California Air

Layla (one week later)

My sister's birthday is not for another two weeks, but I can't stand to be here anymore. This morning I got up extra early and went to doctor Sherley's office.

She sits in front of me with my letter of resignation in hand. "Layla, I know this whole situation is hurtful, but please consider your job. They are not worth the joy this job brings you, and...think of all the kids you have helped? They'll miss you. I'll miss you." she says as I stare out the window into the open space.

The more I am here, the more fatal I feel. Trevor and Stacy have tried to talk to me numerous times, but I am too hurt and angry to speak with them. "I know... But I can't be here anymore. I need to get away before I do something I will regret in the future." I say as anger bubbles up inside of me.

I wipe away my tears and look down before closing my eyes.

She sighs and folds my letter. "Look, I'll tell you what? Why don't you take off earlier for your sister's birthday? Maybe some time off will help you heal faster. I know it's not easy, but these kids need you. Lay...please consider it. Until then, I will pretend this letter doesn't exist. If by the time you were meant to come back, you tell me your mind is still made up about leaving us, then I will personally write you a letter of recommendation so you can work elsewhere. Would that be ok with you?"

I look at her through my tear-filled eyes. "I just... I don't want to be here anymore. I wouldn't say I like seeing them, not after what they did. But-" I say as I look away and wipe away my years.

"Maybe you're right. I love this job, regardless of what happens. I love working with these kids and knowing we're making a difference. I don't want to leave them, but maybe some time away will help me heal, as you said." I sigh and shrug my shoulders.

And this is how I ended up at the airport suddenly—passport in hand and carrying my luggage to check-in. The three-hour flight seemed endless, but I managed to get by.

My sister Karla squealed in my ear when I called her after I had left the doctor's office to let her know I was coming home. She, of course, cursed Trevor and warned me that she'd rip Stacy's head if she ever saw her.

I know she was trying to make me feel better; hell, anyone would agree if she hurt Stacy, but what good will that bring? All I wanted was to come home and forget I ever had a boyfriend and a best friend.

The plane landed and I waited for my turn to exit the plane. I grabbed my belongings and made my way out.

I was brassing myself for it. I just knew my family would throw something unexpected my way as soon as I landed.

And I was right. My mom, dad, and sister were standing at the gate with balloons and a huge sign saying welcome home, Layla. They cheered, and they were loud as they saw me coming out of the plane.

I groaned inwardly, but I couldn't help smiling. They're loud and crazy, but I love them. What I didn't like was the sudden flashes of lights from a few cameras. Dad gave the photographer a warning look, but he continued to snap before my sister stepped in front and warned him that she'd break the camera.

"God, here we go," I whispered through my smile as they lunged at me, making me hug them tightly.

"Layla!" My sister squealed, jumping in joy. Dad and mom hugged me, squeezing me and kissing me all over my cheeks, nose, and forehead as if I was a baby.

"My baby. Oh, my baby. I can't believe you're here. Oh, heaven must be happy with me, for God has given me a miracle." I rolled my eyes at mom's sarcasm.

"Mom...really?" I ask her getting an annoyed look as she waves me off. "Can you blame me for being excited to see you? Look at you? You are so beautiful." she adds, smiling. "She gets it from me." dad adds getting a how dare you look from mom. He chuckled, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her lips.

"Come on, this calls for a celebration. I gotta call Danny; he's going to be thrilled." my eyes widen as I take a step forward at dad's words.

"No- no he doesn't. Dad, come on, I'm sure Daniel has many things to do. He doesn't need to know I'm here." I chuckle nervously.

I just ended up getting my heart broken. The least I need was to see the first guy that broke my heart.

"Oh, nonsense. Danny loves you. He's always asking how you're doing, baby. I'm sure he'll love to join us and celebrate your homecoming with us."

"Dad, no," I said sternly making him give me a worried look.

"But, baby, I thought you and Danny were good friends?" dad doesn't know what happened between me and him. Hell, no one does. Except for my sister of course.

"We- we are, but... I just." I chuckled nervously.

"I don't want to-to bother him. He's a busy man after all. Right? I'm sure he's in a meeting or on a date with a new supermodel or something." I said the last part a bit irritated, regretting my tone right after. My words caused dad to give me an awkward look, God, I really need to learn to control my emotions.

"Baby is there something I need to know-"

"Daddy, why don't we take her to Danny's new restaurant in Venice? She's going to love it!" Karla adds making him forget what he was asking.

"Oh, yeah. That place is fantastic. Sure sounds like a grand idea. Don't you think, pumpkin? Let me call to make reservations for us," he says turning away and dialing on his phone.

"Baby, you're going to love it there. You'll see. An intake of fresh Cali cuisine is what you need to forget that wretched man and home wrecker." mom says making me give her an annoyed stare at my sister.

She gives me a pitiful look and hugs me tightly. "Oh, baby, I'm sorry. I know you didn't want Karla to tell me, but, she was so concerned with you. I know it hurts. It's ok if you need to cry, I'm here for you. Talk to me." she always goes all mama bear on me, but the least I needed right now was a therapy session in the middle of the airport.

"Jocelyn Karla Garcia, you..." I sighed through gritted teeth calling out my sister's full name. "Oh, baby," mom says, hugging both of us.

"All set. Let's go, baby. You're going to love the food there. They have such good variety, and they have the best tiramisu in all of Los Angeles county."

Great. Daniel knows tiramisu is my favorite dessert of all time. He just had to add that to the menu, didn't he?

"I'm, sure I'll love it." I forced a smile as we left the airport and drove toward Venice Beach.

Dad had the air in full blast the whole ride, but I was not complaining. I had forgotten how bad the weather was here. Every time I visit the temperature just gets worse.

A dreadfully long traffic jam later, and we finally arrived. The restaurant was in the middle of a golf course inside a vast golf club and resort.

I had been here plenty of times with dad as a little girl, but the place was upgraded. It was a beautiful Italian-style stone structure. Palm trees and flowers are planted everywhere. But what caught my attention were the rose bushes and gerbera daisies everywhere.

They were all new. I don't remember seeing them before. I love roses, especially those with mixed colors, but my favorite flowers have always been daisies.

"Daniel is stuck in a few meetings, so he won't be joining us. But he did say he'll come by the house later to say hi. Should we go in?" dad says pointing towards the entrance.

I know I said I didn't want to see him, especially now that I was trying to mend my broken heart. So why did I suddenly feel disappointed that he's not coming?

"Yeah, I'm sure those meetings have a supermodel name stuck to it," I said in between my teeth getting an awkward look from dad. "Sorry, baby. What was that?"

"Uhh, Nothing.  Should we go in? I'm dying to try the tiramisu." I said as I walked in and closed my eyes through a long sigh. He chuckles walking right behind me, followed by mom and Karla.

Oh well, I guess all men are the same. They'll never change. Especially Daniel Halloway. He will never change. Not for me or any other woman on this planet.

"No woman will ever tie me down," his words had gotten stuck in my head since the day after I had stupidly lost my virginity to him. It was like a dagger to my heart and a slap to my face. But he was right. Some men will just never change.