Saving Andrew

Chapter 5

Chapter 5
Back on track

                                                             That was undoubtedly a challenging time for Andrew, but he managed to navigate through it, and I was glad to be a part of his transformation, not just emotionally, but also physically.

My mother and Aunt Vivian attempted to belittle him on several occasions, but Andrew's determination to turn his life around and become a better person overshadowed their efforts.

One Monday morning, Andrew asked me to go with him to an appointment. He wanted to fix his yellowish teeth, so I happily joined him. Within a couple of hours, Andrew had the pearliest white smile in town, and he was mine. Maya 1, mom and sneaky aunt 0.

Eventually, my brother apologized to him for the sucker punch that left a bruise on the side of his mouth. Andrew said it was nothing and it was all forgiven.

"We should go out and celebrate!" Andrew said showing off his smile. I felt melted by it and agreed. "Italian?" He asked, I nodded.

That afternoon, I dressed in a way I rarely did. Borrowing a pretty black dress from my Aunt Carmelita, I tied my hair into a messy bun with loose curls framing my face, and slipped into a pair of comfortable sandals, anticipating the possibility of walking. My brother, Carlos, drove me to Andrew's house. As we arrived, I couldn't help but notice Andrew's elegant appearance. He wore smart casual pants paired with a jacket over a pastel-colored shirt. His hair was neatly tied in a braid, and his beard was impeccably groomed, emanating a subtle fragrance.

"Damn! Is that Andrew?" Carlos exclaimed, breaking the silence with his admiration. I giggled and hurried to greet Andrew.

"Hi, handsome. Are you ready?" I asked, feeling a flutter of excitement as he kissed my hand.

My brother assisted Andrew into the truck, and we set off to a fancy restaurant nearby. As we entered, the bustling atmosphere engulfed us, but we were swiftly escorted to a table in the center of the room. Sensing Andrew's discomfort, I squeezed his hand reassuringly, silently urging him to relax.

Andrew placed his order first, opting for Portabello ravioli, while I chose my favorite, chicken Alfredo. Amidst toasts with Cabernet and stolen romantic glances, a sudden loud noise disrupted the ambiance, causing Andrew's smile to falter. Concerned, I reached out to him but received no response.

As Andrew's breathing became erratic, panic began to grip him. Then, in a burst of desperation, he exclaimed,

"Get me out of here... NOW!" His distress echoed through the restaurant, leaving us both shaken.

People started staring at us and the waiter told us to leave. I tried to explain to him what was happening but he wouldn't listen. Fortunately, another veteran was there and helped me to take Andrew out and calm him down. I thanked the man for helping me and I took Andrew home shortly after.

"I'm so sorry, Maya." He said feeling embarrassed, but there

was nothing to feel sorry about. "Do you honestly, want to drag me around?" He asked. I got mad at him for asking me such a question, but I hid it well.

I smiled caressing his sad face, looking deep into his green eyes that I adored so much.

"I'm more than a hundred percent sure, my love," I said but I was curious to know more. It was time. "Andrew, we've been through so much. Me with my family and you with your anxiety, but I feel like there's a part of your life we never really talk about. What was it like, your time in the war?" I asked.