A Flash of Green

"Hello, Angela. I'm sorry it's been so long that I..."

"Shhh...enough of that. You're here now and that's what counts. Come over here. I would have met you at the door but I'm feeling a bit down right now."

Angela sat in a plush recliner, an afghan covering her waist to her toes. The chair was strategically placed so she could look out the large picture window that faced out onto the beach and mangroves.

"Beautiful view," I mentioned.

She beamed and said, "Yes, William loved it here. I was afraid I was going to lose the house when he died but...well, for reasons I'm sure you're aware of, we didn't. As a matter of fact, I meant to ask if you knew who paid off the mortgage five years ago. The bank refused to tell us, said something about violation of privacy and all that."

I smiled and looked at her, her eyes teasing me. "I confess, I wanted to take care of it. I asked the mortgage company not to spill the beans about the anonymous donor. I think I threatened them if they did."

"Jason, I know you felt you needed to do these things but you didn't. You didn't owe me or the kids and Will was gone by then. I do appreciate your assistance though. I've always considered you one of my children. William felt the same way."

For the first time since I was a small boy, I started to tear up. Hell, I didn't even cry when my wife pulled that shit on me. But, here was this gorgeous woman, a struggling widow and mother telling me how much I meant to her. And, she was dying.

"Come here, Jason." She held out her arms beckoning me and I moved to her. I knelt next to her and she took me into her arms holding me close. I couldn't stop the emotions from bubbling over. All I could think about was the wonderful woman, dying from cancer, soothing my troubled soul. Next thing I knew, I was sobbing as she held me against her shoulder, her fingers gently running through my hair.

After a good fifteen minutes, she allowed me to lift my head and look at her. "Feel better?"

I nodded. The impact of the last several days had finally caught up with me. Ellen, Angela, the memories of my unfortunate childhood flooded my senses. I didn't realize how much I had been hiding inside.

"Angela, I will get the best doctors to look at you, the best hospitals in the country to..."

"Jason, I've made my peace with God. I know there is nothing that can be done. The cancer has spread too far, done too much damage. Jason, I'll be fortunate to remain with my family more than the three weeks they've given me. Please, don't worry, don't be sad. I'm just glad I could see you before I go."

Gazing at this courageous woman, I could only wonder why God allowed such good people so much pain and ultimate death. It wasn't fair. Looking at her, she was still as beautiful as that first day when I came to visit.

Looking at her, I realized now just how much Lisa bore such a striking resemblance to her. The same fair complexion and sculpted face with that delicately carved nose. The spark from those emerald green eyes framed by the rich dark crimson hair that fell around her shoulders in a soft cascading shower matched that of her daughters.

"Jason, are you...are you going to stay for a few days?" she asked. I could see the pain in her eyes, whether from the cancer or something else.

"Angela...I'm never going to leave you. You're stuck with me, you and Lisa."

Tears began to well up in her eyes and I could see she was very tired. "Angela, you need to rest now. I'm going to find a place to stay..."

"You will do no such thing," she said angrily. You are family and as such you'll stay here with us. Understand, mister!"

Laughing, I said, "Okay...okay, I'm staying here at home. Now get some rest."

Angela smiled and nodded laying her head back. She looked out the window before she closed her eyes. In a matter of minutes, she was sleeping. I stood and gazed down at this woman, the mother I always wanted, needed.

"She sleeping?" A soft voice behind me inquired.

Turning, I saw Lisa standing in a door frame watching the steady breathing of her mother.

"Yeah, she's resting."

"Thank you, Jason Cooley...thank you for being here," she said and silently stepped forward and hugged me. I placed my arms around her feeling her tremble as she softly sobbed against my chest. My heart went out to this beautiful but sad woman.

"I am glad you came for me," I replied. "I should thank you."

Again, Lisa blushed and quickly spun around. "Are you staying here?" she asked.

"I believe I am," I answered and she replied, "Then, I'd better show you to your room. Follow me."

I trailed after her as Lisa moved down the hallway and stopped at the last room on the left.

"This is Bobby's room. He's living in New York now. Bobby was offered a job with the Dellenbaugh Research Foundation. He's currently working as an assistant to a Dr. James Wishman on some project involving quantum physics. Don't ask me any more than that. I'm only a lowly surgical nurse." Lisa smiled but I could tell she was proud of his accomplishments.

