The Dopamine Rush

Chapter Twenty-Nine | O(+>

"I'm so sorry Nik." My father solemnly expressed as I cried into the phone.

Wendy stood anxiously, completely unaware of what happened.

"Dad, I need to go I-I'll just call you back."

"What's the matter?" Wendy asked as she rushed over.

"Marie died."

"What?" Wendy shrieked. "What happened?"

"Melvin said Prince called, she fell ill during the weekend. God I didn't even ask what really happened. I can't believe this!"

"I'm sorry, I know how close you two were..."

"I feel so stupid." I sighed as I wiped my eyes. "I've done so much, going to extreme lengths to avoid Prince that I hadn't spoken to her or Jennifer in damn near two months. Now she's gone."

"Hey.." Wendy said as she hugged my shoulder. "Don't be so hard on yourself. I'm sure they both understood where your actions were coming from, no sense in having hard feelings from that."

"I should've kept contact more. I would've gone to visit if I'd known. I need call Jennifer."

"You'll call her in the morning. Right now just try to rest. It's a lot to take in."

Not much sleep was had that night. I tossed and turned thinking about Marie and everything that happened. She was the one who constantly rooted for Prince and I, even when no one else would. She was such a mother figure to me, guiding me while designing, even giving me the low down on other employees. And she was always offering advice, no matter what.

Morning came and I was up at the crack of dawn speaking with Jennifer.

"I'm sorry I haven't spoken with you in awhile. I'm sorry to Marie too."

"Don't be sorry Nik, quite frankly we both understood your position. We knew it wasn't anything personal."

"I just needed some time. But I'm in a good place now."

"I'm glad you're happy. I was planning to call and take a trip to see you, but it looks like we'll all be seeing each other soon."

"Yep." I sighed. "God I hadn't even thought about it. How's her husband?"

"Nathaniel's holding up as much as he can." said Jennifer. "She was his everything, and for things to happen so suddenly, it's just a shock to everyone."

"Do they have any idea of what happened?"

"No. As far as we know there weren't any major medical concerns, but you know Nathaniel told me the strangest thing after he called."

"And what's that?"

"Marie had made a request that when the time comes, she wanted all of us to sit together with the family at her service. He says she told him that less than a month ago."

"Are you saying that she knew?"

"Not exactly, she could've been just talking as usual. We all know how much of a chatter box she could be. But she meant that. She saw us as her children, considering she didn't have any biologically of her own."