Page 56 of Twenty-Three Years of Longing

We walked out of her room and Mayson was standing there looking at his phone. He turned it towards us and said, “I took this last night. Never thought we might lose her when I snapped it.

I looked at the photo. It was the two of them sitting up and playing cards. They looked happy. Just as though they were in her living room, instead of a hospital. “That’s a wonderful picture. I hope you let her win.”

He laughed. “Let her win? She kicked my ass fair and square.”

My cell phone rang, and I looked at the caller ID. “Sorry, I need to take this call.” I stepped away and said, “Hello Bennett.”

“Hi, how is his grandmother?” he asked.

“Stable but not out of the woods,” I replied.

“Sorry to hear that. I have the jet ready to take off. Your bags are in the SUV. Would you like me to come and pick you up now?” I paused and he stated, “You have an appointment with the court first thing in the morning. If we delay any longer, you won’t make it in time.”

I hated leaving, but I needed to. I told his grandmother to fight, but I had my own fight that needed my immediate attention. “I’ll meet you in the lobby in ten minutes.”

“I’ll be there.”

I ended the call and turned to the brothers. “I’m sorry. I need to go.”

“You’re leaving?” Mayson said shocked.

“Yes, she has something very important to attend to in the States.” Orion said and then pulled me into his arms, looking down at me he added, “And once it is finished, you and Joey can fly here together. I promise I’ll be at the airport to greet you both.”

I smiled up at him. “That would be wonderful.” He kissed me briefly. Before stepping away, I said, “Call me anytime you need to talk. And please text me updates.”

“Of course. You do the same thing,” he said.

I nodded and walked down the hallway. I knew that I was leaving half of my heart behind. But I knew that he would be waiting for me. Now all I needed to do was face my ex one more time. But Joseph was in for a rude awakening. I no longer was that naive young woman who feared him. I might not have the money he did, but I am an intelligent person now coupled with the courage to take him on. I’m driven and have people who love me for who I am. And he...is still just a hateful person.

I’ll be back, Orion. Not sure when, but I’m coming back.

CHAPTER 17

Orion

I had a few minutes to talk to Raya before she went into court, but nothing after that. She knew my grandmother was going in for surgery and I’d be unreachable for several hours and I knew she didn’t want to add any more stress onto me. But I wouldn’t mind a little distraction right now either. Thinking of her, helped. I really could use her strength right now. Unfortunately, she needed to pack it all to face her own battle which I hope was going well.

Mayson and I had been sitting in the waiting room for hours. Finn had been honest with us as well as with our grandmother on how weak she was, and the risk of surgery. I was on the fence about whether she should have it or not. But without it, her chances of living were not great. And her quality of life was going to suck. She no longer would be able to live on her own. She told Finn straight out that giving up her freedom scared her more than death. I know it was her decision to make, but I wished Finn was more optimistic about the outcome.

I got up and started to pace the floor again. My nerves were shot.

“Sit down already. You’re driving me crazy. I understand that you are worried about both the women in your life, Raya and Grandmother. But face it. You have no control over either right now,” Mayson snarled.

His frustration and fear were creeping out in a different way than my own. I got that. So, I let his snide comments go. We needed to be supportive of each other, especially now.

I sat down and said, “I can’t help but wonder how Raya made out.”

“Why don’t you call her?” he suggested.

“I am worried that as soon as I step away from here, Finn will come out wanting to talk to us,” I replied.

“Five minutes. That’s all. Go. Call her. I think you need to, even if you won’t admit it,” Mayson stated.

I got back up and stepped out of the waiting room and closed the door behind me. I dialed her number and waited for her to answer.

When she did, she sounded tired. “Orion, how is your grandmother?” she asked.

Mayson was right. I needed to hear Raya’s voice, even more than I realized.

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