Love Is Patient

by Isabella Bearden

  Chapter 10

  Chloe

  Riley and I went back to the break room to eat. She didn’t say much and I knew she had a lot on her mind after what happened last night, and then Mason walks in here tonight. But I think he got her heart when he showed her the drawing he wants on his arm. She knows how dear to the heart it is to lose a parent. But I had to figure out what was going through her head so I broke the silence.

  “Riley, what’s going on with you?” I ask her.

  Riley looks away from her food past me, I know just behind the wall she is looking at Jays area for doing his work and I know Mason is in the room as well. She still didn’t say anything.

  “It’s Mason isn’t it? If you want to go we can go.” I tell her.

  She spoke in a very soft voice. “No its okay, just seeing that drawing and knowing that he is hurting too for the loss of a parent. I feel like it brings us closer. You know?”

  I put my hand over hers and rub the top of it. I know she was thinking about her dad. I took my hand away and start cleaning up the food.

  “So what tattoo are you getting?” I had to ask, I want to see what she had in mind.

  “It just a little scripture I came across one day, it made me think of my dad and it’s perfect.”

  “Are you going to let me see it before hand?”

  I walk over and threw the empty containers way.

  “No, I don’t want anyone to see it till I get it done. I want it to be surprised.”

  I shrug my shoulders, signaling that I give up on the tattoo subject. I walk back over to the table. “Are you wanting to stay till Mason is done or do you want to head out now?” I ask her.

  It was her turn to shrug her shoulders. “Doesn’t matter to me.”

  We stay in the break room waiting for the boys to get done. It was getting late and I didn’t feel comfortable walking back to the apartment with it being just us.

  Riley asks me about her living with us. Before we decided to come to college, we talked about her living with Jay and me since we would be getting an apartment together.

  “I mentioned to Jay again, but he keeps saying the same thing. ‘It’s just better for her living there’ speech.” I tell her with air quotes.

  “I know but I hate the dorms. I was hoping he would come around by now.”

  “Yeah me too, but you know you can stay at the apartment any time.”

  “Don’t tell me that, I may not leave.”

  Riley starts laughing, as I too start laughing, we stay in the break room for 2 hours while Jay was doing Masons tattoo. I didn’t want to bother him but I wanted to know if we would be leaving any time soon. I walk around the wall that separated the two rooms.

  “Hey babe, are you about done? it’s getting late and I have class tomorrow.” I see Mason standing at the Mirror admiring his new tattoo while Jay was cleaning up his area.

  “Yeah, just cleaning up and we can go.”

  “Okay, how do you like it Mason?”

  He turns around and smiles a smile I’ve never seen before. I knew it wasn’t because of me. I turn around and Riley is standing behind me. Her eyes glassed over, trying not to cry.

  “Mason, it’s beautiful.” She walks pass me over to him and gives him a hug. He hugs her back like he didn’t want to let go.

  Jay walks over to me and watches the happy couple. They definitely deserved each other.

  “So how about we moved this little party to the apartment?” I ask so we could get out of the shop. Jay has been here all day and I’m sure he wants to get home. Everyone agrees to go; we gathered our things and headed out.

  Chapter 11

  Riley

  Masons tattoo is so beautiful, I couldn’t help but admire it. Just seeing it makes me want to talk to Jay into doing mine before the day we set aside for him to do it. I can’t wait to get mine done.

  Mason and I stayed at Chloe’s until midnight, and by then we all were yawning to go to bed. We all said our good nights and Mason offered to take me home.

  Mason pulls up to the dorms, and turns the truck off. I don’t want to leave just yet.

  I shouldn’t ask but I would like to know what happened to his mom.

  “Mason?” I was so scared; my voice came out as a squeak.

  “Riley?” He questions back.

  “What happened to your mom? If you don’t mind me asking that is.”

