*Lucas*
I was so surprised to see Andrea at the party. I didn’t know how she entered or who invited her. It was a good time to talk about things.
Not that I wanted her again, I still love her, but our story is already in the past. I just wanted her to be with me at that moment. She is my ex, and of course, I wanted to know who she was with now.
She didn’t seem frazzled by me, and this made me wonder if she had been invited by her new boyfriend. Whoever that asshoe was. I closed my eyes and opened them as I pulled my car over at the entrance of the club.
A ballet parking man in a gray suit rushed towards me and drove the car into the parking lot. If I hadn’t received a text from Edwin, my friend, I would have found everything I wanted about her.
I walked past the two bouncers in black suits at the entrance. I didn’t need to show my card as was required here. I was frequent here and was well known.
Immediately, the door was pushed aside, and I stepped in; I was greeted with loud music and flashing colored lights. The heavy smell of cigarettes and alcohol mixed with sweat hung in the air.
I walked through the crowd of people who were dancing and laughing.
Edwin wasn’t on the dance floor. He was in the regular booth we sat in when we were here. He was seated alone, but not without two half-dressed women who were all around him.
I took my seat, and he immediately signaled them to leave, which they reluctantly did. Edwin was handsome and could easily pull any girl without trying hard.
“So what’s up? You said it was important.” I said, leaning into the chair. Edwin’s eyes swept across the hall. “At least have a drink. You just got here.” He said.
I smiled, and he poured me a drink.
“How was your day with your Dad?” He asked.
“Don’t even get me started,” I said.
I had no interest in spending the entire day with my dad. I would rather spend it on the street. I have never liked those parties, where people always talk about business. “You know that was all for my Mom,” I said.
“So you should be grateful I called. At least I gave you a valid excuse to leave.” He said, and I raised my cup at him before lifting the drink to my lips, allowing him to bask in his delight, knowing fully well that I would have left regardless of whether he texted me or not.
I wanted my mom to have some alone time with my dad. I know he said he has someone he likes, but that didn’t mean that I had given up on him and Mom, not when she has not, not when I can tell she still wants him. I know she wants him, though she has not told me to my face.
I placed the glass on the table.
“So why did you text me?” I asked.
This question made him smile for some unknown reason, “You won’t believe what just happened. I got the gig, bro.” He started, and I could feel a headache building at the back of my head.
The DJ changed the music, and I soon found myself tapping my foot on the floor and humming under my breath to the song while Edwin spoke about the new game he had developed.
I had no interest in his games, but had to listen as his friend.
“So what do you think?” He asked.
I was quiet at first; I had not listened to all he had said, “What do I think about what?” I asked and quickly answered, “It’s a nice one. How can you be so talented?” I asked.
“Right. I may be able to surpass…” my mind went off again. This time to Andrea. She was looking beautiful. She has always been beautiful, but there was something about her this time; it looked different.
They always say girls glow after a breakup, and now I can only say that is the most accurate statement made.
“I saw her today,” I said, interrupting Edwin, who was still speaking. He must have known I wasn’t listening as he didn’t press on with his game.
One girl passed and offered to keep us company at our table, but Edwin refused and returned his focus to me.
“Who?” He asked, leaning closer. I frowned at him, “who else?” I asked.
He knew she was the only one I would want to talk about like this. “She looked so beautiful,” I said.
“What? You want to get back with her?” He asked. I scoffed, “Why would I?” It wasn’t about me. It was never about whether I wanted her back but more about if she wanted me back. She wanted nothing to do with me, and it was clear enough.
“You should get over her, man. Seriously.”
I glared at him, “Who said I am not over her? I was just surprised to see her.” I said, which was partly true. I didn’t tell him about how I held her and didn’t want to let her go. A man shouldn’t let out everything about himself to his friend.
“I see.” He thought for a while and then asked, “You went to an event with your Dad, right?” I poured myself another glass and gulp down. “Yes,” I answered.
“How did she go there?” He asked.
“I thought about that too and couldn’t find the answer. Maybe she knew someone there.”
“Or her new boyfriend is rich.” I gripped my glass harder as I heard this. It still didn’t sit well with me.
“And she was invited there. Were you able to talk to her?” He asked.
“No. She wanted to speak to me, but I didn’t give her any attention. least she thinks I’m still into her.” The lie came off easily.
