Sacrifices of the Soul, Chapter 97
by SIPort
Kay and Miguel came into Simone’s room.
“ You can go on a break.”, Kay said to the nurse, who left the room.
“ Simone, Miguel and I came to visit.”
“ Hey Simone. You really look good. It’s good to have you back. Did Kay
tell you that the two of us are in the final group for the trip in the class?
I can’t believe how much I like to cook. Mama is very pleased.”
“ I know. My mom is totally shocked when she comes into the kitchen and
dinner is done. Shocked, but happy.”
“ Mine too. “
“Kay, I’m going to get that bear that you liked in the gift shop. I’ll be
right back.”
“ Ok.” Once Miguel was gone, Kay leaned in to talk to Simone. “ Simone,
I can’t believe it. You know, Miguel and I are connecting on a level I never
thought was possible. Who knew that a stupid cooking class could bring us
together like that? Plus, he’s really been there for me when you were missing.
And, it bugged the crap out of Charity. Oh don’t look at me like that Simone.
Actually, DO look at me like that Simone. I want you to tell me right now
how disappointed you are with me. I want you to chastise me. I want you to
tell me that I’m dreaming. Simone, come on. I’ll take anything from you. Don’t
you know how scared I am? How much I miss you? Simone, we all love you so
much. I know you’re afraid, but you don’t have to be. We love you, Simone.
I want my friend. I want my best friend. Where is my best friend? Where is
my best friend? Simone, stop scaring me. Dammit, COME BACK TO US!”, Kay yelled
at Simone. She felt a tap on her shoulder, and it was Miguel. She collapsed
in his arms, sobbing.
“ Simone, she didn’t mean any harm. It’s just that Kay loves you. She’s
worried about you. She’s right tough. We want you to come back to us. “
Kay pulled away from Miguel. “ Miguel, I need a few minutes alone. I’m going
to the rooftop deck. Just to pull my thoughts together.”
“ Ok. I’ll sit with Simone.”
“ Simone, I’ll be back. “
Kay left, and Miguel pulled up a chair next to Simone.
“ Do you know that your brother is dating my sister? Who’d a thunk it? I
think they’re pretty serious. I’m glad for Theresa, though I never ever thought
that Theresa could really and truly honestly be with any guy other than Ethan.
But, it’s sincere. She really cares for Chad, and she’s not using him as some
sort of substitute for Ethan. I guess the heart is a funny thing. You think
for sure that you know something, and then, one day, you can wake up, and
there’s this other thing. This other person in your heart and you don’t know
what to do or how to stop it. And, then, you realize that maybe you don’t
want to stop it. I thought I’d be like Mama, loving one person forever. But
life is more complicated than that, isn’t it? “
Miguel heard a noise and turned around to see a nurse coming in to check
Simone’s vitals. Once she was finished, Miguel went back to his seat.
“ I guess you’ve figured out that I’m not talking about Mama or Theresa.
I’m talking about me. I thought I’d love Charity forever. I mean, isn’t that
the way it’s supposed to be. She’s my first love. But lately….I keep on having
thoughts about Kay. I don’t know why. I mean Kay’s my friend, right? She’s
my oldest friend. So, what’s going on with me.?”
“ What’s wrong with you, Miguel?”, Kay asked as she walked back into the
room.
“ I was just telling Simone that I was thinking of a possible career as
a chef, and I didn’t know if that would go over well.”
“ Wow. I didn’t know that. I think you’d make a great chef. Did Simone give
you any advice?”
“ Just being able to talk to her helped a lot.”
“ Yeah. I feel that too. “
“ So, how about we watch Breakfast Club for the thousandth time? You two
are crazy about it.”
Kay smiled. “ It’ll be just like old times….if only Simone would recite
the lines with me.”
“ One day, Kay. One day, she will.”
Kay smiled at Miguel. She wanted to believe him.
Theresa held Chad’s hand in the elevator. “ I’m so nervous.”
“ Why?”
“ It’s dinner with your mother.”
“ Theresa, you’ve known my mother far longer than I have.”
