“Why now?” I asked harshly gritting my teeth desperately holding on to my pride.
“Son, I was only honoring your mother’s wishes all these years.” Victor said softly. His gray eyes looking into mine. I could tell he was being sincere still I didn’t want to hear it.
I squinted, not sure what he meant by that. What were my mother’s wishes? And why were they not important anymore as she lay on her deathbed? Shouldn’t they matter still?
I shook my head. I didn’t even understand how he was here. How had he found out about her accident or the fact that she was in a vegetative state? How did Victor know there was no hope for my mother?
“She’s not dead yet.” I swallowed the lump in my throat. The words catching as I acknowledged that my mother was dying. Technically, she was dead already. There was no brain activity but she was still here in body but not in spirit. I felt the hot rush of fresh tears sting my eyes. I would not cry in front of this man. I turned my head. “Her wishes still matter.” I croaked.
“They do, but your father’s do too and it’s high time I honor his.” Victor said quickly, as if he had been reading from a script. He stepped closer towards me, causing me to step to the side. I didn’t want him invading my space. “I promised you I’d be there for you. I failed you all these years and I will not sit here and make excuses for that, but I will not stay away and let you bury another parent. I will not let you say goodbye to your mother by yourself.”
My teeth sank into my bottom lip as it quivered. I turned my head as the tear fell from my eye. I couldn’t control it. I couldn’t stop myself. I wasn’t numb anymore. I felt my heart being ripped from my chest. I felt Victor’s words slice through me. The reality of my situation sinking in I blinked turning to face him wiping angrily away at the tear that betrayed me by falling free. I tried to prepare myself. I knew miracles weren’t granted to folks like us and that’s what it would take for my mother to make it out of this. I told myself that at least I would be able to say goodbye. I’d be able to tell my mother all the things I never had a chance to tell my father before he died. Somehow, that didn’t seem to matter anymore. Somewhere along the way, I forgot what I wanted to say. Tomorrow would come sooner rather than later and for the life of me, I didn’t know how to say goodbye.
I bowed my head, resigning to my grief and let the tears flow freely. I closed my eyes welcoming the flash of a memory of my mother’s smiling face engulf me. She was laughing as my father spun her around the kitchen dancing as they often did to one of their songs. I was just a child peeking at his parents sharing in one of life’s simple moments. A moment so pure and beautiful. A memory I will cherish. I felt strong arms wrap around me as I wept. I cried for the little boy inside who clung to the memories of his parents. I cried for the teenager who faced the crucial years without his father. I cried for the man who had to say goodbye to the only woman he ever loved. I cried in Victor’s arms.
“You’re not alone…” He whispered hoarsely. “You’ll never be alone.” He vowed much as he did all those years ago. Only this time I silently wished he’d be a man of his word.
Chapter Two
I stared at the framed photo of my parents that I kept on my dresser wondering to myself how things had gone so incredibly wrong for my parents how their lives were both cut short tragically. I kissed the tips of my index and middle finger pressing them to the glass of the frame before stuffing the frame into my duffel bag. I zipped the bag closed, taking one last glance around my bedroom. I walked around the bed towards my closet door, grabbing the garment bag that hung from the top of the door containing my one and only suit. I hooked my finger around the hanger and threw the bag over my shoulder. I swallowed the lump in my throat gripping the handles of the duffel bag and headed towards the door.