We're in This Together

Episode 24

"Can you stand up now?" Max softly asked me as he gently grasped both of my arms with his strong hands. I responded with a small nod, and together we slowly rose from the floor and moved to the nearest chair.

"Stay here. I'll get you a glass of water," Lexa said, giving my arm a slight squeeze before darting to the counter to fetch some ice water. I rested my elbows on the table and covered my face with my hands, releasing a heavy sigh with a crackling breath.

"Here..." Lexa returned swiftly with a glass of ice water and took a seat beside me, while Max sat opposite us. I could feel his warm gaze still fixed on mine. As I reached for the glass, the cold water splashed over my hand, offering a refreshing sensation as I took a sip to alleviate the heat rising in my chest.

"Are you okay?" Lexa asked softly, her hand clenched gently on my back.

"Better now," I replied weakly, nodding slightly.

"I didn't know that she was your..." Lexa paused, her voice trailing off.

"Yeah, she's my mother," I added, lowering my tone.

"I'm sorry about that, Jan... I didn't know..." Lexa began, but I interrupted her by shaking my head.

"It's not your fault, Lexa... It was just an unexpected encounter," I reassured her. She nodded slowly, continuing to rub my back soothingly.

"Everything will be fine... Jen," she murmured softly, leaning her head onto my shoulder, and I reciprocated by resting my head against hers. 

Will it be really ok ...?

As I rested my head against Lexa's, I found myself locking eyes with Max, whose blue gaze met mine directly.

"Thank you, Max," I said, offering a small smile as I lifted my head slightly.

"No worries, Jennifer," he replied with a smile of his own. "I'm the one who should apologize for just standing there while you were having your serious conversation," he added, chuckling softly. I couldn't help but chuckle along, the sound barely audible beneath my breath.

"What can I get for you, Max?" Lexa asked him.

"Never mind, I'll just have a glass of water," he swiftly replied.

"Ice one or just normal?" Lexa inquired further.

"Ice one, please," he answered quickly as Lexa got up from her seat beside me and headed back to the counter to fetch a glass of ice water. As she walked away, my mind drifted back to the tumult of emotions from my past, momentarily lost in thought.

I can't recall her name anymore. She's just a memory now, but an indelible one. A Mother. The mother of me and James. That's the only thing I can grasp about my family and my own identity. I was too young to endure such pain, too innocent to bear those scars. So, my recollection is hazy. I was merely a four-year-old girl when she left me in that dilapidated house with a drunken man who was also Father of mine. She took James with her, leaving me behind. Perhaps that's one of the reasons I harbored such deep resentment towards James until he unexpectedly appeared at my doorstep when I was nineteen. That moment turned my life upside down, though it had been spiraling since I was four.

Everything unfolded swiftly, without granting me a chance to comprehend.

Lost in the labyrinth of my regrets, I found myself pressing a hand to my forehead while the other rested on the table. I struggled to push away the flood of memories that threatened to overwhelm me. I avoided delving into those flashbacks, each one a fresh trauma. Then, abruptly, my train of thought derailed as I felt a warmth enveloping my hand, pulling me back to reality.

"Jennifer, are you okay?" Max's soft inquiry broke through my thoughts, his eyes searching mine as his hand closed around mine resting on the table.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I replied quickly, meeting his gaze with a reassuring smile. "I'm fine, Max," I reiterated, hoping to convey that I truly was okay. He nodded in understanding, withdrawing his hand to take a sip of his ice water.

"I don't know if I should say this, but..." Max paused, his expression thoughtful as he carefully chose his words. "I'm really sorry about what happened with your mother. I'm truly sorry, Jan," he added, his eyes filled with sincerity. I managed a small smile in response to his words, but it faltered as the sound of crying interrupted our conversation. It was a small girl's voice who was crying out loud and runs towards the direction of our cafe. The sobbing grew louder and closer, and I instantly recognized the source.

It was Adie...

I sprang up from my seat and hurried towards the entrance, intending to rush out of the café, until I caught sight of a small figure sprinting towards the door. Her face was flushed with tears, her eyes swollen with sobs. As she stepped inside and noticed me, she made a beeline for me, calling out my name amidst her tears.

"Jennie!" she cried out, her voice trembling with emotion, and she rushed into my arms. I enveloped her in a tight embrace.

"What's wrong, Adie? What happened, honey?" I asked, concern etched in my voice as I pulled her back slightly to check if she was hurt. "Did something happen to you?" I inquired again, but she shook her head slowly. Before I could ask anything else, Dan burst into the café, looking exhausted.

"Adie," Dan said, his voice carrying the weight of exhaustion.

"What happened to her?" I asked him, my curiosity evident in my voice but my expression serious. He took a deep breath before responding.

"She started crying as soon as we got to the ice cream shop," he explained. I turned my attention back to Adie, softly looking into her eyes as I asked, "Are you not feeling well?" She shook her head again amidst her sobs, but this time she managed to answer, her words laced with both warmth and sadness.

"I was worried about you," she paused, her tears flowing freely. "I was afraid the strange woman would take you away from me," she added, her voice trembling with fear. Her words pierced my heart, filling me with both sorrow and love. Without hesitation, I shook my head and gently took her arms in mine, offering her comfort and reassurance.

"No, Adie, that's not true. I'm right here," I assured her, my voice filled with sincerity.

"I was just worried that you would disappear from my life like Mom and Dad," she sobbed, her tears flowing freely.

"I don't want to lose you, Jennifer," she added, her voice breaking, and I couldn't hold back my own tears any longer. I pulled her close, embracing her gently as I rested her head against my neck.

"No, no, you won't," I whispered, tightening my hold around her. "You'll never lose me, and I'm not going anywhere," I promised through tears.

"Please don't leave me, Jennie," she pleaded, her grip on my shoulder tightening as she clung to me. I shook my head vehemently.

"I won't, Adie... I'll never leave you alone. I promise," I murmured softly, my hand gently rubbing her back as we held each other tightly.

I will never leave you alone ....Adie.
I will protect you from everything ...no matter what.

You will never be alone just like Me.....