Always Wrong - Xyla Turner Page 0,65
to my eye, and before I knew it, multiple ones began to roll down my cheek.
“I’m s-sorry,” I stammered out.
His dead eyes looked at me, and for once, I saw something else. It wasn’t there for long, but it was something else besides contempt—almost an honest sense of respect or camaraderie.
“She’s deteriorating fast because she’s not taking the medicine. The hard-headed woman refuses, and Casey . . .” His voice broke, causing him to swallow. His protruded Adam’s apple bobbed as he regained composure so he could continue. “Casey doesn’t know, and we don’t know how to tell him. Do you have any suggestions? I can’t think straight.”
My eyes were still wet, and watching his display of emotion didn’t help me one bit. Seeing a man cry or get emotional was a number-one trigger for me to do the same. Mr. Vega was always so tall, strong, and put together. I mean he’s an asshole, but tonight, he was a broken man, and even he deserved compassion.
“Uh . . .” I swallowed hard, so my voice could be steady. “Disney movies. Uh, the mother usually dies in a Disney movie or is not present, so we can play one, maybe Bambi or Finding Nemo. Something where the Mama passes away but her spirit lives on, and when he needs her strength, she will be there with him. That would be my suggestion. Casey is a smart boy, and it will hurt him still, but he’ll be able to understand it like that.”
As I was speaking, his head was nodding as if in agreement.
“Yeah.” He shook his head rapidly. “Yeah, that sounds great. You are good.”
I offered a half-smile because my being good would not change the fate of his wife. That was the worst news I heard in a long time. She was a great woman, and this would be devastating for Casey and Logan.
“Uh, Casey has a birthday coming up,” Mr. Vega began.
“Yes, it’s on the thirteenth,” I replied, causing him to look at me again with a respectful nod.
“Yes,” he confirmed. “I want him to have a great time with his mother, and I wanted to know if you can plan it. I’ll add extra to your—”
“Of course, Mr. Vega,” I interrupted him. “It would be my pleasure.”
“Thank you, Faith.” He gave me an attempt of a smile. “No matter the cost, please speak directly to me about the party and not my wife. I want it to be a surprise. Uh . . . it might . . .”
He didn’t finish, but I knew what he was going to say. More tears came to my eyes, and I filled the silence by saying again.
“I’m so sorry,” I hiccupped. “She’s a beautiful woman, both inside and out.”
“Yes.” He nodded again, and this time, a tear escaped his ducts. “She is. Always will be.”
For fear of breaking down any more than I already was, I stood to my feet and asked, “Is there anything else you need me to do, Mr. Vega?”
“It’s Logan, and no, Faith.” He looked up at me. “You’ve done enough. She doesn’t know that I told you, but I figured you would be curious, so . . .” he cleared his throat. “If I haven’t said it before, I’m glad you’re here. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight, Logan.” I nodded and made a beeline for the front door.
I barely made it to the front of the house before I started bawling, with shoulders jerking and sobs escaping me, about the news I just heard. People die, I know, but why do the good people die? She had a five-year-old son and a husband who cared deeply for her. Why did she have to die? I was so upset, and the heaviness in my chest would not lift.
That night, I got no sleep. I stayed up thinking of the grandest party to have for Casey and started creating invitations and the guest list—people at school, his whole class, daycare, church, community center, neighbors, and since there were no relatives, even people I knew. I’m sure it would be okay, but since the Vega tribe was just the three of them, I wanted her to remember her son’s sixth birthday party. I wanted him to remember it too.
Whew! I’m telling you…Mr. Vega gets good! To keep reading this one, click here.
Mr. West - Ch. 1
Jonah West
“Fuck you,” she yelled. “Fuck all of you. I’m going to make something out of myself and then all of y’all motherfuckers will wish you had