Chapter 14
As I recount the trip to Mick, he doesn’t seem so happy with me. “Leo, what’s your problem? Why will you spring such a thing on a single mother?
Something is definitely wrong with you, man. Why didn’t you come to ask me?” he says, clearly frustrated.
I try to explain my reasoning to him, hoping he will understand. “Mic, you were traveling to Australia or something and Ria just canceled on me. I needed
someone and she was just there. Rayne thought it was work and it ended up being a great trip. I think I finally found a woman that makes me feel different and
happy without any motives. Mick, I could not have asked for a better person to be with me. She was so understanding and patient with me—-and get this— when I confessed the truth to her, she laughed”. “ So you did finally come clean—man, you are lucky— she did not dump you right then. She must be a jewell to
deal with your crap”. Oh, Mick. I am not that bad, am I”? “No, Leo, you know I am just playing with you. I am glad you two hit it off. You deserve someone special
in your life, especially since your mom passed. I know it”s hard for you to talk about her, but I am here for you, Leonard”. I sadly say, “Mick, I have never told you what happened to her.”
My mom was at her favorite restaurant in LA, and she went there to eat every trip.
After her meal and chatting with them, she was in high spirits. They recalled later and hoped for a short trip home to her family. She hated flying. She thanked them for a delicious meal, said goodbye to them, and was ready to walk back to the hotel. Not far from the restaurant, an unbuckled child’s cart ran across the street. A typical mother ran towards the child, trying to prevent the child in the carrier from being hit by an oncoming vehicle. The child was saved, but she was struck by the vehicle. The impact was sudden and powerful, and she was thrown by the impact, her head hitting the pavement. The couple from the restaurant called an ambulance and waited by her side. She kept asking about the child before she lost consciousness. My dad and I rushed to her side as quickly as possible. Her injuries were severe, and she was in critical condition for several days. She eventually regained consciousness and held my hands so tight. Her last words to me were that she loved and was proud of me. More days passed and unfortunately, she died, despite the medical staff”s efforts to help her live. Me and my father wept for hours. Unspoken words and tears became our lifestyle. We had one another but did not know how to express our pain to each other. And now he has cancer, and I can”t help but worry. Will I be without both of my parents one day?
“Leonard, I am so sorry. She was truly a hero”. I sadly respond with tears, “Yes, she was! I miss her, Mick, but Rayne was so supportive. This trip was different from any other trips since her passing”.
Although the memory of the trip with Rayne was great, I could not help but wonder if I had made a mistake. Does she still have feelings for Reece? After
all, that is Charlee’s father. Does she really like me? Questions start to flood my thoughts. I am supposed to run the company for my dad, and I need to stay
focused. Is this the time for a relationship? In the middle of my thoughts, I am interrupted by my cell phone. “Hello, this is Leonard. How can I help you?” A
strange voice responds, “ Hello Leonard, my name is Ebony. I am the RN taking care of your father. He has been admitted to ICU and has taken a turn for the
worse”. Speechless, searching for words, I instantly say, “What”s wrong? What happened? Is he OK? Is he alive”? “ Yes, sir, your dad is stable, but his labs are
very abnormal and must be monitored closely. He wanted me to call you and let you know”. I say anxiously and with a sigh of relief, “Please let him know I am
on my way there.” We hang up the phone, and suddenly, I remember the last conversation me and my mom had before she passed. It”s only been five years, and
I cannot imagine losing my dad.
I enter the hospital room and find him resting peacefully. I sat in the chair next to the bed, reclined it, and dosed off to sleep, thinking about my mom, dad,
and Rayne.