My Brother's Keeper

Chapter 12: Freak Out

"I'm glad you came over, it's refreshing seeing a new face rather than watching Ryan scratch his ass for an hour." Valerie said as Jamia choked on her coffee from laughing

"Does he really?"

"Oh yes, it's like watching Animal Planet, Russian Gorilla edition."

"When does he stop?" Mia giggles

"Only when he's sitting on it or too busy stuffing food in his mouth. If someone would've told me twenty-five years ago I would be married to someone who has the hobbies of a chimpanzee, I would've laughed, but look at my life now." She shrugged

"But despite all of that, you still love him?"

"Oh yes of course, Ryan and I joke on each other all the time but we can't stand to be without one another."

"Did that love grow over time or did you always have it?"

"Definitely over time, but I knew in my heart that I loved him. With all of the shit he's put me through I never thought I'd go through it but it's made our love stronger between us. I wouldn't trade one day because even though we get on each other's nerves and do stupid shit to each other, he's still my heart and I love him." Val said as she put her hand on top of Mia's

"It's never easy and it's a struggle, believe me. I know you're probably in limbo about Dylan and you want to love him with all of your heart, but it's hard because of his traveling lifestyle, the groupies, ego and whatever else may be going on, but that shouldn't matter as long as you trust him. You do trust him, don't you?"

"I... I don't know, he tells me not to worry but I still do because I know how he is." Mia heavily sighed and put her head down
"Sometimes I feel like I'm making a big fool of myself."

"I'm not taking up for Dylan, but if you say that you love him than at least try to work it out and if he doesn't want to listen or consider your feelings, then by all means leave." She said as Mia started tearing up

"Ms. Valerie, you're not supposed to tell me to leave, if I want this to work I should never leave him and if I do, he'll find someone else and love them better. You've been married for almost thirty years and you probably wouldn't leave because of how good you're living." Mia said sniffling and wiping her tears as Valerie held her

"No amount of money and how good I'm living is worth my happiness. I chose to stay because that's what I wanted, I loved my husband so much that I couldn't see myself without him regardless of the money and that's what you have to decide for yourself."

"You're the mom I wish I had." Mia said as Valerie smiled and rubbed Mia's back

"I wish mine was around a lot more when I was growing up, but I think I turned out alright."

"Ms. Victoria wasn't around much?"

"Not really, she had her battles with drug addiction and stayed gone for long periods of time, but despite all of that, I wouldn't ask for another mother. I learned a lot and some of which I learned probably would've never happened had she been there, so, for that I'm thankful."

"I wish I can say the same."

"Val, can I borrow your razor?" Ryan asked coming into the dining room

"Why?"

He huffed, "Damnit woman, can I borrow it or not? I'll buy you another one."

"That depends, it's my last one and I was planning on using it tonight."

"I can't find my electric one and you said that you wouldn't get nasty if I didn't clean up down there." He said as Val scrunched up her face and put a hand over her face