In This Lifetime

Andre’s Summer

After my quick chat with Sarah, I went straight to the office to check the production team if everyone and everything is doing well.

“Good morning, Miss Athena!”

I smiled as my staff greeted me in unison and I was more delighted when my favorite aroma of sakura filled me as I entered the office.

“Good morning, everyone. How are you here?”

“We’re still doing great, Miss. The production has been amazing. We received orders yesterday from across the country. We will surely be able to export these internationally someday soon.”

She is my production manager, Jean. She is the first person I met in this country when I arrived here and so I treat her as my dear friend too.

“You should be ready to expand this business of yours, Athena.”

She said as we walked through the hallways of the production floor.

A’s Skin Care is not that big yet, our office is actually located in an open land that we are currently renting and it is just like a normal two storey-house, the production floor is at the ground, and our office is at the second floor. We do not even have a big number of staff.

“You know I will never be ready for that.”

“Embrace the awesomeness, Athena. I’m proud of how great you are.”

“Thank you, Jean. You have always been kind to me.”

“Because why not? You brought me luck, Athena. You’re my lucky charm.”

We both laughed at that thought and we discussed a bit more about business with our other managers and after that, I have treated them all for lunch.

“Andre and I will be off next week to fulfill his dream of spending his summer at the beach. But my line won’t be off, call me anytime if you need to talk to me, okay?”

My staff and managers have already been used to me taking Andre out every summer and they have always been so understanding to my situation, they know that Andre do not have a father by his side and they truly understand that I did put up A’s Skin Care to be able to provide well to my son’s needs.

And so they never hesitate to let me go when I talk about him.

“Try finding a boyfriend at the beach too, Miss Athena.”

“Too bad I don’t have much time for that.”

We all laughed as we talked about our relationships and stuff, I mean I will not deny the fact that I tried to date someone last year but I just cannot give him the time that he needs because my son needs me. And I felt guilty too when I cannot introduce him to my son because of course I do not want my son to think that I am replacing him too soon at his very young age. I do not want our relationship to go down like the other kids and parents from his school, I put my son first above anything else, even my own happiness because I made it a point that he is my only happiness until he tells me that I should let him go. That would be fair for me.

After a few days, the graduation took place and I can never be proud enough of my son for being their class’s honor student. He is indeed intelligent, learned only from the best.

“Mom! I’ll just build my sand castle right here.”

“Go on, Andre. I’ll be watching you while I prepare your snack. I’ll join you later.”

“Okay mom! I love you!”

I was in awe when I heard him blurt that out before putting his full attention to the sand around him. Andre would always tell me that he loves me but everytime feels like the first time I will hear it.

“I love you too, baby.”

I said as I sat beside him.

“Are you enjoying?”

“Yes mom! Thank you for bringing me here. There’s not much kids yet but they will surely come around later this afternoon and I will play with them when it’s less sunny soI won’t pass out.”

I smiled, he remember that he cannot consume much energy when it is sunny because he passes out. He passes out because he has mild anemia, in which we are both trying towin over, he got it from his father by which really frustrates me because of all things that he could inherit from that man, he got his lack of blood issue. He trully just cause me and my son pain. Even absent.

And so I watched Andre enjoy his building of sand castle. He is really determined to build it though.

“Mom, your cellphone’s ringing!”

We needed to come back to our hotel room when he said that he wants to rest for a while.

I came to the bedroom and gave him a glass of water before taking my cellphone to check who is calling.

Incoming call ... Mom.

Why is she calling me?

I quickly answered the call and was surprised when I heard loud sobs from the other line.

“Mom? Why are you crying? What happened?”

“Your— your— I’m so sorry Athena. Your dad, he’s dying.”

“What? What do you mean? I just talked to him last week, he was doing fine just then!”

I tried to compose myself but I just cannot do that. Andre’s also in the room so he can absolutely hear me.

“He didn’t want to tell you but he was asking you to come home.”

“Yes, and I told him we can’t.”

Tears started to pour out from my eyes. I am a bad daughter. He was just asking to see me but I always decline his request.

“You still have chance to bid him goodbye, Athena.”

Now it is my older brother Anton talking to me.

“Can we still make it?”

“He’s holding on, maybe waiting for you.”

“Anton.”

“Stop making excises, Athena. Our father needs us. Please be matured enough to handle this.”

When we ended the call, I saw my son putting all his toys in his bag and so I called him and then he embraced me so tight.

“Let’s go see grandpa, mom. I don’t want him to die not seeing us.”

“But how about your summer?”

“This will be my summer, mom. I’m sure I’ll be able to play with my cousins when we get there.”

I hugged him tight and thanked him for understanding the situation.

He is still at 5 years old but he understood, he is indeed intelligent.

What did I do to deserve a son like him?