Chapter 6

Cries and tears

3 weeks later

Gabi's point of view

Well I've been here for three weeks for abeulo. Jayden and I talked everything out. But this week on Thursday…at 3 in the morning my aunt called my mami and told her that my abeulo passed away. It has been really hard.

I haven't seen troy, I've mainly just been with my family.

Today is his funeral…we're all going…zack is coming in today…we all couldn't get a hold of Bryan. When they're in the army you have to wait till they call you when they get a phone card.

"Gabi it's time to go" lettie came in my room. I nodded and got up and walked out.

She linked our arms…and I gave her a weak smile.

We all piled in cars and were all silent. It was a 15 minute silent drive…

We all sat in the front rows. My abuela looked out of it, as if she can't process anything. I never saw her like that. I can't imagine how you can be bonded with someone for almost 80 years…and then one day they're just gone. (They met when they were 7 and he past away at 90)

The priest said the eulogy and then asked if we wanted to come up and say some words. John went up first.

"My abeulo was kind of the biggest father figure in all of our lives. We could mess up to the extreme and he would rip into us, but after he was done he would always hug us and tell us he loves us. The day I got out and came to see him, his smile lit up. it brought back so many memories. And all those memories will always stay with me" he said. then Lettie and Eva went up.

"Abeulo…was always the one we all went too. He was everything. Our doctor, friend, but he was always just abeulo." Lettie said.

"We used to spend weekends with them…and my sisters and I would always cook with abuela and the boys would be playing a sport, or working in the garage or shed with abeulo…well sometimes Gabi was with us, most of the time she was with the boys. But I remember after dinner we all sat on the floor and abeulo told us a story…" Eva said.

"One story was how he felt being away from abuela when he was in the army. He always ended with love conquers all but family love and true love conquer before its tries to conquer you"

"We miss you abeulo!" they both said with tears. All of them went up and said a memory of abeulo…I didn't go up. I couldn't. I stood up with Jayden for support but I didn't say anything. Then some of the aunts and uncle went up. Sean kept and arm around me…but I didn't cry. I knew abeulo would ask me if I was hurt and I would say not physically and he would tell me then there's no need for tears.

Zack wasn't here yet, he's not coming for the service, just the wake, which is being held at our house. I wasn't really in the mood to see people and be nice.

Over the few weeks I realized I really miss laurel…and I don't even know why. Well I guess I know why. In California I have my friends, which yea I say are my family but it's nothing compared to my real family. Plus I wish I didn't give troy up…it's like there's this big hold in the middle of my stomach that expands every time I think of him. But he said how he feels. Maybe…I should just leave.

The service was over, everyone in close family weree going to the grave sight. I was taking Jayden home…he couldn't handle it and honestly neither could i. zack is coming at 7 tonight…I don't know if im in the mood to see him.

"Nana?" Jayden asked when we got in the house.

"Yea jay?"

"Im glad you didn't leave"

I smiled. "Me too Jayden"

"Could you…you know stay…I miss how it was with you here"

"I don't know Jayden…I mean I have a life there…you know"

"You got a life here too"

"I know but there is the business"

"Could you think about it?"

"I will" he smiled and walked up to his room. I started cooking the tacos. My mom called me a few minutes later.

"Hola?" I answered.

"Mija your aunt decided she wanted to hold the wake at her house…if you and Jayden want to come you can." She said.

"Hold on let me ask Jayden"

"JAYDEN!" I yelled up stairs. He came down.

"You want to go to Tia's for the wake they changed there minds"

"Yea sure" he said.

"Yea mom but I'm not going to be there long. I'll see zack and the rest of the family but then I'm gonna come back here"

"Ok mija that's fine. Are you feeling ok?" she asked.

"Si I'm just not in a people mood"

"Ok mija. Just walk over here" she said.

"Ok" I said. I put the tacos in the microwave. I'll eat them later.

Jayden came down in his normal clothes. Eva texted me and asked me to bring her some jeans and sneakers. Lettie already had some with her.

"We're gonna walk ok?" I said and he nodded. My aunt only lives a couple blocks down from us. It's only the end of July so it's still pretty hot in Maryland.