  He took a deep breath and signed, “She was killed in a car accident. She was on the way to pick me up from a friend’s house since my truck was still a work in progress she felt better picking me up so I let her to have a piece of mind. Some idiot ran a stop sign and hit her driver side. It killed her on impact. The cops said he was going 70mph in a residential.”

  We both stay quiet for a few minutes, than Mason whispers, “I’ve blamed myself every day since then.”

  Mason held his head down and I felt for him, I move across the truck bench and embrace him in a hug, I know it probably won’t do anything. But I want him to know that I am here for him. If he starts crying then I knew I would break down and cry.

  We sat in the truck for a few more minutes. We both pull away and look at each other in the eyes; before I could react he leans down and kisses me. I didn’t want to pull way, it’s like his lips belongs on mine.

  He traces my lips with his tongue to get me to open my mouth. When I did, and his tongue connected with mine, I felt the fireworks. We both pull away gasping for air. I scoot away from him.

  “I’m sorry Mason but I have to go.” What am I doing, I’m running again. Away from my feelings. I grabbed my purse and dashed out of his truck before he could say anything.

  I’m walking across the parking lot to my dorm as I heard his truck crank up and leave. I could feel the tears come up. I would not cry not here. I can’t break down, I’ve been strong for so long.

  As I’m taking my keys out to open the security door to get in I hear someone say my name. I turn around slowly as I grab my keys in my hand poking out of my fingers. A dark shadow move from the corner and I jump.

  “Relax, Riley, it’s just me.” It’s Chase.

  I put my hand to my chest to calm my nerves. “What are you doing here?”

  He walks closer to me. “Sorry I didn’t mean to scare you. I called you but it kept going to voicemail.”

  “Yeah I turned it off after I went to Chloe’s. Now what is it?”

  “Riley, I didn’t find it. I cleaned out my car and it wasn’t in there.”

  “What do you mean it wasn’t in there Chase! It’s not in the pants I wore last night so it has to be in your car.” I start to panic as I think back what I would have done with it.

  “Did I smoke any of it last night?’ I ask him.

  “I don’t know, I took you to get it and then I brought you back here after that I don’t know what you did.”

  “You’re coming with me.”

  I grab his hand and pull him up through the security door to my dorm. He protested it.

  “Riley, I can’t be up here, we can get into trouble.”

  I put the key in to unlock the door. “Just be quite, just help me find it and you can go.”

  We went inside my dorm; everything was the way I left it. I see my roommate hasn’t been here so this shouldn’t be a problem.

  “Riley this is your thing; I don’t want anything to do with it.”

  “You had something to do with it when you took me and let me buy it! Start searching!”

  We searched my whole dorm and we still didn’t find it. I went through my hamper as Chase went through my desk drawers.

  “Did you check yourself?” He asks.

  I start to pat myself and start stripping as I was doing it so I would make sure I wouldn’t mess anything. I took off my shirt and felt my bra. It was in my bra this whole time today. I stood in my bed room with nothing on but my bra and underwear.

  “I can get use to this sight.” Chase says cocky.

  I throw the drugs at Chase. “Ge
t up and get out, go get rid of them. NOW!”

  “But do I have to leave now?” He said in his best whiny voice.

  “Yes.” I push him to the door to kick him out.

  “Okay, but call me!” Chase says as he was walking out of my door.

  I close the door behind him and slid down with my back to it. My hands on my face and chest to calm myself, everything is going to be okay. It has to be.

  ***

  It’s been almost three weeks and I have been avoiding Mason and Chase. I’ve been throwing myself full time in my studies. I couldn’t deal with two boys right now. When one would call or text I would ignore it.

  Chase texted me the next day after he left my dorm, to let me know that he did get rid of that problem for me. So I didn’t worry about that night any more until I walked into my first class and Chloe was glaring at me.

  “Why didn’t you tell me?” She growls out.

  I didn’t know what she was talking about. “What are you talking about?”

  “That night you went off with Chase, you went and bought drugs also.”

