by Laura Ward
Dr. Redmond nodded. “I agree. But how did you, personally, get to this point of understanding?”
Sitting forward, my legs splayed wide, I rested my elbows on my knees, the microphone held in one hand. “Like the students at the start of class I had a traumatic childhood event occur. My father dove into a lake to save a drowning girl and broke his neck. He’s lived as a quadriplegic ever since.”
The room was silent. Not a cough, sneeze, or sniffle was heard.
“And growing up in that environment caused a lot of anger and resentment to build up inside me. As a child, I turned those feelings into a symbolic monster. The monster inside me fed off that anger and allowed me to harbor negativity.”
“Please continue,” Dr. Redmond encouraged.
“Through this class, I met the girl my dad saved when he was injured.” I registered the sounds of gasps and quiet whispers in the room. Dr. Redmond, knowing our story, smiled. “And I fell in love with her. Through the environment or nurturing she brought to my life, I realized that monster and that anger was a distraction from my pain. Once I recognized that I could love someone so closely linked with my hatred, the anger faded. The pain remained but began to fade as well. And I realized I was wrong. My true nature wasn’t monstrous. My true nature is strong. It took an environment filled with forgiveness and selflessness and love to connect all those dots. Because, as your question implies, it all connects. We are interwoven.”
Handing the microphone to Dr. Redmond, she stood, hugging me. “Perfectly said, Ricardo. Thank you for sharing that.”
Walking to my row, all eyes were glued to mine. I leaned over, kissing Aveline as a few girls sang out their choruses of, “Aww’s.”
“I couldn’t end class any better than that. Look online when you get home for your grades. It has been a pleasure learning and discovering with you all.” With that Dr. Redmond exited the stage and students left her class for the final time.
Aveline and I stayed put, holding hands. She stared at me, mouth agape.
“What was that about?” she asked when the room was empty.
I angled my body close to hers. “You’ve done so much to show that you love me. I wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone to show you a small part of what you’ve given me.”
Aveline’s eyes glistened. “Did you really feel like a monster lived inside you? Since the accident?”
I nodded. “I did, but now I know better. Loving you made me love myself, too. Something I had never done before.”
“Then it’s all worth it. Slaying monsters and building families and becoming butterflies. This classroom taught us. We learned who we are. So totally worth it.” She pressed her lips to mine, and then pulled away as we stood and walked out of class hand in hand.
* * *
TWO HOURS LATER, we worked together, rolling carts of tools into the main bay. Aveline adjusted her glasses, a light sheen of sweat coating her skin in the open area that lacked air conditioning. Her usually perfect knot was now a pile of hair stacked on her head in a messy bun. She wore a pale-yellow tank top and frayed jean shorts, something she reveled in telling me her mom had no idea she now owned.
All I knew was she looked sexy as sin and it took indescribable willpower to keep my hands off her.
I also loved that every day she seemed more comfortable in her own skin. She wore what she liked, no longer trying to be perfect.
She was perfect just as she was. Inside and out.
Here, at work, we had to be focused. Hard as it was, if work was to be a shared space, we had an unspoken agreement to get that work done so that we could get to her apartment each evening as soon as possible.
Where the real fun began.
In the meantime, the hard work was paying off. My office was setup, with a filing system, computer bookkeeping program, and signage was already hung outside. Pedro’s was ready for business.
“Hola? Is there a Rocket to Uranus in da house?”
Aveline turned to me, eyes crinkled in the corners, lips twisted to the side.
Rolling my eyes, I walked closer to the door, cupping my hands around my mouth so I could yell. “Captain Winkey? Crotch Cannon? Clam Hammer? Is that you?”
Hollers of laughter rang out as Dean, Landon, and Jon walked through the open garage, rolling my bike right along with them.
“What the hell?” I asked, hands on my hips, a scowl replacing my easy smile.
Dean stepped forward, giving me a one-armed man hug. “We needed to get you a new business owner present, or some shit like that. Grace told me it was what you do.”
