EPISODE FIFTY FOUR
THEME: Meagan’s Misery
ROSALYN RAMIREZ APARTMENT, CHICAGO
“Do I have to return now? You don’t look well enough to me.” Jaylen whined, refusing to budge as Rosalyn pushed him towards the car waiting for him outside.
Rosalyn was weak from laughter, she didn’t know how else to tell him off. Jaylen was stressing her intentionally although she enjoyed the extra attention and extra care she was getting from him.
“Come on Rosalyn.” Jaylen grumbled.
She laughed. “Oh please leave. Your family would be expecting you by now.”
Jaylen grinned widely. “Wow! It’s obvious you hate seeing my face around. Why would you be so against me staying back for a few more days?”
“It has been almost three days straight, Jaylen. Please return home, I have everything else under control here.” She assured him.
Jaylen snorted. “Yes you have everything under control except for your health.”
Rosalyn giggled as she slapped his back. “I am perfectly fine. It is you who is refusing to see it.”
“But I am only asking to spend a few more days with you.”
Rosalyn stomped her feet. “Oh come on! Jaylen! You are keeping the poor driver waiting.”
Agreeing to her assertion, he eventually stood still before holding onto Rosalyn tightly. “Please take care of yourself. If you don’t, I am coming down here and leaving everything behind.”
Rosalyn giggled. “Alright. All heard boss. Just go now, your father needs you the most in his last moments.”
“Yes ma’am.” He did a mock a bow.
“Bye!” She waved at him as he headed out.
Rosalyn watched his car drive down the road and her eyes teared up. There was no way she would let her feelings destroy the friendship she has with Jaylen. All through the days he spent with her, he had made her feel extremely comfortable. Taking her on walks and fun rides, also preventing her from working just to ease her. He had proven himself to be a reliable person and one she could count on in times of need and that was enough for her.
Getting back into the house, she walked right on time to hear her phone ringing. Gabriella, Jaylen’s grandmother was the one calling.
‘Hello Rosalyn.’ Gabriella voice rang through the receiver.
Rosalyn laughed lightly. ‘Hey Gab. How are you doing?’
‘I’m good. Will you ever forgive me for not calling?’
‘I can never get angry at you. Thanks for keeping up.’
‘How do you feel now?’
‘Much better.’ Rosalyn mumbled.
‘That’s good to hear. Do you mind getting me across to Jaylen, I have been calling that silly boy but he has refused to pick his call.’
‘He just left a while ago. Probably he is in the plane at the moment.’
‘Oh really?’ Gabriella sounded like she had something more to say.
‘Yes. He should get to you soon enough.’
‘Thanks so much Rosa. Please take care of yourself. I would call again soon.’
As the call ended, Rosalyn stared at the cellphone for a while. She could tell something seem different and Gabriella didn’t actually sound like herself, but she wouldn’t know since they aren’t seeing physically. Dropping the phone she went into the kitchen to work on her chores.
*********************
MOON STONE FORTRESS
AT THE PACK HOUSE: ALPHA CARL CHAMBERS
Meagan chewed on her nails as she paced back and forth listening in on Gabriella’s conversation with Rosalyn. Carl had been skeptical for days when Jaylen didn’t return as expected, it grew on her as well. When he returned to Chicago, he had informed them that the accident was minor and nothing to worry about. But her mind had been on a high race when Jaylen hadn’t returned after three days.
He couldn’t have possibly lied to them about coming back. With the way Carl’s health dimmed as the day passes, he might pass on earlier than expected. For days since Jaylen returned, she had seen that sparkle her husband’s youthful eyes once had. He had held down his emotions so much, she didn’t realize he had been affected by the absence of their son just as much as it weighed on her too. She just wanted some happy last moments for him and herself before everything goes haywire.
“Do you think she suspected anything?” Meagan whispered to Gabriella.
Gabriella looked stunned. “Why are you whispering?”
“Oh.” Meagan mused, when she looked around and realized it was just the both of them and a sleeping Carl. She was becoming more discreet since the rise of the situation they have all found themselves in.
Gabriella giggled. “Well following what she said, he is returning today.”
Meagan sighed in relief as her eyes went straight to Carl’s lone body on the bed. “He would be so glad.”
“I’m sure he would.” Gabriella replied, looking towards him and her eyes were heavy with tears.
Everyday she tried to live past the thought of her losing her son soon as the sight of him was mind wrecking. But Carl being Carl he lived everyday like he wasn’t going to drop dead in no time. His energy was the only reason why she could keep up with him. Thankfully his memories would linger for as long as she lived and that was enough.
Holding on to her chest, Meagan coughed out in discomfort.
“Are you okay Meagan?” Gabriella asked with her eyes and brain on high alert. She helped Meagan sit down before feeling her temperature. “You look pale.”
“I’m fine.” Meagan smiled weakly.
“Have you been eating well?”
Meagan let out a snort. “How do I find the strength to eat well with all of this? I wake up with my heart racing like they would jump out of their cage. Gab, I can’t help it as much as I try.”
Gabriella sighed as she looked sideways. “I know just how you feel. When Carl father died, it had been a whole lot for me. Carl was barely old enough to actually handle the matters of the pack. It had been a tough time, but we did scale through in the end. You are the pillar of this family Meagan, you have to do all you can to ensure Carl’s legacy does not wane out. Let the generation to come have good stories to tell of Moon Stone’s one time alpha. I know you love him so much and want to be able to feel his pains. But you are only making him feel weaker when you don’t look after yourself. This family needs you, and I also promise to be as much support as I can to help you get through this.”
Meagan’s tears had soaked the whole of her dress as she couldn’t help the emotional outburst she was feeling.
“Come here.” Gabriella sniffed as she pulled her into a motherly hug. She loved Meagan like she had birthed her.
She says it often that her son had been so lucky to have been able to meet a woman like her to love him in his lifetime. She felt so sorry to have her go through the pains and hurt she has had to face in the years of her marriage.
Patting her back lightly, Gabriella kept whispering words of assurance even though she wasn’t certain when all of the misery would come to an end.