  I start to feel sick. “Chloe can we not does this now, we are in class.”

  “Fine have it your way.”

  She was so mad at me. I saw her raise her hand. “What are you doing!?” She didn’t answer me. “You said you didn’t want to talk about it here.” The professor asked her what she needed.

  “Excuse me, Professor. But could you please excuse me and Riley here, she isn’t feeling well and I do believe I should just take her back to her dorm.” He excused us.

  We got out of the building and went back to my dorm. I set my books down on my desk and Chloe was sitting on my bed. I didn’t even know where to begin to tell her.

  “So what do you have to say for yourself?” She said in a snappy tone.

  I put my hands together and sat down beside her.

  “Chloe, yes I did buy some coke. But I didn’t use it. After Chase told me what all occurred that night, I made sure that I got rid of it.”

  “That still doesn’t explain why you even bought it Riley; you have done so well without it.”

  “After what happened with Mason that night, I wanted to hide again. I don’t want him to see the real me.”

  “You know he has been asking about you.”

  “I figured he would, but I just don’t want to see him.”

  “Are you ever going to tell me what happened with you two that night he brought you home?”

  I got up to walk the floor to clear my head.

  “Nothing happened Chloe, he brought me home and he kissed me.”

  “And nothing?”

  “No there was something. I just got scared and I ran.”

  Chloe came over to me and gave me a hug.

  “Riley you can’t always be scared.”

  “Yeah I know. I’ll be okay; I’ve been through worse things.”

  There was one thing I couldn’t figure out though, how did she find out that I bought some? I let go of her to look at Chloe in her face to ask her how she knew.

  “Chloe, how did you find out that I bought some?” She questions me.

  “I overheard Chase talking to someone, and I heard the guy ask about you. He knew your name and all. I heard Chase tell him to stay away from you, that if you ever wanted to buy anymore to turn you down. After that I knew something happened.”

  “I don’t know why I didn’t tell you sooner, Chloe. I promise I will not ever buy anymore. It’s not worth it.”

  Chloe and I talk for a few more minutes. I ask her to go with me down to Jay’s shop to get my tattoo done, after he texted me letting me know he had an open spot tonight if I want to go ahead and do it.

  Chapter 12

  Riley

  Chloe and I walk across campus to her apartment to get the car. We were talking about what I would get on for my tattoo but I told Chloe she would just have to wait and see. We were almost to her apartment when Mason pulls up. Chloe and I keep walking hoping that he didn’t see us.

  “Riley. Can we talk?” Mason was hanging out the window trying to get my attention.

  I stop walking, “I guess we can, what is it? I’m on my way to do something.” I didn’t want to tell him I was on my way to get my tattoo and he asks if he can join, the only person I want around is Chloe when I get it.

  “Actually, I was wondering if we could talk in private.”

  Before I could answer Chloe speaks up. “Actually Mason, we have to be somewhere, can she call you later?”

  If it wasn’t for Chloe right then I would have gave in to him. I just can’t take being around him right now. So many emotions come up and I can’t handle it.

  “Yeah, Riley, call me please.”

  With that Mason rode off as we continue to get the car. I know what he wants to talk about but I just don’t want to go though it right now. All the emotions that come with love is really no joke.

  When I was little my dad use to tell me that there is someone out there for me, and he would always say ‘Love is Patient, it’s up to you to be patient also.’ I never knew what he meant and till this day I still don’t.

  We got to the car and rode down to Jay’s shop. I’m getting excited to get my tattoo. It took me some time to find what I wanted but when I found it I knew it was the one. We walk into the shop and Jay met us at the front. He was shutting down the shop for the night.

  “You ready, Riley?” Jay asks as he walks back to his station.

  I follow him to the back with Chloe behind me, “Ready as I ever will be.” I turn my head and smile at Chloe. I had to have her come with me; there was no way that I could do this by myself.

