Love Goes On

by Crystal Britton

  He kissed my forehead then he took my hand in his as we went back to our room.

  The next day Kaden took Riley to a toy store around noon. I found Kyle working steadily on a drawing in his art studio.

  “Hey, Sara,” Kyle said.

  “Hi. What are you drawing?” I asked.

  “Just a show of expression.”

  “Looks good so far.”

  He grinned as he set his pencil down. “It must really be something if you’re complementing it when I only have an outline done.”

  I giggled. “I came to ask you about what you really thought about Lucy. Will you take a chance and go on a couple dates with Lucy?”

  “What I really think about Lucy is that she seems outgoing, sweet and stands up for what she wants. She told me she has gone through a tough time, but claims she’s better now. She also said you are a great friend and I have to agree with that one-hundred percent.” He smiled.

  “Does this mean you will ask her out on a date?”

  He chuckled. “You’re just not going to give up are you?”

  “Not a chance.”

  “Yes, I will give her a chance.”

  “Awesome!” I exclaimed as I hugged him.

  “Where’s Kaden and Riley?” he asked as we stopped hugging.

  “He took my little sister to a toy store.”

  “That will make her day. Why didn’t you go?”

  “I wanted to make you go on a date with Lucy.”

  He laughed. “You succeeded.”

  “Well, I’m glad I did. I think you and Lucy will make a great couple.” I smiled.

  “We will see.” He grinned.

  “Are you working on this painting for someone special?”

  “No. I’m just doing it so I can hang it up in here. I’m going to draw something for Lucy. Do you know what she likes?”

  “Boys.”

  He chuckled. “I’d hope so.”

  “I think the best drawing you could give her would be one of yourself.”

  “That seems like a good idea, but I don’t want her to think I’m coming on too fast.”

  I smiled. “She wouldn’t think like that. She’d feel like you really like her if you did this.”

  “I don’t know if I’ll draw a picture of myself or of something else.”

  “You can always call her and ask.”

  “I might call her tomorrow. So why did you and Lucy stop being friends at one point?”

  “Um, well, we had a mishap.”

  “What kind of mishap?”

  “She kissed Kaden and because of that we got into a fight then a couple months later she knocked me down and we got into another fight.”

  “Oh, wow!”

  “It’s in the past now.”

  “Oh, well, at least you guys became friends again.”

  “Kaden’s the one that convinced me to befriend her.”

  “So how are your Mom and Dad?”

  “Mom’s good. My dad is hanging in there.”

  “What’s wrong with your Dad?”

  “My dad had a stomach disease then he found out later on that he has stomach cancer. He isn’t doing well at all, but he’s still fighting.”

  “I’m so sorry, Sara.” He hugged me.

  I shrugged my shoulders and sucked in air trying not to cry, but then tears started to fall.

  “It hurts so much! I’m trying to think positive.”

  He hugged me tighter. “I know it hurts and I’m really sorry. Stay strong.”

  “I’m trying to stay strong.” He went back to his drawing.

  I wiped my tears away. “Do you have a picture of your Dad with you?”

  “Yeah, I keep one with me when I’m having a hard time dealing with my dad’s cancer.” I took the picture out of my back pocket and handed it to him.

  “I’m going to borrow this tonight and give it back to you tomorrow before you leave.”

  “Alright. Please keep it safe.”

  “You can trust me. I will keep it safe.” He stuck it to his easel.

  “I don’t call that safe.”

  He laughed. “As soon as you leave I’m going to do something with it.”

  “Okay.”

  “Don’t worry. Now you go and get yourself into something and we’ll talk tomorrow.”

  I hugged him then I went into the barn, saddled Mackenzie and went for a ride. I stopped at the field of flowers, hopped off my horse and walked a good ways into the field.

  I closed my eyes and smiled as I sucked in the smell of the flowers. I twirled around and around with my arms spread wide open. When I stopped I felt dizzy. I managed to mount Mackenzie and get back to the barn safely.

  “Hey, Sara,” Kaden greeted me as I began to bathe Mackenzie.

  “Sis,” Riley said.

  I smiled. “Hi,” I said to both of them. Kaden set Riley down. She hugged me then she started petting the horses. Kaden hugged and kissed me.

  “Did you talk to him?” Kaden asked.

  “I sure did,” I answered.

  “What happened?”

  “He’s going to give Lucy a chance.”

  “That’s so great to hear!”

  “Yeah, he’s thinking about drawing Lucy a picture of himself which I suggested him to do. I told him about my dad and he took the picture I had in my pocket. I think he’s going to do a drawing of him.”

  “A picture of your dad?”

  “Yeah, I carry it in my back pants pocket sometimes.”

  “Sara, I thought you were dealing with this better than you were a couple weeks ago.”

  “I like to have him close to me sometimes.”

  “Well, when’s he giving you your picture back?”

  “Tomorrow before we leave.”

  “He’s planning on finishing this drawing tonight?”

  “He said he would have it done before we leave tomorrow.”

  “Sara, you’re going to owe him big time!”

  I peered at him confused. “Why do I owe him? He offered to do the drawing.”

