by Kylie Parker
“I need twenty-four hours.” Jimmy stated.
“I’m sure Wayne can survive without a bodyguard for a day.” Emily winked at him. “Come on. Let’s go have some fun.”
“And, as W.A.S.P. so eloquently put, let’s get blind in Texas!” Wayne cried, with a glass of champagne, amidst the loud cheers of Emily’s band. A smile spread across Jimmy’s face. Deep down, he knew that he would find himself in many, similar joyous occasions, should he choose to accept Wayne’s job offer. The eleven band members would soon become the closest thing that he ever had to a family. They looked very close and seemed to love Emily very much. Nevertheless, he could not leave San Antonio without meeting his mother and he wanted to try and win Anna back.
“I’m meeting my mother tomorrow, Anna. Then, I’m going back to Dallas. I’m coming for you, baby…”
Chapter Thirty-Three
The next morning, with a terrible hangover but also very tense about his possible meeting with his mother, Jimmy left Drury Inn & Suites in Emily’s car, with his mother’s address in a piece of paper that she had given him the night before:
Susan Robinson-Holden
6208, Stanford Drive
Olmos Park
“I can’t help but wonder. Should I confront you, mom? Should I accuse you and dad for abandoning me like that? You can find a million excuses and I’m sure you’ve got one, like your age. But how the hell can you live with yourself, knowing that you’ve given your kids away for adoption? Do you sleep at night? Does thinking about it make you sad? Have you told other people about what you’ve done? What did they say? Don’t get ahead of yourself, Jimmy. Let’s hope she’s at that address. Then, you can ask her anything you want.”
Surrounded by the big city of San Antonio, Olmos Park was less than seven miles away. The short drive didn’t allow him much time to think about what he was going to say to his parents. Emily’s words were still ringing in his ears. Maybe she was right. There is nothing much to say when you meet your mother and father after twenty-eight years. It is indeed a very emotional moment for all parties involved. Still, Jimmy could not predict his reaction or theirs, either. This revelation had come at a very important time in his life. After his painful breakup with Anna, he was very vulnerable. He had never felt so helpless, not even when he lost his beloved brother.
A few minutes before noon, Jimmy parked the Lexus on the right side of an impressively wide, but rather empty road. Hardly any cars were parked on it. Every house around him was almost new and looked quite expensive. None of them really stood out. They all featured large, lush gardens or lawns and the estates that they were built on were quite big. The lush greenery reminded him of Highland Park. But this was no time for remembering a place so many miles away. It was the most important moment in his life.
With his heart pounding in his chest, Jimmy made his way towards his mother’s house on the right. He crossed the long, narrow pathway in the middle of the lawn and reached her massive, aluminum door. Jimmy sucked in a deep breath, before ringing the doorbell on his left. The sound of short, quick footsteps on the floor sent his adrenaline into the ozone layer. A strikingly beautiful, tall brunette in what seemed to be her late thirties answered the door.
“Can I help you?” She asked, her voice deep and fruity. Jimmy was puzzled. She looked a little too young to be his mother. Unlike him, she had brown eyes; her long, wavy, black hair did not resemble his short, straight, brown hair.
“This can’t be right.” He murmured, staring at the piece of paper in his hand.
“Sir?” Her voice got his attention. “Are you looking for someone?”
“Sorry. I guess I got the wrong address.” Jimmy said. He slowly turned around, as a sense of hopelessness overwhelmed him. Before he could walk away though, an elderly neighbor across the street waved at the woman, yelling:
“Good morning, Susan!”
Jimmy opened his eyes wide and flipped around. His hand began to tremble, as he returned his gaze to her. She was still at her door, looking up at him. The piece of paper slipped through his fingers and landed on the brown doormat.
“I’m Jimmy.” He whispered, his voice thick with emotion. “Jimmy Holden.”
