Jack & Destiny

Chapter 8: Grandma Lucy

Destiny and I were out on a walk with Ralph when she got a call.

Tumigil kami sa tapat nang isang puno so she could answer.

She moved away from us to talk in private.

Destiny's back was turned towards me at mahina ang boses niya kaya hindi ko alam kung ano ang nangyayari.

I was trying to make Ralph come down from the tree ng bumalik siya.

The look on her face told me something was very wrong.

"Are you alright?" Tanong ko habang nilalapag si Ralph sa lupa.

Gusto niyang umakyat ulit but I gently tugged the leash and pulled her away from the tree.

"No. It's my grandmother. She's very sick."

"I'm sorry to hear that."

Destiny covered her face then started crying.

I put an arm around her to comfort her.

"What happened?" We walked back to the direction of the house.

The once snow covered grassy field was now all green.

Up ahead, may maliit na playground.

There was a mom with one kid on the slide and another in a stroller.

"She got exposed and then her test came back positive."

"Where is she now?"

"They took her to the hospital because she had difficulty breathing."
"When was this?"

"Last night. My cousin said that Grandma wanted me to know just in case..." She didn't finish what she was going to say.

Her lips trembled and the tears came again.

I took Destiny's hand and held it tight.

There was nothing I could say to make her feel better.

Pagdating namin sa bahay, inalis ko ang harness ni Ralph at tumakbo siya papasok sa kuwarto.

Destiny sat down on the couch.

Pumunta ako sa kusina para kumuha ng tubig.

I gave her a glass of water.

"I'd better start making dinner." Tatayo sana siya pero hinawakan ko siya sa kamay.

"You're not doing anything like that."

"Why not?"

"I want you to relax. I'll take care of dinner."

"But you don't know how to cook."

"That's why I'm ordering in. How does pizza sound?"

"Pizza sounds perfect."

"Good." Kinuha ko ang phone sa bulsa ng pullover hoodie and dialed.

Habang hinihintay dumating ang delivery, tinanong ko si Destiny kung pupunta siya sa Saskatoon.

"I want to do that but I don't think it's possible. No one is allowed at the hospital and my cousins are also in isolation."

"How did your grandma get exposed?"

"It was from one of my cousins. She went to a party. A few days later, she had a fever and cough. When her test came back, it was positive. Grandma suffered the most because aside from she's old, her immune system was compromised."

Tinitigan niya ako and I sensed there was more to this story.

"She has breast cancer."

"What?"

"Two years ago, she called. We always talk so I didn't think any of it. But she sounded different that afternoon. Immediately, I knew there was something wrong."

"I'm sorry."

"This sounds bad but my parents, the ones who were ruining their bodies on purpose, they're still alive. It makes me mad that the only person who truly cared for me was suffering."

"Do you know how many times I'd wished they'd die?"

"Hey. Don't say that."

"They were so cruel to me that after one of our big fights, I thought of burning down the house. I was studying for an exam and they were arguing in the other room. There was screaming and banging on the wall. At the time, I wasn't doing well in school. My Algebra teacher gave me another chance and I had to pass the test or else I would fail."

"I was trying not to get involved but the noise was too much. I stormed out of the bedroom and banged on their door. Dad came out, eyes glassy and face all red. I saw my mother on the floor. She had a bloody nose. I was so used to seeing that it didn't even bother me anymore."

"Dad snarled and asked what I want. When I told him to keep it down, he grabbed my hair then pushed me. I fell on the floor. I was shocked and knew I had to get up but I saw him walking towards me with the most evil look in his eyes. Fear took hold of me. I stayed on the floor because I couldn't move. My father stood six foot four and he was muscular. I was this short and skinny kid. My heart went up to my throat when he lifted his feet and stepped on my stomach. I thought I was going to die." She drew a ragged breath.

There was something else I saw in her eyes aside from fear.

It was anger.

"I begged him to let me go. When he did, I ran outside. He kept gallons of gas in the shed. It was for the lawnmower. I saw the red containers and I thought of putting an end to all of it. I didn't feel afraid. I was so angry and so ready. But when I was about to pick up the container, I heard my grandma's voice. She always told me that I have a place to call home."

Destiny wiped her face with her hand.

"I'm glad you listened to your grandma."

"Me too. I don't think I will last a day in prison." She chuckled.

"Well, you are tough and fearless. They will love you there." Sinuntok niya ang braso ko at ngumiti na siya.

"You let me know if you can visit your grandma. I want to go with you."

"Why?"

"I don't know. A change of scenery?"

"In Saskatoon?"

"I've never been."

Tumawa na siya ng tuluyan.

Hearing her laughter was good.

I am not used to seeing her all sad.

Narinig namin na may kumatok.

It was probably the pizza delivery.

When I opened the door, the smile from the guy's face turned into a scowl.

Nagtaka ako.

Hindi ko siya kilala.

"Is everything okay?" I was about to take the boxes of pizza but then he spoke.

"Give me Ralph back."