“Good, the last thing we want is her stepping on your ego.” I nodded in agreement before quickly emptying my glass.
I would find a way to reach her so we can speak.
“Now, enough about her; who are you taking home tonight? I heard Lauren is here.” Lauren. She was the girl everyone was trying to get, and for some unknown reason, she was into me.
“Not sure I want to take anyone home,” I said. I had more pressing issues to deal with. It was something more like finding out who Dad’s new girl was, helping Mom with Dad and also Andrea.
She was now part of my plan.
I adjusted to my seat. My eyes pierced into the crowd. Many people danced, and at the corner, a couple were having a hot make-out session.
My eyes finally settled on Lauren. She had just stepped into the dance floor, and there was a shift in the air that even I sensed. She danced alone, but all the guys wanted her. The girls were quick to secure their men.
My phone rang.
“Lucas.” A voice called once the call connected, and I sat straight. “Come to the hospital right now. Your Mom…” the line broke. I stood frantically yelling into the phone, “What’s wrong with Mom.” But I got no response.
I rushed out of the club. Edwin called after me, but I had no time to explain.
I ignited my car and drove off.
I called Williams again, but it didn’t go through. I stepped harder on the accelerator, driving as fast as I could and honking at cars in front of me.
Mom wasn’t in her best health. She’s not fully recovered from the car accident, and now she is back in the hospital. Different thoughts raced down my mind. What if something terrible happened to her? What am I going to do?
At least Dad would be there. I had left them both at the party. That was the only joy I had. This would bring them closer.
I mentally kicked myself for trying to find something good in such a bad situation. I should be praying she is okay, not hoping she gets together with him. At least not right now.
I called Williams again, and this time it connected, “what happened to her?” I asked.
“She collapsed.” He explained. He was called by a doctor and didn’t have the time to speak.
I took a sharp turn and nearly ran into a car, which abruptly stopped in front of me. I cursed at the driver before moving.
When I got to the hospital, I met Williams outside. He was walking back and forth through the hallway.
“What’s wrong with her? Where is Mom.” I asked, my heart beating hard inside my chest. She was all I had.
“She would be fine. The doctor said it was stress. She shouldn’t have gone out; she still needed all the rest she could get.” Williams explained.
I placed one hand on my chest, happy that it wasn’t that serious. She would get all the rest she needed.
“We had to leave the party before it ended. Sorry, I called you. They needed a family signature on some documents.” He said. That was when it dawned on me that something was missing.
No. Someone was missing. Dad wasn’t here.
“Where is Dad?” I asked.
“He would not be able to sign because…” he paused and scratched the bridge of his nose. I know. They weren’t family. I was her only family.
“I know. But shouldn’t he be here? I left them together at the party.” I said.
“He went out.”
“Did he have a business plan so late?” I asked, a bit puzzled. Williams shocked his head. “He had personal plans.”
“Is there a family member here now?” The doctor’s question interrupted our conversation.
After a brief conversation with the doctor and signing a few documents, I called Dad. He should be here. How could he leave Mom all on her own and go off with some girl?
The thought didn’t sit well with me. I couldn’t stop him, but I could at least make him come keep mom company.
When he didn’t take my call again for the second time, I called again. The plan was to keep calling till he finally answer, and when he did, I told him about Mom’s condition and how I wanted him to be here so we could watch Mom together.
I knew this would work with him. He was trying to mend our relationship, so he would do anything he could.
It took him over an hour to get here.
“How’s she?” That was the first question he asked.
“She is fine. The doctor said she needs rest.” I said.
He nodded and placed one hand on my shoulder. Memories where it wasn’t always like this. Where they were in love, and we lived like a family came into my mind.
They would get married again and we go back to the way things should be.
“You are staying the night here, right?” I asked.
“You want me to stay?” He asked instead of answering. “Why did you leave Mom? You could have sent her home.” I said. I didn’t want it to look forced. He would have to decide to stay himself.
“I wanted her to have fun on her own.” He said.
“Let’s stay together with her.” He said, and I smiled. He knew the right words to say.
He excused himself.
I followed him and watched him from a distance. He opened the door for a girl who stepped in after a quick peck on his cheeks. I only saw the girl’s side view, and for a second, I could swear she looked familiar.
She reminded me of Andrea.
“Lucas…” a voice called behind me, and I turned to see Lauren.
I guess Dad would be staying alone with Mom. They could use some bonding.