My Heart's Choice (On Hold)

Chapter 55

The movers are outside taking to Dad about something that I don't even want to hear. Mom has been avoiding me for the whole morning and I don't bother trying to confront her either. It is exhausting after I stayed up last night trying to think of ways that I can stay behind.

I am on the couch, my fingers interlaced in front of me, wishing that the dull pain that is permanently spread across my chest shall subside. It hurts so much that I find myself secretly taking big mouthfuls of air, just to be sure that nothing is restricting my windpipe.

Nora is by my side. She tries to talk a few times but ultimately ends up lost for words.

"This is the first time that I have no master-plan for something," she finally sighs, when my parents are out of earshot.

I focus on keeping my tears from running down my cheeks. There is no use crying. But the pain dwells inside me, not helping at all.

"That's fine," I whisper, attempting to mop my eyes dry with the edge of my sleeve without Nora noticing.

Another moment of silence settles between us. Neither not knowing what to say.

Mom rushes around the house, popping into each and every room making sure that nothing is left behind.

"It's time now, Dana," Dad walks inside, followed by Juliet who has a package in her arms.

She silently walks up to me and places it in my hands. Without having to look inside I know that it is a book. I give her a small smile.

"You're going to do fine, Dana. Wherever you are. I'm sure of that," she smiles back at me.

I give her a hug and whisper a soft thank you. She walks over to mom and they share a long hug. Dad is at the door wearing a patient smile.

With all the formalities out of the way, Dad gestures us outside, so that he can lock the house. I take a long and final look at everything that I am leaving behind. Dropping Juliet's parcel onto one of the final boxes that Mom is carrying to the car, I speed walk outside before any tears can blur the memory.

Once everyone is outside, the door locks behind us and Dad walks over to the car.

I turn to look at Nora. Her red curls are in a ponytail, and her earth-like eyes study me carefully. I pounce on her, hanging onto her for the longest minute.

"Goodbye," she says.

"Goodbye."

Behind her, Kenneth appears at the gate. He has his arms deep inside his pockets. We share a long glance, his eyes lingering on me for a second too long. I smile at him over Nora's shoulder which he returns.

"Be good to Penny," I say to Nora, pulling back from the hug. "I don't want to hear her complain everyday."

She gives me a mischievous smile, "No promises."

Mom and Dad are already in the car, by the time I walk up to it. I pull the door open. But before I can climb in, a sleek SUV speeds on to our drive way. It spins to a stop, spraying a gust of dust into the air around it.

The front door cracks open and Mr. Evans, Rhea's dad, climbs out of it. His eyes ooze thankfulness at the sight of our car.

"Thank God. I was afraid that I was late," he says, breaking into a wide grin.

Mom and Dad step outside our car.

"Late for what, Mr Evans?" Mom walks up to him, worry written across her face.

"Late to show up before you leave, that is," he says, "the traffic is just crazy out there in the morning."

He looks red in the face, like he has been running a marathon for the past hour.

"I could have shown up early, but, as you know, traffic hurries for no man," he laughs a bit too loud.

Dad comes to a stop beside Mom.

"What is this about, Mr. Evans? Is something wrong?" Dad asks, checking his watch, "We really have to hit the highway before noon."

"Oh, right," Mr Evans looks around him as if remembering what he was doing at our house, "but I don't think that it is necessary."

My heart skips a beat. What is happening?

Dad most likely is thinking the same thing. His brows furrowed, he squints at Mr. Evans, "I'm sorry, sir, I don't understand-"

"Well, Mr. Sanchez, you can't go."

Mom and Dad exchange a look. Unaware to anyone around me, my heart picks up speed like the roadster.

"I'm sorry, Mr Evans, but is this something about my resignation? Because, I made sure that everything was okay before I resigned,"‌ Mom says looking a little uneasy.

Maybe she made a mistake. Maybe the company did not grant a full resignation. Maybe we can't go...

Mr Evans gives Mom a small smile, "Everything was okay about that, Christine."

Mom visibly relaxes. And so does Dad.

"Well then why would you say that we can't go?" Mom gives a nervous chuckle.

Nora appears beside me. "What the heck is going on? Do you understand what is happening?" she asks, her eyes filled with confusion. I shake my head.

Mr Evans gives another hearty laugh, as if he realized that he is making no sense, "Yeah, sorry. I forgot that you did not know. Because, every other time at the office, you just know."

He laughs to himself for a few more seconds before pulling a file from inside the SUV. He hands it to my Mom beaming like a child handing an A+ essay to a teacher.

Scanning the document Mom looks up in confusion.

"Welcome to Williams-Young, Mrs Sanchez," Mr Evans beams some more, "Again."

Dad pulls the document off Mom's arms to scan it himself, "I don't understand, Mr Evans. My wife resigned from her post at Williams-Young."

"Well, we've managed to work a deal with the company that agreed to hire you, Christine. You are too important to the company. So you are back."

"But-"

Mr Evans holds a hand in front of my Dad, cutting him off mid-sentence, "I understand, Mr Sanchez, and that is why this is for you."

He pulls yet another file from the inside of his SUV, handing it over to my Dad, "We could secure a permanent teaching position at the local University, for you , Mr. Sanchez. The University was impressed by your guest lecture and is happy to have you. Congratulations."

My heart is doing a weird beat-box. It is speeding way over the top, making me a bit dizzy. Nora looks at me with wide eyes, breaking into a huge grin. She throws an arm around my shoulder, pulling me towards her.

"This is brilliant," she whispers in my ear.

I am too stunned to say anything while I try to process whatever is happening in front of me.

And out of the corner of my eyes, I notice a black sports car come to a slow halt, on the opposite side of the road, a few houses away from ours.

Mason. Of course.

While I was crying my eyes out locked in my bedroom, he was probably working out a way to convince his parents to make my Mom stay. A way to make me stay.

He didn't want to loose me. He was fighting to make me stay.

A calming warmth spreads across my heart and my lips stretch to a smile.

I don't have to go. I don't have to leave him after all.