“Yes, but that was as Whitney’s friend. Now, I’m dating her son.”
Chad kissed her. “ It’s going to be fine. I promise.”
The elevator opened up, and Chad rang the bell. Eve smiled at both of them.
“ I’m so happy to see you both. Come in.” Eve kissed both of them.
“ Theresa, would you like some iced tea?”
“ I’d love some, Dr. Russell.”
Eve got tea for all of them. They all sat down.
“ I’m glad the two of you could have dinner with me. “ Eve looked at Theresa.
“ Theresa, you seem nervous.”
“ Do I?”
Eve laughed. “ Yes, you do. Come on. Let me put dinner on the table, and
we can get down to it.”
“ I’ll help you, Mama.” Chad motioned for Theresa to sit at the table. Once
all the food was served, Eve said a prayer.
“ I’m so thankful for all of my days.”
“ I bet you are. “
“ Theresa, Chad tells me that you like school.”
“ I do. I never thought it would mean as much to me as it does, but I love
it. I’m kicking butt.”
“ Of course, you are. You were always bright. Smart as a whip. You just
got distracted with all that Ethan nonsense.”
Eve got quiet, and Theresa spoke up. “ No, Dr. Russell, don’t stop. You
are right about it all. It was nonsense. I got so wrapped up in Ethan that
I lost sense of who I was. Theresa ceased to exist. That’s a bad place to
be, and a place that I don’t want to be in ever again.”
Eve smiled at Theresa. “ I’m so happy to hear that from you. I’ve loved
you ever since you were a little girl, and when I saw you on that spiral,
it reminded me of myself. How I got so completely wrapped up and lost…”
“ In my Pops?”
Eve nodded. “ Yes, in Julian. That is a very long story, but it’s part of
my life, and I don’t need to be ashamed of it anymore. After all, that part
of my life brought me YOU, and I will NEVER apologize for the joy I have when
I just simply look at you.”
Chad blushed.
“ And that’s the reason why I asked you to dinner, Theresa. I needed to
know, for myself, if you were really over Ethan. I needed to know because
I can see that you are becoming an increasingly important part of my
son’s life, and I want him to be happy, considering that so much of his pain
can be placed at my feet.”
Chad reached out to hold his mother’s hand. “ Mama, I told you, it’s all
in the past.”
“ I appreciate your love. I appreciate your forgiveness, but until you become
a parent you won’t understand that I can’t forgive myself. I’ll be grateful
for your forgiveness, but I’ll always know how much pain I cause you.”
“ Dr. Russell, you’ve got to forgive yourself. Chad is being honest – he’s
moving forward. He loves you. So much. He’s so happy to have a mother. And,
a little sister.”
“ Two sisters, but I know the problems Whitney has been causing. Once again,
my fault.”
“ Dr. Russell, I’m sorry, but your guilt where Whitney is concerned is misplaced.
Whitney wants to wallow in her pain. She doesn’t want to move on. She doesn’t
want to forgive.”
“ What I did to her..”
“ Was tragic. I get that. It was horrible. I had a front row seat, remember?
But, you didn’t plan it. The person responsible is Alistair Crane. You lied,
but not to hurt Whitney or Simone, but to protect them. Whitney could get
all sorts of therapies, but she wants her pain. You should focus on Simone.
Let Whitney go. Light a candle for her, the way that Mama does for Antonio.
Maybe one day both your prayers will be answered. You have two children that
love you and want to be with you right now. Simone is the one who needs you.
Whitney will live for another day.”
“ That’s very opinionated of you, Theresa.”
“ It’s the truth. Chad needs you. Simone needs you. Your patients need you.
You need yourself. You need to heal. Chasing after Whitney isn’t going to
do you any good, physically or emotionally. “
“ My my…when did you mature so? When did you become a woman?”
“ About the time my fairy tale dreams were shattered and I had to live in
the real world. But, there’s a lot of love in the real world, and we have
to hold onto it with both hands.”
“ Amen Theresa. Now, let’s eat, you two. Mother’s prerogative to stuff you
two.”
They all laughed.