Emma & Jax

Jax

Jax was surprised that Emma asked about his life story. Of all the things.

But Jax didn't disappoint.

• • •

"Cancer?" Jax's father paced the bedroom floor, running his hands through his hair. Jax, four years old at the time, barely understood the events taking place.

Mr. Novoa looked over at the bedroom door, where he saw his son peeking through. "Give me a minute, Mr. Abernathy." He then places the phone down onto the desk and makes his way over to his son.

"Daddy?" Jax asked carefully, clenching his tiny fingers.

"What are you doing out of bed, buddy?" Mr. Novoa asked, pulling Jax into his arms.

Jax didn't answer, he just placed his little head onto his dad's shoulder and fell asleep. Mr. Novoa hugged his son close to him and brought him back to Jax's bedroom.

•

The next morning, Mr. Novoa took his two sons to the hospital where their mom was staying. She was about to give birth to their youngest sibling.

"Hi mama," Jax said, smiling at his mom.

She gave him a weak smile. "Hi baby. Did you sleep okay last night?"

"Yeah. Daddy was talking too loud." He added.

Mrs. Novoa smiled at her son. "I need to tell you something important. Will you listen to me, Jax?"

His little eyes widened. "Yes mama."

"Mommy is going to go somewhere, okay? I'm going to leave. But don't worry, you'll see me again. I promise you." She stroked his dark curls. Jax leaned into her and she kissed the top of his head. "I know you will do great things. I love you so much, baby boy. Remember that, okay?" She whispered into his ear.

"Okay mama. Love you too." His tiny baby voice made her tears fall out of her eyes, streaming down her cheeks. Jax turned around in alert.

"Mama! No cry! See you later." He winked at her jokingly. She giggled at her son's brilliance.

"Of course, baby doll. I'll see you later." She pressed another kiss on his head. "I love you so much."

"Mama?"

"Yes, Jax?"

"Where will you go?" He asked.

"Away. Far from here. Very far."

"Can I see you?"

"Of course you can, my love." She nodded and sniffled. Jax hugged her close to his tiny body.

•

The death of Jax's mother striked the entire family. When Jax turned thirteen, Mr. Novoa decided to tell Jax the entire story of his mother.

Mrs. Novoa was diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer. To make matters even worse, she was eight months pregnant with a baby girl. The doctor's offered a surgery that would possibly rid Mrs. Novoa's body of the cancer, but the baby would not make it. Then there was another surgery. Mrs. Novoa would have to give her life up for the baby.

The worried parents considered both surgeries. But there was only one that could follow through completely.

"Are you sure about this?" Mr. Novoa asked.

"Yes, Jake. I've lived my life." Mrs. Novoa rubbed at her stomach. "It's her turn."

When he found out the entire story, Jax's heart was shredded into pieces because he hardly remembered the loving relationship he had with his mother.

He fell into a great sadness, and got into much trouble at school.

Leona Novoa, somehow knowing that her son would turn to trouble, wrote him a letter before she passed.

Mr. Novoa decided to give his son the letter, in very high hopes of getting his oldest son to clean up his act.

Upon reading the letter, Jax did just that.