Chapter 20
Celeste
“Okay… that was everything. The building is officially yours. Mr. Edmonds wanted to be here to meet with you, but he thought it best to stay out of the public eye as much as possible,” John, Allen’s lawyer, stated as he handed the keys over to me.
When he’d called a few days ago and told me Allen wanted to sign the building over to me, I thought it was a cruel joke.
I had no hope that I’d ever see the inside of this building again, let alone finally have it to myself.
I had half a mind to ask questions about Allen’s situation, but I truly didn’t care what he had going on.
We were over long before I physically left.
If he assaulted the woman, I hoped she got justice.
If he didn’t, then I hoped he wouldn’t be charged with a crime he didn’t commit.
If I were honest, I was glad Allen hadn’t come with John.
Since I’d moved my mother out of the nursing facility, we didn’t have anything to discuss.
His number had been blocked since the night he gave me the ultimatum.
How Serenity still dealt with him after witnessing something like that was beyond me.
Aside from my mother’s illness, my life had truly taken a turn for the best. I officially had two locations of Luxe Addiction and we were getting more online orders by the day.
Running a business was tiring and the hours were longer than a traditional nine to five, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
It was authentic and something I’d created.
Whenever women, and even men, wore my items, they were wearing my stamp.
“Thank you, John. I appreciate you reaching out to me and making this a smooth process,” I responded.
“Of course. You’re a very bright young lady, Ms. Peterson. I wish you the best of luck and let me know if I missed anything. Have a good day,” he said as he closed his briefcase and left through the back door.
I locked the door behind him and walked to the front of the store.
Letting out a deep breath, I did a walk-through of the space I’d occupied every day for the past few years.
Part of me was irritated that once again, I’d be moving and setting things up.
On the other hand, I was excited and had come up with different ideas to revamp the entire look.
It had been months since I’d been in here, but the energy was still the same. Light and welcoming. It felt like home.
After picking up the folder with all the documents, I grabbed my keys and left.
My next stop was the new store. I was in my zone vibing to the smooth sound of R&B when I decided to pull into the drive through of my favorite coffee spot.
Once my order was placed, I pulled to the first window and dug in my purse to locate my wallet.
When I didn’t feel it, I remembered I’d switched bags this morning and left my wallet on the dresser.
Thankfully, I was still able to pay for the drink with my phone.
I had half a mind to go into work and say forget the wallet, but I wouldn’t be at peace driving home later this evening.
I parked in my driveway and sent Jade a text to let her know I was still coming in but running a few minutes late.
When I walked inside, my mother wasn’t in her normal spot on the living room couch.
It was after ten-thirty and she’d normally be sitting in her chair watching soap operas.
Today, the nurse on shift had to leave early so my mother was in the house alone until her replacement showed up.
I’d called to check on her before my meeting and she was fine.
“Ma… are you feeling okay?” I asked as I walked into the room.
My heart dropped when I saw how drained she looked. Her eyelids were heavy and she could barely keep them open. My heart broke into a million pieces as I realized this was it. She’d scared me a few times prior, but this time felt different.
“Ladybug, sit down,” she said weakly.
“Momma, we gotta get you to the hospital.”
“Sit down…please.”
I sat in the chair next to the bed and just shook my head. I was in disbelief that this was my reality. The world around me felt more like a haze and I no longer had any control over my emotions.
“Celeste, baby, I’m tired. I’ve held on for as long as I could.
I’m ready to rest and I need you to be okay with moving on with your life.
I love you so much and there’s so many things I wish I could go back and change.
My health being one of them. You were perfect, baby girl, and I need you to know that.
You’ve made me realize what forgiveness truly looks like.
You’re all I had in this life, Celeste. I love you and promise I’ll always be with you.
I prayed so hard that God would give me a chance to see you walk down the aisle, but I’ll be watching from above.
