Chapter 100 – So far, still so near

There was no way to delay the news to Mama Castle anymore. She wanted to know why Arthur had not gone to visit her in France as promised. She longed to be with her son, Carol and Mandy. Arthur gave some acceptable excuses but then she demanded him to set a date. That´s when he had to tell her the truth about Jackson, even though he didn´t want her to worry. “Mother, the doctors are doing their best.” “Oh, poor Peter!” Mama Castle was one of the few people who called Jackson by his first name. Like Becca and his parents. Arthur never got used to do that, because when they were students, there were three Peters in their class, so everybody there got accustomed to call him Jackson, including the teatchers. It was a strong and nice name, so Jackson kept using it afterwards. “He is not feeling great right now, because he just arrived from chemo. As soon as he is feeling better I will put him on the phone with you.” “Son, maybe I should just go over there.

Chapter 101 – Just one more day

To deal with the chemo sessions, Jackson had to tell himself that it was just one more day. He couldn´t deal with the reality of facts all at once.So he grabbed his courage and his strength to do it one more time.Green was always present when he went to Premium Hospital for his sessions, because she had become familiar with the procedures and the hospital staff. She always knew exactly who to call when it was necessary. Most of the time, things went pretty well, then Green just sat in the waiting area by Rebecca´s side. She would get the woman some tea or juice and watch her trying to relax in the armchair. By now, Rebecca knew that the post chemo reactions were really strong and she tried to save her energy for later. Green felt glad when Rebecca dozed in her armchair, because she really looked tired.In some occasions, Antonio came along and the bodyguard Angelo was always with him, to translate his words. Isabel had agreed to stay home during th

Chapter 102 – Improvements at last

And then one day it just happened. Jackson was told by his doctors that he was in remission.It meant that the worst symptons of his cancer were reduced. In his case, it was a partial remission, but all the same he was happy because it meant that the chemotherapy sessions were over for him.“Oh honey, it calls for a celebration.”“It sure does, Becca. But keep in mind that it will only be declared a complete remission if no signs of cancer show in my next month´s tests.”“I understand that, Peter. But aren´t you happy to get rid of these sessions?”“Believe me Becca, I feel like if I was released from some imprisionment.”“So do I, Peter. I am calling everybody on the way home.”“You are such a child Becca.” Jackson reclines on the car seat listening to Becca tell the family about his remission.How sweet this word sounded to his ears!CO

Chapter 103 – Things change for better

The months kept passing and there were some changes in everyday life.Mark picked up Mandy at home every morning and they rode together to school, as it was always supposed to be. They had their lunches together in some nearby restaurant, not only the ones at the shopping center.Some times they had one or two of the bodyguards sitting for lunch with them and they chatted and told funny stories.But most of the time they kept to themselves, because romance doesn´t need distractions. They were never tired of professing their love and planning their life together.One thing that was already happening were their monthly visits to the farms. They loved to spend time with the grandparents. Mandy and Mark felt in their hearts that someday they would live there as they had dreamed in a not so distant past.At school, Mark accepted Greg´s presence naturally. He knew it was necessary to be protected when you had as much money as Mandy or Arthur.

Chapter 104 – Merry Christmas

There were many preparations for the Christmas celebrations at Arthur and Carol´s house this year. It was only for family and close friends, but even so, everything was prepaired with care and detail. The kitchen staff was very busy stuffing turkeys, making roast or mashing potatoes, gravy, giant hams and lots of roast beef. They also were in charge of preparing a variety of sauces, besides the tradicional cranberry sauce. There were vegetables of every size and color, to be eaten raw, cooked or baked. And the pastry chefs got real busy baking cakes, cookies, candies and puddings. The pumpkim pies and apple pies were huge and had whipped cream toppings. They also found time to prepare the traditional fruitcase and deserts made of different flavors of ice cream. The Christmas decoration was extraordinary. Every room had been transformed in a cozy scene that resembled the sweetest Christmas movie. Green garlands, golden bells and red bows and ribbons were every

Chapter 105 – The love of music

Steph had arranged with Mandy for them to ask the delivery of one piano and many musical instruments to Don Bosco´s shelter to happen during the Christmas season. It provided a very merry Christmas with lots of music all around.Besides the Christmas tree and interior decorations, Mandy and Carol had purchased some amusement park toys for the shelter and they were outside, spread around the garden. There were wooden and plastic horse toys, trackless trains, colorful seesaws, and slides among others. All the children tried all of them many times. There were also swing sets surrounding the garden which provided a dozen or more seats.The children got dressed like angels and they loved their costumes. There were still around forty children living there, because although some of them had been adopted in the previous year, new orphans had arrived too.Besides the usual visitors to the shelter, this time Marie and Makena had decided to join them.As alway

Chapter 106 – In Place

When the holidays had passed Jackson started to get his family on the move. The sadness the boy felt from leaving Arthur´s house was lessened by the news of their new home. It provided a wave of excitement. Eric and Louis loved their new home and were soon exploring the garden and planning to buid a house for the puppies that Mandy had given them. Grandpa Antonio offered to help. The fun was in building one instead of buying it.Weeks earlier, the boys also had decided which room they wanted, because Becca had them freshly painted in their favorite colors. The blue room for Eric and the light green one for Louis. On the green walls he hung posters of jungle scenes and also his favorite animals, the lions. It turned out very nice and nobody could tell it was the same pink room that used to be Mandy´s.Antonio and Isabel were placed at the new guest rooms that replaced Carol´s original gymnastic center, as she had suggested herself. They were very comfo

Chapter 107 – Mandy Foundation Opening