it came because that was crazy to even consider. 

"Damn it. You sure?" Missy asked disappointed. Adena looked at her, "I'd rather this be Craig's for obvious reasons, though it's entirely too soon." She paused. "When was the last time you-"

"The doctor said 8 weeks and 8 weeks ago...I had a lot of wine...he was out...back then I didn't know he was with Felicia but he most definitely was...he came home...I woke up...I guess I was in a good mood but I barely remember it. That's the last time he and I...because the very next day he told me it was someone else's lipstick."

Missy hung her head down and shook it. "Makes sense. You loved him then. You two haven't been using protection?"

"Those birth control pills were horrible, remember? But once he lost his job we were a little more careful because we need two incomes to have one."

"Damn and that nigga still don't have a job."

"How you know?"

"I don't but he probably doesn't." Adena shook her head and threw away the pregnancy test and the box. She wanted to burn it. "Oooh girl wait, there's another one in there."

"I obviously don't need another one. I need to stop kidding myself. I'm...I'm pregnant" Adena said as she shook her head and walked out.

"Shit, not for you. I may need it."

"Missy!" Adena said in shock. 

"I'm not out here like that but just in case you know?" Missy said as she put the unused test in her purse. 

"If you say so," Adena said with a sigh as she flopped on her bed, laid on her back, and stared at the ceiling. Missy lay next to her. "I don't know what to do."

"Do you want to actually have Taye's child right now? After everything you two went through? After what he put you through?"

"No," Adena said honestly. "This is all wrong. Why am I getting pregnant and getting a divorce?"

"Look Dena" Missy said as she rolled over on her side and looked at her. "I don't care what people say about it or what the Republicans say about it but there's nothing wrong with getting an abortion."

Adena almost got whiplash by how fast she turned her head to look at her. "Are you serious?"

"Remember when I had mine?" Missy said and Adena nodded. That was a hard time too. "Am I ashamed? Guilty? No. Because Trey ended up being an abusive asshole, I was broke, hell he was broke. I was not in a good place or a good environment or even in the right mind to bring a little innocent life into that mess. Babies are expensive but so are rent and food and diapers and heat and baby clothes and doctor's visits. I don't even have insurance. I didn't have it back then either."

"Ok you did the right thing but you and Trey weren't married. In hindsight, it was the right choice but...what if it's different for me? I got a promotion. I got a nicer place-"

"You wanna do this by yourself? Is he gonna help out?"

"I don't know what to do Missy, my head hurts, you're asking too many questions."

"Girl I know you. You overthink everything. You asked yourself all these questions before you even called me."

"True, fine but I still don't know the answers, Miss. I've only been pregnant for a couple of hours."

"You've been pregnant for 8 weeks love."

"You know what I mean," Adena said. Then Missy's phone rang. Missy pulled it out of her back pocket. 

"Why is Craig calling me? He never calls me."

Adena sighed, "Shit. Don't answer. He's looking for me." Missy sighed and ignored it. "He's gonna leave me when he finds out-"

"You don't know that. He may leave you for not answering the phone though" Missy said as she felt her phone vibrate again. "Girl, how long have you been ignoring him?"

"I haven't talked to him since lunch."

"At least tell him you're alive. He might think you're dead."

"Fine but can you tell him?"

Missy sighed. "Well if he calls back-"

And he did. 

Missy sighed and sat up. She answered, "Hey Craig, what's good?"

"Hey Miss, have you heard from Adena?"

"Hello Missy, I'm good, how are you? Some weather huh? It's cold as hell outside" Missy said to him. Adena mouthed to her to put it on speaker.

"My bad Missy. I'm alright. How are you doing?" his voice filling the room. 

"I'm alright thanks for asking. Um as for Adena...yeah she texted me a few hours ago, and she told me she was really tired. She may be at home sleeping."

"I'm hoping that's the case, it's just..."

"What?"

"Um...ok don't laugh ok?"

"I can't promise that."

"Ok don't be an asshole."

"I can't promise that either." Adena swatted her on the arm. Why was she playing around right now? "Ok fine I'm kidding."

"Well, we...we always call each other before we go to sleep..."

Missy looked at Adena and pouted. Adena put her head in her hands, feeling more guilty. "Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww, that's so sweet-"

"Missy I said don't be an asshole!"

"I'm not! I'm for real that's sooo sweet" Missy said smiling wide. "But you two have probably been doing that since Adena's vacation at your place."

Craig chuckled, "Not that long. A couple of weeks maybe. You know, just to reassure her I'm not out here showing my ass, you know after what Tom put her through."

