Promises
There was a week till the party at Jody's house and the girls were caught up in talking about who would be there and with whom. Dom was home with his wife more and more he knew that she was ill and wanted to spend as much time as possible with her. Greta knew her time was near. She wanted to make it as easy as possible on her daughter. She didn't want her to see her like this. This isn't how she wanted to be remembered. She knew she needed to be in the hospital. She knew that Dom would make sure that Maria was ok. She looked at him and tears came to her eyes she would miss him very much. He may not have been there for her a lot, but he was there now when it counted. She packed a small bag with the things she knew she needed. She wanted her pictures of her family with her to the end. Dom looked at her with tears in his eyes he knew what she was doing. He knew that she was getting ready to leave. It was already agreed upon that he would take her to the hospital when she felt she could no longer stay at home. He was to tell Maria that she was very sick and needed to be there but not to worry. He wanted to scream. He didn't want this to happen. He didn[t want her to leave him. He needed her. Maria needed her. Who would take care of them?
Maria was riding with Michael to school now everyday. Dom trusted Michael to look after her when he couldn't be there. He knew that no matter what that the Long family would take care of his little girl. The two families were more like one. Dom took one more look around the house before taking his wife's bag and putting it in the car. Nothing would ever be the same again. Dr. Anderson would be there waiting for them when they arrived to settle Greta in. He would keep her comfortable thru her last days.
Maria and Jody sat at the table in the lunchroom giggling. They were busy planning what music to play at the party when Michael and Shawn walked in.
"Hey ladies", called Michael and Shawn
"Hi"
They four of them proceeded to talk about classes and homework for the next few minutes when Maria's name was called over the pa system to come to the office. They all looked at Maria and she shrugged.
"I didn't do anything."
Maria went to the office where her father was waiting for her. She knew that something was wrong.
"Hi sweetie."
"Dad, what's wrong?"
"Your mother is sick honey."
"Is she going to be ok?"
"She is in the hospital. She would like to see you."
Maria ran down the hallway in tears. She knew this had to be bad. Her father never came to the school unless it was for parent teacher conferences. She ran to her locker almost knocking over Michael.
"Hey what's the big hurry?"
He could see tears going down her cheeks and knew something was very wrong. Maria never cried unless she was really hurt.
She looked up at him through her tears and told him what her father said.
He grabbed her by the shoulders and gave her a hug. He looked down at her feeling sad.
"It will be ok. I'm going with you don't worry." He grabbed his coat out of his locker and went back to the office with Maria. Dom was relieved to see Michael with Maria. He knew it was going to be terribly hard on her. The office staff knew that Michael and Maria were best of friends and that the families were close. Each student had the others family on the contact lists. They didn't think anything of it when Dom not only signed Maria out but Michael as well. The three of them walked out towards the parking lot. Dom looked at Michael and knew what he was going to ask was going to be very hard.
"Michael can you please drive Maria to the hospital. Her mother wants to see her and I need to go and get a few things for her."
Michael nodded. He reached out and took Maria's hand and led her over to the Trans am. He unlocked the door and let her in taking her backpack and putting it in the backseat. He could tell that she was upset and scared. They drove silently to the hospital each lost in their thoughts.
At the reception desk Maria asked what room her mother was in. With that information she walked silently to the elevator and pushed the button. She didn't understand why her father left her when she needed him. Yes she knew that Michael would take care of her but she wanted her father. They stepped into the elevator and Michael now knew why he hated hospitals. They always said that they were here to make people better but he knew better now that all they did was help people die. They proceeded down the hallway to the designated room number the receptionist told them. Maria stepped through the door cautiously. Her mother lay in the cold white hospital bed looking almost just as white herself. Greta opened her eyes as she heard someone walk in the door. There was her baby girl and the young man that she considered her son. She loved them both dearly and would miss them terribly.
"Mom?"
"Hi baby."
"How are you feeling mom?"
Greta wanted so badly not to make her worry. She could tell that Maria already was on the edge. That she was already so very worried. She didn't want to bring the poor girl to tears no matter what. She looked up at Michael standing silently behind her daughter and smiled. She could see that even for his few years he had a pretty good idea of what was going on.
Greta propped herself up and prepared herself to lie to her daughter for the first time in her life.
"I'm feeling much better now that you are here, sweetie."
Maria and Michael sat in the chairs next to the bed and talked for awhile with their mother till she began to look tired. Maria didn't want to leave her but knew she needed her rest and so did Michael.
Dom walked in just as the two teenagers were getting ready to leave. He was so very tired and tried hard not to show it. He had a small bag with him with some of his necessities. He had all intentions of staying with his wife every minute. He had just come from talking with Jenny about what was going on and preparing her for what was to come.
Jenny and Dom sat in the living room on the sofa. She knew that something was wrong when Dom called and asked if she had time for him to talk to her. She knew that Greta wasn't feeling well but didn't know how serious it was. Dom slowly tried to explain that Greta was dying and that he wanted her to look after Maria while he spent all his time at the hospital. He wanted Maria to be kept away for as long as possible because Greta didn't want her to see her like she was. They both cried. He told her that Michael was with Maria now at the hospital because Greta wanted to see them both before it got to the point where she was too bad. Jenny of course agreed to do anything that she could to help. She knew it was going to be very hard on Dom, and most of all Maria.
