Deserving | ✔

Chapter 22

When Stephanie and I were dating at high school, we talked a lot over phone. Unfortunately, she didn't have a phone at first, and didn't want one either, because she didn't want to burden the Cohen's. So, we talked over the land line.

The problem with the landline was that, it was either occupied by Emily due to her job nature (she worked as a fashion designer with a few friends) or people always passed by when she talked and gushed over us talking. It sickened us out. So she had to carefully sneak into her bedroom and use the landline to talk to me.

And my job was to wait for eternity till she calls. Of course, it would've been easier to just take her out, but the pleasure of having her on phone is worth all the trouble.

And it seems so similar to the call I've been waiting for now. It's Wednesday and Ryan has gone back after the short visit off his busy schedule, but not before warning me again about Leril. Tri will be back tonight and I'm perfectly alright now. I only have a small bandage around my stomach. I'm fine everywhere else.

The only thing troubling me now is the call. JP hasn't called me yet and I'm beginning to get ideas... Bad ideas. Like he probably found out my intention or he's not who I thought he was and was gonna report me for drug abuse. I usually hit my own head and shake away from those thoughts. He's gonna call. He must. He better.

I'm currently sitting in the swing of the old park two blocks away from my house. Steph and I come by this park often during the weekends. The park is old and abandoned, with just a few old couples visiting it frequently.

Madeline and James Thompson, the 65 year old couple with their 6 year old granddaughter Libby are my most favorite couple. They were together since high school and married against all odds that existed during those times. God knows what those were. James calls her Maddy and I love that nickname much more than any names I call Stephanie with. Stephanie cracks up every time I grin goofily at that name and calls me a die - hard shipper of James and Maddy.

I'm actually proud of shipping them, though I never really understood what 'shipping' them means. Like what, sending them off on a ship? Titanic reference? I don't know.

Anyways, I 'ship' them because they stuck it out. They stuck out their relationship for 3 decades amongst all problems and issues. And that attracts me. I want that life. I want to be able to stick it out in this cruel world with my love and be with her all my life.

But that was just too much to ask, wasn't it?

I smirk at my thoughts and ride the rusty swing a little faster, enjoying the screeching sounds it's giving. This screeching is way better than the one inside me constantly reminding me of Stephanie's end.

"There's my boy! Maddy, come over here faster... Phillip's here!"

I snap out of my thoughts and glance at the see - saw, next to which James was standing, with Libby on his back, riding piggyback on him.

I stride towards them to help Libby down and give James some rest. He is getting older by the day. This can't be easy for him.

"Uncle Phillip!" Libby squeals as she jumps onto me.

"My favorite niece Libby!" I say as I swirl her around in my arms, causing her to squeal more. We both decided long back that we'd be uncle and niece and the only barrier that remained was blood.

By this time, Madeline had reached the park and was holding James's hand.

"Well, hello there, young man! It's been, what 1 month? Too busy, are we?" Madeline huffs playfully, before cracking up a short laugh.

"What can I say, Madeline?" I say.

"Where's Stephie, Uncle Phillip?"

Fuck.