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But none of those days compare to the absolute joy I feel right now, standing outside of Northern California Correctional Facility, knowing that Eli is being released at this very moment.
Ma is holding my hands tightly in hers, her eyes trained on the door we were told he’d be exiting through.
Bodhi stands to my other side, rubbing soothing circles on my back as we wait.
He’s been absolutely amazing in all of this. I know that there is no way we’d be standing here today if it weren’t for him.
A year ago, I would have been too proud to accept his help, but he was persistent and never backed down, and I’m so grateful he didn’t.
When the sound of a buzzer rings out, we all stand a little straighter, watching as the door swings open.
Ma gasps, unable to control her emotions, and I don’t blame her. I’m a mess of tears myself.
Eli walks toward us, wearing the same clothes he left home in that day, only now they look about two sizes too small.
When he notices us waiting, his familiar smile lights up his face, and he jogs the rest of the way to us. Ma releases my hand and falls into his open arms, sobbing uncontrollably.
“My baby, my sweet boy,” she cries as he holds her to him, rocking her from side to side the same way she used to do for us as kids. “I’ve missed you so much.”
“I missed you, too, Ma,” Eli says, sniffling softly as he breathes her in.
Bodhi squeezes my shoulder, pulling me to his side. He knows how much this means to me and Ma. I’m so thankful he’s here with us today.
When Ma finally releases Eli from her hold, he lifts his head and meets my tearful gaze.
My bottom lip trembles as he reaches out for me, and I leap forward, wrapping my arms around his neck.
I have no words to explain how happy I am at this moment. Nothing I can say to my brother will explain how hard these last couple of years have been without him. How much it hurt to be away from him, and how hard I worked to try to keep everything afloat.
He smooths a hand over the back of my head, lifting until my feet no longer touch the ground.
“Hey, I’m right here, Keat. I’m not going anywhere. Not ever again,” he says, and I believe it.
“I missed you so much,” I tell him.
“I know, me too,” he whispers, squeezing a little tighter. “I’m so proud of you.”
A fresh wave of tears spills from my eyes hearing him say that. All I ever wanted was to make him proud of me. No matter how hard it was, I tried my best.
When he finally sets me down, he looks over my shoulder. Bodhi stands behind me, with his hands tucked in his pockets, quietly waiting, letting us have our moment.
Ma rejoins me, holding me to her side, and we share a look. Things are back to how they should be, and it’s only going to get better.
Eli approaches Bodhi, holding his gaze. Bodhi removes his hands from his pockets, thrusting one out to shake my brother’s hand.
“It’s good to see you again, man,” Bodhi says.
Eli looks down at Bodhi’s hand but doesn’t reach for it. Instead, coming as a complete shock to all of us, he steps forward and grasps him in a hug. They slap each other on the back before separating.
“Thank you for everything you’ve done. Not only to help me out, but to help my family. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you, but trust that I will,” Eli says, and I know that he means it.
Bodhi smiles, clapping Eli on the shoulder.
“You don’t owe me a thing. I’m glad I was able to help,” he says, and I can see in my brother’s eyes the respect he has gained for my boyfriend.
“Okay,” ma claps her hands, “Let’s go home.”
We all chuckle, and Eli smiles brightly.
