IVY RIVERA APARTMENT
Leroy paused his video game and dashed out of his bedroom running towards the living room.
“How are you Leroy?” Emily asked, gesturing to him to sit close to her.
“I am fine, aunt Emily. My mom already told me so much about you.” Leroy smiled.
“Oh really?!” Emily looked at her sister. “So what did she say about me?” She requested.
“She said good things about you, aunt Emily.” Leroy replied as he toyed with the bracelet on her wrist when she snuggled him closer.
“Hmmm… Didn’t your mom tell you aunt always sleep walk when she was little.” Emily teased him.
“No she said none of that!” Leroy countered as he laughed out and Ivy and Emily joined in.
“You know what? I think Leroy got that from you. He sleep talks and walks at times.” Ivy retorted and they all laughed again.
“It’s really nice to see you and Leroy.” Emily mumbled with a happy smile on her face.
“I am happy to see you too! And don’t worry aunt, my mom and I are here for you. And we are glad to have you with us.” Leroy embraced her.
“That’s so touching my handsome nephew. But I am sorry for showing up with this horrible looking face.” Emily joked.
“No, it’s not horrible. My mom told me that you are very pretty and I think you are beautiful. And you will heal with time. Oh! My mom already contacted the best doctor and therapist before you got here.” Leroy reported what his mom did before Emily’s arrival.
Emily exchanged glance with her sister. She was surprised at Ivy’s effort to help her get better.
“Don’t worry.. it’s nothing big.” Ivy shrugged. “Leroy is such a talker.” She added.
Leroy flashed her one of his boyish grin that always made her grateful for having him.
“Ivy, thank you very much.” Emily whispered.
“Emily, I apologize for leaving and turning my back on you. If I had any other options I wouldn’t have left you.” Ivy said with sincerity on her face.
“Please stop apologizing, Ivy. You just did what you had to do to save yourself and your baby. And should I be honest? I really can’t believe this happening.” Emily said.
“What?” Ivy asked.
Emily looked around the luxurious living room. “Everything here is great.. and I am happy you are doing fine without much help from anyone. You even raised a son on your own but look at me -”
Ivy cuts in. “Oh please Emily, let’s not open a can full of worms. Just give me the chance to help you with the little I have.” Ivy asserted.
Emily screwed up her face. “You call this life little? This comfort zone little? You are a star sis – oh I didn’t tell you!” She paused.
“What?” Ivy asked.
“You are really popular back in town, everyone is dying to watch any movie you work on and sometimes we all get to the pictures -” Emily stopped talking when she noticed the sudden change in Ivy expression.
“Can we not talk about home?” Ivy stated.
Emily nodded in agreement with an apologetic look on her face.
“Aunt Emily, how is grandma and grandpa doing? I just hope to meet them too.” Leroy pulled away from her.
Emily forced a smile on her face. “They.. they.. they are fine. And they sent their regards too but about meeting them you have to talk to your mom about that.” She replied.
“Mom can I -”
“Please not now Leroy, so why don’t you just go and get ready.” Ivy interrupted him.
Leroy furrowed his eyebrows. “Are we going out?” He asked.
Ivy nodded. “We have to take your aunt to the hospital to do some check ups.” She answered.
Leroy frowned. “But what about dad?!” He asked.
“Dad?” Emily asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Yes aunt.. I already met with my dad. Dad is quite popular here.. I looked him up on internet.” Leroy blurted out.
“You did that?!” Ivy gasped out in surprise.
“Yes mom.. I found out that my dad is super rich just that he is getting married soon to another woman.” Leroy said soberly.
He wasn’t happy his dad was getting married to someone else. He wished they could all live together like a family.
Leroy already found out more about his dad and there was no way Ivy could take away what he just discovered. “I warned you not to operate the laptop without my consent.” She scolded him.
“I am sorry mom but I had to – I wanted to clear my curiosity.” Leroy said with an apologetic look on his face.
Emily was confused. “Woow woow! what’s going on here?! I mean what am I missing?!” She questioned frantically.
“It’s nothing big. I’ll tell you everything on our way to the hospital.” Ivy stood up from the couch to grab her car keys.
The door bell rang.
“That must be my dad! I’ll get the door!” Leroy rushed to the door at a close run.
“Come on Emily, don’t give me that look….” Ivy rolled her eyes.
Emily stood up from the couch and went to her sister. “How did you find his dad?” She mouthed.
“It’s a very long and complicated story. I’ll tell you everything on our way down to the hospital.” Ivy whispered.
