10 Years After

Chapter 18

Judy Fields ang pangalan ng Amerikana.For a reason unknown to her she boarded the plane bound for Las Vegas.She wanted to go to New York,visit some relatives there,but she bought a plane ticket and boarded this plane.And here she is.She never thought she'd go to Vegas.She's not a gambler.She is a professor in a University in California.
She had been an orphan at at the age of !6.After grieving for the loss of her parents she had to pull herself together and look for a job.Her parents had left her the house and some jewelries and 2000 dollars.
They are not well off but she had finished high school and she wants to go to college .She wants to be a teacher.She knows she'll get what she wants in the end.But for now she must work.She begun doing odd jobs.She became a baby sitter.She delivered news papers and took a scholarship exam for college.She is an intelligent girl.She got a scholarship grant and an allowance as well.It is not much but if she will economize and buy only the necessary things like the required books,she'll be fine.
She is a professor now.You can say she lives a good life.Aside from the fact that she has no love life,she is better off than her colleagues.
She looked at the little boy standing beside his father.Her heart is full of pity for the boy.He lost a granny she adored and his beloved mother as well.He must be 3 years old.But at least he has a father that would take care of him.They have each other at this trying times.
An idea is forming in her head.Is the boy the reason for her being here.She already saw him in Califjornia .He looks neat and cute.She didn't see his mother though.
She looked at the two of them.She could feel that the father doesn't know what to do.She could help him if he would allow her.She began talking to him.She learned that they are Filipinos that had migrated to the states.They had been here for more than a year now.
"I'm Judy Fields.We have been talking for hours now but we don"t know each other's name."Ramon who is filled with sadness is ready to snap at her.
He has just lost the two women he loved most.He had no time meeting other girls.He looked at her,and he saw honesty in her eyes.He felt ashamed of himself.She is a good person.He begun to open up.She arranged for the shipment of his mother's body.
He has no relatives in America.A Filipino priest had blessed his mother's body.And to top it all,Judy's parents have a family mouseleum.It is a blessing.He doesn't want his mother"s body cremated.He believes in the old saying that a person came from dust and unto to dust he shall return.
He notified his in laws.They flew to Vegas at once.They offered flowers at the massgrave that had been buiĺt for the victims of the air tragedy.They were heartbroken.Heart is their life.Ramon asked them again to migrate to America.They still have Igor.This time his in laws agreed.
They went back to the Philippines and sold all their properties.When they went back to America,they bought the carehome Ramon was supposed to buy.They have to start anew.They have to move on.They lost their beloved daughter but she left a son.They love him too.They would protect him and guide him.
Ramon is back at their apartment.He realized he could not live there anymore.Every nook and cranny reminds him of his mother and of his wife.Father and son stayed in the same room that night.Both of them had a terrible dream
.They saw Heart being taken by the wind.Both of them woke up crying.He decided to move in with his in laws.They were so happy with his decision.They all need a fresh start.They owe it to Heart to provide a happy home atmosphere for Igor.
Judy,became a regular visitor in their carehome.It started as once a month visit.Then it became weekly visits.They noticed her love for the boy.And they are grateful for it.Ramon is still young.He needs a companion,a partner.If only Ramon can see her as a woman.A very loving woman,fit to be a stepmother for Igor.
But Ramon has only Heart in his heart.It would take years before he marries again ,if ever.But Judy is a very patient woman.She is not the type to give up.She wants Igor and Ramon in her life.Who knows?When time had healed Ramon's wounded heart,maybe they can be together as a couple.