A breathless gasp of surprise escaped Susan, as she slightly leaned back. Jimmy took a step towards her and stopped under the doorframe. Tears welled up in her eyes. She would not speak. Biting her lower lip, she covered her mouth with her right hand. Unable to control his fast, heavy breath, Jimmy shut his eyes. Two, thick tears spilled out of them, as he clenched his fists. He tilted his head almost all the way forward, feeling every hair on his body rise. Jimmy’s heart was about to burst out of his chest. Within seconds, his entire body trembled violently. He raised his right hand. Running his fingers through his hair, he grabbed a fistful of it, as tears streamed down his face. Sensing a light touch on his left hand, he slowly opened his eyes. Susan’s fingers were stroking his knuckles.
“My son?” She whispered. A gentle nod gave her the answer. Susan wrapped her arms around his back, as the tears that she had been so hard to fight back spilled out of her eyes. Jimmy entwined his own arms around his mother’s back. His grip was so tight that he almost lifted her off the floor. Neither of them could work up the courage to speak. Her loud sobs were audible over his muffled sniffles. Susan’s hot tears were seeping through his shirt, as his own tears soaked her shoulder and the strap of her top.
“Mom?” Jimmy said, his voice a soft, almost inaudible whisper.
“My God…” Susan sniffled. “I can’t believe I’m hearing that word.”
“I can’t believe I’m saying it, either.” He spoke in a low, faint voice.
“Let me take a look at you.” She continued, leaning back. Susan slid her hands up his back, looking deep into his blue eyes. Caressing either side of his neck, she watched as Jimmy cried tears of joy. She scanned every line of his face. The feel of her soft hands on his skin gave him the chills.
“You look so much like your father.” Susan sniffled. “So tall… So handsome… I knew… I knew you were my son from the moment I saw you.”
“Where is he?” Jimmy inquired, his voice a little louder this time.
“I’m so sorry, baby.” She replied, gently shaking her head sideways once. “He died a long time ago. Come.” She urged. “I need to talk to you about him.”
Jimmy walked into Susan’s luxurious house and followed her to the kitchen on the left. His hands were still shaking and tears kept flowing down his cheeks. He had found his mother, but the news of his father’s death had upset him. However, Jimmy had been through so much lately that he would settle for one parent. It was still better than none. Eager to hear more about his late father, he joined Susan at the kitchen table.
“My God…” She whispered, sat next to him. “My boy is here. He’s finally here.”
“What happened to him?” He muttered under his breath.
“Forgive me, sweetheart.” Susan sighed. “I’m just so happy to see you again… Your father? God, where should I start? His name was Jake Allen. I met him when I was just seventeen. He was twenty at the time. I was pretty wild back then. I…”
“Wait a minute.” Jimmy interrupted her. “You were seventeen? Which means you are…”
“Forty-six.” She finished his sentence.
“You don’t look like forty-six to me.” He commented.
“Thank you. I guess time has been kind to me. Now, about your father. Jake was a member of a motoring club. Or perhaps I should say, a gang called “Crow Riders.” He was involved in a lot of illegal activities. But mostly, he used to steal VCR’s, TV’s and all kinds of electronics. He loved to steal. Anyway, one day, his crew decided to rob a bank. Three of them pulled guns on the tellers, but one of them pressed the silent alarm button. The police used the back door; they surprised them. All three of them were shot to death. I was six weeks pregnant at the time. I was going to tell him, but I never got the chance. My parents found out about it. They didn’t want m
e to have an abortion, but they insisted I put you boys up for adoption.” One more tear rolled down Susan’s right cheek as she finished her short narrative.
“I take it you know about Michael.” Jimmy whispered.
“Yes.” Susan said with a nod, biting her lower lip. “I even went to his funeral. I saw you there. I wanted so bad to just…” She faltered. “Hug you, kiss you, tell you I’m your mother, but I couldn’t. You see, my father had arranged for me to marry some congressman. He said that he would not proceed with the marriage, if he found out I had a child. I got really mad at him. He thought I was still the 18-year old girl he could push around. I canceled the whole thing. I never met him.”
“Where’s my grandfather? My grandmother?” He asked.
“He died six years ago. She died ten months after he did.” She murmured. “Oppressive people, both of them. I know what you’re going to ask next. Why I never contacted you all these years. What was I supposed to say to you? I didn’t have the heart to face you, son.”
