Chapter 30

Chapter Thirty

Aspen

"Hey, gorgeous," I plant a smile on my face as I enter Sophia's room. "How are you feeling?"

"Like doing the cha-cha," she responds with the same joyful energy she's had since she arrived at my house. "But today I was thinking about running away."

"Hold your horses; I'll get the car." I check her socks, make sure the blanket is warm and clean and her pillows are fluffed the way she likes them. "You can't leave without me. Where are we going?"

Her lips press into a tight smile. "You know when the last time I saw him was?"

I raise a brow, wondering who she's talking about. "This is about finding some old beau? Because I could use a new one."

"Anderson might not like it," she says, smiling at me. My insides tense. In the three weeks he's been gone, he hasn't texted. I know he's off the grid, but thinking of him gone is killing me. She doesn't mention him. "I'm talking about Simon."

I freeze. Simon is her late husband.

"He's on a special mission," she continues, as I check her temperature, and wonder what is causing this episode. "But as soon as he ties all those loose ends, he'll be back for me. He would've loved you."

"Simon?" I ask very confused because the one in the mission is Anderson, not Simon. She nods. "Do you want to talk about him?"

"He was as tall as Anderson. They share the same green eyes. When I looked at them, it was like staring at a forest." Her eyes are lost in memories. "He had many smiles. My favorites were his boyish smile and his scorching smile with the intense gaze that hit me hard in the pit of my stomach." She giggles.

I imagine Anderson, who's the same way with his many smiles that say anything from "I hate this" to "I want to eat you for breakfast". The latter one is my favorite.

"How did you meet?" I hand her a cup of water to make sure she's hydrated. She's been eating less and less. She drinks her protein shakes, but only the strawberry banana flavor.

"During a vacation to San Diego with my parents," she says rubbing her hands. Worried about the temperature, I take them between mine and rub them. "Love at first sight isn't acceptable, but it only took us a matter of days to comprehend that we were meant for each other."

She closes her eyes momentarily. "Do you think I'll be around when Anderson comes back?"

"Of course." I don't hesitate to respond. "He'll be back soon. Trust me."

"You're a good kid." She holds my hand. "This was a good choice. You girls are wonderful with me. The nurses are caring, better than any other place in the world."

"I'm glad you're here."

"But enough about sad things, what are you going to read me today?" She points at the e-reader on top of her nightstand. "Maybe that Fifty Shades book?"

I laugh because she insists on reading a little of everything before she leaves. She's leaving, just like Dad. Even though losing my father hurt, losing her feels ten times harder. Over the years, I've learned to love her, to view life from a different perspective. I feel like I'll miss out on so much more after she goes.

"We have to finish One Hundred Years of Solitude ," I remind her of our current book.

"More like one hundred dreading pages of painful solitary words." We laugh together. "That's not something I'd like to read before I die. It's a ridiculous book. An arbitrary novel where the author makes up bologna about this family for One. Hundred. Years."

"Arbitrary?"

"Senseless, like a fantasy. I don't want to die pondering about the book." She gestures at the tablet. "When I was in my thirties, I enjoyed reading the book. But now…I want to leave with something happy, exciting, profound. Not sure how things will be or where I'll go, but if I bring my memories along I want to bring the best."

When Dad was dying, I spent days holding his hand and listening to all the cases he oversaw throughout the years. The wicked men he sentenced, and the ones he let go. His biggest accomplishments in life had to do with his career. Not his wife, or his children. Austin, my brother, didn't bother to visit him. He came for the funeral.

"Our family was far from perfect." Sophia Hawkins looks at her bony hands. "My parents immigrated from France in the late sixties. Mama was always sweet. Dad was always busy."

It reminds me of my father who was always busy, but he always made time for me.

"If there's something I taught my children it's to be gentlemen, appreciate the women they date and to never disrespect them." Her eyes close. "Like their father was with me."

"What happened to doing the cha-cha?" I ask her trying to cheer her up.

I touch the screen of the e-reader, searching for a new book.

"Are you going back to the hospital soon? You should, you have a healing touch," she continues, her thin arm reaching out, searching for my hand. I meet her half way, setting the e-reader back on top of the nightstand and holding her hand tight between mine. "Being a doctor must have taken you years, don't miss the chance to reach your dreams."

"I won't." Brynn and I just applied for a bank loan and are waiting for the response. There are several places we have an eye on, and the applications for the licenses are ready. We are waiting for a permanent address for our offices. "For now, I'm focusing on you."

