Reaching

2-Big Boys

Jett sat down in-front of the stone of Gabby. I kneel down and place new Lily's she loves in the vase.

A fucking a year she was pronounced dead, and everyday, I feel like falling apart.

"Hi mom, I missed you and I love you. I brought a cake, it's not big or anything but I thought we could celebrate my birthday and.....how you always tell me you were so excited to celebrate my first birthday with each other. I know it wasn't how I expected but I loved every bit of it until I could. I know you would've been upset if I didn't celebrate my birthday so we decided to eat a cake for today with you."

Jett holds the cake and holds two forks. He gave me one and I sat next time, "happy birthday bud." I kissed his cheek before we took a bite of the cake.

"Happy......birthday to me." He then took a bite.

I look at the graving of the stone. A mother, a leader, and fiancé. All true facts.

I just miss you with all my heart, and I can't break down in-front of Jett because I'm trying to be strong but it's so hard to. All I want to do is cry.

I drove back to the house. I parked in-front of Manny house. "I said no party." Jett said as he looks at me.

"I know, they know. Luis and Nima wanted you to see their baby since you haven't been visiting that much. Only for a hour then we can go to our house okay?" I grab his hand and he nods.

Nima and Luis had their baby in February, his name is Tavio Reyes. Seven month nephew. He's so cute, and Nima threaten so much during delivery time, she was so mad because Luis wasn't near at the time but he got there just when she was about to her birth.

"JETT!" Luis yelled happily and hugged him.

"Hey Unc." Luis looks at me and nods which I nod back at him.

"Your sister in the kitchen."

"Thanks." I walk inside the kitchen to see Nima looking at old photos on her phone. I saw tears fall from her cheek.

I walked over to her and place my arm around her shoulder. "Hey Frank."

"Hey." My voice was low and almost broken.

"How have you been?"

"I'm fine, you guys don't have to check on me. I'm okay." I plead and she sighs. She was sad for me but I didn't need the pity, I just need another year and maybe I would be okay again, but who knows.

"I set the party for tomorrow, I expected for you to visit and ON TIME. I also invited Jett friend Tony. He's like the only one, what happen to the curly head?"

My feet started to bug me so I sat in a stool while Nima turn her body to face me. "I think he's name was Will."

"Yeah that one! What happen to him?"

"Jett tells me Will only wanted to be friends to visit the house and play games so he dropped him. Tony and Jett are separable, they get so sad when Tony has to leave. Oh, I remember Tony slapping me with whipped cream one time and it was all Jett idea. And! Jett throws water ballon at me while Tony place honey in my seat."

I look at Nima who was smiling at me big. "What's wrong?" I ask softy.

She shakes her head and place a hand on my cheek. "It's good you have a relationship with Jett, I knew you love kids."

"Yeah he's something." Before she could say something, Cat enter with Jett behind her. Cat was holding Tavio in her arms.

The baby was crying and Nima sigh. "Feed the baby! I don't have milk for that!" I chuckled as Cat gives her the baby.

"Well when you get pregnant you will." Nima walked out with the baby. Cat rolled her eyes and she makes eye contact with me.

"Party starts at 5, Manny insist we start early. Got it?" She points 'dangerously' at me like a warning.

I rolled my eyes and go to the fridge. "I know Cat, relax. Where the boyfriend?" My hand lands on a two yogurt. I hand one to Jett and he runs to get spoons.

"Working out. Have you seen Matt and Haven? I keep calling them but they won't answer. They were supposed to get a supplies for tomorrow."

Weird? The boys are always here or working.

"No, Haven texted last night about working but nothing after that." That said, we all moved our heads to the slams door from the front of the house.

We all walked out and see Haven and walking away from Matt. Matt looked furious and he throws his jacket to the couch.

"What happen?" Cat ask in wary, she walks to him to in concern.

Matt steps back and looks at me, and in those few seconds of eye contact, his eyes seemed off then usual, like he wanted to tell me something.

"Nothing, just got into a fight. Nothing to worry about. Hey bud." Matt kissed the top of Jett head. "How's school?"

"I didn't go." Matt realize what he said and apologized.

"Um, it was nice to see you guys again."

It was two weeks.

Matt walks up stairs and into a hallway.

Jett was tired and wanted to head home.

...

I was in my bed thinking, trying to sleep but nothing worked. In the past year, I broke several phones, I usually end up calling her and hearing her voice mail or seeing the wallpaper I used to have of her which makes me mad that I couldn't save her in time.

We were supposed to get married.

Have kids.

And have a honeymoon but nothing had gone to planned.

Tears started to rain on my face. It would be my first time in three months. I was so drained from crying that I was so numbed and different.

"Dad." Hearing a light voice coming from across the room. I hurried to wipe my face but I knew he had already seen it.

"Hey bud, you okay?" His eyes were watering like he was crying as well. I pat the bed and he gets in the covers.

"You can cry, mom always said big boys cry too and it was okay to do so." That warm my heart and I ended up actually crying because I remembered the day Gabby was in my apartment and said the same thing.

Jett ended up crying too and had wrapped his arm around my chest.

We both ended up falling asleep with thoughts of Gabby.

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-Yeet