  “He’s most likely going to be up all night working on the drawing.”

  I shrugged my shoulders. “He offered.

  He chuckled. “So what else did you do while we were gone?”

  “Just talked to him and took Mackenzie for a ride. How’d you know I was in here anyways?”

  “I checked the bedroom and you weren’t there so I figured you were out here.”

  “I’m going to miss Mackenzie when we go home tomorrow.”

  “She seems like she’s taken a liking to you fast.”

  “I’m glad she likes me. I would be upset if she didn’t.”

  “We’ll be here soon enough then you will be able to see her every day.”

  “Will you take a picture of Riley and me on Mackenzie with my camera so I can give one to my mom and Dad?” I handed him the camera then I mounted Mackenzie bareback.

  “Riley come take some pictures with Sara on Mackenzie,” Kaden called to Riley.

  Riley ran over to him and he lifted her up to me. I took her and sat her in front of me. He took a couple pictures then he took Riley from me and set her down. She ran back to the horses while Kaden helped me down.

  “What did you get at the toy store?” I asked Riley as I put Mackenzie into her stall.

  She looked at me bight eyed. “Toy!” Riley giggled.

  “She got you something as well as her parents,” Kaden informed me.

  “At the toy store?” I asked as he picked up Riley.

  He laughed as we walked toward the castle. “No, we went to a couple places.”

  “Oh,” I replied. Did you pick out the
gifts?” I asked Riley.

  “Toy!” Riley smiled.

  Kaden and I laughed. When we reached the bedroom I saw bag after bag of toys. Three of the bags were on the bed.

  Riley began to take out all her toys while Kaden and I sat on the bed.

  He handed me a bag. “This is yours and yes, Riley helped pick everything out.”

  I smiled. “This is so sweet!” I claimed. I looked in the bag and saw some shirts and a necklace that was broken in half with big sister engraved on it.

  “What’s with half a heart? Am I not good enough for a whole heart?” I joked.

  “It’s made like that. Riley got you, herself and your parent’s one. They connect.”

  “Dad doesn’t wear necklaces though.”

  He chuckled. “She got him one anyways. Yours says big sister, Riley’s says little sister, Alana’s says Mom and Joe’s says Dad,” Kaden showed me each necklace.

  “I want to see them connect together.” He showed me. “Good job picking out these gifts, Riley,” I told her.

  She smiled at me then she went back to playing with her toys.

  “Well, Riley what else do you want to do today?” Kaden asked.

  “Play toys!” Riley said.

  Kaden and I sat on the floor and played with Riley.

  “So have you had fun here so far?” Kaden asked Riley.

  “Fun!” Riley answered.

  After playing with Riley for a couple hours we ate dinner then we all prepared for bed. We let Riley play with her new toys a bit longer while Kaden and I sat on the bed watching TV.

  “I’m so worried about my dad. I get knots in my stomach every time my phone rings fearing that it’s my mom calling to tell me my dad passed away.”

  “Everything’s fine. You are stressed out.”

  “Well, when your father is dying I’m going to say that to you and see how you feel.”

  “Look, I’m sorry. I really am, but stress isn’t good on you. Your Mom is holding up well. Why don’t you think of the good, not the bad?”

  “I try, Kaden, I really do. But the thought of my dad just eats at me.”

  He sighed. “What’s eating at you about your father?”

  “Not being around when I need him the most.”

  “Our wedding?”

  I felt a few tears fall down my cheek. “I’ve always dreamed of having my dad walk me down the aisle.”

  He sighed. “I don’t know how else to help you feel better. I’ve tried so much and just when I think you’re thinking positive you do this.”

  “You have done enough. I can’t bear losing my dad, especially when we were starting to get close.”

  He sighed. “I wish I could help you more. I wish there were a way I could keep your father here, but I can’t.”

  “Its okay, Kaden. I’ll be fine. The more I talk about him the more upset I get.”

  “So you’re saying it’s my fault today because I mentioned his name?”

  “No, Kaden. It’s not,” I replied angrily.

  “Well, I just wish you’d stop stressing out over this. Please for the sake of yourself.”

  “I can’t just black my father from my thoughts.”

  “I didn’t say block him. I want you to stop stressing out over this.”

  “You might as well give up on trying to make me unstressed because no matter what I’m going to keep worrying.”

  He huffed as he got into bed and went to sleep. I got onto the floor and played with Riley for a while until she started to get crabby. When we got into bed Riley fell asleep moments later, but I laid there thinking about everything that’s been going on lately.

  The next morning we were at the airport ready to go home. Before I got aboard the plane I hugged Kyle good-bye.

  He handed me the picture of my dad and an envelope. “Don’t open this until you are on the plane,” Kyle stated.

  “Okay, I’ll see you soon,” I replied sadly.

  “Tell Lucy I’ll see her soon.”

  “I will.” I smiled as we hugged.

  “Bye, now.”

  “Bye.” I climbed onto the plane.

  Kaden said good-bye then we climbed onto the plane. I looked out the window and waved as the plane prepared to take off.

  “Are you going to miss Kyle?” Kaden asked.