Adena looked up with surprise. What did he just say? They had been calling each other before they fell asleep just to check on each other and say good night. Or so she thought. She didn't know that was his reason for doing it. Now she felt like an asshole, although her heart practically melted just hearing him say that.

"AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!"

"Shut up Missy!" Craig said.

"Ok, my bad my bad. And you still refuse to say his name correctly and I love that, it cracks me up" Missy said as she looked pointedly at Adena. She just blushed as she pulled her knees toward her chest.

"I'll never say that asshole's name. I will call him anything but."

"He probably calls you Corey or Charles" Missy said with a laugh. 

"Like I give half a fuck" Craig said and they both laughed. Even Adena, then she quickly covered her mouth. "But ok...I gotta go do this gig. If you don't hear from her let me know but I'll assume no news is good news."

"Awww ok I will Craig Charming."

"Let me get off this phone."

"You're a knight in shining armor!"

"Good night Missy!" he said with a laugh.

"Bye," she said and they hung up. Missy smiled widely, "Damn he's perfect you know that? I'm over here geeked and blushing and I'm not even dating him." Missy's giggles faded when Adena didn't answer. Her head was resting on her knees, her face was hidden behind her legs. "Dena, you hear me? Did you hear him?"

Adena finally looked up and tears were rolling down her face. "He's too good to be true, that's why I'm going to lose him. He's gonna leave me."

Missy hugged her. "You're being too hard on yourself."

"He's gonna leave me when he finds out I just know it. What am I gonna do? What am I gonna do?"

*

Astrology is one of the most ancient Chinese philosophies. It's at least 2,000 years old. Western and Chinese zodiacs can be combined for a more detailed reading.

*

Craig knocked on Adena's door and within seconds a weird sensation came over him.

Nervousness.

Why was he nervous all of a sudden? He hasn't felt this nervous when it came to seeing her since the Valentine's art showing. For a couple of days, the two have been playing phone tag. Whenever he called, it wasn't a good time and if she was available, she never had much time. She replied to his texts hours later than she usually would. The streak of nightly phone calls before bed was completely broken. They haven't done that since they came back from San Francisco. With her new promotion, she was much busier and he tried to be understanding of that but he wondered if there was something more. Did he do something wrong? Did he piss her off somehow?

Was the sex not good? He's never gotten bad reviews.

He heard Adena walk up to the door and started to unlock the few locks. 

Well, he hoped that seeing her tonight would help get rid of his insecurities.

She opened the door and he greeted her with a smile. She smiled back. "Hey," he said to her.

"Hey," she said as she smiled and blushed. She opened the door wider to let him in. 

When she closed it behind him he said, "I think one more lock on your door will do it. I honestly think you don't have enough. Anyone can break in here you know."

"Ha ha," she said sarcastically. He leaned in to kiss her and as soon as their lips touched, his nervousness started to ooze out of him. He was just overthinking everything because their routine switched up out of nowhere. She then pulled away. She wiggled her nose. Damn, that was cute. She frowned. "What's that smell?"

He paused and then he laughed, "Oh these are for you," he said. The arm that was behind his back was holding a small bouquet of flowers. 

Adena smiled, "That's so sweet. Thank you. What's the occasion?"

"Nothing. Just because." She smiled and gave him a quick kiss. 

"I think I have something to put these in," she said as she turned and walked into the kitchen. He followed behind her, feeling a lot better than he did a few minutes prior. She found a vase and filled it with water. She unwrapped the flowers and placed them in then dropped in the flower food. She wiggled her nose again. She could do that all night. She cleared her throat and backed away from the flowers. 

"So what do you wanna do?" he asked her. Since he thought she was mad at him he decided to not plan anything, whatever she wanted to do, they'll do.

"Whatever you got planned is fine," she said with a shrug. Oop, that was the thing, he didn't have one.

"You hungry?"

"Yeah, I can definitely eat."

"Oh we know," he said and she swatted his arm. "Where you wanna go?"

"Um I don't know," she said with a shrug. "I guess someplace new? Maybe?"

"What are you in the mood for?"

"What do you want to eat? I can't think of anything."

"You sure?"

"Yeah whatever you wanna do."

"Wanna try a buffet? Oh, there's a good Hibachi one we can try. They have a little of everything."

She frowned. "You love your Asian food. Let's try something new."

"Hey, you said whatever I wanna do."

"Yeah but something new. You're not tired of Chinese food?"

"Never," he said but then he realized that was a rhetorical question. She frowned and wiggled her nose. "You ok?"

"Yeah I'm just hungry, we could have been sitting somewhere by now."

"Someone's hangry," he said as she walked away and got her coat. She didn't find that amusing. "Ok um...tacos? How about tacos?" 