"Both Bobby and Dean have a tremendous amount of respect for you, Jas. They were sorry they couldn't be here to meet you on your arrival but they both should be arriving in a few days. Anyway, Bobby said to make yourself at home."

The room was incredibly neat, the walls plastered with paintings and sketches of the stars and galaxies. Against the far wall hung a shelf containing several models of rockets and the different stages of space craft used through the years beginning with the German V2 rocket. Next to it was the Redstone rocket with the Mercury Capsule followed by the Titan rocket and the Gemini capsule. As expected, the massive Saturn rocket with the Apollo three man craft was next culminating with the ill-fated Challenger space shuttle.

At least, now I had an idea what Bobby was involved with in New York. I looked at Lisa as she stood next to me watching my face.

"This will be perfect, thank you Lisa."

Her face suddenly became serious and she asked, "Uh...Jas, how long are you going to stay?"

I took her hand and whispered, "As long as it takes."

Suddenly I found myself wrapped in her arms, Lisa again crying. Trapped, I could only wait until she finally pulled back and looked up at me. Before I could react, she tip-toed and kissed me on the lips before she jumped back, shocked.

"I...oh my god, I am so sorry. I shouldn't have done that!" she wailed and twirled around running from the room leaving me standing there awestruck.

I shook my head and thought, don't even think about it. Lisa was an amazing woman, so much like her mother. She was beautiful, smart, charming and smelled wonderful and I could so easily fall for her but she was Angela's daughter and I was married, well...for now.

I called Matthew Bront and told him I had arrived in Miami and where I was staying. Matt was relieved that I called.

"Jas...Ellen is going crazy. She's been hounding the office daily and both Jack and John, those two partners of yours, have given instructions she's not to be allowed on company grounds. Seems the last time she was there looking for you, she caused such a scene; security had to physically remove her from the premises. Jas, you're going to have to talk to her."

"When I get back, Matthew. I'll talk to her then, after she's been served."

"Alright, how long are you going to be in Miami?"

Matt, a dear friend of mine is dying. I'll be here as long as it takes...okay?"

"I understand. Just keep me in touch, please."

"Okay, let Jack and John know what's going on here."

"Will do, take care."

After I heard him disconnect, I tossed the phone on the night stand. The image of Ellen standing there in that kitchen wearing that smug look, her so-called lover smirking at me, burst into my thoughts. "Fuck her," I muttered.

Unpacking, I changed into casual attire and settled on the bed. It had been a very long day, and I had to admit...I was bushed. I looked at my watch and saw it was six and thought, hell...I'll just take a little rest and then help Lisa around the house, maybe get some dinner for everyone. Yeah, I'll take a little breather.

"Jason? Jas...? Would like something to eat?" I stirred and mumbled, "Yeah...sure, do you want me to go out and bring something home?"

I heard Lisa giggle and say, "Uh...what would you like for breakfast?"

My eyes popped open and I saw Lisa standing in the doorway, wearing pale green pajamas covered with a darker green robe.

"Breakfast?" What time is it?"

She laughed...the sound of music to my ears. "It's eight-thirty in the morning, silly. Time to get your butt out of bed. I've got scrambled eggs, bacon and sourdough toast ready if you're hungry."

As I sat up, I noticed I was wearing my white boxer shorts and a white t-shirt. Lisa saw me looking at myself and her faced flushed several shades of red.

"Uh...I took the liberty of looking through your things and found a t-shirt for you. I...I decided you could keep the shorts. You were so out of it and looked so uncomfortable; I kinda helped you out of your clothes. Don't worry; I've helped countless patients so it was no big deal."

"Shit, I must have been really tired. The last thing I remember was just taking a short rest before I helped you with dinner."

Lisa smiled and again reminded me breakfast was getting cold. "There's a robe in Bobby's closet. It should fit you." She turned and disappeared down the hall.

When Jas walked into the kitchen, Lisa was busy preparing the food and setting the table.

"What about Angela?" he asked.

Lisa looked up and sighed, "She's sleeping right now. She's been doing that a lot."

He nodded was about to step into the kitchen when Lisa said, "Stop! You sit down."

Jason grinned and sat down acting as if chastised. She laughed and soon had a plate full of scrambled eggs and bacon with two slices of toast in front of him.

"Where's yours?"

"Don't worry, you won't eat alone." Soon, she was next to him wolfing down her eggs and bacon with the hunger of a lumberjack.

