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Kiara gives a harsh laugh. “Benjamin is the oldest and Father’s flying monkey. He’s always resented that my mother doted on Remi, her baby.” A small smile graces her grim face. “He was the apple of our eye. Gram, Mom, and I were always huddled around Remi. He was just so sunny all the time. No matter how mean my brother was or how cruel my father was, Remi never let it dim his light.” She’s lost in memory—a good one, by the softening of her features. “I had to kick his ass a few times.” Mischief glints in her eye when she turns to me. “He was my little brother, after all. He could be a jackass at times, but we were always close.”
Placing my hand on Kiara’s arm, I reassure her. “I’m in your corner. Whatever happens, I’m not going to abandon either of you.”
She grabs my hands and squeezes in solidarity.
The weight of those words has been crushing me for the last few hours of sitting, pacing, and aching to see the man I love. Each minute feels like an eternity. We’re stuck in purgatory, and that’s given me a lot of time to think, search my soul for the purpose.
Remi and Isabel are my world—it simply won’t turn if a part of it is missing. When he wakes up, he’ll need to concentrate on getting himself better. Physical, speech, and psychiatric therapy, plus doctor’s—possibly specialist’s—appointments could put Remi into bankruptcy, ruining his whole future. Even if he gets a clean bill of health, his financial status will be in critical condition. Healthcare is a scam in this country. No matter the thousands we pay into it each year, it doesn’t provide much when we need it most. I don’t want him distracted and stressed about his medical bills.
From what Kiara said, there’s no way I want his parents to pay one cent toward Remi’s expenses. There’s no way in hell he’s going back to a place he hates, with people who don’t love him. He needs to stay here, with us, where he belongs, and I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure he’s taken care of. He’d do it for me without question.
Pulling my phone out, I head to the stairwell and call Jay.
“How’s it going, mija?”
My throat prickles with tears I’m swallowing. It’s so good to hear their voice.
“It’s a big fucking mess.” I finally break down. Loud sobs echo in the enclosed space as if the walls are grieving too. It amplifies my pain.
Jay listens to it all without judgment. Without nonsense commentary.
“His parents came and… Oh God, Jay. They’re just awful.” I wipe my hand across my nose. “His mom is strung out, yet you can see how much pain she’s in. And his dad,” I mutter, “makes Beelzebub look like jolly old St. Nick.”
“Oh damn,” Jay swears. “How’s Remi doing with his parents there?”
Fresh hot tears roll down my cheeks. “He had a seizure a couple of hours ago. They’re not letting anyone in to see him because of the stress. I swear his asshole father is what set Remi off. He was peaceful, and then all hell broke loose,” I whimper. “I’ve never been so scared in my life.” It’s hard to finish that sentence as sadness steals my words.
“Oh, Mars Bars, I’m sorry. Do you need me to come? Isabel will be fine with Ian, but who is there for you?” I don’t deserve them.
“Just the fact that you asked is enough for me.” I run my fingers through my tangled hair and wince at the sting from the knots. “Can I stay with you tonight? I don’t want to go home alone.” I gnaw at my chapped lip, trying not to break down. “He’s everywhere, Jay. He’s all over that house. I just… I can’t.”
“Of course, you can always come here.” Jay is my rock.
I sniff. “I need to talk to you about something else.”
“I’m here,” they reassure.
If this situation has taught me anything, it’s made me realize what’s important—the ones we love. People are more important than things … than my pride.
“It’s about Pür’s proposal. I was being stubborn. My ego was getting the best of me,” I admit. “I’m sorry it took something like this to make me appreciate what really matters.” Sitting on the step, I wrap an arm around my legs. “I’m on board with whatever you want to do, but I want to sell Ever Heart.”
Jay’s gasp is so loud it’d be comical if I was in a better mood. “I think it’s a good move, Mae. I get to do what I love best. Everyone gets job security. And you will be able to have a life outside of work.” They sound so reasonable.
I’m ashamed I wouldn’t listen to them before. Tingles of chagrin creep through my cheeks. “Yes, and I want to help Remi. After all he’s done for me, I need to.” I rub my lips together, stifling another round of tears.
“Of course. Ian and I will do whatever we can to help too. You’re not alone, Mae.” Jay is unequivocally the best human—besides Remi—that I know.
“‘Kay,” I sniff. “I’ll see you tonight. I love you, Jayden.”
“Of course you do,” they reply. “I’m your tres leches dealer. You’d be too salty if it weren’t for my sweetness.” Jay’s humor cracks through the black cloud hovering over me.
Although I can’t find it in me to be jovial, the tension twisting in my head loosens.
We hang up, and I take a minute to decompress. To figure out how I’m going to move forward and what my and Isabel’s life will look like. As long as we have Remi, we can get through anything.
Opening up the stairwell exit, I head toward Remi’s room to see if they have any more information on his condition. When I find Kiara sitting next to his closed door, she gives me a sad shake of her head. I give her a watery smile and decide to take a stroll outside. It’s a nice night—the fresh air will do me good and clear out all the muck in my mind.
I watch the cars go in and out of the parking garage as I make my way around the building to the greenspace, and I wonder who else is grieving like me. Who else is aching to bring a loved one home? Who is leaving, knowing they’ll never see their loved one again? My chest shudders as it releases a cry. It’s all I seem to do anymore.
