Grow Old Without You (A Camren Story)

Sparks

Grow Old Without You (Chapter 38)

LAUREN

Keana and I walked to the reception, looking for my two girls. I could feel my heart beating like a mother fucking jackhammer. I would say Sledgehammer, but I hate that song.

"Hello, how may I help you beautiful ladies?" The front desk personnel greeted us enthusiastically.

"We're looking for two 12 year olds, and a 24 year old who came here about two hours ago. They're visiting a patient here named Camila Cabello?" Keana asked as the receptionist typed on all her computer a little too harshly.

"Sorry, Ma'am. We don't have a Camila Cabello in our system. Another name perhaps?" She asked as I internally face palmed myself.

"Karla Estrabao. That's her real name. Sorry." I softly said as she typed again on her computer. Then her face lighted up, like Christmas lights on a dark night.

"Oh. She's actually in session right now, with her visitors. Are you another batch of visitors for Karla?" She asked as I shook my head.

"She's uhm- the- uhm- " I stuttered as Keana took over.

"She's Karla's ex-wife." Keana simply said as smiled politely to the clerk who was already on the phone with a girl named Jackie, from what I heard from their conversation, which was not a good thing, but hey, she was talking loudly.

I felt my hands shake as I heard "Jackie" tell the clerk "Lisa" to bring us to the therapy room.

Oh Lord.
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LANA

Mama and Aunt Taylor have been in Mama's room for a very very long time now. They said they're just talking, so Kara and I went to their music room, which was filled with all the musical instruments I could think of.

"Lana, play me a song!" Kara said sitting on the piano. I know she knows how to play too, but she haven't really heard me play.

"What do you want me to play?" I asked her as we sat down in front of the piano. I ran my keys across the piano, pressing the keys like how I mastered them.

"Anything." She whispered putting her head on my shoulder.

I pressed the all too familiar chords.

Playhouse, put my favorite record on
Get down, put your crystal meth fix on.
You were tall tan, driving around the city,
Flirting with the girls like you're so pretty.
Springsteen is the king don't you think
I was like hell yeah that guy could sing.

Then I heard one of the softest voices I've ever heard. Kara.

Like oh ohh ohhh ohh. Ohh ohh ohh ohhh aw.
You make me crazy you make me wild.
Just like a baby, you spin me round like a child.

And we stopped in our tracks when we heard another familiar voice harmonizing.

Be young be dope be proud, like an American.

"Mommy!" Kara said running to Mommy. She almost tripped on the chair, which was a normal recurrence. She is as clumsy as Mama.

"You are going to be in so much trouble." Mommy said hugging Kara tight. I stood up and followed Kara's lead, hoping Mommy would not kill us right here. "Why didn't you tell me you're coming here?"

"Well, we wanted see Mama before we leave for Italy. We wanted to make sure she was okay." I answered as Mommy kissed my head. Kara was clinging onto her like a koala, which I really didn't mind. Kara's the more affectionate one.