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“You’re welcome,” I smile back at her as Mama walks into the room.
“How did job hunting go?” She asks.
“Great! I got three offers,” Luna cheers.
“That’s good,” Mama smiles, but it looks fake.
“I’ll be right back, baby,” I tell Luna before looking towards Mama. “Mama, can I talk to you?”
“Sure, Jaxy,” she says as we walk around the corner and up the stairs. I walk into her bedroom and sit down on the bed. My heart hammers in my chest because I don’t know if I want to have this conversation. “What is it?” She pushes.
“Do you not like Luna?”
“You’ve known from the start I never thought this was a good idea, but I think I might be starting to change my mind.”
“Good. You should.”
“She brings out the good in you. The boy that’s been gone for so long, he’s coming out of his shell because of her.” Mama’s words stab me right in the heart; I’m sure it’s what she intended. “She’s had every opportunity to throw you under the bus.”
“But she hasn’t.”
“I know, and that’s why she's starting to grow on me. You killed for her, and she went home with you,” Mama chuckles at the observation. “All I ever wanted was a good life for you. I’m sorry you didn’t have that, but I hope the rest of it will be worth something.”
“Me too.”
And it’s the truth. She brings out the best in me. The person inside of me that’s hidden so deep down slowly comes out every day. I could be someone Mama can be proud of. Better late than never. I just needed to find the right person worth being good for.
“Love you, Mama.”
“I love you too, boy.”
I find Luna downstairs, still staring at papers.
“Any closer to making a decision?” I quiz.
“I think so. There’s a job offer from a hospital, clinic office, and a mental health center. I think I’m going to take the mental health center,” she expresses. The light in her eyes is even more bright than before.
“Why that one?”
“It means the most to me. I’ve struggled, you’ve struggled, and I know when my parents were in my life, they had too. I want to help people I can relate to,” she admits, but it doesn’t diminish her shine.
“I think this will be good for you. I’m proud of you, you know?” Tears well in her eyes.
“I’ve never had someone tell me that and truly mean it.”
“I’ll tell you until we're in the ground together, six feet under.”
“You’ll be in the ground bef-”
“Don’t finish that thought. I don’t want to think about it.”
“You’re ten years older than me. We’ve never really talked about this before,” she inquires.
“And we’re not going to because it doesn’t change how I feel,” I growl.
“Okay. Sorry,” she holds her hands up in surrender. “I’m going to call the center tomorrow.”
I walk closer to her and turn the chair she’s in, around. Pulling her face closer to me, I place a kiss on her lips. She feels so soft and tastes so sweet. I will never get over how she feels, as if she’s made for me in every aspect.