  “Yeah, he’s a good friend,” I sighed.

  “You’ll see him again.” He kissed me then he went over to play with Riley.

  After we dropped Riley off at my parents Kaden and I went home. Coco ran around like a wild dog and Sadie just walked up to the door and waited.

  Kaden and I unpacked our luggage then we sat at the kitchen table dinking hot chocolate.

  “Your parents like there necklaces?” Kaden asked.

  “I don’t know? I didn’t stay but a minute,” I replied.

  “They’ll probably call you and let you know.”

  “Yeah, they probably will,” I sighed.

  “What’s the matter?”

  “When I see my dad I feel upset.”

  “He’ll be fine, Sara.”

  “I hope so, but I have a feeling he’s not going to make it much longer. He looks really bad.”

  Kaden rose up and hugged me then he sat back down. “Positive thoughts, Sara.”

  “I’m trying, really trying.”

  “Did you have a nice trip with me and Riley?”

  “Yes, it was fun.”

  “Did you look at that picture yet?”

  “No,” I said realizing I almost forgot about it. I got up and retrieved the envelope. I sat back down with Kaden and opened it.

  I sucked in air as I pulled it out. Kyle drew a picture of my dad and me then a smaller one of Riley and my dad in pastels. I started crying as Kaden took them and looked at them.

  “Wow! This is so amazing!” Kaden exclaimed.

  “It’s gorgeous!”

  “It’s breath taking.”

  I wiped away my tears. “He’s such an amazing friend.”

  “He’s a sweet hearted guy.”

  “I’m going to have to thank him for this.”

  “Here do it now.” Kaden handed me his cell phone. I found Kyle’s number and called him.

  “Hello?” Kyle answered.

  “Kyle, it’s Sara,” I responded.

  “Sara! What a nice surprise! Even though you just left here hours ago.”

  I laughed. “I wanted to thank you for the drawings. They’re magnificent!”

  “I’m glad you like them. I worked my butt off to get them done for you before you left.”

  “I appreciate your hard work, Kyle. You are a great friend.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  “Well, I have to go. I just wanted to thank you.”

  “You are very welcome. Take care, Sara; and remember tell Lucy I’ll see her soon.”

  “I will. Bye.”

  “Bye, Sara.” We hung up.

  I handed Kaden his cell phone back. “I need to call Lucy now for Kyle before I forget.”

  “Doesn’t he have her number?”

  “I would hope so, but maybe not. I’ll find out right now.” I took out my cell phone and dialed Lucy’s number.

  “Hello?” Lucy answered.

  “Lucy, it’s Sara,” I responded.

  “Hi, how are you? How was your trip?”

  “It was great! We had fun, but I was told to relay a message to you.”

  “From Kyle?”

  “Yes. He said he’ll see you soon.”

  “I’m so excited to see him again!”

  “That’s great! Did you give him your number?”

  “He left like a bolt of l
ightning to see you guys, so I didn’t get the chance to give it to him.”

  “I hope things go well between him and me.”

  “He seems like he likes you, but he gives off this vibe like he wants to take things slow.”

  “I can deal with that.”

  “Well, I’m going to go now. I’ll talk to you soon.”

  “Okay, thank you for calling.”

  “Not a problem. Bye.”

  “Bye.” We hung up and I stuck my phone back in my pocket, but them it rang and it was my mom’s number. I got a tightening feeling in my chest and just stared at the phone.

  “Sara, are you alright?” Kaden asked.

  “Mom is calling,” I said worriedly.

  “Answer it. Maybe she’s calling to tell you about the gifts.”

  “No, that’s not it. I know it.”

  Kaden picked up my phone to answer it, but my mom had hung up. Kaden was dialing their number, but then he pressed a button and put the phone to his ear. “Hello?” Kaden answered. He was silent for a couple of minutes. “We’ll be there soon.” He hung up and set the phone on the table.

  My heart was beating harder than ever. “Don’t tell me Dad is gone?” I asked.

  “No, he’s in the hospital. Your Mom wants you to come right away,” Kaden replied.

  Kaden didn’t have to tell me twice. I hurriedly got my things together and hoped into the car. I was shaking like a leaf from nerves as I drove to the hospital. When we arrived we were told what room my dad was in. When we got to the room my mom was waiting outside.

  I ran up and hugged her. “How’s Dad?” I questioned.

  “He’s not doing well at all,” Mom replied.

  “Where’s, Riley?”

  “With my aunt. It’s best she not be here.”

  “Can I go in?”

  “Yes, I just can’t bear seeing him that way.”

  “I need to see him.”

  “Go on, Sweetheart.”

  I walked in and started crying seeing so many things hooked to him. He looked nothing like he did when I dropped Riley off. He looked so bad. I sat beside him and took his hand in mine. “Daddy?” I asked him he looked at me and grunted. Tears were still falling down my checks. “Daddy, please fight it. We need you here, we need you to stay.”

  “I can’t fight anymore, Sara. I’m too weak,” Dad replied softly. “No, Dad you can. Don’t say you can’t! Please don’t.”