AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Micah: If your shit arrives before you land, want me to pick you up?
Gavin: Nah. I’ll just grab an Uber.
Micah: See you tomorrow. Tell your mom I said hi. Fly safe.
After my car is driven off, I go back in the house that no longer belongs to me and breathe deeply. In Los Angeles, houses sell faster than imaginable. At least that is what my realtor said. Regardless of the reason, I am happy to have things coming together. Call it divine intervention or luck of the draw—I don’t care—but thank god I was able to check every item off my to-do list.
Scanning the empty house, I sigh. The day I put my house on the market, I also asked every person I knew if they wanted to purchase any of my furniture. A few hours ago, the last piece—my bed—was picked up. With not much furniture in the first place, it wasn’t challenging to sell a bed with two nightstands, a couch, loveseat, coffee table, and a dining set. I had buyers lined up on the first day. In less than half a day, each piece was claimed.
Everything kept falling into place. And after each domino fell, I thanked the higher power watching over me. Because obviously someone out there wanted me to repair our broken relationship.
My phone buzzes in my palm, Mom’s name and picture flashing on the screen.
“Hey, Mom.”
“You ready, honey?”
“Yeah, I just have a couple more boxes for your garage.” Yesterday, I took over the majority of what I planned to keep. All I had left was my carry-on for the plane and two small boxes.
“Okay. I’m leaving the house now. We can grab something to eat after I pick you up. See you soon.”
“See you soon.”
Mom and I sit in silence at the dining room table with two open pizza boxes between us. Of all the things to have for dinner on my last night here, Mom suggested our favorite pizza place. Honestly, it didn’t matter what we ate. As long as we spent this time together, I was happy. And as much as I dislike California, I will miss Mom terribly.
“I wish you would come back to Florida with me,” I tell her.
She sighs before taking a bite of pizza. After she finishes chewing, she says, “Gavin, maybe I will return in the future. But for now, my place is here. Maybe I’ll feel different once you’re gone, but I won’t know until that happens.”
I nod, accepting her answer. “Just hate that you’ll be out here alone. If Dad was still alive, I’d feel different.”
“I’m not alone, Gavin. Believe it or not, I have friends. Lots of them. And we spend time with one another.” Mom points her slice of pizza at me and laughs. “Just because I’m a mother and older, doesn’t mean I forgot how to enjoy life.”
“Ha ha. Fine, I guess I believe you’ll make it without me here. But if anything changes…”
“I promise you’ll be the first to know.”
We finish eating and put the extra pizza in the fridge. Plopping down on the couch, we spend the next two hours laughing at old episodes of The Simpsons. The night is the perfect end to my time in Los Angeles. Next to my mom, laughing and spending time together.
And right then, I send a wish to the universe that Mom will want to move back to Florida soon. Because I need her just as much as I do Cora. The only women in my life that matter. The only women who keep me whole and in check. My secret request is selfish, but I don’t care. There are some things in life worth being selfish over. Like love.
We rise from the couch around ten thirty, give each other a hug, and head to our respective rooms. I kick off my shoes and tug my shirt over my head before landing on the bed. I stare at the ceiling for a while, counting the plastic, glow-in-the-dark stars I stuck to the ceiling when we first moved here. The stars were a constant reminder of Cora and the French sentiment I once told her. She truly is the stars to my moon. And she illuminates everything important in the world. Everything important to me.
And soon, very soon, I will be near her again. See her again. Breathe her in again. Touch her again. Because we haven’t reached the end of our road. Not by a long shot. Anyone who tells me otherwise is a fool.
Shortly after I turn off the lamp, I fall asleep under the same stars I did almost thirteen years ago. Stars that spark my mind to dream of the most beautiful woman. The woman I love. The woman I have to win back. No matter what it takes.
When I wake in the morning, Mom is in the kitchen cooking us breakfast. As I sit at the breakfast bar, she slides a plate of eggs, sausage, and toast in front of me. The last woman to make me breakfast was Cora. And I laugh, remembering my first taste of meatless sausage.
“What’s so funny?” Mom asks.
I share my story with her and she laughs too. So many things have changed over the years, yet one thing remains the same and true. My love for Cora. And no matter how much has changed for either of us, I will love her regardless.
Mom and I finish breakfast, then talk about my new agent and how I plan to stay with Micah until I buy a new house. I help her with the dishes and then we prepare to leave. The drive to the airport goes faster than usual. Before realization sets in, Mom and I hug at the departure drop-off. After someone honks their horn, we break apart.
“Call me when you land, please.”
“I will, Mom. I love you.”
