Romani Prince

Chapter 34: Facing Reality Together

My mother made it through the night and her vitals are strong.

I got to see her for a moment but she was still heavily sedated and didn't even respond to my voice.

It will be another couple of days before I will have to tell her about my father... And the thought of it scares me more than anything.

In addition to that, there is also my brother that I still haven't been able to get ahold of.

So much... Too much to deal with... When all I really want is to go back
to the Inn and hide inside Luka's arms.

Instinctively, I press his hand and he squeezes it back.

Luka has been by my side as promised.

I never doubted that he would.

I look at him and he gives me that pouty face that is promising me a long and unpleasant discussion for as soon as when we are finally alone.

This conversation needs to happen... Jeremy, my mother, his family...

We both know that it won't be pretty.

It will hurt and it will be loud. We will disagree and scream at one another... But, no matter what, our love will keep us together.

I am absolutely certain of that.

Meanwhile, the day drags along with a list of painful matters that need to be taken care of.

Jeremy opens the door to the funeral home for me.

Yet, another terrifying task that must be dealt with.

I am thankful that Jeremy is helping with everything, in a town where I don't know anyone.

I wouldn't even know where to start...

The discussion is very straightforward, because both my parents wanted to be cremated.

With all decided, signed and paid for, Jeremy has one more stop for us, before going back to the Inn.

A stop that I specifically asked for, against both, Jeremy's and Luka's wishes.

"Are you sure you want to do this?"

I sense Luka's own fear of facing the nightmare that I went through without him.

"I need to..." I look from Luka to Jeremy. "I need to see it."

We pass cars and more cars, following the caretaker across the enormous junkyard.

It is a scorching sunny day, after the storm from yesterday, and no one seems happy to be out here.

The man points to what looks like a pile of junk at a corner.

I see the two cars. One navy blue and the red car.

My chest tightens painfully when the vivid memories flash in front of my eyes...

I can smell the burnt metal and oil, along with the sweet and metallic hint of blood underneath all that.

As if frozen in time, I stand there... staring at the passenger's door.

My hand instantly shoots to the sore and bruised spot in between my breasts... I'm suffocating, again.

My mouth opens as I gasp for breath, surprised that air immediately fills my lungs with ease.

"It's okay, baby."

I feel Luka's hands on my shoulders and his reassuring words in my ear.

Together, we both approach the window to better examine the inside of the car.