Purple - A Riff Lorton Love Story

I've Lost Everyone

They didn't let me stay with him. I didn't know if he was dead or alive. It was tearing me up inside. I sat in the police car, stifling my sobs. As we pulled up to my apartment, I couldn't help but wonder how Anita was. I wasn't the only one who lost someone tonight. The officer walked over and opened the car door for me. I exited the police car and entered the apartment complex. Silent tears ran down my cheeks as I walked up the stairs. I stopped in front of the apartment door, not wanting to enter. But I unlocked the door and stepped inside.

"Papi, I'm home" I tried to make my voice sound normal. There was no response back. "Papi?" He usually waited for me. In fact, it was a point of pride for him. I walked around the apartment, he was nowhere. I started to get worried. I walked into his bedroom to find him clutching his chest.

"Papi!" I ran over to him, he was having another heart attack. The floodgates broke, everything I was holding in came out and I started violently sobbing. "No!" I screamed.

I ran out of the room and in the hall. A neighbor ran over to me and he looked very concerned. I told him about Papi and he ran to go and call an ambulance. I dropped to the floor between sobs and a scream left my lips. I couldn't lose Papi, not after what just happened to Riff. It felt like hours until the ambulance arrived. I stood outside along with the neighbors, clinging onto my shawl for comfort. I watched them roll the stretcher out, Papi's body covered by a sheet. No one had to tell me, I knew, he was gone. I couldn't be here anymore, I ran to the only person I had left.

Val opened the door, and I ran straight up to her. I embraced her tightly, sobbing into her shoulder.

She hugged me back, stroking my hair. "Shh hija, its okay."

"He's gone Val, Papi's gone." I cried.

She froze, pulling away from me."What happened?" Her eyes were wide.

"He-he-" I sobbed. "He had a-anoth-th-ther h-heart at-attack,"

Val's expression softened as she gently took my hand and led me to the couch. "I'm so sorry, mi amor." She hugged me again, and I let myself sink into her embrace.

After a few moments, Val pulled away and looked at me. "Do you want to talk about it?" she asked softly.

I shook my head, feeling too overwhelmed to speak. Val nodded understandingly. "That's okay, you don't have to. Just know that I'm here for you, always."

I wiped my tears and managed a small smile. "Thank you, Val. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Val smiled back, squeezing my hand. "You don't have to worry about that, hija a. I'll always be here for you, no matter what." As she said that, I couldn't help but think back to Riff saying those same words.

"Is-is T-Tony h-h-here?" My voice shook.

As I made my way down the stairs, I couldn't help but feel a sense of heaviness in the air. I could hear Tony packing his belongings. When Tony heard me, he turned around, and I could see the pain still lingering in his eyes, a constant reminder of the loss we had all suffered.

I ran over to him, hugging him tightly, feeling the warmth and comfort of his embrace. The commotion from the shop upstairs grew louder, and I knew I had to leave Tony to pack. Before I left, Tony whispered in my ear, "He loved you Jules, he loved you the whole time." Those words made my heart heavy with emotion, and I hugged him tighter, trying to hold back my tears.

I walked back up the stairs, I was trying to hold in all of the tears welling up. As I entered the shop, I saw the Jets gathered, and my heart skipped a beat. They all turned to look at me with softened gazes, and I felt their pity and compassion wash over me. Deez stood up and walked over to me, holding me tightly in his embrace. I couldn't hold it all in anymore and began to sob uncontrollably, my tears soaking into his chest. One by one, the Jets came over, offering their support and love, their eyes brimming with tears.