Time to Get Even

What?

I got up and ran as fast as I could to grab my mothers purse. Before she could react I was digging into it and searching for her phone.

"Stop it Ana. You're acting like a child" she scolded me. I could see her trying to figure out a way to retrieve her phone back.

"Then just tell me who you were with and I won't have to look for myself. Simple" I stared at her and asked her confrontationally. I knew I was being a brat but my curiosity beat any moral compass I possessed. 

"Ok. Fine. I've been seeing terry, are you happy now" she stormed over and grabbed the phone out of my hand and headed up to her room. I practically rolled off the couch in excitement.

"Yes I'm happy!!! Are you kidding me?!??" I screamed. My mom deserved someone good after what she had to put up with. My dad was a good father, a great doctor, just not a good husband. He left for a woman that was four years older than me. What's worse is that he eventually cut contact with me as well. His wife always complained about something I did and didn't do so, one day, he just stopped calling or returning my calls. We have since rebuilt our relationship, but it has been a slow process.

"It's casual Ana." She stopped on the third step and turned around, "don't get too excited. We are just getting to know each other." She continued towards her room.

"Ok ok. I'll stop asking questions....just this one...how did this happen?"

"Well we met when you had your trouble with Elise. Then After your attack he came to the hospital to visit. We talked and decided to grab coffee. We got along great and he was really sweet. Goodnight Ana" I could see a small smile form on her face before she snapped out if it. She took one last look at me. and with that she proceeded to her room and closed her door.

I was beyond myself and giddy with excitement. Before I could even think about my actions I texted Marcus.

A: did you know my mom was dating terry?

M: what?? No. How long?

A: I don't know and I shouldn't be telling you this either but I needed to talk to someone about this. This is huge, she hasn't dated anyone since my dad left. You know him well, how is he? Was he married? Kids?

Marcus was my only hope on getting to know anything and everything about Terry

M: was married but widowed so I won't get into it as that's his story to tell. He has a son who's an artist in Seattle who does a lot of rejuvenation projects and Just painted a Muriel at one of the train stations. Terry Volunteers his time teaching youths about law and what their rights are. You've met him, you know he's great.

A: I always had a good feeling about that man. Thanks for the info Marcus, Goodnight.

Marcus pov.

I read her last message and placed my phone down, smiling and hopeful for once. This was our first conversation in a long time, even though short, that didn't feel heavy or cold. She came to me about this and I could feel her happiness radiating through the phone. Terry was someone who would treat her mother kindly and make her happy, and terry was someone who could put in a positive word for me as well.

Ana was angry, And she had every right to be angry. After she chose to leave and rejected me. I got up and left, I didn't even say good bye. My heart was broken, more than I imagined it would be. When she said she didn't want to be with me I felt like all the air was kicked out of me and I needed to get out of her house  as quickly as possible before I embarrassed myself further.

I took a couple of weeks off of work and went on an actual vacation. I missed her but she wanted something else. I had to respect her wishes and not make it hard for her  to leave. 

I wasn't back yet when I heard she was attacked and might not make it. They didn't know if she would come out of this like herself or a shell of the person she was. Knowing how strong Ana was, I had no doubt she would be back to herself.

I rushed to the hospital to see her. She looked awful, unconscious and lifeless. I sobbed for the first time in my life. Then cole came into the room and I was banned by her "emergency contact" from coming back and seeing her.

I spoke to her mother on a daily basis and bribed/offered medical equipment to the doctors surgical wing and in return they gave me regular updates on her healing.

I reached out to her mom and helped in anyway I could.  After Ana's mom flew back down and Cole was finally removed. I tried seeing her although She doesn't remember.

In her groggy state She told me she loved me but that I hurt her more than cole did. She asked me to leave her alone so she could get over me.

I decided I would for the time being.  If she loved me, or ever felt anything at all,  I had the chance to remind her of the feelings she once had. I just had to be smart on moving forward and not to overwhelm her.

And maybe, just maybe, we can have that fresh start, we both needed, together.