I loosen my arms around mom and wipe my tears. Angelo stops stroking his hand on my back as he stands beside me. He leans close and raises a hand like he is about to incline his arm around my shoulder, but he halts himself. I don't want to humiliate him, so I ignore it.
"What do we do now? What did the doctor say? What options do we have?"
"Angel, I don't want you to expect too much of me getting back to full recovery."
I lean over, gather mom's hands and hold them tightly.
"Mom, don't talk like there's no hope in your health. You'll gain back your strength, be back healthy, and we will spend many more years together. We will do everything we can."
Mom shut her eyes while pursing her lips hard. "Angel, please."
"Angel was right, Athena. We have to be proactive and find the best doctor for you. I'll have it arranged as soon as possible."
"Angelo, no, this is none of your problems. Let me deal with this."
I swallow my pride, not interrupting because I know I can never do what Angelo can in terms of helping my mom. I don't have any resources to brag. I'm doing this for mom. She has sacrificed so much for me; now it's my time to give back.
"Athena, you need every help you can get. I'm doing this for you and our daughter. You don't have to worry about the doctors and the best hospital for you; I'll have it arranged the soonest."
"If you say so." Mom agreed.
I smile at mom and wrap my arms around her again.
I know myself, and I stand at how I feel about Angelo; I hate him for abandoning me. Yes, he is still my father, I know that. But what happened between him and mom, the secret they hid together, and all the help he did are something I have to be grateful for. Not for me but for mom.
"Thank you," I said as Angelo stepped out of mom's room. I close the door behind me.
Angelo looks at me with a pleasant smile on his lips which reaches his eyes. He sure didn't expect I'd thank him for what he did for mom and for me. I can't deny that he is handsome, especially that he puts a smile on his lips.
"I'm happy to help; you don't have to thank me for what I did. Angel, I know this is hard for you. Your mom's condition and dealing with me after I wasn't present since your birth. But I'm here now..."
I stop him. "I know that, and I also know your limits, our limits in your life because you have your own family. We are an outsider, and we don't deserve to demand an ample amount of your time. But anyway, I said what I had to say. I'll go back inside."
Angelo looks like he has something more to say, but he presses his lips and nods instead.
"I'll go then. Take care of your mom. Have a good night."
I watch him leave, and I can't believe how delusional I am. I picture myself hugging my father, Angelo. In my mind, I wonder how it feels if he wraps his arms around me and rests my head on his chest. Is it too much to ask? Probably, it is.
If only we were on good terms, we would be hugging every day. Angelo would always be on my side to protect me, and I didn't have to defend myself from wicked people, especially those bullies in school that I had to deal with.
I wipe my tears before entering back in the room. I don't want mom to have more burden to think about. I can deal with my personal dilemma with Angelo.
Mom is sitting on her bed when I get in.
"Mom, you should rest."
"Angel, we have to talk."
"Sure." I sit on the chair near mom's bed.
"Angel, please don't take the blame on your dad alone. I told you before he wants to keep the communication open, but I want to cut it off. And a few years ago, Angelo started to open our communication. Still, I refuse including the financial help that he offered for the both of us."
"Go on, mom, I'm listening."
"The only time I was forced to keep the connection with him was a few months ago. I had myself checked and found out about cancer spreading in my body."
"You told him first?"
"No, I told your aunt Melanie first, just her, and didn't bother to contact or find your father. Angelo did approach me once in the grocery store, and he told me that we needed to talk about you. He sounded alarmed, so for your own sake, I met him in the address he gave me."
"And then?"
"It was then Angelo told me he found out I have cancer, and I can't deny it as he has the copy of the diagnosis. Your father hired someone to monitor us, and the man sneaked on the doctor who had my diagnosis. At first, I insisted on cutting the ties with him and continuing my life with you alone. But he made a point when he mentioned what would your life be when the time comes that I have to be treated for my cancer."
Mom breaks in front of me, the tears forming in her eyes start rolling down her face. She must have been keeping them for so long. Mom never acts vulnerable in front of me until now.
I reach out to her and wrap my arms around mom, gently stroking her back to ease her pain.
"It's okay, mom, we will fight together. I am here for you."
Mom sobs on my shoulder; she wipes her tears as I loosen my arms around her. I help wipe her tears with the handkerchief. Mom still coughs in between every time she talks.
"The next day, I decided immediately. I'm taking Angelo's help for your sake. I can't bear thinking of leaving you behind without no one to depend on. Angel, you are still young, and there's plenty of opportunity for you. I don't want you to miss any of it; I want you to reach your full potential. That's one of the reasons I agreed on sending you to Harper International School. And I hope I have made a good decision. Did I, Angel?"
I heave a sigh thinking about the mess Cassandra and her friends did to me, but there's Sam, Luke, and Maddox on the other side. Of course, there are good things from transferring to Harper International School, and Maddox is the best I can think of.
"Mom, you made a great decision. I'm sure everything will be even better in the coming months and years of staying in my new school. For now, don't make me your priority; you have to focus on gaining back your health."
I raise a finger to stop mom from what he is about to say.
"No more buts. We can do this. You have to keep fighting for us. I can't imagine life without you, and I don't want to."
My tears escape when I lean on my mom's chest.