"My god woman, you can eat!"

She looked up, a mouth full of eggs, and blushed. "Mmph...," she mumbled as she struggled swallowing the food. "Sorry about that, hungry I guess."

He looked at her lithe frame and wondered where she put it.

"HEY SIS, WHERE THE EATS?" shouted a new voice.

The kitchen door banged open and a red headed young man stood there gawking at the food on the table.

"Dean, keep it down...Mom's sleeping and where the hell were you last night? You knew I was gonna be home with Mr. Cooley!"

"Jeez, sorry Lis, I had a very important engagement...if you know what I mean. He winked at me and shuffled to the kitchen counter and grabbed a plate. Once he had his food, he plopped in the chair on the other side of me. Sticking his hand out, he said, "Really great to have you here, Mr. Cooley!"

Shaking his hand, I said, "Jas...just Jas."

Jamming a slice of bacon in his mouth, he mumbled...Jas."

Between bites, he glanced at Lisa and asked, "How's Mom doing?"

"She's been better but seeing Jas really perked her up. Fess up...what or who was your special engagement?"

"Her name is Cindy...a sexy little thing from the Pink Poodle. Fine, very fine indeed." He grinned as he chewed his food. "Anyway, she invited me over to her place...to see her sketchings. She has an excellent eye for lines and curves." As he said that last statement, he used both hands to fashion the not so subtle curves of a buxom female shape.

"God, Dean...you're such a pig!" growled Lisa, rolling her eyes.

"Laughing, he mumbled between bites, "Yeah, isn't it great!"

"Dean, I understand you graduated Georgia Tech with honors and a doctorate. What you doing now?"

Shaking his head, he said, "Nothing for now. I wanted to take a break and stay home with Mom. Then...who knows."

"If you interested, I might have something for a man of your talents in California," I said.

"Hmm...California? I might have to think about that. May be awhile, though. How long you staying?"

I looked at him and said, "For the duration."

He stared and nodded. I could see the sadness in his eyes. "Jas...thanks for that. It will mean an awful lot to her. She's always thought of you as the son that got away...which, by the way, makes you my bro and, unfortunately, Lisa, your sister. Ahhh...," he cried out as Lisa smacked him on the back of the head.

After finishing our breakfast, Lisa and her brother started clearing the table as I walked into the living room. Angela was still sleeping in her recliner, the same afghan pulled up to cover her shoulders. I sat on the sofa and watched her. I thought of Lisa and her brothers, losing their father and now their mother. God damn, it wasn't fucking fair. Why couldn't I do more this family, this beautiful lady?

I didn't realize I was crying until a hand gently touched my shoulder. Lisa's voice whispered, "Come with me." She held my hand as I stood and pulled me outside, onto the veranda. She dragged me further out onto a small rise sheltered beneath an overhanging set of palm fronds. She pushed me up against a thick trunk and kissed me, her lips pressed hard against mine. Afterwards, she pulled back and tenderly wiped the tears from my eyes.

"I've wanted to do that since I saw you walk through those doors in that conference room," Lisa confessed. "I'm sorry, Jas...but, your wife is an idiot. I'm sorry if I took liberties..."

I never gave her the chance to finish. I pulled her into me and kissed her. I could feel Lisa melt in my arms, her lips returning the passion I had held in check. Everything about her, her lips, her hair, her eyes...everything captured my very soul. I didn't want to let her go. I felt her tongue beg entrance and met her challenge with my own. I ran my hand through her lustrous red locks as the other tightly held her at the small of her back, drawing her tight against me.

I wanted this moment to last forever but finally drew back looking into her captivating eyes. "Lisa...maybe this isn't an appropriate time. We both are going through a terrible time, your mother, my wife...I just don't want to hurt you. I...I think I'm falling in love with you."

Her eyes glossed over, threatening tears as she said, "Jason, I fell for you seven years ago when you first visited my mother. I never could get you out of my head. I was devastated when I learned you married but I never forgot you. That's why I flew out to see you, to tell you about mother. I had to see you. I knew you were married, please forgive me."

"My god, Lisa...there's nothing to forgive. I only wish I had known you before I met Ellen. But, please understand...I need to find out what happened between Ellen and me. I need to know what I did wrong to send her into the arms of another man. To believe I would be willing to..." I couldn't say the rest.

