Page 84 of Your Biggest Downfall
“Thank you,” she whispered, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
“Why are you crying?” I asked, squatting down so I was eye level with her. “What’s wrong?” I quickly scanned her, making sure she was okay physically.
“I’m sorry you felt like I never put you first. I thought we were just friends for a long time. Friends who worked together, but I didn’t realize that everything was unfolding between us... romantically.” She paused, and her gaze fell. “You were always first for me...”
I gently cupped her chin, letting my fingers brush against her skin. “No,” I whispered. “We have each other now.”
She nodded, her tears reflecting the warmth of our connection. “Thank you for staying with me last night and for being here today.”
In the warm garage, I took her hand and helped her out of the car, pulling her up gently.
“Are you ready?” I wiped away the last of her tears.
“Yeah. I’m sure Mami is sitting there wondering what the hell is happening in her garage.”
I shrugged and led her out the door to the back of the house. “Nah, she was probably wondering where I was.” I pointed up to the wig, and that earned me a laugh.
“Probably,” Nova replied softly.
“Nova girl.” Nova’s aunt pushed open the screen door. “You didn’t have to rush over here this morning.”
“I wanted to see Mami.” Nova gave Aunt Mae a hug before she turned back to me.
Aunt Mae didn’t waste a second before wrapping me close to her and pulling me into a hug too. “It’s good to see you too, Austin.”
I didn’t know if it’d be awkward after yesterday’s hospital room experience, but Aunt Mae was as welcoming as she was yesterday.
“Thanks for having me.”
She gestured me inside the small house. Nova was already running through the kitchen toward the living area, where her mom was sitting on the couch.
“Do you need help?” I asked Mae, noticing the scattered groceries in bags around the kitchen. Mae was in an apron, and cookies were on the counter.
Without waiting for an answer, I grabbed a few bags, opened the fridge, and put food inside.
“You don’t need to be doing that. You’re a guest,” Mae said, but I only shook my head.
“No. I’m here to help.”
“You’re dating him?” I heard from the other room, and I turned to hide the flush on my cheeks.
I grabbed another plastic bag and put more food inside the fridge, making sure to separate the drinks from the food like my mom had taught me when I was younger.
“Mami!” Nova’s voice echoed through the room, followed by the sound of their laughter.
I peered down the hall, watching their interaction. A moment later, Cecilia whispered something I couldn’t quite make out, and then the coughing started. Nova jumped up instantaneously, grabbing a few tubes and adjusting something on the monitor.
I couldn’t tear my eyes away from them. The way Nova instantly moved to help her mother, the way her mom closed her eyes, weak and worn from the effort of coughing—it all felt too heavy, too unfair. No one deserved a parent with cancer, and certainly not Nova. She looked so young and innocent, like the inner child in her was resurfacing. As she cared for her mom, she seemed so fragile. She was so determined yet so vulnerable, and it was heartbreaking to see.
“She’s been dealt a shitty hand.” Nova’s aunt’s voice broke through my thoughts, pulling me away from the scene.
She gave me a sympathetic smile. “It’s hard watching someone you love suffer while you feel helpless.”
I exhaled, the somberness of it all pressing down on me. “Yeah. It is.”
“Come.” Mae urged me gently. “Let’s join them.”
I finished putting away the groceries, and Mae walked in with me, cookies in hand. Nova, now sitting on the couch, glanced up and smiled, scooting over to make room beside her.
