P.S. I Lime You

Chapter 37-Wesley

November 13, 2013

I was packing the most important things I needed for my move to Alaska. The movers would come in and pick up the rest. We were a week away from moving and I still couldn't wrap my mind around the idea that I was leaving Colorado. I had to quit the internship, but my scholarship to Stanford was still available. That would hold me over for a semester, but after that I didn't know what to do. I wasn't even sure if I wanted to go to Stanford anymore. I was meeting up with Dr. Carolin today, not in her office, but at a coffee shop. I wanted to thank her for her gift, but give it back seeing as it wasn't relevant in my life.

Things with Mariah were left unsettled. After I got out of the hospital, I went over and tried to apologize, but she told me not to worry about it. I haven't seen her since. I was hoping I'd see her a few more times before I left, but she seemed preoccupied with school and work. I was proud of her for accomplishing so many things in the last two years.

I walked out to my car to see if I had left my wallet in my truck. As I was searching for it, I saw Shane and Mariah taking a walk down the street. They weren't holding hands, but they were walking very close to each other. I had my speculations, but there was no time to be jealous. As they walked closer, I knew I had to leave quickly to avoid an awkward run in. I started my truck and went to go see Dr. Carolin. I was ten minutes early and so was she. I smiled at her from my truck knowing she'd be early. She was a very punctual lady.

"Hey, let me get the door for you," I said opening the door.

"Thank you Wesley." After we had ordered our drinks we sat at a booth by the window. I poured some sugar into my caramel macchiato, and she drank her coffee black.

"I'm assuming you got my letter," she said.

"Yes, and how come you didn't tell me you were related to Olivia!"

"Young man, you know as a professional, it's not in my job title to give out personal information of others."

"Makes sense." I was waiting. I was hoping she'd bring it up so I wouldn't have to.

"Say it. Come out with it already, I have a yoga class tonight, I can't be here forever," she laughed.

"Thank you for your generosity, but I won't be needing the ring after all." There I said it.

"So you've decided to let Mariah go?" Dr. Carolin asked, looking at me with an indignant face.

"I'm moving to Alaska. In a week," I stated. Dr. Carolin laughed at me like I was some jokester. This was beyond sarcasm, it was getting ridiculous.

"I'm sorry to laugh, but all I'm interpreting from your mouth is excuses for why you can't be with the one you love. Maybe I was wrong about you. Maybe you're not the commitment type."

"It's a lot more complicated than that Dr. Carolin," I said outraged by her mockery.

"How so?" She asked.

"I can't leave my sister," I declared. "My dad has no clue how to take care of her, or even make sure she's alive. That was always my job. She's gonna start high school next year, I have to make sure she's okay." I was embarrassed to admit that I needed to take care of my sister.

"It all makes sense now Wesley," Dr. Carolin said, patting the tears dry on her eyes. "I apologize," she said.

"For what?"

"For misinterpreting the situation. I didn't realize you were more of a father figure in your sister's life than your own father. I also didn't realize that Mariah was a mother figure in her life as well. When you can foresee how your girlfriend will be as a parent, that's a major factor in knowing you want to spend the rest of your life with her."