Love in the Shadow

Chapter 3: Friends from Long ago.

"Dad, what's going on?" My heart pounding, I asked and turned to face him. The austere look on his face drove a tsunami of worry across me. The earlier warmth from my time with Lucas vanished, replaced by a knot of doubt. David moved forward, his brow wrinkled. "We have to discuss your mom," he replied, his voice low and deliberate. It's crucial. I locked the front door as I trailed him into the home. It creaked behind us. Though my stomach turned over with nervousness, the familiar smell of home felt oddly soothing when combined with the faint perfume of my mother's cooking from the kitchen. "Is she ok?" I asked, my head ablaze with alternatives. "I thought she was getting better." David nodded but turned aside, his fingers running back of his neck. "She is, but we should talk about her treatment specifically." My heart sunk. "What about her course of treatment? Is it non-working? "It's simply that..." We must take certain other factors into account, he remarked, choosing his words deliberately. "The doctors have advised a more intensive treatment, and it will be a significant commitment for the both of us." Frustrated, "Dad, you should have told me sooner," I said. Knowing it was this serious, I would have came home earlier. He moaned and ran a hand over his hair. "I wanted to spare you from worrying. I reasoned that your mother would make it through without it. Still, we must be ready for everything. " ready for what? I pressed, anxiety boiling under surface level. "what are you saying?" He stared at me, a mix of worry and will shining in his eyes. "We might have to investigate some specialist therapy choices here. It could be expensive, and I want you not to feel burdened by it. His comments had great weight in the atmosphere. My mind flew as I considered the ramifications. "Dad, we will work it out together. My voice steadying, I repeated, "I'm not going anywhere." Mom needs us, and we will do all it takes. He offered me a little, polite smile. "I know." I simply wanted you to be aware of everything before it gets intolerable. "Thanks for telling me," I murmured, somewhat more at ease. "Let's discuss Mom together later. She ought to be involved in this choice. "Agreed," David said, relief pouring over his features. "But why not you go locate Sarah for now? She is most definitely excited to meet you once more. I nodded, appreciatively of the diversion. My mother was softly humming in the kitchen as I left into the corridor. The familiar sound calmed me down and brought back all the times she had consoled me when I was depressed. My heart still heavy but my will restored, I went to the living room—where I had left my phone. I came onto one from Sarah while I perused my messages. Sarah : Hello! Would be interested in visiting for a movie night? I have popcorn and nibbles here. I answered fast to let her know I was on route. I ought to have this. Time with Sarah would enable me to let the weight of the day pass. I walked a little and then found her house. Almost when the door opened, Sarah stood there grinning broadly and with disheveled bun in her hair. "You created it!" "Of course! I would not miss a movie night with you, I replied as I entered and felt her house envelop me. We settled into her small living room, a big bowl of popcorn between us, and the newest romantic comedy on TV. The laughs and lighthearted joking helped to dispel the earlier worry. "What's the most recent rumours in town?" Curious to make up all I had missed, I inquired. " Oh, where do I start?" Leant in with a secretive smile, Sarah said. "Did you come across Jenny and Mark? Again they broke up! Surely not! once more? I shook my head and said. "Those two have a roller coaster relationship." Right? And then there are speculations about Lucas! She went on, her voice dropping like a tasty secret. "I heard he had a girlfriend. I tried to keep cool even as a quick jolt of jealousy raced through me. "Very true? Whose? "Some girl he came across at work, I believe. Sarah shrugging said, "I don't know her name." But I saw them several times together. They appeared to be really comfortable. The news landed more strongly than I had anticipated. Having spent time with Lucas, the idea of him with someone else made my gut knotty. I answered, pushing a smile, "Well, I guess he deserves to be happy." Ignorant of my inner conflict, Sarah answered, "totally." "But that only means you should move before it's too late!” Though it sounded empty, I chuckled. The anxiety from before boiled back to the top. “Yeah, I’ll get right on that,” I responded sarcastically, my thoughts racing with the possibilities of Lucas dating someone else. We kept watching the film, but I couldn concentrate. My memories returned to Lucas—his laugh, the glistening of his eyes when he discussed his profession, the coziness of his touch when we were close. The impression that there remained something between us persisted. Sarah turned to me at the end of the film, her face grave. Mia, you cannot let him to slip away. You actually have to say something if you truly like him. Knowing she was right, I groaned. But given someone fresh, how could I compete? Feeling exposed, I said, "I don't even know if he feels the same way." Come on, please. One has to believe in oneself. You two have history, and that implies something, she insisted, her energy infectious. Feeling a flutter of optimism, "maybe you're right," I said. But just now I have to pay Mom top attention. Family first, Sarah said, but her eyes gleamed with malice. But remember your enjoyment as well! My phone buzzed at that just then with a message. I looked down and found it belonged to Lucas. Lucas: < Oh, Mia. You would be free to chat tomorrow? I would want to go over something crucial. Nerves combined with a surge of enthusiasm passed through me. About what could he be interested in discussing? My heart pounding, "Uh, looks like I might have to deal with Lucas sooner than I thought." Sarah's eyes expanded. "Oow! what did he say? I read the mail aloud, my voice betraying the thrill I experienced. "He has a conversation tomorrow." Observe? It should be just like this. Clapping her hands together, Sarah said You must create a strategy. This might be your lucky break! "Yeah, maybe," I answered, my head whirling with possibilities. I should most likely respond. I hesitated a bit then texted back. Me: Sure, I would be happy to chat. at what hour? I felt both excitement and nervousness when I sent it. Though the idea of Lucas dating someone else hovered over me, I could not deny the developing relationship I felt with him. Sensing my uncertainty, Sarah advised Mia, not to overthink it. Simply be yourself. That suffices. Right, I said, attempting to project confidence. 'Thanks, Sarah.' My phone buzzed once more as we relaxed back into playful banter. Lucas responded in this way. Lucas: How about just after lunch? I'll grab you. My pulse shot. "It's a date," I said, flashing a smile. Sarah let out a delighted squeal. "You will knock off his socks! Just keep in mind—be sincere about your feelings! I nodded, like the prospect. Perhaps here was the moment I had been waiting for. Later that evening, I lay in bed and found ideas of tomorrow racing through my head. Lucas would say what? Would he discuss this new female or would he tell me he feels something? Though I couldn't stop the thrill boiling inside me, the uncertainty kept me awake and turned over. Twist: My phone buzzed once more as I at last sank off to sleep. It came from a social media app—a warning. Opening it, I saw a picture of Lucas grinning broadly as arms were encircling another woman. The caption said: "So pleased to have discovered someone special!” The emotional surge was intolerable. As I watched the screen, my heart dropped and I realized my moment with Lucas might already be fading.