Stuck in the Past

Chapter 21

I may have already looked at these photographs millions of times, as I come here quite a few times, however the photograph where Ronnie appears with us, always affects me as if it were the first time I saw it.

"Is everything all right?" Asked Cisco.

As soon as Cisco asked me that, I turned to him, already with a little tear streaming down my face and showed him the frame that contained the photograph, where Ronnie appeared.

- Yes, I was just looking at the pictures you have here over the fireplace, - I said, putting down the frame.

- Looks like it was taken in a past life. It's been so long!

- It seems so, however I can remember that day as if it had just happened yesterday. It was a day full of different emotions. Have you ever asked yourself?

- What?

- What would our life be like if Ronnie had never volunteered? Or if we had never started working on the Particle Accelerator project?

- Sometimes, I confess! However, I remain confident that everything happens for a reason. If we had never worked on the Particle Accelerator, Barry would not have been struck by lightning and would never have gained powers and come to STAR Labs. And if he never came to STAR Labs, you would never have met or fallen in love and consequently Henry and Dawn would not have been born.

- I know! I'm not saying that if I could, I would change the past ... I just wonder what our life would be like if Ronnie were still alive and if the Particle Accelerator had never existed.

- I know, he was a huge loss.

- Do you think he's watching us?

- Of course I do and I know that he is very proud of the woman you became.

"Do you really think so?" I asked, dropping a tear.

- I'm sure of it! Now let's go to the edge of our friends and enjoy this day?

I looked at the photograph once again and followed Cisco outside. I saw that there was a vacant seat next to Barry, so I sat there. Lunch time quickly arrived and we all helped Cisco and his girlfriend to set the table, in fact because we are enough and it does not cost anything to help a little.

Before we set the table, we were distributing tasks. Barry and Joe were in charge of spreading the towels, Wally and Jenna were responsible for setting the dishes, Henry and Dawn were responsible for the glasses, Iris and I were responsible for the cutlery, Cecile was responsible for the napkins and Cisco and his girlfriend were responsible for bringing the food to the table. As for drinks, Barry and Wally went to help bring them out.

And now they ask me why the hell is everyone helping except Ralf ?! Well, Ralf's task is the most important of all, which is taking care of Ronnie. With the table set and food and drinks on the table, we all took our seats at the table and started the Star Labs family lunch.

Lunch was fun, with everyone talking to each other at the same time and on the most varied subjects and the only thing similar among all the individuals who were sitting at this table is that cell phones didn't even come out of their pants pockets or the bags.

I look around this table and am happy to be able to call this group of people my family, however I can't help thinking about how good it would be for Ronnie to be here, even if he wasn't like my husband.

Lunch consisted of two different dishes, one being cod with bread and the other was pork loins baked in the oven with chips and rice. The desserts were varied .... We had everything such as chocolate cake, coconut cake, orange cake, red fruit cheesecake, chocolate mousse, various fruits and even a pudding.

At the end of lunch, we all helped Cisco with washing and tidying the dishes that were used for this lunch. While Ralf and I helped Cisco and his girlfriend, Barry took care of Ronnie and the rest of our friends used the sunny day to be by the pool.

In the middle of the afternoon, we did whatever we wanted, we could go to the pool, sunbathe to get tanned, stroll around the garden or just talk to each other. However, in the midst of so much happiness, I noticed that something was upsetting Henry, but I didn't want to interfere in his personal life in front of everyone so I just ask him when we get home.

During the afternoon, the younger ones took advantage of the pool and its warm water, while the older ones were sitting in the garden just talking to each other. It was half past six, when Cisco started preparing the meat for the barbecue. Of course, all the men went to his side to "help him", except for Henry who was playing with Ronnie.

After the meat was all roasted, we all went to the table for dinner and stayed in the conversation until ten-thirty at night. I insisted on staying a little longer to help, but Cisco told me to leave, to rest and so I did.

Twenty minutes later we arrived home and each one went to our rooms to change the clothes. After I had brushed my teeth, put on my pajamas and had been on the phone for a while just to look through the online newspapers, I stopped by Dawn and Henry's room to see if everything was okay. Dawn and Ronnie slept soundly, but I noticed that Henry was not in his bed and that's when I saw that the living room light and the television were on.

- Can't you sleep? - I asked, sitting next to Henry. - Since yesterday I noticed that something is wrong with you, don't you want to tell me? I can help you, son.

- Maybe it wouldn't even be such a bad idea ... Me and Amy kissed!

- But that's great ... I mean, isn't it?

- Well, I'm not sure. The truth is that yes, the kiss moved me but I'm not sure what I feel yet. The worst is that I can't help thinking about it!

- Do you want to know what I think? I think you're starting to realize that you like her and not just as a best friend.

- But what if it's true? What if she doesn't feel the same as me? Mom, I don't want to lose our friendship.

- My love, you will not lose it. Do you want my advice? Talk to her! Tell her everything you just told me, all your insecurities and certainties ... she will understand and will want to help you understand what you really feel. But my love, do not miss this opportunity to be with her out of fear.

- I don't know, Mom ...

- You know, you remind me of myself a little. In fact, your story with Amy is very similar to mine with your father. Since the day he appeared, unconscious, in STAR Labs I felt that he was going to be special in my life and of course for a long time we were just friends, as you already know ... First I was engaged to Ronnie, then he was your aunt Iris's fiancé, but the day we kissed, millions of questions took over my mind. It took some time but when your father declared himself, I was surrendered and realized that despite my fears, I couldn't let them miss my opportunity to be happy. You have to do the same, Henry!

- You are absolutely right, I will arrive at the CCPD tomorrow morning and I will talk to her.

- That's right. Now we go to bed that tomorrow we both have to wake up early. - I said getting up from the couch and Henry did the same.

As he went up the stairs to his room, I turned off the television and then went to my room, lying down next to my wonderful husband.