Yayo ~ Isaac Garcia

Chapter 36

As the night continued Uncle Richard and Jackie wanted to talk to me... in privacy. Not knowing what I should expect form such a conversation I joined them in the house.

Uncle Richard's words hung heavily in the air as he turned to Jackie, a serious expression etched on his face. "Jackie, would you like to start?" he asked, his voice gentle yet probing.

Jackie's demeanor shifted, her eyes darting nervously as she hesitated before finally blurting out, "I'm going back to New York."

The announcement hit me like a ton of bricks, sending a shockwave of disbelief coursing through my veins. "Why?" I managed to stammer, my voice tinged with a mixture of confusion and desperation. "Are you not happy here? What about... what about Alex?" The words spilled out in a rush, my heart pounding in my chest as I struggled to comprehend the implications of her decision.

Jackie's gaze softened, her features contorted with a mixture of sadness and resolve. But I knew where this was going.. they want me to join them.

"I can't just leave everything behind overnight," I explained, my voice barely above a whisper. "This house, the family... Isaac." The weight of my words hung heavy in the air, the unspoken implications lingering between us like a shadow.

A lump formed in my throat as I grappled with the reality of this departure. How could she leave, just like that, without considering the impact it would have on everyone?

"I can't make you come with us," Jackie continued, her voice tinged with resignation. "But... it would be nice to stay together."

Tears welled up in my eyes as I struggled to process the enormity of the moment. The thought of Jackie leaving, of losing the one constant in my life since Lucy's passing, was almost too much to bear.

I felt like this was what I owed Lucy, like this was how I could make up for being the one to survive instead of her. But I'll hurt Isaac.

If I stay here, I'd betray my family, .. my only family by blood.

But if I choose them I'd have to leave Isaac, my Isaac.

Taking a deep breath, I knew what I had to do. "I... I need to talk to Isaac," I said, my voice trembling with uncertainty.

"But... I'll come with you."

Whiteout another word I walked away like a zombie, knowing what I was about to do.

As I approached Isaac, who was smoking a cigarette behind the stables, the weight of my decision pressed heavily on my chest. Without a word, he pulled me into a tight hug, offering silent comfort as my tears soaked his shirt. When he finally pulled back and looked into my eyes, I could see the concern etched on his face.

"Why are you crying?" he asked softly, his voice barely above a whisper.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my voice as I explained everything to him. The impending departure of Jackie and Uncle Richard, the dilemma of leaving behind everything I had built here, the family, the house, and Isaac. It all spilled out in a torrent of emotions, each word heavier than the last.

"It's just... maybe it's better this way," I finally managed to say, my voice choked with tears. "If I stay any longer, it'll only make it harder to leave. And I can't keep running from my past. This is what I owe to Lucy."

Isaac's expression softened as he listened, understanding dawning in his eyes. But as I finished speaking, his brows furrowed, and he reached out to gently cup my face in his hands.

"What about us?" he asked, his voice raw with emotion. "What about everything we've shared, everything we've built together? Are you just going to walk away from that?"