TRUE LOVE 3 [Chapter 6: Father's Day]

It had been a week since my release from the hospital. I was ready to get back to my routine. I had an appointment with a counselor next week. Until then, Cameron was on watch duty since he had taken a week off work. I had to grain his trust back and I was okay with that. While I was at work, Larissa promised Cameron that she would watch over me. I arrived at work and walked in the front door. Before I could reach the break room where the timeclock was, my manager called me into his office.

“How are you feeling?” he asked

“Better, thank you.” I said

“Joey…” he began, “I received word that the reason you missed work was due to a drug related incident.”

“Oh, I…” I tried to explain

“Oh, no. I don’t need you to say anything right now. I just wanted to remind you that there is no tolerance for drug use within the bank. It’s against the policy of the corporate standards. Unfortunately I was forced to make a decision.” He paused

I took a deep breath.

“I’m going to have to let you go.” He said

“I understand.” I said stone faced

“I’m very sorry. I need you to sign a couple documents showing that we’ve discussed your termination and that you have received your final paycheck, which I have right here.” He pulled out a folder with the papers in it

I leaned over to sign the papers. He handed me a small envelope with my check in it.

“I wish you all the best of luck, Joey.” He said

I nodded. I didn’t want to speak, for fear of bursting out in tears. I walked of his office and headed towards the front doors.

“Joey.” Larissa called out.

I stood at the exit, frozen. I closed my eyes as tears streamed down my face. I shook my head and continued to walk out. I quickly got in my car and sobbed like a baby. I called Cameron. Hopefully he was still at home.

“Hello?” he answered

“Cameron.” I cried

“What’s wrong?!” he asked concerned

“I got fired!” I shouted

“What! Are you still there?” he asked

“I’m in my car in the parking lot.” I clarified

“Okay, well hold on. I’ll be there right now.”

Cameron hitched a ride with Phillip. They both came to my driver side door and hugged me at the same time as I continued to cry. I don’t know why I was taking it so hard. I felt like my life was falling apart. Phillip took off as Cameron got in my car to drive me back home. He was able to take one more day off from work. I felt so bad, but I’m glad he was there to comfort me. Most of the day, I slept resting my head on his lap while in the living room. I had it so good with Cameron. I put him through so much crap in the four short years we’ve been together. After everything we’ve gone through so far, he is still madly in love with me. The next day, Natalie was off work and had agreed to, the term I used, babysit me. I realized that Father’s day was coming up this Sunday. My mom had invited me over for dinner. She promised that my dad was going to be on his best behavior. I wasn’t sure if I was ready for this.

            Sunday finally arrived. Cameron drove us to my parents’ house. I was fidgeting in my seat.

“Baby, relax.” He said holding my hand

“I’m nervous. Last time I was here it…” I suddenly stopped myself

“It’s when you were with Nick.” Cameron said

“Yeah.” I said in a low tone

“It’s okay babe. I’m not Nick. And this won’t be anything like that time.”

We drove up to the house in the woods and got out. My mother opened the door greeting us with a hug and kiss on the cheek each. My dad was coming down the stairs as we entered the living room.

“Dad.” I said

“Joey.” He said nodding at me, “Cameron.” He greeted him with another nod

“Happy Father’s day.” I said walking up to him and shaking his hand

“Thank you for coming.” He said flatly

“Happy Father’s day sir.” Cameron said shaking his hand with a smile

“Mhm.” He said nodding again

Well…so far so good I guess. We walked to the dining room, where my mom prepared roast beef with scalloped potatoes, white bread rolls, steamed rice and apple pie.

“everything looks great mom.” I said

“Dig in.” she said

“I’d like to say a prayer.” My dad said

“Jesus.” I said in a low tone

“Oh, did you want to pray?” my dad asked thinking I was starting to pray

“Oh…no. Sorry. Go ahead.” I said

“Heavenly Father, Please bless the food we are about to receive. Bless those who are without food today and those not fortunate to spend time with the ones they love…”

I opened my eyes in shock. I looked up at my mother and Cameron who both were in shock.

“…Thank you Lord, for looking after my son. Keeping him on this earth.” He began to choke up, “For opening my eyes to the sin’s I have committed. Thank you for giving me the chance…to say…I’m sorry.” He said looking up at me with tears in his eyes

I got up from the table and walked over to him. He stood up to meet me and hugged me tightly. He sobbed into my shoulder. I couldn’t help but break down as well.

“Dad.” I sobbed, “Thank you.”

“I was so scared I was going to lose you.” He cried

From the corner of my tear filled eyes I could see Cameron and my mother wiping their tears of joy away. My father released me and looked at me, “I love you.” He said

“I love you too, dad.” I smiled with tears still rolling down my cheek

“Come here.” He gestured to Cameron

Cameron at first unsure, hesitated and then got up walking around to my dad. My dad opened his arms. They hugged and it brought warmth to my body. I was so moved with emotion.

“This is long overdue, but I’m so blessed to have someone like you love and care for my son.” He said

“Thank you sir.” Cameron smiled

“Call me Joe.” He smiled

We all collected ourselves and began to eat my mother’s amazing home cooked meal. Maybe it was a combination of the food and what just happened, but I realized everyone at the table was smiling. After dinner, we sat around the table to let our food settle so we could eat a piece of pie.

“I have some news to share.” I said a little unsettled

“Oh. So do we!” my mother said with excitement

“You do? Good news or bad news?” I asked

“Good news. You?” my mother asked

“Bad news.” I said

“Well, then you go first.” My mother urged me

“Okay…” I said nervously, “I was fired from my job a few days ago.”

“What? Why?” my dad asked

“Because they found out why I was in the hospital.” I said

“They can’t do that!” my dad said with frustration

“They already did.” I said trying to compose myself

“Don’t worry, Joey. I know where you can find a job.” My mother smiled

“Where?” I asked

“With us!” she said barely able to contain her excitement

“At the school?” I said confused

“No…at our new restaurant!” she squealed

“What! You guys got approved?” Cameron asked ecstatic

“Yes, we found out yesterday!” my dad said

“Congratulations!” I said with a smile

“Yeah, now you can come run it with us. It’ll be a family business.” My dad suggested

“Oh…dad, that sounds great. But you know they always say not to work with family.”

“Screw that. I’m sure it will bring us closer. Besides, we hardly see you. Maybe this will be good. Besides, it could be yours when we are ready to retire.” My dad said

“Are you guys sure?” I asked

“Yes! Let’s do this together!” my mom said

A huge weight lifted off my shoulders. For one, I was excited for both of my parents finally living their dream of owning a restaurant and two; I wasn’t going to be without a job for very long.

“What are you going to call it?” I asked

“Well, we thought about it and your father and I agreed to a name that has meaning.” My mother said

“We’re calling it…Ramirez & Sons.” My father smiled

“Sons?” I asked my dad confused

“Yes…Sons.” He said looking at Cameron

I stared at Cameron. His face filled with emotion. He had a lump in his throat which is seemed to struggle swallowing. I know this hit Cameron like a ton of bricks. His own father didn’t care to reach out to him and was too busy living his life elsewhere with his new family.

“Thank you.” Cameron stuttered over a shaky voice

My dad stood up and walked over to Cameron. He stood up and hugged my father tightly.

“You’re family.” He said rubbing his back in comfort

© 2016 Copyright J.M. Casas Jr. of Royalty Novels / The True Love Saga. All Rights Reserved.

All characters and likeness are pure fiction. Any resemblance is pure coincidence. Models and Actors used in marketing material for the True Love Saga were used as inspiration and to provide readers with an image of what the characters may look like.