8. Too Far From Home

FINN DAVIS

Things had gotten worse over the past few days.

For me. For my mom. And most importantly, for my sick eighteen years old sister.

For the past two years, my mom and younger sister have been struggling. At one point, it was hidden from me because I was schooling and barely around to be with both of them. perhaps it would have been less trouble if my dad was still alive.

But he died from leukemia right after I finished high school and got admitted into the school. I studied. Hard. the money my dad left behind was just enough to send me to school and at that time, it wasn't a problem because Raya was a scholarship student in high school and we were such that she could ace a college scholarship program too since she was an athlete.

But everything ended two years ago when Raya was sixteen. She collapsed. Yet I didn't leave school to see her because of a stupid exam… I sat for many exams yet I don't even have a job at the moment.

Raya collapsed on the field during competition and our family doctor discovered that she was likely to develop cancerous cells in the nearest future but since it wasn't certain as of then, Raya was put under medication and doctor’s watch.

Still, I didn't know. Still, my sister kept training to achieve her dreams until she collapsed again and her school authorities found out that she had ovarian cancer. That ended her scholarship and the sad thing was I had exhausted all the money our dad left behind.

To make matters worse, Raya’s condition worsen and she needed surgery immediately. On the same day she was put under the knife, I had an argument with my mom because she withdrew a large sum of money from all we had without telling me why.

Raya had surgery without me and I didn't know until I graduated a year ago.

“Stop looking at me like I am going to drop dead any second from now, Finn.”

Raya cautioned, pulling my mind back to the present. She was laying on the couch in our living room and my mom was in the kitchen making a light meal for her.

“Well, you did drop five days ago.”

Of course, I didn't say that to her. Rather I asked her if she had seen a card anywhere.

“The same card you have won't stop talking about ever since we left the hospital? When will you ever start to live your life for yourself, Finn? I don't want you to get another job–”

“Shut up and answer the question, smarty pant.”

Raya use to be so smart. She was still smart but sicker. The first surgy hse had left some complications which were my fault again. Apparently, the money my mom deposited wasn't enough to get a good doctor for Raya when she went under the knife.

Raya had been in pain ever since the surgery and it was later discovered that Raya still had a tiny tumor in her ovaries.

“I didn't see the card, dude. Why are you so mean to a sick teenager?”

Raya pouted and I facepalmed myself. She always found a way to joke about her current condition. Even though she had been under medication and chemo for the past year, my sister never gave up on being happy.

I was able to get her medicine after the sexy weirdo gave me money and her card… a card that could land me a good deal which I needed at the moment… Raya needs to be operated on again.

In two months according to the doctor. It was advised to see how the tumor would react to chemo and drugs before we proceed to surgery but I knew I couldn't waste time. I have to start gathering money as soon as possible.

Raya has to be saved from cancer. She wouldn't die like my dad. My mom wouldn't lose another one of her loved ones. That would break her so it was my duty to make sure it never happen.

“I can’t deal with you right now, Raya. I need to find the card to meet her again and get–”

“Who is the ‘her’ you are talking about, son?”

My mom came out of the kitchen with Raya’s food.

“I don't even know anything about her, mom. Can we drop the topic about her and focus on finding the car?”

I retorted, searching every corner of the house. I must have lost the car when rushing Raya to the hospital five days ago… the same day I was supposed to visit that branch of the COBBS group.

I have been searching for the card since Wednesday since I didn't memorize the addresses on it and I remembered being told that the third address was where I should be on Monday.

At the moment, I seriously couldn't recall what the first address was and there were so many COBBS branches in town. That group had practically dominated Califonia and many parts of the world.

“Rather than search for the card, why not go find your mysterious woman? I believe you have clues to find her.”

Raya pointed out after another hour of futile searching.

“Where will I go, Raya? Whereas, I don't trust you not o go all sick teenager on mom. She is tired.”

I countered and my sister blew raspberries at me like she was still two years old.

“Don't worry about me, Finn. She is willing to be a good sick teenager today so go ahead.”

My mom muttered and smiled weakly.

“Use the weekend wisely, Finn. I might decide to be a bad sick teenager on Monday just like the previous one–”

“Quit joking, Ray! That’s not funny.”

I snapped at my sister. Her dark humor was beginning to get on my nerves.

“Well, I wasn't laughing either.” She retorted. My jaw dropped when I saw that she was indeed serious. I became worried but all of a sudden Raya and my mom began to laugh.

“She got you badly, Finn. You should have seen your face.” My mom said amidst laughter. I shook my head. I couldn't believe they had gotten to the stage where they could laugh about everything.

It was still hard for me.

I took cash from the bag the sexy weirdo handed to me the last time and left the house. My mom and Raya didn't stop laughing. I still heard the sound of their laughter as I walked down the block.

“Let's find her and find a good source of income.”

I encouraged myself after I rented a motorcycle from a rental store. I recalled a few COBBS branches and decided to visit those places first. Perhaps if I described her features, someone might just be able to direct me to her.

My mysterious woman… Raya had called her that and I kind of liked it better than sexy weirdo.

I was pumped with energy when I began the search through the town for the mysterious and sexy brown but nearly blond woman with beautiful green eyes that were hard to say no to.

However, after stopping at the sixth location, I lost my strength. She wasn't there and the seventh location I knew was too far from home it was getting dark and I was running out of gas.

The drive back home was frustrating. Knowing that I had lost my golden chance to save Raya and also change re financial situation of my family pained me. I drove the motorcycle in direction of home, giving up on finding my mysterious sexy woman.

Home was the destination… but I never got home due to unforeseen circumstances that might change my life forever.