2.

I felt like I was in limbo. I waited for you. Every day, I went to that same coffee shop. I was late to work for an entire week, but you never showed up.

Winter turned into spring, and I dreaded leaving the city, but I had already promised my uncle to visit him. It was spring break, and he wanted the entire family present for this particular week. He had sent me and my cousins an email, telling us our presence was demanded and he had news to share.

So, with a heavy heart and lost hope, I took the plane to the place I used to call home, leaving the city of lights for the one of winds.

"Edward!" I heard a voice called out for me as soon as I stepped out of the airport.

I picked up my pace when I recognize the person that had yelled my name, and soon, I was engulfed in her motherly arms.

"Oh, my boy, you're finally home."

"Good to see you, Mae. How is everyone?" I walked arm-in-arm with the woman that had been like another mother to me.

As my uncle's driver took us home, she told me all about my uncle's new practice, how it was booming and how my cousins were so happy to have more time with their dad now that he wasn't subjected to the hospital's schedule.

"Have you told him about your feelings yet, Mae?"

It was no secret that she had feeling for my uncle, but for some reason he never saw her more that the beloved nana and housekeeper my cousins and I grew up with.

It was as shame. Esme was lovely woman.

Beautiful, charming and caring… Had I been a few years older, I would have asked her out. My cousins had tried several times to bring my uncle and Esme together, but nothing worked.

What a waste.

She blushed and rolled her eyes, swatting me as we walked into the mansion that was my home growing up. She didn't say anything, but I could see the sadness in her eyes.

To have someone so close to your reach but not been able to take them, to make them yours… It was like trying to catch smoke with your bare hands.

It was disheartening.

I understood her completely now.

And it was all because of you.


Thanks to MariahajilE for offering to beta this story. I truly appreciate your help.

You can now find me on twitter: Riv3rBoy84

Thank you for reading.

-JR