I just wore a t-shirt some ripped jeans and sneakers. I didn't feel like dressing back up.

"You staying the whole time?" he asked.

"No probably just n hour or so"

"Oh well later on I'm going to my friends…"

"You don't have any clothes. I'll drop them off later"

"You don't have to nana…I could just change tomorrow"

"it's ok Jayden. Whose house are you going over?"

"Uh…well…Trevor's…" he said. Trevor Bolton!? Play cool gab its ok that your and Troy's little brothers are best friends! They grew up together!

"Ok they still live in the same house?" I asked. The same house I snuck in and out of all my high school years.

"Yea…" he said.

"Ok…well just call me when you're ready to leave and I'll pick you up. knowing these things jay they're going on for a long time! See they start talking about the memories, they drink wine and liquor while they talk, they pass out leaving there kids stranded"

"Ouch…" he said.

"Yea so call me when you're ready"

"Ok deal. Thanks nana" he said. We got to my aunts house and walked in. Jayden saw the table of food and I saw zack.

"Gabi!" they all yelled. Zack looked…different. He looked like…well like dad. He was tall and broad. He had a blue button down on and black slacks. He had his hair slicked back, and looked like a doctor.

I smiled and walked over to him.

"Aren't you supposed to be the little brother?" I said.

"Yea well…not my fault you're the shortest!" it's true even Jayden is taller than me!

"Yea whatever doctor dude!" I said and hugged him again.

I saw all the family and got so many 'look at little Gabi!' the hour went by fast.

"Mami I'm gonna go" I said.

"Ok mija be careful" she said and hugged me. I found Jayden and our little cousins stealing a beer.

"Ahem!" I said. They all looked up.

"Jayden, Mario and Alex hand it over!" I said. They handed the beer over.

"No alcohol! Got it! Promise me now!" I said holding out my pinky.

They all groaned.

"You know I hate your stupid eyes!" Mario said. Mario is 12 and really annoying!

"Yea I know." I said. I took the beer and took a sip and then gave it to my older cousin
"Jayden about what time do you want me to pick you up" I asked.

"Uh…you mind walking home first and then taking me? I'm ready to go" he said.

"Ok c'mon. Bye boys! And remember no alcohol! Wait till at least 17 to start teen drinking!" I said.

"SWEET!" They high five. I rolled my eyes kids.

We walked out of the crowded house.

"Jayden…why were you going to drink?"

"I wasn't. They were" he said. I believed him…

"Ok"

"You gonna tell mami?"

"Psh no! With all the blackmail you have on me! Are you loco" I said.

He laughed. "Thanks nana" he said. We got to the house. While he packed I ate a taco. I had a beer taste in my mouth. I finished the taco right when he came downstairs.

"You ready?' I asked. He nodded.

"You sure…you want to take me? I can ask his mom or sister or someone to pick me up…"

"No Jayden its ok" I said. He nodded and we walked out. I was letting Jaime use my car this week since hers was in the shop. Troy's shop.

We walked out the door and went towards the Bolton's house.

"I thought his parents moved…" I said.

"Yea…it's right across the street…" he said.

"Oh…didn't know that"

"Yea…I didn't really understand it either"

I laughed. We got to the big house…whoa.

"You wanna come in?" he asked.

"Uh…sure" I said.

We walked up the walk way. Jayden just walked right in, ha like I used to!

"Jayden?" Lucy called out.

"Hey mamma Lucy" he said we walked in the kitchen.

"Gabi walked me over" he said. She looked at me and smiled.

"Oh Gabi!" she said hugging me. I loved his mom. She was always there to talk when I needed her.

"Hey Mrs. Bolton" I said.

"JACK!" she called out. Jack is Troy's dad.

"Gabi?" he said when he walked in.

"Yea…I came back for abeulo" I said.

"Oh honey we are also sorry for you guys" she said hugging me and Jayden both.

"Gabi why don't you stay and talk, Jayden the others are outside playing a game" coach Bolton said.

"Oh I don't want to interrupt whatever you guys were doing" I said.

"Gabriella don't be funny you know you are always welcomed" she said. I sat on the bar stool up at the island.

