When I Sixty Four Novels & Stories

C H A P T E R 6 : W H E N I T H I T S H A R D I am just a human, trying to look for fleeting moments of temporary happiness in this endless void of sorrow and solitude. ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

Way back. I met June in late 2004, right after the economy tanked and I’d just lost my first real job out of college. I was twenty-four, broke, and spending too many nights at this dive called Rusty’s on the edge of town. Cheap beer, sticky floors, neon signs buzzing like they were half-dead.

They were holding a bouquet of flowers, their faces full of joy and excitement. "Sweetheart, you're finally home!" Mom rushed over and threw her arms around me. My nose stung. Tears welled up in my eyes as I choked, "Mom, I missed you so much." Dad came over too, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder. "You're home now. That's all that matters." The three of us hugged tightly, like we were trying to make up for the six years we'd missed. Just then, my phone rang again. An unfamiliar number flickered on the screen.

I take a deep breath, knowing that what comes next will either strengthen us or destroy us completely. "It started when I was six years old," I began, "standing by a gas station, waiting for a mother who was never coming back."

I'm the one having his baby. [You really think they're headed to the villa to mourn me? Don't be stupid. I've been living there for years. ] [Today's my prenatal checkup. I casually said I wanted the whole fam there—and just like six years ago, they all came running. A few fake tears and boom, they picked me again.] [Your life's a joke.] Attached were dozens of photos—Chuck with Sharon on trips, sometimes even with my parents. Sightseeing. Vacationing. Laughing.

Later, I slowly tore the silver feathered wedding gown I'd worn 66 times into shreds, ripping up the remnants of dignity holding this relationship together. I'd loved Arnold for six years, and it was high time this was put to an end.

She added, “And honestly, why are we even asking that? Anyone can G****e it, dad.” The room buzzed with low voices. But when I looked back at my father, I saw it—the flicker of disappointment. In him, in my mother, their eyes fell, just slightly, and my heart cracked open. Jake’s hand found mine. He squeezed gently. “It’s okay,” he whispered. No. It wasn’t. Then— something ticked. Something clicked. A sudden flash. Not a sound in the room, but a memory in my mind. Vivian had said 1964, but no. That wasn’t right.

Yea, he bought his little sister a fucking phone. I am utterly baffled by this little girl. I learnt yesterday that she was diagnosed with leukemia when she was four. She has been battling the disease for six years now. Going for chemotherapy, taking the prescribed drugs and still being this cheerful, full of life kid despite the disease. Her strength at such a tender age blows my mind.

Keith said in conclusion as he rose to his feet. "Oh, I'm also taking Jennabeth along." I hope y'all had a great read. Thank you for reading "Sixty Days With You." It truly had been sixty days with y'all. To read more of my books, check out the new MM Romance book I recently released titled ' KILLIAN'S GAME.' You'd love it and I promise it's a happy ending!!