"Remember, life doesn't wait for you. Reach out and conquer your fears. Work for those dreams." She closes her eyes. "I think I'm going to take a nap. Will you be around when I wake up?"

I angle my head, lifting my gaze toward the window of her room. The sun is shining and I wish I could've taken her out for a nice stroll. "Of course, I'll be in the next room."

I adjust the blankets after taking her vitals and kiss her forehead.

" A Tree Grows in Brooklyn ," she says right before I leave the room. "We should read that one."

"Why?"

"It's about family and the sacrifices that some make for their spouses, parents or siblings," she explains, and I try to recall the name of the title. It's not one I'm familiar with, am I? "About faith, about growth, about finding the strength to overcome those difficult situations. Even finding forgiveness within your heart. A tale where the heroine's strength is tested on almost every page. She has a hard life, her father dies, and her mother asks for plenty of sacrifices from her."

"Does it have a happily ever after?"

"Maybe I won't find out, dear. But I hope she does because everyone deserves to receive what they give—and you give love and happiness all around."

" The Alchemist ," I counteract. "We should read that one. You recommended it a couple of years ago. I remember liking it, but maybe I should read it again."

"The truth cannot be veiled by smoke," she mumbles. "The truth withstands the test of time. The thieves always taking from others in the name of peace, love or family. You're right. We should read it."

Shutting the curtains and her door I pull out my phone.

Me: She's taking longer naps, and today she finally asked for something to ease her pain. It won't be long.

Brynn: You have to rest. Victoria is staying with her tonight. My vacations start tomorrow and continues until further notice.

Me: Where are you?

Brynn: At the grocery store, buying supplies. Are you contacting Anderson?

Me: Yes. I'm going for a run with Hugo while she's sleeping. Ella, the nurse, will keep an eye on her. Afterward, I'll call Bradley.

I went for a run, showered and finally dialed the number.

"Bradley speaking." I hear the husky timbre on the other side of the phone.

"Mr. Bradley this is Aspen Zimmerman. I'm?—"

"Ready to talk about my job offer?" His voice sounds excited.

"No." I sigh, at this moment his offer is at the bottom of my priority list.

"Then how can I help you?"

"Mrs. Hawkins' health is deteriorating rapidly. I wanted Anderson to be aware of her condition."

"How long?"

"Excuse me?"

"I can't contact him just because you want him to be aware of his mother's condition. I need a time frame."

"You're an insensitive asshole," I protest.

"Pria, can you take this fucking call? Apparently, I'm coming off as an insensitive asshole."

"You are fucking insensitive," a male voice says on the other line with a blast of laughter.

Did I interrupt something? I check my calendar and the time. Sunday eight o'clock at night.

"I'm charging you triple for this," a woman mumbles. "Good afternoon. I'm the public relationships director of HIB. Is there something we can do for you?"

Why do I want to speak to a PR person? Shouldn't I try human resources? I take a deep breath and let out everything at once. "Anderson Hawkins, who works for Mr. Bradley, gave me this number if I needed something. I'm Dr. Zimmerman and I'm in charge of his mother's health."

"Yes, I'm familiar with him and his mother's condition. How is she doing?" The genuine concern in her voice takes me aback. Why does a PR person care?

"Not well," I respond, jealousy crippling through my veins. Who is this woman? One of the bimbos Anderson slept with? Fuck, that's a petty thought. Where is that coming from? I'm tired and missing him. Give the report and see if you can contact him, then hang up. "We believe she doesn't have much time left. She's starting to mix reality with her past."

"Mase, is Anderson on the field? Can you bring him back?" She grunts at his response. "Is there something we can do to help while he's absent?"

"No, I have everything. And we can care for her during his absence. I worry that he won't see her before…" I can't say it. She can't leave so soon, not after we have found our routine. What will happen to our daily talks? What book will I read when she's gone? The family recipes she's passing on from memory…what's going to happen to all of them? I need more time with her. "I just feel like he should be back soon."

"Can you give me a moment? I'm placing you on hold."

It takes minutes for her to come back to the line. "Thank you for waiting. Look, I understand this is pressing. I'm too familiar with what you and Anderson are going through—losing a parent. I can't tell you where he is or when he'll be back. However, Mason assures me that this stage of the mission is almost over and he'll be arriving home soon. If things worsen or you need anything, please don't hesitate to contact him. You can text this number, Mason is better versed in the art of texting."

"Thank you for your help."

"I'm glad to help. And please, when Ms. Hawkins passes, call us too. Anderson is important to the company, and we would want to be there for him."