Kay was right at first.
Troy stepped proudly out of the hospital. He had been there for 60 days, completed alcoholic courses and drug courses, received treatment, and was still recovering from shakes and shivers. But, overall, he was okay.
Today was the day.
He didn't know if the day would ever come.
He thought he had screwed his entire life up. Lost Talon, lost Gabriella, lost his friends, his career, everything.
But he was back in college. School was resumed. He was now studying to be a Marine Biologist. He loved his work. He loved himself. He felt loved.
But one thing was missing from his life.
Talon.
He knew Talon wasn't coming back. It killed him. It absolutely shattered his heart. He felt like someone had just crushed his entire life and stomped on his body.
It didn't matter.
Troy stood on the sidewalk of the rehab center.
He waited patiently, watching the cars, waiting for a familiar and certain car. It was a jet-black car with shining rims and chromed grills, door handles, and even its wipers were chromed. He loved that car.
After waiting about five minutes, he began to think that the car wasn't coming. He perched himself on the sidewalk, jiggling his leg, his heart racing. He wanted that car to come. He didn't want to wait forever to see that car. He had seen that car many times that month, several times in the parking lot and several times as it pulled out of the parking lot. He also remembered the lady that drove it.
She had sleek, long blonde hair pulled back into a ponytail. It usually was in a bun, but sometimes it wasn't. She dressed in a black-suede looking shirt and skirt, with clicking high heels that touched the ground lightly. The familiar sound bounced through the air and to Troy's ears. That was how he knew she was coming.
He had everything ready. He had been living half time at the rehab center and half time at his own apartment for about a month. For three of those weeks, he had been moving his apartment into a different place. A house. Big enough for many people and some beautiful pets that he was soon going to adopt.
He had already adopted one.
Marley.
She was still young at heart. Now four years old, she still skipped around like she was still a wild pup who had just met her new owners. She loved Troy and everything about him, including the way he rubbed her belly and scratched behind her triangular ears. Gabriella's mom and dad were pleased to have the house to themselves again.
But even Marley wasn't enough to please Troy.
He just wanted to hold his baby boy.
Once again, he looked out into the ocean of cars, scanning for a certain black car with chrome.
There were a few, but not the car.
Before he knew it, he saw the car.
He stood up.
His heart pounded tremendously. He couldn't hold it back.
The door opened, and two doors shut.
He saw a small bodied woman step out.
She was knocked over by a blonde-haired, blue eyed little boy who looked identical to his daddy.
"DADDY!" Talon screamed at the top of his lungs and flew towards Troy. His short little legs didn't stop him from running full speed.
Troy scooped Talon in his arms and pulled him into a tight hug. Tears fell down his cheeks. His little boy, the only thing he had and the only thing he wanted was in his arms.
And he would never let go again.