My Heart Is Yours

Chapter 32

Maine just got off the phone with her parents. She just informed them that she was home and that she already met Richard.

"Why didn't you tell me about him?" She asked her mom during their phone conversation.

"It wasn't the right time, Baby," her mom replied. Her voice was shaking, like she was caught doing something wrong.

"He would have helped me when Alden died," Maine remarked. "I would have helped him with his grief as well."

"Maine," she heard Ted's voice. "You and Jason don't see it now but look at it in a different perspective. Your best friend just died and you see someone who looks exactly like him. You needed to grieve. And seeing Jason that time would not make you grieve properly. You would see Jason as Alden. And that wouldn't be fair to either boys."

Maine thought about that and remembered that she did indeed mistaken RJ for Alden. Would it really happen that way if they've met when Alden died?

"You could have at least told me that Alden had a brother," Maine retorted. "It was very awkward seeing him for the first time."

"We're sorry, Baby," Mary Anne said. "But at that time, we had decided that it was the right thing to do for everyone. How is Jason by the way?"

"He's fine," she replied. "He's a pilot and captain of our flight team. I just hope that I get to stay with his team on this rotation. The new team is really great and very helpful."

"That's good," Ted remarked. "At least he can look out for you while you're with his team."

"Give our love to the Faulkersons when you see them," Mary Anne said. "Would you be okay on your own? We can have Vangie there tomorrow, if you want."

"It's okay, mom," Maine replied. "Let Ate Vangie stay there for a few days. She must miss her family. I'll be fine. There are a lot of left over in the fridge and I can cook my own grub while you're away. I'll be the only one eating it so no worries about other people getting food poisoning." She added, recalling the time she tried cooking for her family but ended up a disaster.

"If you're sure," her mother said. "If you need anything, just don't hesitate to call. And I'm sure the Faulkersons would be there to help you out if you need it. I'll call Rio to let her know that you're home."

"I know," said Maine. "I love you both! Good night!"

"Good night!"

Maine was too tired to cook her own dinner tonight so she decided to just heat up the left over. She decided to unpack the next day, so she just took a quick shower and headed for bed. As she lied down, she saw her half of the two-way radio. Reaching for it, she turned it on.

"Hey Alden!" She started as she clicked the talk button. "You've got a lot of explaining to do."

-oo-

Richard was heading upstairs when his mom stopped him.

"You didn't mention that you've already met Maine," Rio started. "Mary Anne just called. Maine is at their house right now. She said that you brought her home."

"I just didn't make a big deal out of it, mom," Richard replied softly.

"She's currently home alone, Jason," she remarked.

"I offered that she stay with us but she refused," he said. "She said and I quote, 'I'm not twelve, RJ. Don't worry about me. I can take care of myself.'"

He tried to imitate Maine's voice as he said those words that his mother giggled. She suddenly stopped and stared at her son with wide eyes.

"She called you 'RJ'," Rio gasped, her hand covering her mouth in surprise. "You never let anyone call you 'RJ'."

"Mom," Richard started, a blush forming on his cheeks. "Don't read too much into this."

"Who's reading too much?" She remarked with a smirk. "I'm just stating facts. The only other person who you allow to call you 'RJ' was your brother."

She saw Richard changed demeanour immediately when she mentioned Alden. It was still a sore spot in the family. They rarely mentioned him, especially in front of Richard. The pain was still there but for the couple, they have slowly moved on. It was different for their son though.

Richard still continued to grieve for his brother. One of the reasons why he stayed in the US to continue studying was because he couldn't cope with the loss. He focused on school and when he graduated, he just worked. He had friends and he hung out with them from time to time but most of the time, he stayed in his room with his music or read. A piece of him was missing and he wasn't out searching for that missing piece.

"Sweetheart," Rio said softly as she reached out to her son. "I don't think Alden would want you to keep grieving for him. He would want you to move on. It's been eight years. I'm sure he wouldn't like what you're doing with your life."

A tear fell down Richard's eye as he gave his mother a tight embrace.

"I don't know how, mom," he whispered.

"Open your heart, Sweetheart," she answered. "Let people in. Let us in."

Rio felt him take a deep breath and let it out slowly. She held him for a few moments more before slowly pulling away.

"You must be tired," she said. "Get some sleep."

"Thanks, mom," he replied. "Good night."

"Good night."

Richard continued to head upstairs. As he passed by Alden's room, he suddenly stopped as he heard someone talking. Brows furrowed, he slowly opened the door to his brother's room and was surprise to hear Maine's voice.

Alden's room was kept intact as he didn't want his parents to keep any of his things. He didn't want the room bare or changed into something else. It was his brother's room. He was still a part of the family. He shouldn't be stored in a storage somewhere so people can forget. He entered and searched the room to find where the voice was coming from. He spotted the two-way radio on the charger/stand and found it on, and he heard Maine's voice coming from it.

"...never got to go around Paris," he heard her say. "A senior FA requested a switch. Well honestly, request isn't the right word for it. It was more of forced to switch with her. Don't tell anyone okay. But Tanya said that if I don't switch with her, she'll make a request to put me back to local flights. And she said that she can make it happened. It's not that I don't like the local flights but let's face it. I want to see the world and getting assigned to the international flights would give me that chance. I got really scared."

"Damn that girl," Richard muttered in disbelief. He'd heard talk about Tanya but he didn't realize it was that bad. He hurt for Maine and what that woman did to her. "I'm going to have to let Martin know about this tomorrow."

He lay down on Alden's bed and continued to listen to Maine. He didn't realize that she still kept her half of the two-way radio and talked to his brother. 'Was this how she coped with the loss?' He thought as Maine spoke again.

"I guess I should thank her too," Maine said. "If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't have been transferred to this new team with Martin Croft. He's a legend! Anybody who wanted a good recommendation to any airlines would want one from Martin. I wish I could stay with his team on this rotation. The guys are alright. And your brother is there too."

Richard perked up when Maine mentioned him. 'What will she say to Rich about me?' He thought.

"Speaking of which," she said. Her voice was a bit serious and high pitched. "I'm a bit upset with you. Why didn't you mention him before? Why did I just find out that you have a twin? You're no fair, Alden! I was really embarrassed when I finally met RJ! I fainted in front of him! I thought he was you!"

Richard barked off a laugh with what he heard. He remembered Maine being so passionate with everything that she did. Hearing her tell stories to her brother put a smile on Richard's face. It was just like the old times.

"He let me call him 'RJ'," he heard her continue. Her voice soft and calming. "He mentioned that he used to call you 'Rich'. I would have loved to have seen your interactions together. That would have been amazing to see. Are you guys opposite in personalities? What's he like? Does he like to read too? Does he play the guitar too? Is he as good as you?"

Richard frowned at those remarks. 'She still doesn't know Rich can't sing or play an instrument,' he thought sadly. 'How would I make her believe that I was the one who always sang to her?'

"I'm bushed," Maine said over the radio. "I'll talk to you again soon. I miss you, Alden. Good night!"

When the radio went silent, Richard stayed in his brother's room for a few more moments. Then he got off the bed and turned off the radio.

"Good night, Maine." He said softly as he left the room.