I’ll be with you when you deliver my grandson. ”
“Momma, I’ll never be ready for you to leave, but I don’t want you to suffer. I know you’re ready. I love you so much and nothing will ever change that. You don’t have to convince me of how much you love me because I already know. Get your rest,” I responded before laying my head on her chest.
She kissed my forehead as I let my emotions unfold.
I was so consumed in my own tears that I hadn’t realized her grip around me had loosened.
Not wanting to come to terms with my reality, I continued to hold my lifeless mother and cry into her chest. By the time I gathered myself enough to process a complete thought, I called the ambulance and opened the front door to give them easy access.
Just as I heard the sirens getting closer, the nurse, Allison, stepped in.
Her expression went from blank to worry when she saw my face.
Running past me, she headed to the room and let out an audible gasp when she saw my mother.
Moments later, three EMTs raided my place.
They asked several questions I could barely answer.
Knowing I needed someone by my side, I finally placed a call to Shane.
After letting me know he was on his way, I called Jade before taking a seat on the couch.
Within an hour, I’d gotten back something so valuable to me and lost someone who could never be replaced.
Flaws and all, my mother was my world and all I had at one point.
“Celeste, baby…we have to go to the hospital,” Shane said, bringing me back to the present.
I saw him when he walked through the door, but I was so disconnected that I’d momentarily forgotten he and Jade were here.
Shane grabbed my phone and purse from the table and helped me to my feet.
He hadn’t said much of anything since he arrived, but he’d been doing his best to comfort me.
When we left the house, I got into his truck and stared out of the window the entire time.
I was still in disbelief that my mother had transitioned right in my arms. Although my eyes were wide open, Shane had to call my name before I realized we’d pulled into the hospital parking lot.
There was no need for me to rush inside and bombard nurses.
My mother had been pronounced dead before they brought her out of the house. Any hope I once had was now gone.
“Celeste…come on, boo. Let me get you out of here,” Jade said as she caressed my shoulder.
“I can’t leave her here alone. I just…I just can’t, Jade. I can’t walk away,” I expressed through painful tears.
Over the past week, I’d been so busy taking care of my mother’s business that I hadn’t gotten a chance to process everything.
Shane was by my side every night and barely got any rest due to tending to me.
Every time I closed my eyes to sleep, it didn’t last long because I saw my mother in every dream.
Waking up to reality felt like a new heartbreak every time.
Since we didn’t have much family, the funeral had been small.
I opted not to have a repast. At this moment, celebrating my mother’s homegoing wasn’t something I was ready to do.
Shane’s mother convinced me to pack up my mother’s room.
She said keeping all of her things around could do more harm in the long run.
Of course, the grieving process would be hard, but letting her things linger wouldn’t help the situation.
I decided to take her advice and move all of my mother’s things into my storage unit.
I kept photo albums and a few items for myself, but that was it.
The last thing I had to do was stop by the bank and empty her lockbox.
Honestly, I was in no hurry since I hadn’t expected much to be in there.
I’d gotten through the funeral as best as I could, but it took everything in me not to scream out how I wanted.
I was too young to be going through this and it simply wasn’t fair.
I just knew a miracle would happen and she’d be cured of all her illnesses, but that didn’t happen.
In hindsight, I’d gotten more time with her than expected, but it wasn’t long enough.
I’d grown accustomed to sitting with her and talking about my ideas for Luxe Addiction.
Calling her on a Sunday and listening to her fuss at me for interrupting her sermon on TV would surely be missed.
My mother was the person who listened to me when I told her how far I wanted my brand to go. She was the one who got on me for not living my life to the fullest. There was no way my life would ever feel complete without her here.
“Celeste… Please let us take you home, baby girl. You’re not leaving her here.
Her spirit and soul are not in that casket.
I know it’s hard, I promise I understand.
If you wanna come back tomorrow, I’ll personally bring you.
Today has taken a mental toll on you and I just want you to at least try to rest,” Lynn said.