Landon smacked his hand against mine in a juvenile man shake we had invented in third grade and never stopped using. “Jon and I are still broke. But we brought celebratory beers!” Landon and Jon held up twelve packs of beer as Grace and Emma joined us inside the garage holding boxes of pizza. Daisy followed with a beautifully decorated cake.
“Congratulations, Ricky and Aveline.” Grace placed the pizza boxes on the ground and hugged each of us.
“I’m so excited for you both.” Emma also hugged us, but as she pulled away, I held onto her hand.
“What’s this?” I asked, eyeing the trio of diamonds on her left ring finger.
Landon came over, slinging his arm over her shoulder. “She took pity on me and agreed to marry me. I’ll need you as a groomsman next May, Action Jackson.”
“Congrats, Cave Hunter. I’d be honored,” I said with a smirk.
Emma stomped her foot. “There will be no penis jokes at my wedding, Ricky!” She scowled darkly at me and her fiancé.
“Yes, Mrs. Harris,” Dean and I answered in unison and then doubled over in laughter as Emma screeched.
A tug on my arm turned me toward Daisy. “Pequena Margarita, gracias for the beautiful cake.” I kissed Dean’s younger sister on the cheek.
Her round blue eyes shined as she looked at me and then at Aveline. “I’ve never seen you happier. So full of light. I’m thrilled for you.” She sniffled, causing Jon to pull her into his arms.
“Stop making my Sunshine cry, Bushwhacker,” he spoke harshly. With him and only him, I wasn’t sure it was a joke.
“C’mere, man.” I motioned with my head for Jon to follow me into the office. “I’m sorry about all the shit I said a few weeks ago. I was in a bad place.”
Jon socked me in the arm. “No apologies, bud. I get it. I was there at one time too. These dang girls mess with our minds. I’m happy you let the bad stuff go. And now you’re free.”
Nodding, we walked back to join the group where Dean was passing out beers. He lifted one in the air. “To Ricky and Aveline and the opening of Pedro’s. Ricky, you’ve been one of my best friends since grade school. This is the only time I’ve ever seen you lose that pissed off, constipated look. Aveline, we thank you for that. And I’m guessing for keeping him well laid. That always helps, too.”
We laughed, but the idiot wasn’t finished. “The only thing I could think of that would make you even happier was to bring this bike back to you. Other than Grace, I’ve never known a harder worker. You paid for this bike in full after scrimping and saving for years. It deserves to be back in your hands. We love you, man.”
Pesky wetness irritated the corners of my eyes, but I made that disappear with a few chugs of beer. We sat on blankets that the girls brought, drinking beer and eating pizza, telling stories that made us laugh and the girls hyperventilate. We remembered the tough times and the better ones and promised to always have each other’s back.
And in that room, that day, I felt the least lonely I had in my life.
I was full. The friendship, loyalty, support, and the love surrounded and filled me until I was saturated with joy.
The monster was gone. In his place was a man who had won.
Epilogue
Ricky
Three Months Later
“YOU READY, MARIPOSA?” Leaning against the doorframe to our bedroom, I watched Aveline gently wipe the lenses of her glasses wi
th a tissue.
That’s right, I said our bedroom. The very next time Aveline asked me to move in, I agreed. And that was the night my boys brought back my bike and we celebrated all the dreams that had come true.
Mama, Marcela, and Teresa were basically pushing me out the door. With Mama’s new job, the apartment was getting new furniture and became more comfortable every day. I knew Mama was fully capable of caring for the girls, and if they ever needed anything, I was right down the street.
It took me less than an hour to move in. I owned nothing. A couple pictures, yearbooks, clothes, and miscellaneous shit, and I was in. But man, living in that space with my butterfly, was a gift.
She took care of me and I took care of her. We were loud, messy, and full of laughter. We cooked together, made love, watched movies, and planned for our future.
Tomorrow Marcela would leave for college—a four-year pre-med program that was as much a goal achieved for her as it was for Mama and me.