"Say bye before you go nana?" Jayden said.

"Ok" I said. He nodded and walked outside.

"So Gabi, we've seen you the screen…how's it goin for ya?" coach Bolton said.

"It's going good. I got a jewelry line now" I said.

"Oh thank god! I have your perfume red rose! I love it! I always said you knew had those brains"

"Actually Mrs. Bolton, I was thinking of you while I planned the perfume"

"Oh Gabi stop!" she said.

"No seriously, I remember I would come here and see all your perfume bottles! Then I remember you told me you love the fruity flowery smells but not too strong." I said.

"I remember telling you that sweetie"

"Still playing soccer?" he asked. Coach Bolton used to coach the soccer team in high school. I was really good at it.

"Just for fun. There are kids in my building and they were trying out for the soccer team and I helped hem out…but that's really it" I said.

He smiled.

I looked around. They remodeled the kitchen. On the wall above the dining room table were pictures of all there kids. Troy was on top, then going clockwise was his sister Tabitha, then his sister terry, and then his brother Travis was on the bottom, then Trevor, then on the other side of troy was his baby sister trinity. See a pattern in there names much?

"He told us sweetie" Mrs. Bolton grabbed my hand.

"Oh…well I deserved those words…" I said.

"Don't believe them for a second young lady! He loves you still. He's just being like his father, stubborn" she said. I smiled.

"Mrs. Bolton, I left him…I deserve to be yelled and hated by him"

"For following your dreams? Gabriella doesn't think that" she said.

"Gabi, troy could've chased after you like we told him he should've done. You did what he should've done. He could've been a big basketball star or even as much as I hate it he could've been an artist or photographer or actor! But he didn't and even though we're proud of him. He shouldn't resent you for following you dreams" coach Bolton said. He never said anything like that…

"It's true sweetie…"

"I guess I just thought I would come back and we would get back together. But now I realize maybe that's not possible…"

"It is…just give him some time" she said.

"I should probably get going…it's getting late. I'll probably pick jay up tomorrow"

"That kid has missed you…anytime you had a TV concert he'd make sure all of us were in front of the TV." Coach said. I laughed.

"He's like how you were. You practically lived here and so does he. We love having him he's like a mini you!"

"Jayden is a lot better than I was"

"You raised him well all of his good memories are because of you" she said.

Then the kids came in. "Gabi we're about to start a game…can you play?" Travis asked. Travis was 17 and looked a lot like troy did. I looked at the clock.

"Oh…why not" I said.

"Girls verses boys?" Tabitha challenged.

"Oh you chicks are on!" Travis said. Tabitha and I were close.

"I've missed you gab" she said. She's about 20 now I think.

"I've missed you too. Now c'mon lets go beat some boys butt!" I said. We all laughed.

An hour later they were all out of breath but not me! ha-ha.

"I forgot how good she is!" Trevor said.

"You're telling me!" Jayden said.

"Ok guys I'm gonna go. Bye jay" I said. He got up and hugged me.

"Bye nana" he said.

"Call me if you need me" I said.

I walked back in the house and heard people talking.

"Mom what was I supposed to do! I can't ok…"

"Don't you love her!?"

"Of course I do! I love her to death! You don't know how hard it is for me not to go up to her and grab her in my arms!"

"Then why did you say those things!?"

"Honestly I don't know! I regret it though…I didn't mean any of it"

"Then find a way to get my daughter in law back! I miss her!"

"Mom…"

"If you don't then I will!"

"I'll think ok"

"Fine."

It was Mrs. Bolton and troy. I can't believe it…I couldn't breathe.

Ok…ok…gab breathes! It's ok! Maybe he wasn't talking about you! No he couldn't! He meant the things he said to me! But I hope he was…NO! You broke his heart! You don't deserve him!

I ran out the side door and started the walk home. During the whole walk I thought about everything…

Well I kinda like it…kinda don't. Tell me how you think! Next chapter you guys are going to like! I just feel like I jumped around too much in this chapter and there feeling weren't that sad about there grandfather…I don't know. Well review!! Thanks! Oh and in my past chapters I realized I put Albuquerque but it was supposed to be laurel! Lol! Sorry!