Lost Without You Ch.20

Gabriel sped down the street turning onto many different roads. He didn't know where he wanted to go. He only knew he needed to get out of the house, away from thoughts of Alex with Angel, Alex playing daddy to Joseph. He found himself driving down the high way, reaching the New Jersey Turnpike by 5pm. He drove another 10 minutes until he parked in front of a three story building. He parked and got out of the car. He could see inside the first floor apartment from the window in the alley...Just like years ago....Lord what am I doing here?....

A short woman with black hair in a bun was cooking as a tan man was reading the newspaper with a cup of coffee in his hands. A girl with burgandy hair was kissing the old man on the cheek, smiling. Her jewelry shone bright in the light of the kitchen. A guy about Gabriel's height came up from behind her, kissing her and waving by to his parents. The guy and girl walked hand in hand and dissappeared from the room until Gabriel could hear the familiar voices walking down that way. Gabriel sighed and walked slowly, the guy stopping as if he had seen a ghost when he saw Gabriel. The girl froze as well, she looked at the guy next to her and then back at Gabriel.

"So the prodigal son comes back home. I hope you weren't expecting a feast Gabe...."

"Tony I didn't come here expecting nothing but the treatment I have always received. I'm here for Maria. Not you. You and Ellie can go on your way."

Ellie looked shaken, she was looking at Gabriel with fearful eyes.

"And Ellie, I been over you for so long, I actually don't care if you and my brother are together. I'm getting married anyway."

He walked up the steps and walked in, heading into the kitchen where the old man stood up.

"Angel Gabriel*, what do you think you are doing here?", he said in a thick spanish accent. Gabriel rolled his eyes.

"I came to see my mother. After all, this is her, house Victor."

His mother looked at Gabriel, tears forming in her eyes. She rushed into the arms of her youngest son, she was so small in his muscular arms. He hugged his mother, feeling a calm inside himself. Victor began to yell in spanish, Gabriel opening his eyes and looking at him.

"Shut your mouth!", Gabriel said loudly, Victor sitting down. His mother looked up at her son.

"I just needed to see if you were ok ma...It has been 4 years...But I see Victor never changes."

"He is your father-"

No ma....Luis was my father. Victor was the one who raped you and gave us a sister. And no man that rapes a woman deserves to be called my father, nonetheless your husband. But I didn't come here to argue mama. I came here to tell you that I'm getting married in August and I want you and Sophia to be there."

She hugged him tight, pinching his cheek and then pulling on his ponytail.

"You look like a hoodlum, Gabriel, what girl would marry you like this?"

"Ma...I'm a Christian now. And so is she. I just haven't felt like cutting it and she loves it....But that's besides the point. I want you to be there. And Sophia, where is she?"

His mother made him sit down, Victor stormed out. She handed Gabriel a cup of coffee and sat down. She held his hand.

"Your sister ran off a few weeks ago. With a guy...I haven't heard from her since. She was tired of Tony and Victor. So she left. She calls me once a week, but this week she hasn't called yet. Gabby, maybe if she knew you came she would come back."

Gabriel nodded. Although Sophia was his half sister, they were the best of friends, closer than any blood tie could be. Gabriel kissed his mother's hand.

"Call this number. Her name is Angel. Tell her I'm ok. I'll be home once I find my sister."

He handed his mother his cellphone and ran out of the kitchen and into Sophie's room. He counted five steps into her room, three to the left and then knelt down. He reached his hand underneath her bed and lifted up the loose plank. He reached in and pulled out the box. He set it on his lap, praying to God something was in there. He opened it and found her diary,flipping through it until he found it. He hid the box again, rushing out of the house and to his car. He drove to the cathedral where he saw a few girls standing in a corner, talking. He rolled up beside them, he looked at the one with the shortest skirt he had ever seen.

"You with the skirt, hop in."

She smiled and ran over to the passenger's seat. She got in and when she closed the door he locked the door and turned the light on.

"Hey sis."

*Angel Gabriel is his full name, as is common in my culture. it is so nice when u say it in spanish. lol