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

Sina not knowing that brother is sick means that shit is going to get worse and I’m worried about how much she’s going to fucking hate me when she finds out that I’ve known the whole time. Megan hangs up and looks at me with sad eyes, “She’s going to fucking hate us all”, she says. And I don’t say anything because it’s the truth.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Sina

Marino was able to get us on the six a.m. flight out of J.F.K. It was a six-hour flight; and thankfully it was a nonstop. We arrived in Seattle around eleven a.m. I was just grateful that the flight wasn’t crowded. Marino reaches for my carry-on but I tell him I’m fine and can manage. Emma grabs her little bag then takes my hand. I look down to see if she’s okay, I know she’s worried because she saw me crying on the flight.“Baby girl, I’m okay. Stop worrying about me” I tell her.

I see tears in her eyes as she says, “Mama, is everything okay?”

“I don’t know sweetie, but we’ll find out together okay?” I tell her as I squeeze her little hand a little tighter. Emma hugs me tight and I hear her sniffle. My heart aches for her. I hold her for a few more seconds then we start making our way to the baggage claim area and pick out our things from the carousel.

“Wait here, let me go grab the keys,” Marino says. Before he walks over to the counter I wrap my arms around him, wanting him to know that I’m thankful for him. He kisses my forehead and heads off to grab the keys to our rental. I take a deep breath and fish my phone out from my purse and check for any calls or messages since Megan last called. There are several messages and a couple of voicemails, so I open Megan’s message first;

My Sista My Sista: When you guys get here don’t go home. We’re all here at the Hospice. See you soon. Love you!

What the fuck? Why would they be there? I don’t know what to think, but my thoughts go to Grandpa Tali. I close my eyes and pray that he’s okay. I know he’s old, but he’ s also the strongest old man I know. I say a little prayer and try to stay positive, but it’s hard.

“Are you okay?” Marino asks as he spins the car keys around his finger. I can’t stop my tears so I just let them fall.

“I don’t know yet. But Megan texted me and said to meet them at the Hospice.” I say with a sniff. Marino looks confused but he grabs our things and we head outside. He loads Emma’s things into the trunk before buckling her in. Then he grabs our bags and puts them alongside Emmas. He waits until I’m in the car before he leans in to snap my seatbelt into place. Before he closes my door he kisses me on the cheek and I don't pull away. I sigh as he closes the door and walks around to the driver’s side.

“Do you want to stop and get something to eat before or after?” he asks me as he turns the keys in the ignition.

“We should probably stop and pick something up for Emma.” I say, not really thinking about myself and wanting to get to the Hospice and find out what the fuck is going on. He doesn’t say anything, but just smiles at me. He pulls away from Sea-Tac airport and I reach over and grip on to his hand. He lifts my hand to his lips and kisses my knuckles and a little piece of me settles down. I lean my head on my window and don’t realize that I’ve fallen asleep until Marino wakes me up to let me know that we were ten minutes away from the Hospice.

I sit up in my seat and he asks, “Do you need anything?”

“No thank you. I just want to get there so I can breathe.” He kisses my hand then continues to drive. I glance in the rear view mirror to check on Emma because she’s pretty quiet, and find that she’s fast asleep.

“She nodded off right after she finished eating her burger,” Marino says.

“Thank you for being here with us,” I tell him, feeling thankful for having him by our side.

“I’ll be anywhere for you Babe” he says. Butterflies start to swarm in my belly, but they die a little when I realize that he’s falling in love with me. I know because he looks at me the way I used to look at Eli. I pull my hand from his, pretending that I’m checking my phone, but I know he sees the move for what it is and feels that I’m pulling away from him emotionally because his eyes speak volumes as he studies me. I hate myself for allowing myself to be okay with how things are going with us. I love Marino, but I’m not in love with him. I know we have to talk, but it’s going to have to wait until I’ve found out what the hell is going on with my family.

It’s early afternoon when we pull into the parking lot. Marino parks and we just sit there looking at the building. My heart is beating out of my chest and I’m feeling a cocktail of emotions. I’m not sure that I’m ready, but I know that I have no choice but to go inside.

“Are you going to be okay?” Marino asks.

I look at him and give him an honest answer “No, I don’t think so.”

He grabs both of my hands and says, “I’ll be in there to make sure you’re okay. You are not alone Sina.” I feel my eyes sting because I wouldn’t have made it this long if he hadn't moved to New York. I feel the tears on my face and he