“Mom, my dad is here but he is refusing to come in because you haven’t invited him in yet.” Leroy stamped his feet on the floor.
“Did he say that to you?” Ivy asked.
Leroy nodded. “Come on mom, invite him in!” He jumped around in excitement and went ahead to drag his mom along to the door.
“Calm down sweetie… at this point we are going – hello.. Ace..” Ivy managed to smile when she got to the door.
“Hi Ivy.. I didn’t -”
“Please come in!” She breathed out and opened the door wide for him to step him.
Ace smiled at his son who was already holding his hand ready to pull him in. “Thank you.”
Ivy trembled when his skin brushed hers and she guessed that Ace sensed it because he gave a big smile.
“Dad! Meet Aunt Emily, she is my mommy’s sister.” Leroy introduced.
Ace knew her, he tried to find the girl he had met at the hotel years back but she was far from it probably because of her bruised up face.
“Hi Emily, it’s nice to meet you again.” Ace said.
“Meet again? Have you met my aunt before?” Leroy questioned.
“Yes.” Ace answered his son.
“Woah! How-”
Ivy cleared her throat. “Leroy, why don’t you go to your room and freshen up so we can all head out. Take your aunt to my room so she can get changed too.”
“Okay mom. Please come with me aunt Emily.” Leroy and Emily exited the living room.
“I am sorry Ace, we have to reschedule. I need to take Emily to the hospital to get proper treatment.”
“Is she okay?” Ace asked.
“For now… she is trying to be fine. She moved in today.. something just happened.” Ivy blabbed not wanting to fill Ace with the details.
“Don’t worry I understand.” Ace replied dropping a paper bag on the table. “I dropped by at the mall and bought some stuffs for Leroy
“You shouldn’t have -”
Ace cuts in. “Ivy, I already told you that I want to do this.” He moved closer to her but Ivy stepped away from him.
“I am sorry. And since you are going out I’ll take my leave. We can reschedule today’s meeting so just give me a call when you are free. And if you need my help with anything don’t hesitate to call me.” Ace said before he turned to leave.
But Ivy heard herself calling out his name before he got to the door. “Ace-”
He stopped walking and turned to face her. “If you are not too busy.. then you can take Leroy to the cinema or anywhere.” Ivy nibbled on her lower lips.
Ace was surprised that Ivy was willing to let him take Leroy out with her being around them. When he didn’t say anything Ivy concluded quickly that he wasn’t interested in her offer.
“Never mind.. just forget I-”
“No.. no.. no I mean it’s cool. I’ll be happy to do that for him.” Ace stuttered.
Leroy rushed back to the living room after getting changed into a new and more presentable outfit. “Are you leaving dad?” Leroy asked.
“Leroy, say thank you to daddy he bought some stuff for you.” Ivy pointed to the paper bag on the table.
Leroy moved closer to the table and checked the bag. He was excited when he saw his favorite super hero toy and comic book.
“Wow dad! You got my favorites!” He showed his mom the gifts.
“So what do you say?” Ivy demanded.
“Thank you so much dad!” Leroy threw his hand around Ace’s waist.
Ace ruffled his curls “Anything for you, Leroy. I remember you said that’s you like this episode of comic books so I got a message that it has been updated that’s why I got it for you.” Ace smiled happily at his son.
Ace was glad that he could do something for his son and make him happy.
“You remember that? Thanks dad! You are the best!” Leroy embraced his dad again.
“Take the bag to your room and look your best because you are going to see a movie with your dad.” Ivy instructed.
The outfit on him was nice but she wanted him to look his best. It was his first date with his dad without her in the picture.
Leroy was excited. “Really dad?!”
“Yes.” Ace nodded.
“Are you coming with us mom?” Leroy asked.
No, I am going to the hospital with your aunt. So the date is just for you and your dad.” Ivy answered.
“Okay! I’ll be right back dad!” Leroy raced off to his room again.
“Pardon me, please take a seat.” Ivy gestured to the couch.
“Thank you.” Ace settled on the couch.
“What do you care for? Wine? Soda? Juice? Water?” Ivy asked.
“Thank you, I am fine.” Ace replied looking around the room.
“Sure?” Ivy followed Ace’s gaze, he wasn’t listening to her.
He was looking at Leroy’s pictures that were arranged on the wall. Ivy has set aside a part of that wall to design it with pictures of Leroy right from when he was a baby till date.
She let Ace have the special time of looking at his son’s pictures. Ivy exited the living room to her bedroom.