"Dinner was delicious Ms. Barnett; I haven't had a real Christmas Dinner in years."
"Yeah we are always working on Christmas."
"Well, some of us have except for that year you tricked me into working for you."
"I don't know what you are talking about."
"Miami."
Oh, well you got me back with that snowball."
"Yeah that wasn't enough."
Neela, Ray, and Ms Barnett sat around the table swapping stories and having a good time. Neela helped Ray's mother with the dishes and the clean up. Afterwards they went into the living room and Ms Barnett gave a Neela present. Neela was upset she did not get a chance to get Ms. Barnett a present.
"Ms. Barnett I am so sorry I did not get you anything. It was such short notice that…"
"Neela don't worry, you being here with us and seeing my son look the happiest he has been in a long time is present enough for me."
"Oh Ms. Barnett, thank you."
Ms. Barnett handed Neela a book, when Neela looked at the book she froze. It was a Jane Austen's book: Pride and Prejudice. Ray had told his mother that she was Neela's favorite author. Neela was over the moon. Even though Neela has read this book before she loved to read it over and over. The special thing about it was that it was an original copy. It was very difficult to find.
"Oh my god Ms. Barnett thank you so much, this is absolutely lovely."
"You are welcome Neela."
"This is an original copy how did you do get this?"
"I have a friend who is a collector of original works of literature he helped me out."
"That's real cool mom thanks."
"Oh anything for my future dau…"
Ray gave his mother a stern look, Ms Barnett realized what she was about to say. Luckily Neela was so focused on the book she did not hear her.
"Sorry did you say something Ms. Barnett?"
"Oh no dear."
Ray and his mother both let out a sigh of relief.
"Mom I have something for you."
"Thank you Ray"
Ray handed his mother an envelope, it was a plane ticket to Tahiti for the week.
"Oh my god Ray, this is wonderful."
"Well I figured you been helping me and taking care of me I figured you needed some R&R yourself. You leave tomorrow for one week."
"Ray Thank you. I love it. I think I'll go upstairs and start packing, you two enjoy yourselves."
Ray felt good seeing his mother happy, and seeing Neela happy too.
"Neela would you like to go for a walk?"
"Sure, Ray I love too."
They went and just walked around the neighborhood. Ray showed Neela where he used to play, and hangout.
"I had some good times up here. When I came back here I did not want to stay."
"Why Ray?"
"I felt I needed to be in Chicago, I wish though especially after what had happened to you."
"Ray you had to take care of you first."
"Yeah Neela but when Abby called me and told me what happened I was so upset. I know how it is to feel like you are about to die and imaging you going through that broke my heart."
"Ray, I guess it was just Karma."
"Karma, do honestly think that happened to you because what happened to me?"
"Sometimes I do."
"Neela you asked me to be patient, I wasn't. I lost my cool the night of Abby and Lukas wedding because I saw you on the terrace with Gates. And instead of me going to you an asking you what was going on I assumed you and him were getting back together. I was the fool I decided to drown myself in alcohol and pick a fight with the guy."
"Ray like you told me earlier, we can not keep doing this to ourselves we need to move forward."
"Yeah, you are right, Um listen let's start getting back it is getting late."
"Okay"
"One more question Neela."
"Sure"
"Would you come with me to my rehab tomorrow?"
"Of course I will."
"Thank You, now can I get kiss?"