Holly stomped across the floor in a rant. “Where the hell is my brother? If he takes that two-timing-slut back and leaves Mia, I’ll break his face. Mia has been waiting for hours for him. It’s almost dark outside. For gosh sakes, it’s pouring down rain! He hasn’t even called, and we don’t even know if he’s had some accident and in a ditch someplace. This is one hundred kinds of fucked up.”
Wraith sat down in his recliner, rubbing his hand over his face. His sister’s voice was getting annoying after hearing her go on for the past hour. It worried him too, but Holly was being irrational.
“Calm down, Holly. And watch your foul mouth. What do you expect him to do? Leave a child and a sick woman on the street?”
“Karma for her being such a conniving bitch all these years.”
“Holly! You don’t talk about a sick woman that way. What is wrong with you? She has a baby,” Lilly scolded.
“Fine. You’re right, I’m sorry. It’s just... where is he? Mia came here to meet our family and her… and… faced with this drama. This is just… wrong. It’s wrong.”
Holly stormed around with an angry fist at her sides. It was clear Holly was hurting for her new friend. Mia just gave herself sexually to her brother and then this happened. She knew Mia deep down had to be hurting. If it were her in that situation, she would be heartbroken after finally trusting him.
Mia was sitting by the window watching the rain trickle down the windowpane. She was trying to keep up her spirits, but the longer the time passed, the more worried she became. “It’s fine. I understand.”
“You shouldn’t have to. He’s your boyfriend and Tammy can’t be trusted. What if she’s lying and the whole thing is just some ruse to get Cy back?”
“She’s not lying.” A deep voice entered the room.
Cyrus trudged in the living room as all his friends and family looked over to him, waiting for an explanation. He shook off his jacket and wiped the rain from his face on his t-shirt. He looked exhausted as he flopped down on the couch, rubbing his hand over his head in frustration.
“She’s dying. They don’t expect her to live much longer. The doctors say it surprises them she’s made it this long. Tammy was vomiting all evening from the treatments. She’s fighting, but she says she doesn’t want to continue the chemo. It’s been too hard on her.”
Wraith stood to greet his brother with a hug. “I know this must be hard.”
“Where’s Mia?”
Wraith pointed to her and Cyrus rushed in her arms. He instantly wept as Mia held him. “I’m sorry. I had to take some time to myself before I came home. I needed time to think. I should have called.”
“I’m just glad you’re okay. The storm outside is getting worse, and it has worried me sick. You weren’t answering your cell phone.”
“My phone died. We have a lot to talk about. Everyone, I’m sorry, but I need to talk to Mia alone.”
“Sure, Brother. Why don’t we all go to the kitchen and start getting dinner ready while you two talk?”
“Thanks, Wraith.”
As Cyrus watched everyone leave the room, Mia watched his expression. He was going to break up with her. She just knew it.
“So. It’s over.” Mia started to walk away.
“What? What’s over?”
“Us. I understand. She needs you.”
“No, of course not. That’s not it. Please, sit.”
“You’re not breaking up with me?”
“Hell no. Are you kidding? You’re the love of my life. Seeing Tammy again made me realize that my love for her stopped years ago. I care for her because we had a lot of good years and we were friends as kids. I miss the friendship we had when we were younger, but that’s it. The love was gone the moment she pulled away from our marriage. You can’t make someone love you. It took me a while to realize that. It was always so forced with her. Since I met you, I can’t help but notice it’s so easy it is for us. That’s how real love should be.”
“I was worried. After last night, then this. I guess I’m just a little shaken and confused right now. Truth is, I would hate myself if I didn’t let you help her. So, I guess I need to know what’s next.” Mia cuddled into him. “Just promise you won’t leave me.”
“Mia, that will never happen. Let’s sit and talk, okay?”
Mia nodded as he led her to the couch.