"I understand. Just know this. Whatever you decide, I'll be here. Remember that."

I nodded and she kissed my once again, this time a simple kiss on the lips. I held her and pressed my face in her hair smelling the sweet fragrance of lilacs. God, what was wrong with me. Here was an extraordinary woman in my arms and I had to remain true to Ellen until I determined what happened, whether our marriage was at an end or not. I still loved her but what she did, what she had tried to do had rocked my love and trust and I needed to know why.

We walked back into the house to find Angela awake and smiling when she saw us.

"My lord, you two look like you belong together," she said. "I'm sorry Jason, I know you're married...I shouldn't have said that."

Lisa and I both laughed and I told Angela it was okay, both she and Lisa would always be a part of my heart.

Over the next two weeks, Lisa and I were very careful around each other. Dean could see there was a certain tension between the two of us. At times, he would smile and nod to Lisa. One time, I was standing in the hall when I heard the two of them talking in the kitchen.

"Lisa, I would be proud to have Jason as my brother in law," said Dean. "So would I," said Bobby. He had arrived home a week before.

"Listen guys, he is married. I am not going to be the other woman! Understand?"

I didn't hear their reply but heard footsteps approaching so I acted if I was just coming down the hallway.

"Hey, Jason!" said Dean. "Feel your ears burning? We were just talking about you. Too bad you're already taken bro. Lisa's drooling over..."

"DEAN!" Screamed an angry Lisa, running around the corner swinging a spatula much like a cop with a billy club during the 68 Chicago riot. Her brother took off like a fox chased by hounds out the door and down the beach, Lisa in hot pursuit. Bobby and I were doubled over with laughter and I could hear a chuckle from the living room as Angela obviously heard the exchange. I stopped laughing when I heard her coughing and ran into the room to find her twisted in the recliner.

"Bobby, call 911!" I cried as I ran to her and held her in my arms.

After examining Angela at the hospital, the doctor called them into a conference room and said, "Lisa, I'm afraid your mother is not going to last much longer. I'm sorry, but, I doubt she'll make it to morning. I'm sorry."

The doctor stood in front of Lisa, Bobby and Dean as he told them his prognosis. "What would you like to do Lisa?"

"We want her home, Doctor LeStraud. I know Mom would want to finish her remaining time at home."

"I understand. I'll make the arrangements." The doctor placed his hand on her shoulder before he left.

I stood aside watching them. I knew Lisa was right; Angela would want to spend her last moments in her home watching the sunset. I felt so helpless as I looked at the three of them.

That afternoon, I sat next to Angela as she laid in her recliner, her head turned to the setting sun. She could no longer acknowledge my presence but I knew she understood she wasn't alone. Lisa, Bobby and Dean stood by the chair, Lisa holding her mother's hand. Suddenly, she pulled on Lisa's arm beckoning her to draw closer. I couldn't hear what she whispered in her daughter's ear.

Lisa straightened and looked at me. "Jason, she's asking for you."

I moved around and knelt close to her. Angela's eyes were open and amazingly clear. Barely able to lift her hand, she called me to her. As I leaned in, she could scarcely rasp, "Jason, you've always held a special place in all of our hearts. Take care of her. I know you love her and she loves you. And, I'll always be there for you, William and me...always."

Her hand lost its grip and fell away. As I looked into her eyes, I saw a single tear before she closed them. As I touched her cheek, I heard a small gasp and she became still. I started crying as I quietly said, "And I will always love you Angela, always!" I felt Lisa's arms around my shoulders and I stood and turned into her resting my head on her shoulders, huge gulping sobs wracking through me.

"I should have been here, taken better care of all of you...of her. I shouldn't have been such a stranger!" I cried as Lisa held me in her arms.

"Shhh...you were always here, in our hearts and minds. If it wasn't for you, life would have been so much harder for us. Don't ever think otherwise."

Bobby and Dean moved to their mother as Lisa held me. After a period of time, I was able to gain control of my emotions. When I turned, I saw that Bobby had pulled the afghan she always loved up over her face, Dean was standing next to his brother with his arm over Bobby's shoulder. Lisa had left me to call the coroner's office and the mortuary. I stood there, the macho former street rat, ex-marine, ex-boxer, successful business man and I could do nothing. Angela's children had everything well in hand. I thought to myself, don't worry Angela. I'll watch over them...I promise you.