“Nope.” My answer was curt and my tone purposefully hurtful. “I have a mother who was always there for me. She filled whatever absence you left.”
“Claire? Was she good to you?”
“I couldn’t have had a better person raise me. She was and has always been there for me.” That was the absolute truth. My Aunt Claire, was a rock in my life. She’d treated me like I was her own. “Do you regret leaving us?”
“I regret very few things in life.”
“How about my father, do you regret what you did to him?”
“You Collin men are so weak.” I sensed the exasperation in her voice. “You, for example, got your heart broken by a girl and started selling drugs. I left your father and he became lost in a memory. That’s why you need me, Ezra. I will turn you into a man and you’re going to be a legend, just like me.”
I snorted. “God forbid I end up like you.” I flipped through more pages and continued sending everything to Nunes.
“Did, um, your father ever talk about me?”
“Never.”
“How about your uncle?”
“Everything I know about you, I learned from him. He was the only person willing to tell me what happened.”
“Have you ever wondered if everything he told you was true? What if he lied or omitted a few facts? You can never fully believe a story until you hear from both sides.”
She was trying to plant doubt in my mind perhaps to create a falling out between my uncle and me. I wouldn’t fall for it. Vinnie wouldn’t have lied to me about such a matter.
“I’ve met you and I’ve lived with Vinnie all my life, if I have to believe someone, I’ll believe the person who was always there for me.”
Chichi was quiet, however, I sensed eyes on me. I cocked my head to find the nurse watching me. A crease settled between his brows. He was so silent I’d almost forgotten about him. Calmly, I stowed the phone and continued scanning through the pages.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Christina
Summer was around the corner and what better way to celebrate than with a wedding? The skies were bright blue, the crisp late morning breeze rising from the Pacific held a whiff of the salty sea. A white marquee, that was separated into two halves by a long white carpet sprinkled with red rose petals, shielded us from the sun.
Only a handful of people were invited to Melissa’s wedding—family and very close friends.
Melissa kept the decor simple and tasteful. I toyed with the golden fork before me staring at the red, white and golden centerpieces while listening to the crashing sound of the waves. Everything was set when I left Melissa a few minutes ago, we’d managed to get her ready and on time. It was a miracle since she was late for just about everything.
Her mother rushed to the altar, holding up the end of her pastel yellow gown and stood at her post. When the pianist hit the first key of the bridal march, we all rose. The wide grin that spread across Andrew’s face was a clear indication of his bride’s arrival. He always said Melissa awed him and by the way he was swooning, there was no doubt of how much he loved and admired her.
Melissa walked down the aisle. Hands intertwined with her father’s. She looked angelic. Her mermaid, strapless gown had a long tail spread out behind her. She smiled as she passed our table and I blew her a kiss.
At the altar, Melissa stood by Andrew and the wedding planner signaled for us to sit.
I glanced at Erica; she had her head down. Since early morning, Melissa and I noticed that something was wrong with her. Her smiles weren’t genuine, she was withdrawn and didn’t want to tell us what was happening. She said she was fine, but Erica didn’t know how to mask her feelings, she’d always been transparent.
The minister initiated the ceremony by saying, “Ladies and gentlemen we are gathered here today to celebrate love—the greatest gift to mankind.”
Melissa’s brother elbowed me and whispered, “I don’t see your boyfriend here. It’s unchivalrous and dangerous to leave a beautiful woman alone at a wedding.”
Months ago, I craved those random compliments, now they did nothing for me. Melissa’s brother had been hitting on me since he arrived, and I only thought of the situation as funny. He was extremely good-looking. Light brown skin, green eyes like his father and a smile worthy of a god. Even with this magnificent combination, it had no effect on me.
“But the thing is,” I said, “he has nothing to worry about. I’m already love-drunk.”
Placing his business card in front of me. “Give me a call when you sober up.”
I shoved his shoulder while he gave me another award-winning smile. I returned the card since I had no use for it.
The ceremony was heartfelt and had most of the ladies in tears. Right after, I searched for Erica. Unable to find her, I went to her better half.
“Hey Dave, have you seen Erica?”
He nodded and finished drinking his champagne before answering, “She’s by the garden. Went to get some air.”
“Is she okay? Are you guys okay?”
“Look, you should talk to her yourself.”
I sauntered out of the tent and spotted her sitting on the grass, staring ahead at the ocean. I don’t think she saw me approach until I sat down next to her and touched her arm. She looked at me but said nothing, and then stared blankly forward.
A single tear rolled down her cheek. This wasn’t like Erica, she didn’t cry. She was always happy. Unless something terrible happened or someone died, her pink lips were always pushed up and her big blue eyes always shone with life.
I rested my head on her shoulder and hugged her. Her body quivered as sobs escaped her. Not knowing what to say or how to comfort her, I sat there and let her cry.
“I thought the two of you left,” Melissa said, moving towards us. Erica sniffed and wiped her tears, I glanced over my shoulder and Melissa was running towards us. She slumped down next to Erica and said, “What are we looking at?”
Melissa cocked her head and lifted Erica’s chin. “Erica Bale, what’s eating you?”
Erica sniffed and spoke in a nasal voice, “You’ll get your dress dirty.”
“I’ve said my vows and Andrew already wants to get me naked to consummate the marriage. So, it makes no difference to me at this point. Why are you crying? You never cry.”
Erica inhaled, swallowing the tears and gazed up. “I can’t have children,” she muttered and dropped her head. “We found out that I can’t get pregnant.” She covered her face with her hands and a fresh wave of tears broke free.
Her words cut through me. I winced like I experienced a physical blow. I got on my knees and enfolded my body over hers, and Melissa’s arms came around me. My tears threatened and I didn’t fight them back. I don’t know how long we stayed in that position for, my knees were aching, but it didn’t compare to the agony in my chest. It pained me, knowing that I wouldn’t be there to help her through this.
Since we were young, having kids was always an integral part of Erica’s dreams. She wanted the princess wedding, which she had, and lots of babies, which she couldn’t have.
“Mel I’m sorry,” Erica said. “I didn’t want to bring my drama to your wedding.”