  “Do you want to see it first or apply it then see it after?” Jay asks me

  “Um, I will just see it after you get done with it. I know I will love it.”

  “Okay, do you still want it on your ribs?”

  “You’re getting it on your ribs! That is going to be so painful!” Chloe blurt out before I could answer Jay.

  I smile at her, and turn to Jay. “Yes.”

  Jay set up everything, and I pull up my shirt to let him apply the outline. I couldn’t wait to see how it turns out.

  As Jay starts the tattoo I grab Chloe’s hand. No I’m not really scared; I’m more excited that I’m finally getting something that represents my dad. I know he would be proud of me.

  It took Jay about an hour and half to complete my tattoo and do the coloring. Jay did say he wants to add a little something in there instead of it just being words.

  “Alright, Riley, it’s done. You can get up now.” I walk over to the mirror to look at it. It’s beautiful. It had a yellow rose starting from the top and went through the words all the way to the bottom as it says “I cried when you passed away, I still cry today. Although I loved you dearly, I couldn’t make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating, hardworking hands at rest. God broke my heart to prove to me that he only takes the best. R.I.P Daddy.”

  I look at Chloe though the mirror and I could tell she was trying to hold back from crying. I even had tears in my eyes. I walk back to Jay so he could cover it up, as he was doing that. Chloe ask why he chose yellow for the rose with a confused look.

  Jay turns around and smiles a Chloe, “Yeah, why did you choose yellow? I thought yellow always meant ‘Joy’.” I ask him also; at least that is what I had always learned.

  Jay clears his throat, “Actually yellow can mean different meanings, and I know this was special to Riley so I chose yellow for the meaning of ‘Promise of a new beginning’. I thought it suited her better.”

  I’m trying to hold the tears back but I couldn’t keep them in any more. I put my hands up to my face so they wouldn’t see me cry. Chloe came over to give me a huge. I dried up my tears and ask Chloe what she thought about it.

  “So what do you think Chlo?” I ask, looking at the tattoo.

  “It’s beautiful.” She whispers.

  Jay finishes cleaning up the shop and we head b
ack the apartment. As we got back to the apartment I see Mason’s truck parked out front.

  Chapter 13

  Chloe

  When we pull up to the apartment I notice a truck sitting outside with someone sitting in it. As Riley got out of the car, Mason was getting out of the truck. What is he doing here? Riley turns the opposite way to void Mason. I know she doesn’t want to talk to him, but why does he keep insisting on trying to speak with her. Mason walks to the car to where I’m at. He opens and closes his mouth like a gold fish would be gasping for air.

  “Mason, what are you doing here? Riley told you she would call you.” I demanded him.

  “I don’t think she was going to call me, she has been ignoring me for almost 3 weeks now. What’s going on?” He asks me.

  I’m not going to tell him she is scared because then he will won’t leave her alone thinking he can fix things.

  “Listen, she just has a lot going on right now with school. Just give her some time. She will call as soon as she is ready to talk.”

  He took a deep breath. “Alright, but Chloe please tell her that I want to talk to her.”

  “Mason, she knows you want to talk to her but what are you getting at with her? You just met her; there is no way that you are falling for her considering you have only been on one date and that didn’t turn out so well. You have to be patient with her. Haven’t you ever heard of the phrase ‘Love is patient, love is kind?’ You just have to be patient when it comes to Riley.” I know whatever I say to him he isn’t going to listen to me. I can only hope he takes my advice.

  “I am being patient; it’s just something about her that just drives me up the wall. I have never met anyone like her before, she is smart and beautiful. Those green eyes are amazing to look into when you’re having a bad day. I can’t explain it.” Mason starts smiling as he is talking about Riley.

  “Don’t go all gushy on me now. Everything will work out, Riley is a very… how can I put this… she is very complicated. She needs to figure something’s right now before she can move on. Now go home Mason, she will call when she is ready.”