Page 6 of See You Soon
I sip my iced coffee and it feels cool on my tongue. Wiping the cold foam off my lips, I take a deep breath in. My mom and I were at our local coffee shop. I thought the caffeine would help me find the courage to tell my mother what I signed up for. My nude-colored painted nails, tapping the table. I look up at my mother, my eyes stick on the bags under her eyes. She works part-time but the hours were draining on her body. She was a care-taker for a wealthy doctor’s mother.
"Ma... how are you feeling... right now, at this moment?" I try to half-smile through my anxiety, biting my lip. I wanted to get an idea of what mood she was in.
"I'm okay, tired but I'm okay. Proud of your recent accomplishments mija." She places her hand on mine, giving me a small squeeze. She was referring to my new title as an official nurse.
"Ok good, because I'm about to tell you something and I don't know how you’re going to take it."
She widens her eyes with fear beaming at me.
"You're pregnant." Her veiny hands cover her mouth.
"Ma! No! God!" I say, yelling in whispers, looking around to see if anyone heard her accusation.
"You're still a virgin, right?"
"Mom, that's not important," I whisper embarrassed.
"Mija... look, your first time shouldn't be with just any guy, it should be with someone you mar—"
"Mom, I'm going to Iraq as a trauma nurse for the Army and I’ll be there for six months." I blurt it out, watching my mom closely. Praying she wouldn't start to yell at me in the midst of a busy coffee shop.
She doesn’t move. I can tell her body is tense. She was digesting the news. Her eyes hadn't moved from mine, and it felt like an eternity of silence from her. She hugs her gray-blue knit sweater tighter around her, crossing her arms.
Then she starts crying, silently sobbing.
Oh my gosh. What have I done?
"Mom, I'm sorry I... just think this is something I have to do." Holding her hand across the table, comforting her.
"Mija... these are tears of joy. Paul would be so proud. Your brother was my world. Don't get me wrong you are too, you guys arebothmy world. And he would be so proud of his baby sister, following in his footsteps in helping our country, like this.”
Well, I wasn't expecting that.
The rain starts to pour down hard outside, and I can see the lightning in the sky through the windows of the coffee shop. It was already seven at night, the sky was overshadowed with dark clouds everywhere. I shudder as the loud thunder causes vibrations through the walls.
I smile back at my mom. I'm speechless. My emotions take over and I start to tear up. I couldn't imagine how my mother was feeling having lost a child and now she was losing me, but not in the same way.
"I'm happy you understand my decision, Mom. I just feel like I can help people like Paul. Help sailors or even soldiers who are injured and hopefully save their lives." I choke up while I grab my coffee. I take another gulp, hoping it stops me from crying more.
"I understand mija. Go do what you have to do, I'm proud of you and I'm always here for you. Just… promise to call me every day." My mom smiles.
My mom and I started to gather our things. She grabs the umbrella she carried with her to prepare for the rain. A category 2 hurricane is headed straight towards the Carolinas, and we decided to stock up on groceries and grab a coffee on the way home.
We walk towards the exit, and we stop right in front of the doors so my mom can open her umbrella to prepare for the rain.
Suddenly, the door opens, and my heart skips a beat. I'm feeling nervous and my stomach is filled with butterflies. I feel as though I'm frozen in time.
Danny.
"Ari." Danny greets me just as surprised as I am. He's easily the most beautiful man in this world.
I fall apart at the way he says my name.
Danny and I both stand there, not moving, locking eyes. I had ghosted Danny. I was never good at texting even more so with a stranger. I felt like I was in an embarrassing dream where you're caught with your butt crack showing. My mom notices the awkward engagement and makes an obvious, cliche clearing her throat noise.
"Umm, sorry Mom. This is Danny. Danny, this is my mom."
Gesturing towards Danny, he looks towards my mom, giving her a warm smile. He reaches out to her, shaking her hand. I can tell my mom is taken aback by Danny and his presence. She looks starstruck as if she's meeting her celebrity crush in person, blushing at Danny as he shakes her hand. I'm laughing hard internally at my mom's interaction.
