Julie and the Phantoms: The (unofficial) second Chapter

Part 18

Luke POV

I nod my head and take the Envelope from Ray's hand. I slowly undo the tab on the back and open the top flap. I slide out the contents of the package on the coffee table. I shake the envelope making sure I got everything out. I see my Car keys fall on top of everything and smile. I see two letters one addressed to me and the other to Ray. I hand him the envelope with his name on it. He sighs and gives me a sad smile, he tries to hide it the best he can, but I can tell something is about to happen. I don't look at the rest of the papers, I decide to open my card first. There are two letters inside

Happy 17th Birthday to my beautiful baby boy. I can't believe that you are seventeen today! You've gotten so big and I'm so proud of the man you are becoming. Never forget to continue chasing your dreams! I'm sorry I can't be more involved with your life, I wish I could be there to watch you grow up and see the wonderful person I know you will become. Always remember your Mommy is proud of you in everything you do.
Love, Kiah.

I smile and set the first letter down and start reading the second letter.

Luke,

First off Happy 17th Birthday! You are growing into a wonderful young man. We wish I could be there to celebrate, with you but there are some things that your father and I have been keeping from you.

I look up from my letter and see Ray sitting on the couch. "Hey Julie, Reggie, why don't you two head to bed." They both nod. "Happy birthday Luke." They both say as they run upstairs I look at Ray again. He nods at me. I go back to reading my letter.

We wish we could tell you what's going on, but sadly that's not in the cards at the moment. We had to make a very hard decision, the hardest decision of our lives, (and that's saying something because we are old! ) The decision ended up requiring us to leave you behind. If we aren't back by now. We can't come back. We were trying our hardest to find another way, and we failed. I'm sorry. The decision was made out of how much we all love you so, so, so much. But as any good scientist knows every action must have an equal and opposite reaction. One day I hope we can explain everything to you. Until that day comes remember your Mom and Dad love you very very much and you can do anything that you set your mind to. We love you Luke and can't wait to see how you will change your world.
Love, Mom, and Dad (Emily and Mitch)

I look up at Ray. "I... I... I don't understand." Ray is looking through the rest of the papers on the coffee table. He lets out a sigh. "Well, it looks like you have some decisions to make."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, in this packet.... they gave me all the paperwork to become your legal guardian"
"What?"
"Everything is in order, all that needs to happen is for me to turn in a lot of paperwork, they also gave me a check for the whole amount." He waves the check. "Ray, I don't understand."
"Luke, they aren't coming back." My face drops and I start to hang my head. "I would become your guardian just like I am for Reggie." I nod my head. "Can I see the letter they gave you?"
"Yeah, of course." Ray hands me the letter. I start to look over it.

Ray,
None of us thought it was going to come to this. I know we had talked a while back when Mitch and I got very sick about the option of you taking in Luke for a while. If you are reading this letter it means Mitch and I can no longer care for Luke. We aren't going to be around for a long time and we need someone to watch our little boy. I know it's a lot to ask but in the large envelope is all the paperwork needed for you to file for guardianship. We know you are in the process of Adopting Reggie and it is a lot to ask for you to take in another seventeen-year-old boy. We contacted our lawyer and got everything we needed set up with him before we left. All you need to do is to submit all the paperwork and our lawyer said he can handle the rest.
Our lawyer is expecting a call from you either today or Monday on your decision. Our lawyer will also walk you through how to handle all our assets. We are so sorry to put this all on you and your family. We want to thank all of you for everything you have done for us in the past. You and your family have truly been a blessing through this whole process and ease of mind through this rough decision.
Sincerely Emily, and Mitch Patterson.

"Do you know the decision?" I ask. "What do you mean?"
"Do you know what they were trying to decide? Why did they have to leave?" I feel my heart shatter saying that last sentence. "No, I'm sorry Luke I don't." I nod my head. I sit there perfectly still, I'm too sad to even cry. Ray scoots over next to where I am sitting. He starts to rub my back. "I'm so sorry that this is happening." I sit there silent and emotionless. "How are you feeling."
"I feel numb. I can't feel anything." He nods his head. "How about you take my bed tonight and I'll sleep on the couch. Does that sound good?" I nod my head. "Do you need anything from your room?" I sit there unable to respond, I just shrug my shoulders. "Okay, would Reggie know what you need?" I nod my head. He nods his head in response before walking away.