Page 34 of Goodbye To Tomorrow

"I don't know how to answer that," I said honestly. “I used to know who I was before I was before the leukemia, but now I am not so sure.

"So, don't say a lot of things when you're not able to answer the simplest question,” she responded, showing me who the boss here is really.

"Why don't you believe in love?" I asked her, wanting to know the answer so badly. She wasn't as flawless beautiful like Gracen, but she made up for it with personality and inner beauty. Karine wasn’t unique, she wasn’t a college graduate, but she was smarter than any other woman I had an opportunity to speak with. She was still in a class by herself.

"I'll spend the day with you. I won’t answer your question," she said with a stubborn pout to her full lips.

"But--" I started to say but she cut me short.

"I don't care. You said that if I spend the whole day with you doing anything you want to do, I won't need to answer every question you asked," she reminded me, and I couldn't do anything nod. She had her facts right.

"Okay. Just one more question. How come you're not attending college or something?" I asked, not understanding why a smart girl didn’t take advantage of the asset that could make her lots of money.

"I was facing a rough time. I had to work and help take care of my dad. He was gravely ill. He died, and now it’s just me and Mom living together, and she is… Well, she is different than the rest of the mothers. I feel that I am the mother at times. My sister Amber finally stepped up. Mom is with her and her husband while I’m here working for you.”

"I’m sorry about your dad, and I’m also sorry about whatever issues you are going through with your mom. The newspaper is how you found out about the advertisement, right?" I asked changing the subject when I noted the sad look lurking in the depths of her brown gaze.

"Yes, like I said, I love reading the news. Your ad just caught my attention and I saw something which could change my whole perspective, and the pay offered was a lot more than I was making at the coffee shop or even the hospital before then." She was honest, and I was listening to her without interrupting.

"I saw the opportunity for a new beginning," Karine added, and I was able to feel the pain which was hiding below the surface of her words.

"Why was college not a new beginning for you?" I couldn't help but ask, feeling sorry for her.

"Because it's not that easy when you don't have money and when a lot of things are happening in your life. I am—I don’t know," her voice trailed off. “I guess I’m just messed up.

"All of us are messed up to a point. Take me for instance. Money can’t buy the health that I seek, I'll die in less than a year even though I am richer than eighty-five percent of the working men and women in this country," I said slowly, trying not to hurt her more than she has already been.

"Yes, that's the truth. I don't like your games, you know. It's a sad excuse to ask people weird questions," she whispered while it was obvious how hard the conversation had hit her.

"You know, what is the best way to forget everything?" I asked her while my inner voice was shouting at me that I was crazy.

"No, tell me," she said and shook her head.

"Having fun. So, Karine, let's have some fun. Let's drink, talk, do whatever we want today!" I said and smiled, teasing her to accept my offer.

"But your medicines," she started but I already knew that it was coming, and I was ready for it.

"Only for today," I said.

“I really need to be the responsible one. Your parents’ will—"

“Hell Karine. I’m a grown man. I don’t need my parents’ permission to have a drink. I wasn't a lush before, and I won't drink anything else alcoholic after today. One day won’t kill me, I promise you," I said while her eyes were focused on me.

"Where will we go this early to drink?" She asked.

"What do you think? Where is the best place for having fun?" I asked her, wanting to hear her opinions.

"The club?" She asked, not being quite sure of her answer.

"The club." I accepted that.

"When?" She asked.

"If not now then when?" I asked and smiled.

"But the clubs open only at night," she gasped.

"Not when you own it. The club will work when I want it to work." I said, feeling amazing about this idea.

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