238: DON’T DO THAT LUKE’S POV With my hands fixed on the steering wheel, I had my eyes on the people around. I was really curious to know why there was a crowd around there. I knew we shouldn’t be distracted in our search for Janice, but my inind was telling me to go and check out what was happening around there. “What do you think is going on out there?” I asked Ariel who was as curious as I was. “I don’t know,” she answered. “Don’t you think we should go check it out?” I suggested, although that was the feat going on in my mind. It was something I was going to follow through with anyway. Ariel’s opinion didn’t matter in this one. “We have to find Janice. We can’t waste any more time.” I laughed softly. “I knew you were going to say that. Don’t worry, okay? We will find Janice.” She took her eyes off me, setting them back on the road. “Right after I’m done checking that out,” I added and drove in that direction, where the people were. I got out of my car and these folks were close to a three–story building, which stood tall and proud, its brick facade shining in the warm sunlight. It was a striking sight, with its height reaching up to about to sixty feet, I’d say. It was extremely tell and on top of that building was a familiar face. A person that I would hate and love at the same time. It was my mother. She stood at the edge of the building, looking ready to end her life. People were pleading with her to come down, but it was like everywhere was mute to her. No. one’s words were going through her ears.” “Ariel stood close to me, not taking her eyes off the scene as well. “Luke, isn’t that…” “My mother? Yeah, I know,” I cut her off. “Is she trying to kill herself?” “That’s what we’re seeing right now.” “I think you should go and stop her,” Ariel suggested. I glanced at her immediately. “What’s with that face, huh? She’s your mother.” “I know that, but after what she did, do you think I’m still going to call her that?” “Apparently, you did about a minute ago.” “Don’t mention it “Okay, joke’s aside. You got to go help her.” “Am I the only person standing here. There are lots of folks around here. Any one can just climb that building and stop that woman from falling.” “If I can clearly remember, she gave birth to you.” ‘And if I can clearly remember, she almost killed you. She almost killed us, you’re still going to help her after that?” “Hold on, so you’re just going to let her die?” “If God says so, who am I to say no?” I shrugged. “That’s fucked up, Luke.” “No, it’s not, Ariel. I broke all ties with that woman the moment I realized she’s nothing but a witch.” “I suggest you throw away that hate right now, and go stop her from jumping off that building. You’ll be doing yourself a favor, you’ll be saving a soul around here. “A worthless soul, Ariel. That woman’s already damaged, wrecked and destroyed. The only thing left is for her to go straight to the grave.” “I would have given you a tight slap right now. But technically, I can’t do that.” “Go ahead, I’d love to get your fingers on my cheek, lovely.” She crossed her arms. “I can see you’re crazy. But seriously, your mother needs you right now.” “That’s not my mother.” “Can’t change the fact that she gave birth to you, also treated you nice for years, made your childhood lovely, do not forget that.” “Why are you defending her? You and I clearly know that she did wrong. She doesn’t deserve forgiveness.” She might have made some mistakes, that’s left for you to end her life. But she’s still your mother and you have to forgive her.” “Mistakes, you call those terrible actions mistakes?” “No one’s above mistakes, Luke. It seems like you’ve forgotten how you treated me badly during our first marriage.” “This is different,” “No, it’s not,” she disagreed. “If I can forgive you, then I think you should do the same a this situation.” la “Wow, have you forgiven me?” “Duhhh,” she vocalized loudly. “Oh that’s nice,” I told her with a nod. She raised an eyebrow a me, giving me a knowing look. “You seriously want me to…” I trailed off as she was still giving me that face. “Oh fine,” I finally agreed and looked upwards. My mom was still standing there, right at the edge of the building. Her eyes caught mine, and all I could see was pain, regret, guilt. “What are you waiting for? Go save that soul.” Ariel gestured towards her. I suspired and after that, I made my way through the crowd. I walked inside the building, and the first floor was a home to a bustling café, with large windows that allowed natural light to flood in. And the second floor housed a variety of small businesses, ranging from a law firm to a photography studio. Then the top floor was like a penthouse apartment. None of these mattered anyway as I was moving in haste. I finally got to the top of the building and there she was, standing right there, pulling off a drama or something. Taking some steps forward, I took a deep breath, ready to live in this moment. Honestly, if it wasn’t for Ariel, I wasn’t sure I was going to go through with this. But now that I had already popped up here, it’s best I continue the action and make sure no shit takes place around here. “Mom, wait,” I spoke softly, getting closer to her. “Luke?” She said, turning around. “Son.” I didn’t like it when she called me that, but right now was not the time to go on with some harsh stuff. “Mom, what are you doing?” I asked gently, still taking leaden steps in her direction. Her eyes narrowed down the building. “What does it look like I’m doing?” She set 88 DON’T DO THAT her eyes back on me, before looking back in that direction. “I’m about to end my life.” “Why would you want to do that?” I questioned her. Although I knew there were billions of reasons for her to kill herself. It was just me putting on an act right now. “Because I’ve done so many terrible things, Luke. I don’t deserve to be in this world anymore.” “Just calm down, okay? Take things easy. Look, I know you’ve done a lot of terrible things, no doubt about that. But come on, you shouldn’t kill yourself. It’s not going to change anything. We’ve all made mistakes. I made mistakes, lots. and lots of mistakes. But I’m trying my very best to be better than before, I’m changing still, and I think you’re going through the same as well.” “You have no idea what I’ve done, Luke. I’m a monster, I’m a terrible monster.” She burst into tears, messing her hair up. “Don’t call yourself that. You’re not a monster, mom. You’re just going through a bad a time at the moment, and I’m glad you’ve finally realized your mistakes.” She continued to shed tears. “You don’t understand. I set the house on fire, Luke. I set the house on fire.”
