Heart Of A Fighter

Wise Words

Damien stepped out of the walk in shower, still deciding whether he should believe the woman or not.

What if it wasn't my Shavon? he kept thinking.

Damien raked his fingers through his wet hair, looking around frantically.

Shavon, a father?

He grabbed his phone from his bed, punching Shavon's number. Shavon somehow decided to answer his phone after the seventh ring.

The irritation in Shavon's voice was clearly evident as he said, "What? You're interrupting me."

"Meet me at the spot in about half an hour."

Shavon moaned, shushing a female's voice.

"Shavon," Damien warned, his voice low. "It's important. Be there."

"Yeah, whatever. Couldn't your timing be any worse?" were Shavon's last words before he hung up the phone.

Damien only made it to his room when he was stopped by Anjelica. Already knowing her reason for this visit, he quickly asked; "Can we talk later?"

"You said later almost three weeks ago. Talk now," Anjelica demanded.

Damien ran his hand over his face with frustration, opening the door for Anjelica to enter. He followed her into his balcony, not bothering to waste another second.

"Lavender and I are playing a game of pretend couples." He clapped his hands together, finding it tedious of repeating those exact same words. "Now can I go?"

"My sweet Damien, you're taking a huge risk."

Her eyes weren't judgmental as she stared at him with sad grey eyes. They never were. That's why he loved her. Her eyes never made him feel inferior like Isaac did. Isaac made Damien feel as though he wasn't worth shit.

"Yes, but there's a risk in nearly almost everything we do in life. Might as well make it fun," Damien grinned.

"Don't start a fire you can't put out. I can't tell you what to do, but I can--and oh boy, I will--correct you. After all, you and Jacob are the sons I never had."

Damien's heart ached at her words. Speechless, he hugged her. She was better than a mother and watching her age right in front of his eyes terrified him.

She was the woman who tucked him in bed and read him bedtime stories when he was younger. She was the one who hugged him and told him that he'd be alright every time he got hurt. She was the one who took care of every scar on his body.

She was the one who followed him across states when he went to college although he opposed it. She was the one who was always there and now her slow movements were proof that it wouldn't always be like that.

"Are you crying?" Anjelica asked her face on his shoulder.

"No, I'm not but you definitely are," he sadly chuckled. He wiped her tears, softly patting her back and avoiding her silver hair. Another proof that her time with him was expiring.

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hope, always perseveres. Love never fails. Now that is real love described in 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8," she quoted sagely.

She let the words sink in before she pulled away from Damien. "When you're confused about what love really is just remember those words, okay?"

"Angie, you're the definition of love."