Aveline walked to me, her hair pulled back in a low knot that she wore when she would be on the back of my bike, plus jeans, and a t-shirt.
“Bathing suit underneath?” I asked her, slipping on my backpack that held our towels.
“Yes. Tell me again where we’re going?” she asked, nose wrinkled in adorable confusion.
“Nuh-uh. Be patient, mariposa.” I kissed the tip of her nose and locked the door behind us.
I had a surprise planned, but first we had a visit to make. Mama had asked us to come to Papa’s rehabilitation center this evening, as a last visit with Marcela before she left town.
I straddled the bike, starting the engine, and securing my helmet. Aveline stood on the sidewalk, fastening her helmet before throwing her leg over and sliding up against me.
A short time later we parked outside the rehab building and held hands on our way up. Marcela and Teresa sat in the waiting room and we hugged, watching Mama hurry down the hall with a shaky smile on her face.
“Come, come,” she encouraged. “He’s ready.”
We followed her into the room and saw Papa sitting up in a wheelchair like the one he used at home, strapped in at the chest and head. Unlike at home, hooked to his wheel chair was a raised desk with an iPad propped up.
“Hola, mi hermanos.” A robotic voice filled the air, but clear as day we heard it say “Hello, my children.”
Whipping my head to Mama, she smiled, her chin trembling and eyes misty. “This amazing place has taught your father to use eye recognition software. It’s linked to this iPad and recognizes letters that he gazes at on the screen and then puts together words and phrases for him. It’s slow, but his therapists have helped him save phrases.” She sniffled, using a tissue to wipe her eyes. “And, I’m told, some things he prepared to say to all of you.”
My jaw dropped, and my knees were weak. I stumbled backward, connecting with a hospital chair. To my side, Marcela and Teresa clung to one another, tears running down their faces. A small, shaky hand landed on my shoulder and I looked up to see the comforting eyes of my Aveline.
“Go ahead, Papa. We are all here to listen to you,” Mama encouraged, her hand on his arm.
Papa stared at the device, blinking slowly. “First to Teresa.”
Teresa whimpered, moving closer to Papa’s other side. “I was already hurt when you were born. But I know my baby girl. I watched and heard everything important in your life. You are beautiful. You are smart. You are special. I love you.” The words were jarred and more like a robot than not, but they came from Papa.
Teresa sobbed behind her hand, looking up with startled eyes at Mama. “I love you too, Papa. So much.” Kissing his cheek, she stayed close to his head.
“Marcela, you are next.” Papa began. “I love you, my girl. I am proud of you. Going to be a doctor. Helping people like me. Thank you. I want to go to your graduation from medical school. It is my new goal.”
Marcela inhaled a shaky breath, trying to be strong. “Then you will be there, Papa, my hero. You are the reason why I will be a doctor. I love you so much.” Marcela kissed his cheek, holding onto one of his hands.
“My son. Ricardo,” Papa said next.
I stood up, walking to the foot of his bed, resting my hands on his legs.
“This might be toughest. You have been the man of the house. The man I would have been. You took care of our family. Thank you. I heard you have a business. Pedro’s. That day I wanted to cry from happiness. It is almost like I will always be with you. The hardest day, my boy, was the day I heard you turn down a football scholarship to help me and your mother. That day was the only day of my life I wish I had died.”
Cries echoed the room, each of my favorite women saddened to their core. Me? I understood. If that was my son, I imagined I would feel the same.
“Now, I see God’s plan. You worked hard so that you were ready to meet your mariposa. I am happy for you. I am proud. My goal is to be at your wedding one day.”
I shuddered, holding back body wracking sobs. “Papa, I love you.”
Aveline’s hand rested on top of mine, her body pressed to my side. In our intense connection, I could feel her shaking. Putting myself in her shoes, what would it be like to be face-to-face with the man that saved your life and lost most of his in the process? Petrifying, I was sure. Yet here she was, front and center. Strong and ready for what came next, not willing to leave me standing alone.