Once again, Susan burst into tears. She put her face in her hands, tilting her head forward. Having discovered why he enjoyed stealing, Jimmy was shocked. Incredibly, he had inherited that trait from his deceased father. However, witnessing his mother’s emotional breakdown, he decided not to bring it up. Such revelation would only add to her misery. With her loud sobs ringing in her ears, he realized that Emily was right. He did not need to speak much during the most emotional meeting of his life. Jimmy had found her. Arguing with her would only push her away from him. After all, how could he hold a grudge against his only remaining family?
“Mom…” He said, heaving a deep sigh. “Did you ever get married? Do I have any siblings?”
“I did.” She replied, wiping the tears from her face. “Twice. I married my first husband in 2003. He didn’t want to have kids. I was ok at first, but I changed my mind later. We got divorced in 2005. I married Frank two years ago, but the doctors told me that I couldn’t have kids.”
“Too bad.” Jimmy spoke, a hint of disappointment in his deep, manly voice.
“What about you? What do you do? I’m an interior designer, by the way.” It was the question that Jimmy had been dreading to answer. It embarrassed him; he had no idea what to tell his mom. But, the night before was still fresh in his mind. He had been thinking about Wayne’s job offer since he woke up that morning.
“I’m a bodyguard.” He stated. “It’s pretty new, but I think I’ll like it.”
“Good for you.” She smiled up at him. “What about your personal life? Are you seeing someone?”
Jimmy’s eyes darkened, as he recollected Anna. He dropped his gaze from his mother and chose to stare at the table in front of him.
“You were.” She commented. “But, she’s no longer in your life, is she?”
“It’s complicated.” He said, his voice bass-deep. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
“You’ll win her back.” Susan encouraged him. “And when you do, I’d like to meet her.”
“I’ll try.” He claimed. “Listen, I’ll probably be away for a while. My boss travels a lot.”
“You’re leaving?” She squinted at him.
“I’m sorry.” Jimmy whispered.
“Don’t be.” She urged, putting her hands on his face. “Thank you. Thank you so much for coming back into my life. Just remember to call every once in a while, ok?” Susan gave him a sweet smile.
“You, too.” He said, as he rose from his seat. Once more, Jimmy put his arms around his mother. She laid her head on his chest, sighing. He kissed her on the cheek, caressing her upper back, whispering in her ear:
“No need to thank me, mom.”
Chapter Thirty-Four
Jimmy had just gotten into his car, when his phone rang. His heart fluttered, as he checked the caller ID name: It was Anna.
“Yeah?”
“Jimmy!” She cried, her voice riddled with fear. “They took Andy! They said they’d kill him if he doesn’t give them the money by eight o’clock tonight!”
He quickly pulled the phone away from his ear and checked the time. It was almost 1pm. Jimmy was in a dilemma. He had already refused to help out Andy once. Anna had asked him why and was probably there because she needed his help, but Jimmy could not know for sure. However, he realized that if he did not lend him that money, he would never stand a chance to get back together with Anna.
“What do you want me to do?”
“Help him! Please, help him!
Jimmy spoke no more. He tossed his phone on the passenger seat and started the engine. The rear tires screeched and smoked, as he put his foot hard down on the gas pedal. Jimmy did not have much time. In a matter of seven hours, he had to drive back to San Antonio, return Emily’s car, go back to his apartment, take the money and drive all the way to Highland Park, more than 270 miles away. He contacted the San Antonio International Airport, but, unfortunately for him, all three flights to Dallas were booked. If he wanted to save Jimmy’s life and try to approach Anna one last time, Jimmy had to act very fast indeed.
Just before he left Olmos Park behind him, he called Emily.
“Hello?”
“Hey Em, it’s me.” Jimmy was so anxious that he was gasping for breath.
“Hey!” She sang. “How did it go? Did you find your mother?”
“Yeah, I did. It went pretty good. It was like you said. Where are you?”
“That’s great! I’m at the hotel. Why?”