Dom smiled at both teenagers and took the seat across from them.
"Michael you mother is expecting the two of you for dinner. Maria you are going to stay with them while you mother is in the hospital."
Greta looked at Dom and nodded. She knew if anyone would look after Maria it would be Jenny. She was her best friend. She was more of a sister to her than anyone in the entire world. If anyone could finish what she started with raising her little girl Jenny could and would do it as if Maria were her own. She looked over at Maria and Michael and smiled.
"Now you two don't go and give your mothers a hard time. Behave and have fun at your party."
Michael and Maria smiled. Maria knew her mother was sick but felt a little bit better. She felt reassured by her mother's words that everything would be alright.
"Now you too go and have some fun and stop looking so gloomy." She grasped Maria's hand and gave it a squeeze.
"Ok mom we will." Maria said as she stood to leave the room.
Michael weakly smiled and looked at Greta. She was just like his own mother and he loved her just as much.
"Be strong for me. Look after her for me, Michael"
A Silent tear rolled down Michael's cheek as he knew that unlike what she implied she wasn't coming home.
Michael took Maria home and she went upstairs into her room to grab a few things she was going to need. Michael sat on the bed and grabbed big bear. He was old but still was dearly loved. He hugged big bear and rested his chin on his folded hands while he watched Maria go through her clothes, packing what she thought she needed. He chuckled to himself she was packing as if she were going to be staying forever. The last thing that she took out was a black zippered travel bag. Inside it was her dress for the party and all the things to go with it. She smiled at the bag and patted it softly thinking to herself if this doesn't make him notice me then he is blind. He noticed her smile, wondering what that was all about he got up.
"What was that all about?"
"Oh nothing", she grinned ear to ear knowing full well what was in there and what she hoped it would do.
Michael carried her duffel bag with her school clothes in it, and Maria carried the travel bag. Walking into the kitchen of Michael's house, Maria put her bag down on the chair and hugged Jenny.
"Hi Mom"
"Hi, sweetie; gonna stay with us for awhile, huh?"
"Yep guess I'm kicking Michael out of his room for a few days, huh?"
"Well that's up to you? You can share like always and I can put up the screen between the two beds or you can kick him out."
Maria laughed poking Michael in the ribs
"You better be nice to me or it's the couch for you, mister."
"Yeah ok mistress what ever you say", Michael said rolling his eyes. He took her bag and carried it up to his room knowing that any second she would come running up the stairs.
He sat on his bed his head down, eyes closed thinking. He knew he loved her. He didn't want to see her hurt. He just knew this was going to be bad and there was nothing he could do about it. He was invited to Jody's party but really didn't feel up to going. He was actually determined not to go. He could face seeing her dance with all those other guys knowing that he wanted her all to himself. He would just have to come up with a good excuse not to go.
Maria came in and saw Michael sitting there obviously thinking about something really important. Quietly she walked over to where he was and sat next to him.
Nudging him with her shoulder he opened his eyes and looked at her.
"What's wrong Mi?"
"Nothing just thinking"
"About what?"
"Nothing important, don't worry about it"
She didn't believe him. She knew that something was bothering him. In time he would tell her she knew that. She got up and began to unpack her things there was always space for her to bring things over because she practically lived here anyways. He watched her put her things away for a minute and got up and walked out of the room. Sometimes it hurt so bad that he couldn't say what he wanted to. He just had to get away to put things straight in his mind.
Maria saw her father a few times in the next couple of days. He told her that her mother was asking about her and anxious about the party. Even though the party was a few days away she asked him to take some pictures of her dressed up for it and bring them to her at the hospital. Maria was more than happy to do it. She brought over the bag containing her things for the party and got all dressed up in them. She took the time to carefully put up her hair and put on her makeup. When she finally came down the stairs she looked like a princess going to the ball. Dom smiled he knew his little girl was growing up so very fast. Michael came in looking for Maria as she was coming down the stairs. He was stunned. She looked gorgeous. At that moment their eyes met and it was like lightening struck. He knew she did all of this for him. It was written all over her face.
"You look nice" is all he could manage to say
She smiled blushing, "thanks"
Dom took the Polaroid camera and stood up.
"Ok you two get together and lets get a picture."
They stood side by side not exactly knowing what to do. Michael finally put his arm around her shoulders and they both smiled at the camera. After they finished taking the pictures. Michael looked around. All he wanted to do at that point is get away he didn't think he could handle it anymore. Mumbling an excuse about having to go and pick up Shawn he made a hasty retreat. Dom smiled he knew what was going on, he wasn't blind. He knew that they were in love they just didn't know it yet.
On the day of the party Maria brought her bag with her dress in it to school with her. After school she was going to Jody's and going to get ready there. On the way she finally got the nerve to ask the question she had wanted the answer to all week long.
