Chapter 8

I didn't keep in touch with any of my high school friends except for Amelia. It surprised me sometimes that even though we faced so many hardships in life, we never left each other's side. When her parents got divorced, and she faced a mental breakdown during her senior year, I was there by her side. When my parents kicked me out because I was pregnant with Jaime six years ago, Amelia was the only one on whom I relied.

And now, Amelia was getting married. I was unable to contain my grin as she let me know how William proposed to her.

I was genuinely happy for her. Amelia had a good amount of shares with boyfriends. Her choices didn't turn out to be the best and when she lost complete faith, she met William.

“Are you crying?” she asked and I cried considerably more. Those were my blissful tears. God, finally my best friend was getting married. “Stop! You are making me emotional too!” she pouted, her voice having a crack.

“I am so happy for you, Ame! God, I want to hug you so bad!”

“You will get that chance too!” she smiled playfully but I was confused about what she meant. I was in Italy and she resided in America. “Because, Luna Spencer” she announced, trying to sound serious, “you will be my maid of honor!”

I choked on my saliva and laughed, thinking that she must be quipping. She narrowed her eyes and my laugh slowed. She wasn't kidding. “How can I be? You know my schedules are jammed.” It was hectic. I barely get any time to spend moments with my son. It made me feel guilty because when I should have been with my child the most, I wasn't. I couldn't attend his school's competition or him participate in activities. Most of the time, Caro— my neighbor, would take care of him. Making a living here in Italy was hard, and so if I wanted to provide a sheltered life for my son, I had to do what it takes.

Amelia rolled her eyes. “Oh c'mon, Luna. You have been making excuses for four years already!”

She was right. The primary explanation was that I was hesitant about returning. Afraid to face the past which would affect my present. I didn't want to put my son's life in danger.

"Don't you miss me? Don't you miss your parents? Luna, quit pondering it to such an extent! This is your home, and you need to come one day" she made me comprehend.

Amelia had poked me to visit her multiple times during these years yet I have declined concocting a rationalization connected with my work.

The mention of my parents made my heart twinge. My parents didn't know that I came to Italy. They only got to know when Amelia informed them as I have changed my number and everything. I dropped out of Crestview University and decided in haste. I couldn't possibly be pregnant and live in the dorm, and I have nowhere else to go.

“I do miss everyone. It's just… .” I paused, skimming the gold ring on my index finger. “I don't know. It's been six years and a lot has changed.”

“I know but you cannot be a chicken your whole life. I'm begging you, Luna no no— wait, I am ordering you, yes! You have to come to my betrothal, be my maid of honor and that's it!” she crossed her arms over her chest.

“Does William knows how stubborn you are?” I teased.

“He loves me anyway” she winked, a faint tint of blush ensuing on her cheeks. “Anyway, so I have concluded that you are coming and of course, Jaime is also coming! You are so cruel. I want to meet him so painfully and you are always impeding it!” she faked her tears. If she wasn't a hotel manager, she could work in movies.

“Ame…I need to think about it okay? Jaime has his school here. I can't just abruptly stop and fly to Brooklyn.”

“Call Jaime. He is more truthful than you!”

I scoffed. Now she was siding with my son? I shook my head with a smile and called Jaime. “Darling! Come here!”

Within jiffies, he came, the headphone still dangling on his neck. His blue eyes glimmered yet when I motioned him to converse with Amelia, he scowled. “Come, Aunt Amelia have something to tell you.”

He sat beside me, a forced smile appearing on his face. “Hi, Aunt!” he chirped. I brushed his jet-black hair casually as he chatted with her.

When she disclosed about her getting married, his eyes went wide with surprise. “Congratulations to you!”

“Aw, thank you, baby! But only a thank you will not work here” Amelia conversed playfully. Jaime looked confused and turned to me for notions. “You know, I can suggest to you what gift you can give me.” I knew what she was trying to do. “Can you promise to fulfill that?”

Manipulating Jaime emotionally with her words wasn't the first time she was doing it.

“Yes, I will.”

“Great! The best gift will be you and your Mom coming to my wedding!” she squealed, excited more than Jaime who had a pensive expression.

“When is the wedding?” he asked.

Amelia gave whatever information he needed. “So, is that a yes?” her voice held hope as she waited for his response.

Jaime faced me and asked, “Mommy, can we go?” My heart tugged the way he asked my permission. God, he is adorable.

I was in a tight spot now. I could manage to take a few weeks off and attend her wedding. I could do that but Amelia was expecting me to perpetually move there which I couldn't that. I made my life here. Suddenly shifting to Brooklyn wouldn't be a good move.

“Alright, we can go.” The moment the words left my mouth, Amelia practically shrieked in joy, and Jaime's grin broadened as his dimple making an appearance. “I can manage to take a few days off” I shrugged, trying to act casual. Amelia ignored that and shared her joy with Jaime.

“Boy, I can't wait to meet you! This is going to be so much exciting. Thank you, Jaime! You are my lucky charm!” she gave him a flying kiss through the screen.

Later, after Amelia got a call from William, we ended the call. I lay on the bed with Jaime beside me. “Mommy” he mumbled, resting his head on my arm. “Are we really going to meet Aunt Amelia?”

“Yes, we are. Are you excited?”

“I'm... yes, I am excited. What about you, Mommy?” The question brought so many remembrances I had there.

“I'm excited too” I enunciate. “You might meet your grandparents there.”

His eyes lit up. “Really?” Jaime didn't know that Brooklyn is my hometown and that his grandma — my mom— with whom he video called sometimes, lived there. After Mom got my new number through Amelia, she kept in touch with me as much as possible. It was astonishing that she adored Jaime now. Dad never called. No matter how many times Mom prodded him, Dad didn't soften. I wasn't angry at him. I never was. He has his reasons and I respect that.

“Does that mean I have probabilities to meet Dad as well?” the question made me tense. The innocence in his eyes pulled the strings of my soul.

“I don't know, son. Daddy and Mommy are not together. I told you” I softened my tone, caressing his hair. The first time Jaime inquired about his Dad, I had lied saying he went on a business trip. But I couldn't keep fabricating, not when Jaime was smart enough to detect it. When he was three years old, I told him that the man who donated his sperm— that's what I regard him as, nothing else— and I, have no connection, I had expected he would cry. He didn't. He smiled at me and uttered, “Don't worry, Mommy. I am here with you.” Those words had imprinted in my chest since that day and whenever I felt low, his words consoled me.

“I know.” He mumbled something which I failed to comprehend but didn't force.