The Wannabes Page 14
“I’ll drive.” Mike gave him a nod then proceeded to help Stella with Corbin. Ryder knocked on Alex’s door she opened it a crack. Ryder slipped his shirt over his head and some jeans.
“Corbin just got the call about her Mom, Mike’s driving us there and Stella is going along. I would wait for you but we have to go now.” Alex’s hands went up to her mouth.
“Tell her I will be there soon,” Alex said softly.
“I will,” Ryder grabbed Corbin’s keys and ran down the stairs. Corbin was in the backseat of her car. Ryder gave Mike the keys. He slid over to Corbin and cradled her in his arms. She was shaking and crying.
“I got you.” He gave her a kiss on top of her head.
CORBIN FELT AS if all the air was being sucked from her lungs as she entered the room where her mom lay.
Jan was talking to her but what she was saying sounded like gibberish. She felt Ryder’s arm snake around her waist as he walked her to the chair next to her mom’s bed.
“She was calling your name,” Jan said. She placed her stethoscope on her mom’s chest. Corbin sobbed and snot ran out of her nose.
“Here,” Ryder handed her a box of tissues. Corbin looked to him, her brain numb. She watched as he pulled some from the box, then he dabbed her eyes and nose. She latched onto his hand tightly.
“I called your brothers and they are on the way.” Corbin gave her a nod then looked to her mom. “She’s resting comfortably, she’s in no pain.” Jan gave her a small smile.
“Are…you…sure?” Corbin stammered in between sobs.
“Yes, I’ll be out in the hall if you need me, ok?” Jan gave her hand a pat then left the room.
Corbin took a deep breath and looked to Ryder. He gave her hand a squeeze and a kiss.
“Talk to her Corbin,” he spoke in a hushed tone. Corbin shook her head, unsure if she could find her voice.
“Mom…” Corbin croaked. She looked to Ryder and he gave her a nod. She returned her eyes to her Mom and gathered herself.
“Mom, Jan told me you were asking for me. I am sorry I wasn’t here.” Corbin wiped her eyes then took her mom’s hand in hers. She gave it a kiss. “But I’m here now.” Ryder handed her more tissues. Corbin dabbed her eyes and saw her mom open her eyes a crack. She began moving her mouth but Corbin couldn’t hear her. She moved in closer.
“Corbin…Corbin…”
“I’m here, Mom,” she whispered. She choked back a sob and felt Ryder’s hand on her back.
“Thank you for everything you have done for me. I am so proud of you and I am so happy to see that you are in love, and that you have found your way.” Her mom reached up and touched her face. Corbin looked into her mom’s blue eyes, they looked clouded, and their vibrancy was gone.
“I love you, Mom,” Corbin let the sob out.
“I love you too, and I will always be with you,” Corbin gave her a kiss on the forehead then felt her mom’s grip on her hand loosen. She watched as her Mom took her last breath, the air slowly released from her lungs as she left her.
“Oh God,” Corbin groaned. She turned to Ryder and wrapped her arms around him. He said nothing and just held her tightly as she cried.
CORBIN STOOD IN between her brothers in front of her mom’s casket. During the family viewing she nearly collapsed at the sight of her laying there. But Ryder had held her up. People went through the line and shared their condolences. Corbin had managed to keep from crying until a familiar voice rang out.
“Corbin, I’ve missed picking on you at Royce’s.” She looked up and saw Keith. Tears she didn’t think she had welled up in her eyes. He gave her a hug and then pulled away. He, too, had tears in his eyes. He handed her an envelope. “Open this later.” He gave her a wink and disappeared into the crowd. Corbin flipped the blank envelope around in her hands.
“Doing ok?” Ryder asked. She looked to him and nodded.
“Shall we adjourn to the chapel?” the pastor asked. Ryder stayed close and helped her to a seat. Once sitting he entwined his fingers withers. Corbin went through the motions of the service and the burial. Everything seemed to be going in slow motion, almost surreal. At the luncheon she sat at a table alone and just stared off. When people would talk to her she nodded. They could have said her hair was on fire and she wouldn’t have given a second thought.
“I got you some coffee,” Ryder said as he sat next to her.
“Thanks,” she wrapped her hands around the cup. Ryder handed her the envelope Keith had given her.
“You dropped this at the gravesite.” He gave her a wink.
“Thanks,” Corbin repeated.
“I am going to grab a sandwich, do you want something?”
“I’m not hungry,”
“Ok, I’ll be right back.” He gave her a kiss on the cheek. Corbin watched him walk away and join Stella, Mike, Alex and Moses in the food line. He turned to her and gave her a smile. She returned it with one of her own. She looked back to the envelope, opened it and pulled out a card. On the front was a picture of the Eiffel Tower. She opened the card and a check spilled out from it. Inside was Keith’s familiar handwriting as she began reading new tears flowed.
Corbin,
Before your dad died he made me promise to always keep an eye on you and your mom and to help you both if you needed it. He loved you both very much, so much that he made me swear to keep this secret from you until now. He had a little money put away and told me to put into a savings account. Instead, I invested in some stock, and the stock did pretty damn good. I hope nothing but happiness for you. Now take this check cash it, buy some tickets and get on a plane.
Love, Keith
A little bit of laughter erupted from her. She picked up the check and turned it over. She felt her jaw drop when she saw the amount: $10,000.00. She looked around for any signs of Keith but didn’t see him. Soon she was joined by her friends. She showed the check to Ryder who spit out his coffee.
“What?” Alex asked threw a mouth full of food. Corbin showed the check to everyone and watched as they gaped. Then she passed the card around.
“You know I have a wedding to plan, can I have a loan?” Stella giggled. Mike gave her a squeeze.
“Yeah, me too. I have so many baby things to buy.” Alex rubbed her stomach and Moses placed his hand over hers. The look Moses wore was sheer delight. Corbin looked to each one of them, everyone seemed so happy and where they wanted to be. She looked to Ryder, as he took a bite of his sandwich. He gave her a wink.
“What do you think about Paris?” she asked him. She watched that sly smile play out on his lips.
“I’m thinking I had better learn French.”
“No, I mean to live there.” Corbin watched his face. He set his food down and took her hand in his. Seriousness washed over him.
“I love you, Corbin and wherever you are is where I want to be.” He leaned in and kissed her softly. They sat face to face, nose to nose.
“I love you.” They kissed again and Corbin’s mom’s voice rang out in her head.
I am so proud of you Corbin, I am so happy you have found your way.
SUPER SPECIAL THANKS to my very own Cheerleading Squad. Thanks for putting up with me!
Donna” The Sweetness” Sweet
Christina “Pistina” Tisor
Amanda “Germander” Bierman
Kelly “Smelly Toppie” Schnepper
Also more super special thanks to the people who made The Wannabes pretty!
Editor-Jenn Scranton, Thanks for putting up with my ‘not so great’ punctuation skills.
Formatter-Julie Titus, Once again, I bow to your formatting skills!
Cover designer - Michelle Warren, You nailed my vision!
TAMMY COONS LIVES in Illinois with her husband Casey, and three children Skyler, Sawyer and Savana. She holds a diploma in Health Information Technology and is currently working as a domestic engineer. Writing has always been a passion for Tammy.
For more information about Tammy and her books
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Table of Contents
Dedication
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Acknowledgments
About the Author