"So are you going to be at the party too. Mi?"
"Nope I have to work tonight."
Michael had a part time job after school waiting tables in a small Italian restaurant. It wasn't much but it paid for gas and insurance since he didn't want to burden his parents with that.
Maria's heart sank. She had so hoped he would be there.
"Oh ok", she tried to keep the disappointment out of her voice but was sure he heard it.
Maria stored her things in her locker and went in search of Jody before class started. She found Jody in the café with Shawn. Jody looked up at Maria and knew something was wrong. She excused herself from the table and went over to her friend. They walked down the hall to the girls room and went in. They knew at least in there they could talk and not have anyone listen in.
Maria turned and looked at her friend with tears in her eyes. All her plans were down the drain. She prepared so well for nothing.
"Jody he isn't coming."
"Who?"
"Michael"
"What?"
"I asked him this morning and he said he has to work."
"I don't get it Shawn said he was gonna be there. He told Shawn that he had the night off and was coming."
"That's not what he told me this morning."
"Well don't worry we will figure something out. I'll talk to Shawn and see what he can find out."
Michael walked into the café and saw Shawn, sitting reading out of a magazine. He sat down and looked at him.
"Shawn I'm not going to the party."
"What? I thought you had the day off from work and wanted to go."
"I do but, I just cant go."
"Why?"
"I just cant, Shawn."
"Ask her"
"No I cant"
"Why?"
"She needs me as a friend right now not as anything else."
Shawn shook his head. He couldn't believe that his best friend was acting so stupid. It was just so wrong.
The rest of the day flew by and Jody and Maria walked to Jody's house. They knew they had to get the family room ready before everyone got there at 7. Quickly they moved around the furniture, set up the stereo, pulled out stacks of cds, and set up the table for refreshments.
Maria sat on the sofa and looked totally frustrated. She was mad. She was mad that she went through all that trouble and the person she wanted the most to be there wasn't coming. At that minute she decided that no matter what she was going to have a good time regardless.
Both girls went up to Jody's room and got ready for their guests.
Dom sat along side his wife bed. She looked so fragile. He knew she didn't have much longer. Greta looked at him and smiled wearily.
"Dom ,don't be sad please. I wanted things this way. I couldn't stand being poked and prodded. I knew what I was doing. Be happy for me please. When the time comes do one thing for me. Have the kids here so I can say goodbye."
Dom nodded as tears rolled down his cheeks. It was almost 9pm and it wouldn't be much longer. Maria would be at the party. He had to call Jenny now if they were going to get here in time. He picked up the phone on the night table and dialed her number.
"Hello"
"Michael. its Dad why aren't you at the party?
"I wasn't feeling up to it."
"Please go and get Maria and come to the hospital as quickly as possible."
"Ok be right there."
Michael felt like he had just been punched in the stomach. He knew that they were being called there for bad news. He ran out to the car and went flying out of the driveway.
Maria was dancing to the music with a boy from school. She wasn't having the greatest time but was trying to look like she was at least having fun. Jody and Shawn stood near the table with the snacks having a soda and talking when they noticed Michael come down the stairs. Jody took one look and knew something was very wrong. Michael was pale as a ghost as he looked for Maria.
He walked over to her and tapped her on the shoulder. She smiled when she first saw him and then immediately knew something was wrong.
"What's wrong?"
"Your dad called we have to go to the hospital now."
Jody went over to Maria and hugged her and told her to go.
Michael opened the door for Maria and then got in the car. They sped to the hospital in silence. Maria ran past the reception desk straight to the elevator punching the button.
When they got to the right floor they ran down the hallway to the proper room.
Maria rushed up to her mother's bedside. Michael moved behind her silently praying that things would change, but in his heart he knew they wouldn't.
Greta looked at her daughter with tears in her eyes. Her baby was so grown up. She knew the words she wanted to tell her. It was time.
"Hi, baby"
"Hi, mom"
"Sweetie, I'm sorry we didn't have longer together. I love you.
"I love you too, mom. "
Tears streamed down Maria's cheeks as she finally realized that her mom was saying goodbye.
"Michael come here."
Michael stepped closer to Greta. She took his hand and Maria's.
"Now the both of you have to look out for each other now."
Maria hugged her mother tightly crying. She needed her and didn't want her to leave her. Greta stroked Maria's hair.
"Now don't you cry. Its ok, baby there is no more pain for me where I'm going. You have to be strong for me."
Maria stood up next to her mother. She felt so lost. She didn't know what she was going to do.
Greta hugged Michael as his tears fell silently.
"It's ok. I'm going to a better place now. Remember this when you were little you said you were going to marry my little girl. Well the two of you belong together. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."
Greta looked at Dom.
I love you.
With that she closed her eyes for the last time.
Maria slumped to the floor. She didn't know what to do. She wanted to cry, scream, and throw things all at once. Michael sat next to her and cried. He reached out and pulled her close and swore in his heart that he would never let anything hurt her again.