Resilient (August Alsina)

Chapter 40

"You know what's the great thing about hitting rock bottom?" Kyon asked Liza as they both laid in her hospital bed with nothing but the beeping sounds of the machines. It was annoying and a constant reminder of the surroundings.

"What's that?" She asked barely above a whisper.

"The only way we can go now is up" he said allowing his fingertips to run up and down lightly over her back, easily keeping her comfortable.

"What are you talking about Kyon? We're homeless" she stated looking up at him. He folded his lips for a minute before speaking.

"No we're not, we're just gonna stay-"

"With your father? Kyon we can't keep living off of him. How long do you think it will be before we wear out our welcome. Open your eyes Kyon, wake up! We have nothing" her voice cracked and it didn't take long for her tears to start spilling.

"Baby we have each other"

"We do but can "each other" get us a place to live? Can we buy food?" She didn't even wait for him to answer before falling back on the bed.

Somewhere deep down Kyon knew she was telling the truth but he just didn't want to acknowledge it. He rose from the bed and gave her a kiss before leaving the room. He needed some air, to be away from--everything. Just some peace.

It wasn't long before someone approached him while he sat on the hospital bench outside. He looked his with his red eyes to see his mother.

"Son, why are you out here? Shouldn't you be in the room with Liza?"

"I can't do it"

"What you mean you can't do it" she took a seat beside him.

"I can't do anything"

"Baby I know y'all are going through it right now but don't blame yourself for what happened and neither should she. You should stay by her side as she should do to you. You guys will figure this out"

"I can't do it momma! I can't even make my wife happy. I can't provide her with a roof over our heads nor can I put food on the table!" He rested his head in his palms "I don't know what the hell imma do, I thought I had it all under control....but I don't. I don't have it all under control and I don't got shit figured out like I thought"

"So what are you going to do?"

"I don't know"

"Sounds like you're ready to give up?"

".....what else is there to do?"

"So you mean to tell me you went though hell and beyond with this girl and this happens and you're ready to give up? You?" She asked as if it was unbelievable "The same person who didn't let what nobody told him changed his mind from this girl is ready to give up on her"

"It's not just her momma. It's the crazy dream that we'll live happily ever after...you know....like them fairy tales."

"I don't think I need to tell you that there is no such thing.....you've already figured that out yourself."

Things went silent for a while and the only thing that could be heard were people going in and out of the hospital, ambulances driving in and out, conversation that could be heard lowly, cries that could be heard loudly.

"Aren't you gonna tell me what to do?" Kyon turned to his mother.

"Who me? No no no, son I think its best you figure this one out on your own"

"But what if....what if..I make the wrong choice or the bad one?"

"There are no bad choices" she rose from the seat and planted a soft kiss on his forehead before leaving. Kyon didn't move, he sat still with his eyes glued to the ground just ignoring everything for a while.

He sat there for a long while. How long? Long enough that his mother spoke to Liza and left the hospital.

A loud and hearty laughter broke his gaze and as he lifted his head to see what was happening, his eyes landed on a small family. The lady was in a wheelchair with a little girl in her lap and she was being pushed by a man. They all looked so happy.

Walking into the hospital Kyon held his head low and as he walked a ball rolled in his direction. Catching it he looked ahead to see a little boy running towards him.

"That's my ball" his squeaky voice laughed.

"Oh really then I probably should give it back huh?"

"Yes" he laughed, just in time a wheelchair rolled up to them.

"Thanks for catching his ball man. I kept telling him to stop throwing it"

"Sorry daddy"

"He looks like a handful"

"Oh he is" the woman who sat in the wheelchair spoke up "But if you think just one is enough wait till its both him and his dad" she laughed.

"He got it from me and I'm proud" he high-fived the little boy. They all laughed and then slowly they stopped.

"Wow kid you look like....like you been going through it"

"Uhhh....am....I am going through it" Kyon sighed and forced a small chuckle.

"Well whatever it is don't give up okay? Cuz some of these things happen just to make us stronger and I know you probably heard this before but it's gonna be okay"

"Yeah.....I hope so"

"Look here's my number. I'm David Benson and this is my wife, Nadine and you've met our son, Dontae"

"It's nice meeting y'all but why are you giving me your number? You don't know me" he frowned.

"I don't have to know you to see that you need someone to talk to.....when I got here I saw you outside crying.......I'm not a therapist or anything but.....sometimes you need someone who's not a relative or teacher or friend to talk to because then they'll be more honest with answers..." he stretched out a card. Kyon stared at the card for a while before slowly lofting his hand and taking it.

"Thanks Mr.Benson. I'll give you a call if I ever need someone to talk to"

And with that they both parted ways and Kyon went to Liza's room. She was asleep and tears were dried up on her face. He slowly slipped in the bed beside her, he didn't go to sleep instead he laid thinking about the future.

"I don't know how but I promise it'll be alright" he kissed Liza's head.