It comes and goes

thirteen

Shawn's POV

My dad's first chemo session went well until the side effects kicked in and he laid in bed all afternoon. He was nauseous and weak and it killed me to see him like that. I stayed in the guest room to look after him over night. Camila texted to know how we were doing, she couldn't come earlier and maybe it was for the best, I don't think my dad wanted anyone to see him like that. I called my sister and let her know how we were doing. I missed her and my mom a lot, we facetimed regularly but it still wasn't enough. Sometimes I felt lonely. I knew my dad and Camila were by my side, but I had no one else besides them around. I missed my friends too, and work, but I needed to focus and keep it together because my dad was way more important.

The next day my dad was feeling a bit better, although he opted to stay in bed on his own. I cooked, cleaned and then we watched soccer games on TV.

"That was a nice catch", my dad said when the goalkeeper stopped the advances of the other team.

"He's insanely good", I said while we watched the repetition of the moment, eating popcorn.

"How's your girlfriend?", my dad asked me.

I was still getting used to that word. I hadn't had a girlfriend in a long time, and it was the last thing I thought I was gonna get when I moved here. Still, I liked the sound.

"Great, I think... we haven't talked much today".

"Why?"

"I've been busy", I shrugged. "And I guess she was too".

I had checked my phone every now and then I had no messages. I didn't want to be noisy or bother her if she was doing stuff. I still didn't know everything about her and I wasn't sure of what do or what not to.

"I wouldn't be surprised if she was busy", he said. "She's always busy, she's always doing something but because she doesn't know better".

"Uh?", I asked confused.

"She's really proactive, that's why she's a great TA, which means she will always look for something to do when she's actually free, even when it isn't important".

"So...?"

"I thought my son was brighter", he sighed and I frowned and smiled at his joke. "Go there, you both need to do nothing together. You were busy today and yesterday, but not tonight".

"I don't know..."

"I'm ok", he said noticing the worry on my face. "I feel better already".

"Are you sure?", I asked him.

"Yes. Now get out of here", he waved me away.

"Well if you say it like that", I chuckled.

I washed the last dishes and said goodbye to my dad. I went home first for a quick shower and change of clothes and then walked to Camila's apartment. I really hoped my dad was right and that she didn't mind me coming unannounced once again.

Some feet away from the entrance, her door opened and a guy came out with her. He looked older, maybe early 40s. He turned around and hugged her tightly before kissing her cheek and fixing her hair behind her ear. I froze for a second and kept walking when they pulled apart and he walked away in my direction. He passed me looking down with a smile on his face. He looked tan and his beard was the coolest I had seen. I looked back at Camila and she was looking back at me with a smile. I guessed that was a good sign in the middle of all the questions I had on my mind.

I walked the small distance that was still between us and she opened her arms to me. I held her and kiss her.

"Hey", I said when I looked closer into her eyes and saw they were shiny and red. "Were you crying?"