“Aveline.” Papa’s eyes moved to my girl’s. “While you are probably the most scared, this is the easiest message to relay.”
Next to me, her body was rigid as a board. “I regret nothing from that day. Because if I did wish to change anything, you wouldn’t be here, the love of my son’s life. You are a good woman, Aveline. A gift. Thank you for loving all of us.”
“Thank you for saving me, Pedro,” Aveline spoke with firm resolve, though her bottom lip quivered uncontrollably.
“I have already spoken to Mama in private. I would like to talk to your parents next, Aveline, to thank them for the gift of this therapy.”
Aveline nodded.
Papa gave well wishes to Marcela going away to college. We huddled together as a family, a miracle happening before our eyes.
And that Monster was buried away even further, as the pain lessened, and a new hopeful life emerged.
* * *
“RICKY, I KNOW where we are,” Aveline said, handing me her helmet and shaking out her hair. Her eyes were red-rimmed from our hospital experience, and she looked paler than normal.
I hoped to God that my idea wasn’t the wrong one.
Wordlessly, I took her hand, leading her over to the grass by the lake. We sat facing each other, cross legged, the light of the moon and the stars illuminating the dark night sky. In my pocket, I pulled out a worn paper.
“I stole this list from your room. Here are the things we have done together. Obviously, the first kiss.” In celebration, I kissed her hard and quick on the lips. “And riding on the back of a motorcycle many times, and more to come.” I winked. She giggled, nodding back. “Dancing under the stars at Dean’s wedding.” She nodded, a small smile forming on her lips. “Working at a job where you can help others. Done. A non-profit translator and tutor satisfies that.” She blushed and looked so pretty I had to kiss her again. “Finding your own apartment, check.” Another quick kiss. “Falling in love?” I asked with a raised eyebrow. She giggled again, nodding. “That leaves two things. Having a best friend. I don’t want to assume, but you’re absolutely my best friend.” Like the first time I read her list, my voice cracked with emotion.
“You’re my very best friend in the world, Ricky. And my greatest love. How lucky am I?” Her eyes sparkled, and her lips curved.
I closed my eyes and gathered my courage. “That only leaves one thing on your list. Swimming at night with someone you trust.”
Opening my eyes, I saw her panic. She tried to stand, but I gripped her hands tightly, pulling her onto my lap.
“Not here. Th
is is where it happened.” Her voice was a strangled whisper.
I kissed her forehead. “I know, and that’s why it should be here.”
Her hands clutched my shirt, tears filling her eyes. “Today is the anniversary. The accident happened exactly nineteen years ago today.”
I nodded again. “Tonight, we drown all the monsters. We start fresh. Swim with me, mariposa.”
I stood, yanking off my t-shirt and pulling down my jeans. Standing in swim shorts, I held out my hand.
She hesitated, looking out at the water and then back at me. “I’ve never been back here,” she said, her voice low, but getting stronger.
“Tonight, we drown the fear,” I stated again, louder and surer.
In response, she pulled off her shoes and unbuttoned her jeans, slipping them down before she pulled off her t-shirt. Placing her glasses in top of the pile, she stood before me in a tiny blue bikini, taking my breath away.
I extended my hand and she took it as we walked into the water. When we were waist deep she pulled a few lengths away and swam back toward me. I fell to my knees, capturing her as she swam into my arms.
“Swimming at night, under the stars, with the man I trust.” She spoke against my lips. “Drowning fear and monsters. I can do it because of you.”
Pulling back, I looked into her gray eyes. “My breath of life. You breathed life into me. You changed everything. It’s because of you.”
Crying, she pressed her wet lips to mine.
Two lost souls who, through the pain and glory of love, were finally found.
Because of us.
The End
Dear Reader,
Thank you for reading BECAUSE OF YOU. If you enjoyed Ricky and Aveline’s story, please leave a review! Reviews mean so much to an author.
Thank you,
Laura
Please enjoy these short stories featuring Grace and Dean from UNTIL NOW!
These are best read after UNTIL NOW.