The Best Of Me

Chapter 35

"So you know my boy Randy?!" She yelled at me through the kitchen. "I haven't seen that boy in over 30 years!" She continued, "Who are you?" She came to me in the living room with a cup of wine. I declined the drink, "Well... You heard me. Who are you?" Anna asked again. "I--I'm his wife. I'm Callie." I extended out my hand to shake it and she ignored me, she sat on the couch and drunk her drink. "Wife? Impressive.. At least he picked a pretty one."

"Ms. Guiterrez--" She put her hand up, "Please... Call me, Anna." She demanded. "Anna... He needs you, more than you know. He misses you. It's been too long!" I exclaimed. "Callie, I want too see him, I mean... I've been living in this bullshit city for way too long just hoping for the moment when I get to hug my boy again but I left him at that foster home for a reason and that reason still exist...." She trailed off.

"What? You're an alchoholic? Who isn't?! My mom, she's a fucking cop and was a booze drinker and pill popper-- Ma'am, I'm telling you this because he's dying-- He won't make it any longer and all he wants to have a least some bit of closure with the woman that abadoned him and-- and feels sorry about it." I said. She got up from the sofa. "God dammit. Are you always so good with your words?" I smiled. "Yeah, yeah... I am." My phone rang. It was Brandon, i declined it and opened the door of my car for Anna to sit in.

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When I walked into the house, Shield and the boys were playing cards on the long black table that was set up in the living room but was meant to be in the garage. "Hey," I smiled. Shield began to stand and Ramón helped him the rest of the way. He walked slowly toward me and I grinned from ear to ear.

"What are you so happy about?" He croaked with a little laughter. I moved out of the way to make a pathway for her to come in, "Come in.." I said. Shield stood in the middle of the big, echoed, long floored living room. Anna walked into the prevailed house that was destined only for disaster but this was great.

This was history in the making for Shield. "Mamá?" He questioned in Spanish. "Mi hijo... Mi lindo chiquito..." She cooned from the door. You know the movie Holes with Shia Lebouef and at the end of the movie, Zero hugs his mom at the bus station? Yeah.... It was just like that except Shield couldn't run so it was one of those slow reunions that warmed your heart to the fullest. He embraced her tightly and she began crying.

"I forgive you, I forgive you, momma. I forgive you..." He whispered to her and cried with her. I took his list out of my pocket and crossed out number 5. They let go of eachother and they saw eachothers face, he kissed her cheek and her little tiny face. I crossed out number 6 too.

He kissed the most beautiful girl in the world; His mom. "Uhm im sorry to breakup this precious family reunion but... Number 7." I reminded him, Shield looked at me. "Pray at church, that's number 7." He said. "What?" Anna kept her firm hands on Shields shoulder blade.

He told her all about the bucket list and how we've been going all around California to make it all happen. "Come... Come with me." He pulled on his mother slowly to come with us to the church. She seemed to feel pity for him. She couldn't say no to her dying son. "Of course.." She muttered. I smiled and got in the car with him, we drove to the church.

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We entered the holy place. Anna kneeled down in front of the big model of Jesus Christ on the crucifix. I sat down with Shield on the benches as Anna had her spiritual moment. "How'd you do it?! How'd you find her? Gosh, Callie.." He whispered to me in amazement. I blushed and leaned in to speak with him. "I never reveal my secrets, baby." I teased.

He kissed my lips softly, it lingered and he kissed me some more. "Thank you," he told me. "No need to thank me... I promised you everything would be okay." I smiled.

Anna got up and walked toward us. Shield took out the list and read the next thing, "Number 8... Laugh until I cry." I thought about this next challenge. We got up and left, my phone rang. It was Brandon again.

"Pick it up.." Shield encouraged. I sighed and I answered, "Hello?"
"GOD FUCKING DAMMIT, CALLIE! I'VE BEEN TRYING TO CALL YOU ALL DAY!" He screamed over the line. "What happened?! Did something happen to Blue?!" I began to worry as I turned the car on.

I heard the relief in his voice. "She woke up, Callie. She woke up this morning.." I dropped the phone in happiness and the tears surfaced. "Callie? Is everything okay?" Shield put his hand on my shoulder and the car was on. "S--She's awake! Blues awake! My baby's awake!" I spat.