She frowned and wiggled her nose again. Ok, what was going on? "No...I'm not in the mood for tacos. I haven't touched tacos since San Francisco. I had too many."

"No you had too many margaritas," he said with a laugh. She didn't find that amusing either. "Well, what do you want to eat?"

"Why do I have to choose?"

"Because you're hungry?! I suggested two spots and I bet you won't like the third either."

She rolled her eyes. "Fine fuck it, let's get Chinese as usual."

"Adena we don't have to if you don't want to-"

"I'm gonna be sick" she interrupted him, she ran into the kitchen and then threw up in her trash can.

"Dena, you're still sick? I thought you went to the doctor?"

"I did," she said once she was done and came back up for some air. 

"Well, what did they say?"

"I think those flowers are too strong. Where did you get them from?"

"From some random Chinese lady with a cart. The flowers are making you sick?" he asked her. That couldn't be it. "You sure you're ok?"

"I don't know!" she said with frustration. "Let me brush my teeth," she said as she walked into her bedroom.

Ok, she was pissed about something. He walked over and smelled the flowers. They smelt like any other flower but if the smell was too strong... He picked up the vase and moved them to the far corner of the apartment near her dining room table. He leaned against the island counter that separated the kitchen between the living room and the dining room and looked through his phone. Maybe they should order in if she wasn't feeling good.

"You ready?" she asked as she walked out.

"You know what? Let's stay in. You're still not feeling good. What did the doctor say you have?"

"They...they haven't gotten back to me?"

"What do you mean?"

"They did some tests and they haven't called me back yet," she said not looking at him. 

"I'm tempted to call Ron," he said skeptically.

"Why?"

"Because he's the only doctor I trust," he said. "He's off, maybe we can order in and he can check you-"

"No, I don't want to see anyone else."

"Well, maybe you need a second opinion."

"I don't want a second opinion Craig, just drop it ok? I don't want Ron coming over here, poking and prodding me in my damn living room." He stood there and looked at her. She sighed and shook her head. She took off her coat. "I guess we're staying in anyway," she said and hung her coat on the back of one of her chairs. She sighed and looked at him. "What?"

"You done?"

"Am I done?"

"Yeah are you good? Are you sure you're ok?"

"Ohmygod it's like you want me to be sick!"

"You literally just threw up Adena!"

"It was the flowers!"

"How do flowers make you throw up!?"

"Don't yell at me!"

"I'm not yelling-"

"YES, YOU ARE!"

He looked up at the ceiling and ran his hands down his face. What the hell just happened? "You know what? I'm gonna order you something and I'll get myself something since we can't decide together. That's if you even want me here."

Adena rolled her eyes, "Don't be dramatic Craig." She plopped down on her couch in frustration. 

"I don't know how to translate that, is that a yes or no?"

"Look if you wanna stay, stay. If you wanna go, go. Do I need to translate that?"

"Nope. Heard you loud and clear" he said. "Call me when you've calmed down and we can try this again another time," he said and stalked toward the door.

"WAIT! WAIT! DON'T GO!" he heard her call out. He turned around and she was right there in front of him. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Ok? Don't go."

"Are you gonna tell me what the fuck is going on?"

"I'm just tired ok? And I don't feel too good but I'm fine now."

"That's it?"

"That's it," she said. She wiggled her nose and pouted. He sighed, letting his guard down. She walked behind him and pulled on his jacket so she could take it off. He let her and he hoped he wasn't making a mistake by giving her a second chance. She pulled him in for a hug. "I'm sorry."

"It's alright," he said shortly. 

"But you're still mad."

"I'm not."

"You are. I can tell you are."

"I'm fine ok? Calm down." She frowned at him. Shit. "Sorry-"

"Stop telling me to calm down, I heard you the first time-"

"You know I didn't mean it like that-"

He was then interrupted by a knock at her door. They both turned and looked at the door in confusion. "Who's that?" she asked. "You ordered something?"

"No, not yet," he said as he looked through the peephole. "Some white guy, he looks harmless. Maybe he's a neighbor or something?" She shrugged. He opened the door. "Yep?"

"Hey, how are you doing? I am looking for an Adena Capricorn?" the guy said. Upon hearing her name, she peered from behind Craig and stood in the doorway next to him.

"I'm Adena Capricorn. How can I help you?"

He handed her a large manilla envelope. She took it skeptically. "You've just been served," he said simply and walked away.

*

Chinese astrology uses the year of your birth rather than the positions of the stars. Legend has it that Buddha created the Chinese cycle, which included 12 animals, each representing a different year.

*

https://youtu.be/thfY91Edem0