AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Papa observes me curiously, but neither one of them asks any more questions. Instead, his eyes are soft and understanding.
“Things in society are often complicated. People care too much about things they shouldn’t,” he says carefully.
Never once has he admitted something like this to me before. When I was younger, he was always trying to convince me to join them, and I think he avoided bad mouthing the world they lived in because of it. I think they already knew way before I did that I didn’t want to be in society. But it’s normal for parents to want their kids to be part of their lives and the world they live in.
“His parents seem worse than even you guys were,” I blurt out and clap a hand over my mouth, cursing my impulsive tongue.
My mother shakes her head again and my father chuckles, something he would never do if I talked that way before. It seems the distance really has changed things.
“I would like to meet this man,” Papa says, and Maman nods her agreement.
“Well, first I need to tell him my feelings,” I admit and feel a blush roll across my face.
“Lord, no wonder things are complicated.” Maman rubs her temples as if I’m giving her a headache, which I very well may be.
“That’s not even the half of it,” I turn to my father, whose eyelids seem a little heavier, his breathing more labored. I’ve worn him out. “But Papa looks exhausted. I think I should head out.”
He looks panicked for a moment. “Will you be back?”
“I’m visiting for at least another five days, but my ticket is open-ended, so I can possibly stay another week after that before I have to get back to work,” I soothe him. “I will come see you tomorrow if you are feeling up to it.”
I touch his hand again, and his fingers grip mine. I smile softly and walk away before I can be consumed with grief.
“Do you need a ride?” Maman asks.
I shake my head. “No, I just need to call a car. You stay here, I’ll be in my hotel just outside the city.”
My mother purses her lips in disapproval but recognizes she isn’t going to change my mind, so she nods. I make my way out of the hospital, wiping silent tears as I go. I’m not sure if it’s from fear of losing my father or sheer relief that the meeting went well. I open an app for a local ride-share and wait, going over everything in my head.
My phone isn’t getting reception, and I realize that in my haste I didn’t pay for an out of the country plan. I check my email but have only received one message from Russell, and I scroll past it, looking for an email from someone who has never sent me one. I know Adrian’s email, but I don’t know if he knows mine, though he could just ask Russell. Not that he likely would. I wonder if they are doing okay.
* * *
I stay for a little over a week, and now I’m making my way back to the airport with the help of my mother, due to her incessant nagging that she would ‘see her own daughter off.’ This morning my father asked if I really had to leave. I’ve never seen him so vulnerable.
Yet, work waits for me, and so does the man who can’t do anything on his own, who needs me beside him and whom I need to be beside. I step out of the car and wave my mother off as she tries to get her driver to help me with my bag.
“Maman, it’s just one suitcase,” I say firmly, taking my own bag out of the trunk. “I’ve told you, I’ve learned how to do things for myself just fine.”
She sighs, giving into my equally stubborn personality, and motions for her driver to return to the car. I smile at her gently, though the tension between us is palpable. We both know the next time I’m likely to be here is for a funeral. My heart squeezes in my chest and I rapidly blink back tears.
“Don’t you dare,” Maman says sharply, pointing at my face and I laugh thickly. Her smile is watery. “Be safe, Amelia.”
“Let’s hope I don’t have to come back soon,” I whisper as I hug her.
“We can always do that,” she responds, encouraging me to have faith as well. “But just so you know, you’re always welcome here.”
I smile. “I know.”
We both know it will be a while before I’m back of my own accord. I say one last goodbye, quietly grateful to finally be at peace with my mother, before turning to walk into the airport.
I’m in the lobby when I see him.
I swear I’m imagining things but maybe…? I blink and rub my free hand across my eyes.
No, I’d recognize that stride anywhere. Confident but agitated as he sweeps through the crowd and somehow, fates be praised, his stormy eyes land right on me. He doesn’t even hesitate, he marches right to me, while I wobble on the balls of my feet, completely taken by surprise.
“Adrian,” I croak. “What are you doing here?”
