One last hug>>>>>>>
Joanne could not hold back her tears as Gwen packed up her belongings into her box. She just stood there crying not wanting to believe that her best friend who she has literally spent about two decades of her life, would be leaving her for five years.
"Gwen,are you sure this is not a bad idea?" Joanne asked in a shaky voice." We can ask Coach Greene to go talk to him again. Or maybe one of our elderly customers might be willing to talk to Mr Carnegie this time around."
" Joanne,we both know Mr Carnegie is not interested in the money. He already told Greene that.He just need someone to take care of his sick wife and I don't think that would be much of a work."
" Everything about the Carnegie's including breathing in their house is a hectic work!!!"
" Joanne,we don't have a choice and time is running out. I would never be free if I decide to stay back and let Roy serve. He is a young boy with a promising future. At least,I have lived and enjoyed half of my youthful days with you and every minute spent with you is treasurable. That is what I want for Roy. I would never let him serve at the Carnegie's mansion missing out on every fun he could have experienced."
" You have such a big heart,Gwen."
" I can say the same for you too. The fact you handed me all your savings without thinking twice is so heart touching. A lot of friends wouldn't have done that. I will miss you, Joanne."
" You would have done the same if I was the one in this situation. I will miss you too, Gwen."Joanne hugged her tearfully not wanting to let go.She really could not imagine life without Gwen. They had literally done everything together that she is starting to miss Gwen already.
" I need you to be strong for me,Joanne.Dad can't handle Roy and I know Roy would probably hate him for putting us in this situation. I know you've got a son of your own about my age too who is so much for you to handle not to talk of adding Roy. And then,you still have to handle the shop as well. Now that is a whole lot of work load for you to deal with. So I need you to be strong for me."
" I will. But this is like one of the hardest moment. We have never been away from each other and I honestly do not know what to do when you are not here."
" All you have to do is to gather yourself,Joanne. You are all Roy have for now. And I need you to be there for him and for Gabriel. Whatever he has gone through during the few days he has been there would really traumatise him. That is why he needs you. The shop needs you."Gwen grabbed Joanne hands and squeezed them," I need you."
Joanne hugged Gwen one more time bursting into tears just as Gabriel entered with swollen eyes. He had been asked to sit in the living room to know when Mr Carnegie's boys comes around.
"They...they are here,Aunty Gwen." Gabriel said with tears in his eyes. Even though he was quite happy that Roy would be back,he could not also get over the fact that Gwen would be the one to replace Roy. He had thought it would all be over once Roy comes out and things would go back to the way it wad.His mom and Gwen baking side by side and while he painted and Roy tries out new tricks he learnt in playing basketball.
"Gabriel,I need you to stand firm with your mother. You and Roy need to help her at the store and also at home,okay?"
" Okay,Aunty Gwen.We will be good boys."
He said and hugged her tightly bursting into tears.
After hugging each other for a while, Gabriel helped in carrying Gwen's box to the living room.The hefty men were waiting outside.Roy was standing there looking lean and pale.His face was drained of life and his clothes were torn and dirty.
"Are you ready?" One of the hefty man asked. He looked so scary with a deep scar running from under his left eye down to his jaw.
She was not ready for this and would never be ready for this but she had no choice than to do what she has to do.But instead,she swallowed her fear and suppressed the urge to grab her brother in her hands and run off,far away from here.
"I am ready."
"No big sis.You can't do this!!! That place is hell!" Roy said with fear in his eyes.
" Listen to me,Roy. You and Gabriel have to take care of the shop while I am not around.Go to basketball practice,give it your best shot and have the best time of your life living every day to your fullest. Go to college and get a good education. I will be fine.We will come out of this."
" He caused all of this!" Roy said angrily. There was hatred in his eyes.
"Roy,he is our father no matter what".
"Not mine.He is not my father!"
" Take care of yourself,Roy."
Joanne came forward removing her chain and wore it on Gwen's neck.
"Always remember that we loved you and you mean the whole world to us." Joanne hugged Gwen.
" It is time to go. Boss wants no delays. "The scar face man grabbed at Gwen's hand pulling her to the car while the other carried her luggage . As Gwen was pulled all the way to the car, she could hear Roy screaming her name loudly asking her to forfeit all of this . She turned to have one final look at them before they drove off.
Tears slipped down Gwen's face as a thought crossed her mind. What if this would be the last time she would see her family? What if she just told them goodbye forever?
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