Hoops & Harmonies

49.

Angel sat in her house in Chicago, surrounded by silence that felt almost suffocating. The laughter of her children, the warmth of Monica's presence—it all felt like a distant memory now. Since the painful conversation at the park, the emptiness had only grown deeper. Every day was a struggle, and every moment without Monica felt like a weight pressing down on her chest.

Determined to bridge the widening gap between them, Angel thought about how to reach out. She knew Monica needed time, but she wanted to do something meaningful to show her love and commitment. The idea struck her as she looked at the family portrait hanging in the living room. It was a beautiful picture from last summer, capturing their smiles during a picnic in the park. In that moment, she decided to create a new way to express her feelings.

Angel grabbed a piece of paper and began to write a letter to Monica. She knew words were powerful, and she hoped this would convey her heart better than any spoken apology could.

Dear Monica,

I know we are going through a tough time. It feels like everything has changed, and I don't want to pretend like it hasn't. I miss you and the kids more than I can express. Our home feels so empty without your laughter, your warmth, and your love.

I've had a lot of time to think since we last spoke. I realize how much I took for granted. The small moments—cooking together, watching our shows, talking about our days—those are the moments I miss the most. I've been trying to understand everything, to learn from my mistakes.

I want you to know that I'm here for you. I'm waiting for you, whenever you're ready to talk or to come back home. I don't want to rush you, but I also don't want you to forget that I love you.

I'm sending you something special. I hope it brings a smile to your face and reminds you of the good times we've shared.

I will always be right here waiting for you. Pun intended.

Love,
Angel

After finishing the letter, Angel picked up the portrait. She carefully turned it over and wrote on the back: "I will be right here waiting for you. Pun intended." It was a playful nod to one of Monica's songs, a line that had always brought them joy and laughter.

Angel placed the letter with the portrait and decided she couldn't just leave it sitting there. She needed to get it to Monica. The drive to the post office felt both long and short, as her mind raced with thoughts of what Monica might say when she received it.

As she arrived, Angel felt a flutter of nervous excitement. She dropped off the package, instructing the clerk to send it overnight. As she walked back to her car, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was doing the right thing.

Meanwhile, in Atlanta, Monica sat on her couch, staring at her phone. It had been days since she had seen Angel or the kids, and the absence felt like a void. Every hour that passed felt heavier than the last.

She picked up her phone to scroll through social media but quickly set it down. She knew it wouldn't help her feel any better. Instead, she turned her attention to the family portrait hanging on her wall. It was a reminder of happier times—a time when everything felt right.

The silence in the house was interrupted by the buzz of her phone. It was a notification from the flower shop, but it wasn't flowers this time. A message informed her that a package was on its way. Curious, she leaned forward, her heart racing. What could it be?

A few hours later, the doorbell rang, and Monica rushed to answer it. She opened the door to find a delivery driver holding a box. "Package for you," he said, smiling.

"Thank you," Monica replied, accepting the box with a mix of excitement and apprehension. She closed the door and carefully set it on the table. Her heart raced as she opened it, revealing the portrait and the letter.

As she held the portrait, her heart ached with nostalgia. It was a picture of their family, capturing their love and happiness. She turned it over and read the message on the back: "I will be right here waiting for you. Pun intended."

A smile broke through her sorrow as she remembered the song lyrics. It was Angel's way of reaching out, of reminding her that their love was still alive.

Monica picked up the letter and began to read. With each word, she felt the weight of her heart lift just a little. Angel's honesty and vulnerability shone through the letter.

As she finished reading, Monica couldn't help but feel a surge of emotions. She missed Angel terribly. The connection they shared was strong, and despite everything that had happened, there was still love there—deep love that couldn't just fade away.

In that moment, she realized she didn't want to lose Angel. She didn't want to walk away from the life they had built together. The thought of never seeing her family again filled her with dread.

That evening, Monica sat on the couch, staring at the portrait again. She thought about all the good times, the memories they had created. The laughter, the love, the small moments—they were all precious to her.

Taking a deep breath, she reached for her phone. Her heart raced as she typed out a message to Angel, unsure of what to say but feeling compelled to reach out.

Hey, it's me. I got your letter and the portrait. I loved it. It made me smile. Can we talk?

After sending the message, Monica felt a mixture of excitement and anxiety. Would Angel respond? What would she say?

Minutes felt like hours as she waited, her heart pounding. Then, her phone buzzed. It was a message from Angel.

I'd love that. Can we FaceTime?

Monica's heart soared. She quickly agreed, setting up her phone so they could see each other clearly. As she waited for the call to connect, she felt a wave of nervous energy wash over her.

When Angel's face appeared on the screen, Monica felt a rush of emotions.

"Hi," Angel said, her voice soft but filled with warmth.

"Hey," Monica replied, smiling. "It's good to see you."

"I miss you so much," Angel said, her eyes glistening. "Seeing that portrait reminded me of everything we've been through together."

"I miss you too," Monica admitted, her voice cracking slightly. "It feels strange without you here."

"I know," Angel said, her expression serious. "I want to fix this, Monica. I want to work on us."

Monica nodded, her heart swelling at Angel's words. "I want that too. But I still have a lot to think about."

"Take your time," Angel replied gently. "I'm here for you, waiting."

They talked for hours, sharing their feelings and fears, reminiscing about happy moments, and discussing how they could rebuild their relationship. Monica felt the heaviness in her heart begin to lift as they shared their thoughts openly, realizing that the love they had was still strong.

As the call ended, Monica felt a sense of hope she hadn't felt in days. She knew they still had a long way to go, but the connection was there, and it felt like they were finally on the path to healing.

In Chicago, Angel hung up the call, her heart filled with a renewed sense of purpose. She knew the journey ahead would be challenging, but she felt ready to face it. Their love was worth fighting for, and she was determined to prove it.

As the night deepened, both women settled into their separate homes, feeling a little less alone, knowing they had taken a step towards each other once more.