Page 36 of The Champion
I only nodded as he helped me get her inside.
“If you need anything...justlet me know.” He offered.
“Thanks Van. I really appreciate everything you’ve donefor us.”
I quickly scooped Sway up and took her straight to ourroom. As we reached the bed, I pulled her into my arms and silently rocked her.
This seemed to have brought on a new round of weeping andall I could do was hold her. It was all I wanted to do. Letting her take all ofher emotions out on me and hoping my being there was at least some comfort toher while she was in pain. She cried loudly and I was glad we were alone.
Sway’s tears were relentless, and she cried much longerthan I would have suspected but then again, I was surprised it wasn’t longer.
Christ, she’d just lost her father. Who wouldn’t becrying?
All throughout his sickness, when she finally found out,Sway remained positive. I knew this was the front, her denial, but that wasSway—always had been. When she was hurting, she smiled, never letting you knowit was killing her inside.
As I held her that night, sometimes she would quietslightly, only to pick up with more force in what could only be described ashysteria. I was at a loss, trying to comfort her with quiet murmurs and lovingstrokes. Mostly I just held her, as that seemed to be the best option at thispoint.
Every tear that slid down her cheek was like a knife withserrated edges stabbing me in the heart. It was more than I could stand to seeher in this type of pain.
When she finally fell asleep, her tears didn’t stop. Shetossed and turned, murmuring his name repeatedly in an agonized voice. Thesorrow was killing her, and in turn, it was killing me.
I watched her all night. My own pain, I could handle.Hers, I could not. This was almost unbearable.
The sun finally rose, and a new day seemed to finally drythe tears.
She had quit crying by the time she awoke, though I knewit would be temporary. When the disorientation from sleep wore off, she wouldremember what had happened and the sorrow would come again.
“Hey,” she croaked and then cleared her throat. “Where’sAxel?”
I stared at her intently. Sheseemedbetter, but Icouldn’t be sure.
“With my mom. Are you...allright?”
“I’m fine,” she insisted as though she was trying toconvince herself.
I grabbed her face in my hands, forcing her to look atme. Her eyes were swollen and red. I gently ran the tip of my thumb over herlips.
She looked at me intently, tears filling her eyes again.
“I’m so sorry honey.” I soothed rubbing her back androcking her back and forth on our bed.
“I just...can’tbelieve he’s really gone.” She murmured into my chest and then burst into tearsagain. “I don’t want it to be real.”
“I wish it wasn’t real.” I told her and pulled hercloser. “I really do.”
It was real though and we had to deal with it.
6.Blown Motor – Sway
Blown Motor – Thiswould be a major engine failure. An example would be when a connecting rod goesthrough the engine block. Blown motors usually produce a lot of smoke andsteam.
“Thanks for everything you guys have done.” I wailedagainst Nancy’s shoulder. Her and Jimi both hugged me tighter. “I’ve alwaysfelt like you two were my second set of parents.”
Jimi, Nancy and Emma had taken care of everything for uswith the funeral because really, I could hardly function let alone plan afuneral.
If it wasn’t for Jameson and Axel, I’d probably still becurled up on the floor by the phone.
Have you ever heard that saying,“Everythinghappens for a reason?”
