Saving Her

Chapter 4

A few days later...

Waking up I realize I haven't spent time working on my paintings, so I decide to grab my easel and paints and head outside.  We have a small table facing a beautiful forest in our backyard that I've kind of claimed as my own.  It's one of my favorite places to spend time when I'm home.  Things are still tough and some days are better than others since my dad's death.  Taking time to paint has really helped me heal and mend my broken heart.

I mean Andy has helped too, but after our incident the other day, I've tried to avoid him until I see him at work again.

My phone vibrates with notification of a text.

Speak of the devil.

Hey babe, heading into work again.  Sad I won't see you. Have a good day 💕

Andy works as much as he can because eventually he wants to become a doctor.  I'd forgotten he was working today.

I text Andy back in reply, not wanting to completely ignore him.

Hey baby, miss you more. Have a good day at work. ❤️

Sighing, I set my phone back on the table and continue painting.

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After a few hours I decide to wrap up for the day and head inside.  Sofi is sitting on our couch watching a movie and eating popcorn so I decide to join her.  We remain silent as we watch and eat, and it's moments like this I will always enjoy.  Sofi has been distant ever since dad died and it's been hard to see her hurting, but in these moments, we are able to have quality sister time that I miss so much.

After about 20 minutes I hear my phone go off again.  This time it's ringing.  I look at the screen lighting up with Shawn's name.  Smiling I answer and put the phone to my ear.

"Hey Shawn, what's up?"

"Hey Banana, I'm off now, wanna grab Sofi and go get some dinner?" He asks.

"Sure, let me ask her quick."  Taking the phone from my ear, I place it face down on my leg.

"Hey Sof, wanna grab something to eat with Shawn?" I ask my sister as the movie ends.

Turning to face me, a huge smile spreads across her face as she nods with excitement.

Sofi loves Shawn.  Sometimes I think she loves him more than I do, but I'm okay with that because he's been a big brother figure to Sofi since we met and he's always been a source of comfort for both of us. Many a night's Shawn has spent with us; helping with things around the house, fixing things for my mama and sleeping between me and Sofi when we were still having nightmares.

"Sofi says yes!  I'll let you know where she wants to go when you get here to pick us up."

"Sounds good Banana, see you and princess soon!" He replies.

"Ok Canada, see you in a few."

Hanging up, I rush to my room to change out of my paint clothes and into a salmon pink crop top, yoga pants and black Nike runners.  I pull my hair into a high pony and swipe some clear gloss over my lips.  Satisfied, I walk to Sofi's room and knock.  When she comes out, she's dressed in a mint green T-shirt, a jean skirt and gold sandals.  She's also got her hair pulled back into a loose bun and has pink gloss on her lips and a coat of mascara on her eyelashes.  She looks beautiful and this is one of the few times I've seen her so "put together" in awhile.  I'm so happy Shawn is so cool with my sister.  That's one of many things that separates him from Andy. 

At this point in our relationship Andy wants nothing to do with my family.  The only time he's ever interacted with my mama or my sister was at my dad's funeral and for a short few visits in the following weeks when he'd stop by to bring us food.

He never makes me feel bad for spending time with my family, but the fact he doesn't make an effort is something that's really starting to eat at me. 

The doorbell rings and Sofi runs to the door opening it to reveal a very handsome looking Shawn in a gray T-shirt, tight blue jeans and white and black Puma's.

"Ahh...my beautiful Cabello sisters, where are we off to tonight princess?"  He asks turning to look at Sofi.

"I'm feeling something different, there's this new Mexican place not too far from the hospital I think we should try." She responds while linking arms with Shawn and pulling him back towards his big black Jeep.

"Sounds good to me ma'am!" He chuckles.

Shawn helps both me and Sofi get situated in his Jeep after we argue over who gets shotgun.  Defeated, I'm sitting in the back while Shawn and Sofi are belting out the lyrics to a Taylor Swift song I haven't heard before.

When we arrive at the restaurant, I realize it's really close to the hospital.  Like literally down the street.  Hoping no one from work is here to see me with Shawn, the three of us are seated at a table by one of the big windows facing the street.

"I'm starving."  Shawn says and we all stop what we are doing for a minute when we hear his stomach let out a fierce growl.

"Someone's hungry!" I say.

Rolling his eyes and giving me a small smile, Shawn goes back to his menu.  Sofi is sitting between us and has a perfect view of the window.

After a few minutes, we order our food and the waitress tops off our water glasses.  We start in on a conversation about how things have been since we were all last together.

Suddenly Sofi stops talking and goes stiff as a board and her eyes go wide and focus on something out the window.

"Mila, isn't that Andy?"