Chasing Heaven

I Think I Have A Crush On You.

I entered my mother's hospital room nervous about the conversation I needed to have with her.
"Hey my Angel, you look beautiful." She said as she sat up.
"Thank you Momma." I said as I put my head down.
"Heaven hold your head up proudly you're a beautiful young lady."
"Momma......" I took a deep breath in and blew it back out. " I need you to go to rehab."
"Heaven I don't have the money for that."
"You don't need money Momma I'll take care of it."
"Heaven I can't ask you to do that."
"Momma I love you but if you don't go to rehab then..... I can't have you in my life."
The thought of losing me made her cry. I didn't want to hurt her but sometimes tough love was the only route to go.
"For you my little Angel, I would do anything."
I smiled and gave her the biggest hug I could muster up.
"Momma I want you to meet my friends." I stepped in the hallway and waved them in.
"This is my mother Trinity Michaels."
"Hi Ms. Michaels." They all said in unison.
"Momma these are my friends Larry, Raquel and Laurent." I smiled as I mentioned his name.
" Hello." She said.
We sat and talked with my mother for hours. My mother was genuinely smiling for once. When the visit came to an end she asked Laurent to stay back for a second.
" I need you to do me a favor young man."
"Anything Ms. Michaels."
"Look after Heaven for me. Help her realize how truly beautiful she really is."
"Yes ma'am."
"Now I'm going to go to this rehab and get my life together for my daughter. I need to be the mother she deserves." She said as she hugged him. He exited out of the hospital room smiling.
"What was that about?"
"Nothing Belle."
"Come let's go eat."
We exited Larry's car two blocks away from the restaurant. He and Raquel walked ahead of us hand in hand. I thought they made the cutest couple ever. Laurent took my hand into his as we walked to the restaurant. I felt safe when he was with me. I smiled and looked away when he looked at me.
"Has anyone ever told you, you have beautiful eyes."
"Yeah my mother."
"Belle I want you to see how beautiful you are. In time you will see what I see." He smiled and I melted.
Once we got in the restaurant we were seated. Laurent pulled my chair out for me before sitting down himself. I looked at the menu. I decided on a Cobb salad and a Sprite.
"You non want anything else?"
"Nah I'm good."
Every one else ordered steak and potatoes even Raquel. Laurent not content with me eating  bunny food as he called it. Began feeding me off his plate.  I was stuffed. I packed my salad away for lunch the next day.
We walked back to Larry's car.
"Heaven why you no let me take care of you?"
"Huh?"
"Let me take care of you."
"I couldn't ask you to do that Lau."
"I want to."
I  still wasn't sure what he was asking me for.
"All I require is your friendship."
He was about to say more but our conversation was interrupted.
"Hey us should go to the cinema."
"Okay let's go."
I wasn't big on TV or movies so I found it hard to sit and pay attention. I kept stealing glances of Laurent wishing we were more than friends. He was the perfect guy. I quickly shook the idea away. Guys like him don't go for girls like me. He put his arm around my shoulders and smiled. I wanted so badly to tell him how I felt but I was way too shy for that. After the movie we walked back to Larry's car. They dropped me off at about 10:30 that night. Laurent walked me to my door as usual.
"Thank you for the dinner and movie "
"I feed you anytime you eat like  bunny." He said smiling.
We were silent for a moment we just stared into each other's eyes. He moved closer to me. My legs turned into jelly. He so close I could feel the warmth of his breath and smell the mint of his chewing gum.
I wanted him to kiss me. I wish he could read my mind. He pulled me into a hug this time holding on longer than usual. He smelled so good. I wanted to stay in his embrace forever.
"Goodnight Belle."
"Goodnight Lau."
As he walked away I finally exhaled. I sighed as I slid down the wall. Finally I got myself situated and went inside my apartment. I placed my food from the restaurant in the fridge. I sat in the window and stared into the night. I watched the stars sparkle beautifully in the sky.  I sat there for more than an hour before taking a shower and going to bed.