Page 48 of Chula
“Would you like a drink?” she asks, but I shake my head, too wrapped up in what’s happening in front of me.
“My husband is at work, but we had a few things we’d like to discuss. I assume while they spend time together, you wouldn’t mind?” she asks me.
“No. Of course not.” She nods her head, and I follow her into the kitchen, where she pulls out a chair for me and motions for me to sit down.
“How do you know Luna?”
“I’m her boyfriend.” She nods and rests her hands on the table.
“I was told a little about where he lived and his life, and while I wasn’t thrilled with it, I understand it. I was once on the streets myself as a young girl. When I was adopted, things changed for me. And I want that for Davey. It’s only been a few weeks, but I can tell you I already love having him here. I’m not his mother, and I could never replace her, nor would I want to. I know it’s all up to the judges and all, but …” She trails off.
“Luna would love to have her brother, but we all know the state isn’t going to give him to her. She just wants to be able to see him. She’s never been without him, and he’s never been without her.”
“I can see that by the way he smiled. That’s actually what I wanted to discuss. When I took him in, they gave me the rundown on him and his sister. I know how close they were, and I’d like to keep up with that. I want her to call, text, video chat, and obviously come see him whenever she wants.” What the hell? I’ve never met anyone or heard of anyone who would do this. Not that state has picked. You always hear the horror stories but never the good side of things.
“Are you kidding?”
“No. And judging by that smile on his face, I made the right decision.”
“You don’t know how much that’s going to mean to her.”
“I also hear that she’s going to school to be a nurse. Is that right?”
“She is. She’s doing some online schooling right now until we save up some money,” I tell her. She smiles and nods her head.
“I want him to have her in his life. I want him to be happy, and I hope that one day we’ll be allowed to adopt him.” I sit back in the chair, blowing out a breath. This, this is going to both break her and make her happy.
“I know she wants nothing more than to have her brother, her family by her side and with her. I understand that, but I also know how hard and expensive it is to take care of a child like Davey. We plan on getting him the best care that we can.”
“I think she’d appreciate that very much. You seem like a great person, and the fact that you’ll let her see him, she’s going to love that.”
“I would never want to take him away from her. Not after the life they lived.” I nod my head as Mary stands and we both walk back into the living room, where Davey is playing with his new toys Luna got him. I lean against the wall, crossing my arms over my chest as I watch them. Mary walks over and climbs onto the floor, and she and Luna begin to talk when I get another message. I slide my phone out and see the pictures of me and Luna walking into this house. Who the fuck?
I turn my head and glance toward the door, but the windows are covered and I can’t see out. I don’t want to make it obvious I’m looking for something, so I delete the message and look back at them.
I just watch them for what seems like hours, and before I know it, it has been. Luna kisses Davey goodbye, and Mary hugs her before she rushes into my arms. I hold her against me, keeping her close as I lead her out of the house.
“That was the best feeling in the world,” she tells me.
“I’m sure it was.”
“And she said that I can come anytime I want and call and everything.”
“Yeah, she told me that.”
“It’s a good place for him, right? I mean, they have everything he needs. She said they were going to get him into different therapies and everything.”
“Yeah, I think that’s where he needs to be, Chula. He’s going to do great there.”
“And you’ll come with me to see him?”
“You know I’d do anything for you,” I tell her. She presses up and kisses me before we walk to the car and climb in. I keep glancing around to see if anyone is out here, but I don’t see anything. The thought that anyone is out there watching her, me, us, bothers me, but I’m not going to break her heart and tell her this shit right now. She’s too happy for that.
“I’m starving,” she says as we take off driving.
“Lucky for you, Damion asked us to meet him for dinner. He wants to talk about how work is going,” I tell her.
“Really? Are we doing badly?” Now I laugh.
