Chapter 8 #2
I swallowed hard and nodded against his chest. His hold on me tightened more and I felt his chin rest on top of my head. The closeness was the only thing keeping me steady at the moment. I needed it. I needed him.
We both cleaned up and dressed as quickly as possible and Amir drove us to Emory.
The drive felt like forever because the entire time my mind ran through the worst possible scenarios.
I might not have been close with my parents since my sister died but I loved them.
Even with the distance I kept, I needed them to be okay. They both had to be okay.
Once we made it to the hospital and stepped off the elevator, my mother was in the first waiting room we reached.
She was sitting alone, staring off into space until she noticed we were there.
Instantly she was on her feet, throwing her arms around me.
She broke down in tears, speaking through light sobs.
“Thank you for coming. They said it would be hours and I couldn’t leave but I didn’t want to sit here alone. I just…” she paused and pushed out a long sigh through a trembling body, “I’m scared. That man is my whole life and I don’t know what I will do if I lose him.”
Her words hit home and had my eyes bouncing over to Amir. His were already on me and I could tell he knew where my head was.
“You won’t. Daddy’s strong and he knows you’ll give him hell if he leaves you. That’s not happening. He’s strong for everybody but you. You make him weak, Ma, because he loves you so much. He’s not going anywhere.”
My mother snorted through a laugh, stepping back and swiping the tears cascading down her face. “I sure will. I’ll give him all kinds of hell.”
I couldn’t help but smile because smiling was a lot better than crying like I wanted to. I was just as scared as her.
“He’s gonna be just fine. He has to be.” My mother gained a little more composure and spoke with confidence this time.
It wasn’t until then that her regard landed on Amir who had been standing by quietly, allowing us to have our moment.
Just that fast my mother switched gears.
Her posture straightened and she offered a tight-lipped expression while she took him in.
Amir was handsome, there was no mistaking that, but he also had an edge to him you couldn’t miss.
The tattoos on his body were a clear sign that he wasn’t a typical nine-to-five guy.
Being fully dressed didn’t hide the ones on his neck and hands which my mother clearly focused on as she inspected every inch of him.
“I assume this is the friend who owns that fancy apartment where you live.”
Amir chuckled and stepped forward, extending a hand to my mother. “Amir Nour. I’m not just a friend, your daughter and I are in a relationship.”
My mother’s eyes bounced between the two of us before she gave in and shook his hand.
“Relationship?” She turned to me. “I didn’t know you were seeing anyone new. What happened to Melvin?”
“Melvin? Wow?” I laughed sarcastically. I hadn’t spoken to my ex since before my sister passed and she knew that because the two of them were still cordial. Even after I made it clear that he and I would never get back together.
“You speak to him daily, so I’m sure you of all people know what happened to him. As for anyone new in my life, you and I don’t talk, so how would you know?” I snapped. This should have been about my father but my mother wasn’t too torn up to be judgmental about my life choices, yet again.
“We just saw each other a few weeks ago and you didn’t mention that you were seeing anyone, Learah.” She had the nerve to act offended when she knew the last time we spoke was an argument about my sister.
“This is not the time, Ma. Daddy’s in there fighting for his life and we need to be worried about him, not you judging me for making another life choice you don’t agree with.”
I rolled my eyes and removed myself from the conversation by going over to the corner and filling one of the vinyl sofas.
Amir was right behind me taking a seat, being sure to position me against his side, protectively draping his arm around my shoulders.
He was my comfort, always, and I appreciated him.
I guess my mother took the hint and attempted to take the high road. She joined us, sitting in the matching chair across from us, clearing her throat.
“So Amir, what is it that you do?”
I snorted, closing my eyes at the same time my head shook. “Don’t answer that.”
He pressed a kiss to my temple and smiled, addressing my mother.
“My brother and I own several businesses together and I personally have several rental properties around the city and vacation homes out of state.”
Even I didn’t have all the details on his businesses, but I was grateful he’d left off the part about pushing coke through the city which I was sure she already assumed.
“So you’re an entrepreneur?”
I saw the skepticism etched on my mother’s face. Amir flashed her a charming smile and nodded.
“Mrs. Marshall, I’m sure you have your opinions about me, so let’s get that out the way.
I have my hands in a lot of things that allow me to be financially secure.
I’m not perfect, but who is? I work hard to take care of home and I care about your daughter, so she’s in good hands with me. That’s really all that matters, right?”
My mother stared, wanting to voice her true thoughts, but she opted not to push.
“So, I assume this is serious?”
“For me it is. You’d have to ask your daughter to be sure about how she feels.”
My eyes shot up to him quickly and he had a cocky grin waiting.
“Yes, we’re serious.”
“Oh, well, that’s good considering you’re living together.”
“Nah we’re not living together, not yet.
That has to wait until she decides what type of house she wants me to buy for her.
For now, she’s just in one of my spots. It’s hers though.
” Amir winked at me and I wanted to chop his ass in the throat.
The last thing my mother needed was to think he was really buying me a house.
That would only confirm what she was already thinking.
“A house, like in getting married?” Her eyebrows rose and Amir and I answered at the same time but with different words.
“Yes.”
“No.”
My mother’s confusion had me about to explain but I didn’t get to because Amir spoke up first.
“I said yes, because that’s the long-term goal.
She said no because we’re still getting to know each other and figuring things out.
But make no mistake. I’m going to marry your daughter one day.
” I felt his eyes burning a hole through the side of my face but I refused to look his way.
I also couldn’t control the smile on my face.
“Well, I guess I should get to know you also. Maybe we can work on that.”
My mother offered a pleading smile which had me in a weird space. She wanted to use my relationship with Amir as a way to insert herself back into my life. I didn’t know how I felt about that.
“We’ll see,” was all I gave and she nodded softly while we all fell into a comfortable silence. I was worried about my father and he was the priority. So for now, all of my energy would be focused on him.