Chapter 24
Ienjoyed the gentle hum of the airplane”s engines. I sat back in a large seat, covered in a blue velvet blanket. Sometimes, she looked out the window. She nervously tapped her fingers, feeling both anxiety and excitement. Eventually, she fell asleep with her head on my shoulder. I stayed still, not wanting to wake her.
It was a big deal for me to agree to visit my father. We”ve been in touch for about a month now. I even felt like I had won Cassie over, who I used to think was the reason I hadn”t labeled our relationship. I thought about Lisa and Nehemy, teasing us before they left.
“Just take care of my girlfriend. Don’t lose me!” Lisa teased. “Lisa! Come on! Haven’t you seen the way she looked at me! It’s me who shouldn’t go too far or else, Leo would end up lost!” Nehemy mocked.
I shook my head and laughed. Those two were so funny. She looked at me once more. I thought she was scared, and I understood why. I had given her plenty of reasons to be scared. She turned to me and smiled. Her hair fell over my face, hiding some of my features.
She was calm and steady, and I wished we could stay like this forever instead of going to the prison. But I was grateful. I trusted him enough to be with him on this trip, even though I had to persuade her to come along.
I made sure not to wake her as I covered her with the blanket and pulled her closer to me. Her perfume smelled like a mix of flowers and chocolate. It was a strange but nice scent. Then, I kissed her gently on the forehead. “I love you,” I whispered into her ear. I saw my move a little and scoot closer to him. My heart swelled, a small smile tugging at the edges of my lips before leaning and closing my eyes in sleep.
As daylight filled the prison visiting area, I felt the grim truth hit me harder. It burdened my heart. The room lacked warmth or personality. Its plain white walls made it feel sterile and dreary. Harsh fluorescent lights provided the only light. Their occasional flickers added to the bleak mood. In this barren setting, the lack of comfort was clear. It reminded me starkly of the harshness of prison life.
I hated coming here. Not because I didn’t want to see my father. I could not believe that my mother had caused him to leave. He had given everything for her. I hated seeing the prison guards hold my frail father on each side. I knew there was nothing we could do about it.
My eyes looked frail and weary, and his cough had gotten worse. However, when he saw me, his lips spread into a wide smile that lit up his entire face.“Leo,” he croaked and reached to hug Leo. He tapped Leo’s back in three quick successions. “It’s good to see you, my boy.”
I leaned back and smiled. I wondered how to handle the emotions. They were still swirling in my chest. “You too Dad,” I smiled. It was as though he was struggling to move past the feelings. He placed his arm around my shoulders to push me slightly forward. “Dad, this is I. Me, meet my father.”
My father reached a hand and shook , eyeing her suspiciously and turning to stare at me. “It’s nice to meet you my dear. You’re beautiful.” I offered a small smile and shook his hand. “Nice to meet you too, Mr. Woodrow.”
My father suggested we sit on a table, and I recalled one of the reasons I hated this place. It was awkward. The prison guard stayed not too close to hear everything you said. But, they were still close enough to see everything you did.
My father cleared my throat, pulling my attention. “I’m glad you came to visit Leo, I missed you already.” I nodded, reaching across the table to rub my father’s palm. “I missed you too, Father.” I smiled back, before waving my index finger to point at us. “So how are you two?” He leaned forward, wiggling his eyebrows.
I couldn’t help the smile that lined my lips. I shook my head and turned to stare at himpursinghis lips. Her eyes widened and she clutched the bodice of my floral dress.
“Me?” She croaked. My father shrugged. “Yes, I do believe it’s you who is to give us the answer.”
She shook her head and turned to glare at me who couldn’t help chuckling. “We…we’re… We”re close friends!” I sputtered, turning to glare at me before returning her gaze to my father. My father raised an eyebrow, amusement dancing in his brown eyes. He turned towards me, a mocking smile on his lips. “Close friends? Is that what you kids are calling these days?”
“No!” She cried desperately, leaning forward.I threw my head back, laughing causing my shoulders to shake. I leaned forward still laughing. “Yes Dad, close friends”
“Stop it!” she hissed, smacking me across the arm and causing me to laugh even more. I was glad I had brought him along. The three of them laughed and teased each other. Then, visiting hours were over. Even though I denied it, he knew I loved him. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have come.
The conversation shifted to lighter topics. We even talked about some memories from Leo’s childhood. I was sure she would use them to tease me till the day I dropped dead.
The guard walked towards them, tapping his wrist. “Times up!”
My father turned to look at the guard before letting out a breath and shrugged. I sucked my teeth, the whirl of emotions returning. My father stood; his movements slow. He reached out to give me a handshake, a smile on my lips.
“It was nice meeting you . Thank you for coming around and making me laugh really hard. Please take care of my boy.” I smiled, shaking my head. “I will Mr Woodrow. You have my word.”
He nodded and tapped me gently on the cheeks, his eyes watering. “You will be fine Leo. Don’t forget to forgive and live.” I swallowed, forcing off the lump that settled in my throat. Hadn’t she said I should forgive my mother? Now my dad was saying the same thing, but I couldn’t find the strength to. I managed a small smile for my father, refusing to let him see how angry he truly was.
“Thanks Dad,”
I watched the guards take my father away and struggled to blink away the tears. I gestured for Cassie to follow me and they walked away from the prison. I felt the weight settling on my shoulders and I sucked my teeth. My head snapped sideways. I felt her fingers finding mine and linking them. She had a small smile on her face and she wrapped a palm around my bicep.
“Leo? Are you okay?” she said.
I pressed my lips together and nodded. My mind was far away. I struggled with guilt and anger. They were demons from my past that stirred up feelings. She squeezed my hand gently, pulling me back to the present. “You will forgive me eventually Leo and you will heal but it will take some time” She said softly. “However, you need to know that you’re not alone. I’m with you” she said.
I paused in my steps and turned to look at her. Her brown eyes were twinkling and I had that light centered on me. I pulled her in and hugged her, staying there for a few minutes till the feelings passed over.
“Thank you ”
“Always”
“I have a surprise for you…” I leaned back, a smile on my lips.
Her eyebrows furrowed and she cocked her head to the side. “What’s that?”
I winked. “Oh, you’ll see.”