Pieces of Me by Pua Ramona (small books to read txt) 📕

they have each other. Miss Rita has become someone who I looked at as a mother. She’s always checking up on me, she’s even nice to Becca. Sometimes it’s hard for me to be around her because she reminds me of her daughter, but I love Miss Rita because she’s accepted me even when I broke her daughter’s heart. I’m lost in my thoughts when I feel my phone buzzing, I check it and see that it’s a text from Mama.

Mama: I need you to meet me at the hospital ASAP!

Before I can respond back to her my phone buzzes again. This time it’s from Reese and Lei.

Reese: We’re heading to the hospital right now. Go ahead and lock up, see you soon.

Lei: It’s Micah. See you at the hospital ☹

This is one of the things I’ve been fucking dreading. I have prayed every night that this day didn’t come, and it has. Micah and I have gotten closer since the day his sister fucking punched me in the nose. After Sina left, Micah started coming by the office to hangout and we just ended up doing everything together, just the two of us. Other days it’s me, Micah, and Reese.  There have been days when Micah just needed someone to listen without judgement. On his bad days, I would meet him at the lake to have a drink with him while he cried about leaving his family. But what killed me the most was when he’d cried for his sisters. Those are the days I hate the most. On his good days, Micah made sure everyone was smiling or laughing. He even found a soft spot for Becca. They have been close as well, I knew it bothered the girls but they never said anything because seeing him smile was more important the telling Becca to fuck off. I shut down my computer and grabbed my jacket and keys. I’m getting in the car when my phone goes off again…

Becca: I’m on my way to the hospital.

Me: Who’s driving you?

Becca: I’m just leaving the store and I’m five minutes away.

Me: Do not text me when you’re driving!!!

Becca: I’m still in the parking lot.

Me: Okay. I’ll see you there.

Becca: Okay!

I throw my phone into the cup holder and start driving to the hospital. On my way there all I can do is pray that it wasn’t time for him to leave us. I’m not ready to say goodbye; I’m not ready to let Micah go. He was my brother from another mother.

It takes me fifteen minutes to get to the hospital. I park my truck, make sure I have my phone and I run inside. I want to make sure I say goodbye to him, I want to make sure he knows that he helped me in so many ways. I run through the door and the nurse points me to the waiting area. I turn to see who’s here and see that everyone has showed up for him. I can’t take my eyes off Miss Rita and Megan so I walk over to where they are sitting.

Megan sees me and starts crying harder. I reach for her hand and pull her up so I can hug her. Did I mention that Megan and I have lunch every Thursday? Yeah, she’s an amazing woman with a loud mouth. She’s everything that is the Petersons. When I start missing her sister bad, I either call her or text her just because. She figured out on her own why I did, but she never asked me to stop. I love her the way I love Lei and Mona. They are my sisters. They taught me a lot about the things I lack at. I love them because even with my situation, they never once made me feel like I didn’t belong. I hold Megan tighter and she cries hysterically. “Shh, I need you to breathe Megan” I whisper to her.

She hugs me tighter, “I’m not ready to say bye”, she cries. I look around and see that everyone is crying. June-Bug’s sitting next to Miss Rita holding her as she cries, Luka and Becca are sitting on the opposite side. Becca’s crying while Luka holds her hand. Daniel’s in the corner holding Mona who’s breaking apart in his arms. I look over to see where Mama is and see that she’s sitting with their grandfather. She gives me a sad smile and I almost lose my shit. Next to them Reese is rubbing Lei’s back as she sobs into his chest.

My heart hurts for this family. I don’t know how long we stand here when it hits me. Did anyone let Sina know what was going on? I look down so I can see Megan’s face and ask, “Has anyone called your sister?” She starts crying harder and shakes her head no. I don’t want to ask, but I need to know, “Does she know about Micah?”

She shakes her head again, “Micah didn’t want us to tell her.” I take a deep breath and shake my head to calm myself. She doesn’t even know that her brother’s dying, and no one fucking told her. I feel myself getting angry, but I make sure not to show it. I pull Megan away from everyone and say, “You have to call her. How do you think she’ll feel when she finds out that everyone knew, but kept it from her?” She looks at me and all I see is sadness and guilt in her eyes. I clasp her hands in mine and say “You have to call her Megan, ‘cause if she finds out too late this will break her.” I let her cry for a little, “Do you want to use my phone?”

She pulls her phone from her back pocket and sniffles. I start to walk away, but she grabs my hand, “Please don’t go” she cries quietly. I hold her hand while she makes the call to her sister. I know that