“I’ll be there in a few. Do me a favor, will you? Wait for me at the entrance. I’ll explain things to you when I get there.”
“Ok.”
“Later.”
With everything happening so fast, poor Jimmy did not have the chance to savor the joy of meeting his mother. In a twist of fate, Emily’s actual birthday was turning out to be by far the most important day of his life. On his way back to her hotel, he wondered whether that actually meant anything or if it was just a mere coincidence. Amid his panic, he had forgotten that he would have to explain things to her and eventually, let her down. He could not follow her; at least, he could not leave with her that day. Jimmy only remembered that when he saw her standing just outside the lobby, on the left hand side of the road. He hastily left her car in the parking lot and rushed towards her. Emily did not allow him to verbalize. When Jimmy got close enough, she gave him a big, toothy smile and an even bigger, tight hug. He hesitated at first, but then returned her hug.
“God, I’m so happy for you.” She said in a sweet voice.
“Thank you. I need to talk to you, Em.” He spoke in a low, sad tone, gently pushing her back.
“Yeah, you sounded upset.” Emily remarked. “What’s wrong?”
“I need to be in Highland Park by eight. Anna’s brother is in trouble. He owed some people money. They’ll kill him if he doesn’t pay them off.” His reply wiped the smile off of her face. Emily lowered her eyes and began to shake her head sideways, squeezing her lips.
“I can’t come with you.” He added. “I want to see her again. Give it another shot.”
“I get the part where you want to save that guy’s life.” She nodded. “But try to win her back? Again? You’re wasting your time, Jimmy. It’s sad, really. I really wanted you to come with me. I kind of…” Emily faltered, as a tear rolled down her left cheek. “Got used to having you around. I’ll miss you.”
“What’s the matter, Emily?” He asked, sensing that something was wrong. “It’s been a long time since I saw you cry.”
“It’s just that I like this new Jimmy better. And I’m sure that…” She faltered yet again, before taking a deep breath. “I would totally fall in love with him, if I stayed here a little longer. Or if he followed me.”
“I could fall in love with you, too.” He confessed. “But you’re forgetting something.”
“What’s that?” She inquired, with a hint of surprise in her voice.
“You’re right. I am different. But, I wouldn’t have changed
if it hadn’t been for her, Em. She changed me. She made me want to stop all the illegal crap and do something else with my life.” Jimmy’s conclusion acted as a wake-up call to her. A bitter smile spread across Emily’s face, as she loosened her grip on his back.
“You’re right.” She said with a whisper. “Well, give me a call, if things don’t work out between you guys.”
“I will.” He spoke in a firm tone, as he put his hand in the right pocket of his jeans. Jimmy pulled out the key to her car. Before he could hand it over to her though, she removed her left hand from his back and put it on his wrist.
“Keep it.” Emily urged. “It’s a lot faster than that piece of junk you’re driving. Go get that guy. Just bring it back in one piece, ok?”
“Thank you.” Jimmy said. Moved by her gesture, he wrapped his arms around her back. Holding her tightly in his arms, he recalled all the good things that Emily had done for him, during her short stay in San Antonio. His grip became even tighter. It was as if he believed that he would show her his gratitude by squeezing her body harder.
“Go.” She whispered, patting him on the back. “We’ll meet again.”
“You can count on that.” He assured, kissing her gently on the temple. Jimmy left her embrace, feeling his heart racing. He sensed her eyes on him, as he returned to her car. But Jimmy did not have any time to waste. He knew that another emotional moment with her could cost Andy’s life.
“Thank you so much, Emily. I’ll never forget what you did for me…”
Chapter Thirty-Five
Jimmy had to battle through heavy traffic, but, when he got onto the I-10 at 3:20pm, things became much better. The traffic was low and the powerful engine of Emily’s Lexus swallowed mile after mile. It was perfect for what he had to do. Jimmy couldn’t help but feel relieved that he had such a car in his disposal.
Four hours and fifteen minutes later, two miles outside Highland Park, he contacted Anna, wanting to know where Andy was being held.