Get Off on the Pain(72)

He looks away for a second, trying to collect his emotions. I see his jaw clench before he turns back to look at me. “She told me to never change and to promise her that I will always keep the ones that I love warm. To be strong and to find the courage I’ve had all along.”

I walk up behind him and wrap my arms around his waist. I want nothing more right now than to be close to him. “Here, explaining it doesn’t do it justice. Read it for yourself.”

He hands me the folded piece of paper and I open it, staring at the beautiful handwriting before me. I haven’t even started and already I feel the emotions rolling off the page as she placed that pen to the paper so many years ago. My eyes start to scan at the first line.



My Memphis,



If you're reading this I'm long gone and you've recently come home, to the only place that you belong. Don't be mad at Jack for waiting to give you this letter. He was under very distinct orders. I know you so don't roll your eyes as if what I'm saying is crazy. You're my first-born and my strongest. You're also the most passionate between the two. If you never listen to anything else I say, listen to this. What happened that night was not your fault. Anyone in your situation would have made the same exact decision. Seeing you that night showed me that you and Alex would be just fine without me, because I know you would do anything to protect him. I am more proud of you now than I ever have been before. My only regret is that it had to be you that did it instead of me. I should have protected the two of you more, and for that know that I'm sorry. Sometimes even mothers fail their children, no matter how much we seem to have it together. I want you to know how very much I love you and your brother. Take care of each other, because family is all you have. My precious boy, you have a fire inside of you that most don't. Use it to keep the ones you love warm, even when you feel like you have nothing left to give. I know that for a while you are going to feel unworthy of being loved, but Son that is so far from the truth. One day you are going to meet a wonderful woman that believes in you, and sees exactly what I have always seen in you. You will need her, just as you have needed me all of these years. Let her love you, Memphis, and love her in return with everything in you. When you feel like I'm gone just speak out loud. I'll hear you. Even though I didn't get to tell you goodbye, know that I did . . . from my heart to yours.



I will love you always, even in my absence

Mom



My cheeks are stained with tears, somewhat to the point that it’s embarrassing. I can feel her love for him. I only wish that I could have met her. I look up at him, watching me like a hawk. I try my best to pull it together. “Of course she was proud of you. You’re a good man. One of the best,” I whisper.

“Come with me.” Memphis spins around to face me and cups my face in his hands. “I have something to show you.”

He starts pulling me away. I almost stop to worry about my job, but I can’t find it in me. Memphis is all that I want to worry about right now.

Memphis helps me into his truck before jogging over to his side and jumping in.

I want to ask him where we’re going, but I decide to just go with it and let him take me wherever he wants to go. If this weren’t important to Memphis then he wouldn’t drag me out of work to go there.

He drives for about ten minutes before we pull up at a small brick building. I sit here confused as Memphis just sits, staring at the small building before us.

“This was my mom’s art studio.” He squeezes the steering wheel and inhales a sharp breath. “She left me the key along with the letter. I brought Alex here late last night and he couldn’t handle it. Not right now. We both decided that maybe you could work out of it for a while.”

I turn to him and squeeze his hand. I don’t know what to say right now. This man is letting me in deeper than I ever imagined. I can’t deny the fact that it makes me feel like I’m on top of the world.

“Memphis,” I whisper. “Are you guys sure about this?”

He shakes his head and leans in to kiss me on the forehead. “It’s completely cleaned out. All of her artwork has been packed up and placed in her drawing room at home. It would be a waste for this place not to get used. I can come in next week and set everything up for you before I start on the job with Jack.”

“Wait . . . what are you saying, Memphis?” I feel an overwhelming feeling of hope as he pulls me over into his lap and wraps his hands into my hair.

“I’m not leaving you, Lyric.” He brushes his lips over mine, breathing his sweet scent against them. “Mom was right. This is where I belong . . . and you and Alex are where I need to be. This is my home. You are what matters to me, both of you, and I promise to keep you warm.”