Monday, January 31, 2011

A Walk in the Park


Frank called me today in the morning to check up on me. I had left without telling him and he thought that something was wrong between us two. I reassured him I was okay and everything was cool on us. His work had off late been stressful and he needed someone to talk to.

Before I left home, I decided to go visit my elder brother, Ken, who lived at a nearby town. He had been married for fifteen years with three children to show if it. Although he was twelve years my senior, we managed to keep a close relationship with each other despite his work schedule and the fast lane he was living.

As I arrived, I was met with his kids. I had forgotten it was already a school term holiday when his eldest kid, Molly, hugged and tugged me towards their house. Molly was already grown up and looked like she could pass off as my sister. The other two kids, Amber and Andrew were identical twins aged six years. Christine, my brother’s wife welcomed me into the house and we started chatting. Ken gave me a hug and kissed me on my forehead. He was in a really good spirit and we ended up joking on how life had changed between us since we were all living together at my mama’s place. I went and helped Christine make lunch after which the kids begged we go to the park. It was really fun as the kids kept busy running around while the three of us talked.

I left his place in the evening back home feeling all good.

Monday, January 24, 2011

Little Steps

My uncle’s place was near our home so we decided to walk over there instead of driving. The walk turned out to be fun as my parents started reminding themselves when they were still young and life was different back then.

We arrived a couple minutes after eleven o’clock and we were welcomed by my uncle and aunt along side their four year old kid named Michael. A cup of tea and some sandwiches were served to us. My mom started talking to my uncle in between the sips of tea regarding what had brought us to his place.

Peter, my mum’s brother was a lawyer with a well known firm in town. Although younger than my mom, he looked old than his age. I guess this comes with the territory of working in a profession like his. His wife, Lily was a marketer and she was beautiful. She was well kept and one wouldn’t even know she had a son.

As the conversation progressed, I heard my phone beep. I looked at it and saw it was Ann. I excused myself and left the room. I was nervous as we hadn’t spoken with each other since the incident and wondered what our conversation would be like. That all went down the drain when I heard her voice. She seemed in a good mood and she really missed me. Her work was going on well and although it was keeping her busy, she still missed some company around the house especially since Mike wasn’t communicating with her. I missed her too and it was good we got a chance to talk.

As I returned to join the others, I heard my uncle telling my mum that he could try ‘fix’ me up somewhere.

“Kate, your uncle has something to say.” Mum called out as I approached the room.

I sat down and listened to my uncle. He gave me some advice on being patient on waiting for a good job. He told me that he will try speaking with his colleagues so that they could at least let me know of vacancies. Well, that’s a start.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

No Sleep, No Gain

My mum woke me up today with a radio turned up on high volume after numerous attempts failed before. The classical music she had tuned in just did it. I lost my sleep.

“Hey wake up! Do you usually sleep like this?” She asked not amused.

“No. I’m just tired.”

“You need to wake up at this very moment. You have to prepare as we are about to leave.”

“Huh!?” I asked startled.

“Yea. We are going to your uncle’s place and you need to be there.” She replied and stormed out of the house.

This is one of the few things that I hated growing up. My parents had weird ways of surprising one with impromptu visits and trips. Apparently she had decided she missed her brother and decided to drag all of us in her trip. It wasn’t funny as I had decided on coming home to get some deserved rest.

I took a shower then headed downstairs and joined my dad. He was at his usual seat having coffee while reading the newspaper. I poured a cup of coffee and went to seat next to him.

“Morning.” He started.

“Hi dad.”

“How is everything?” he asked and looked at me. He had a way of knowing if something was wrong.

“It is good. Everything is okay.” I said.

“Did you manage to get a job?” he asked.

“Not yet but am still searching.” I replied.

“Don’t worry about it. I’m sure you will be able to get one soon. Your mum is setting you with one.” He said.

“Huh? How is she doing that?” I inquired.

“You are going to know in a short while.” He replied and started to read the paper.

“You mean mum is going to ask her brother to help me out?” I asked wishing it was all a joke.

“Yes.” He replied.

Friday, January 14, 2011

Back Home


I’m on my way home to see my parents whom I haven’t seen in about five months now. It has been a week since the incident and thought I should take a break from it all since things haven’t been the same with Ann and I. She has been more quiet and angry since Mike has never contacted her. Ann had confronted him over the phone and he hanged up on her. He hasn’t been picking her calls and the messages not replied. I guess she is still shocked with his behavior after trusting him over the time that they have been together. I thought I should give her some space to think about all of this through.

After about two hours on the road, the bus ascends to the bus station which is on the upper side of the small town. I alight and excitedly start walking to our house which is nearby. The house looks like it had undergone some renovations of its own as it has a fresh coat of paint and the front lawn looks marvelous. I proceed to knock on the door but no one answers it. I get a hold of my key and let myself in. I see my mum in the back yard feeding the cat. She is shocked at first but she smiles and hugs me.

“Why didn’t you tell me that you were coming? I could have made you something special.” She asks smiling.

“I didn’t want you to get so worked up about me coming home.”

“Worked out about what? It is really nice to have you home Kate and I wouldn’t mind. Your dad and I had started wondering why you were not coming home as you used to.”

“I’m sorry mum. I was busy with a few things.”

She led me inside the house and served me tea with some pancakes she had cooked earlier. It seems we have a lot of catching up to do as she hasn’t stopped asking questions.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

And the tears flowed


“What?” I shouted. I could not get how Mike would insult me and get away with it.

“Ann, are you sure he didn’t tell you about the incident?” Fred asked.

“He didn’t. I told you before.” Ann responded. “What are you going to do Kate?”

“I don’t know. He was drunk at the time and I bet he is already feeling guilty about it.”

“Or maybe he wasn’t that drunk and he wanted to take advantage of you.” Fred added.

“I don’t think we should make any conclusion about this.” Ann said looking very angry. “I’ll talk to him first then we can decide on the matter. Are you okay?”

“Not really. I still want him to pay for this.” I said.

We sat in silence for a little while. Fred tried to call Mike but he wasn’t picking up his calls so we decided to rest the matter till he comes back. Ann excused herself and went to the bedroom leaving me alone with Fred. I suggested we cook dinner but he insisted he wasn’t up for it so we decided to have a takeout at a nearby food joint. I went into the bedroom and found Ann curled up across her bed studying the bedroom ceiling.

“Ann, we are going over to Joe’s Place. Do you need anything?” I asked.

“No. I’m okay but thanks for asking.” She responded.

“Are you sure? You know you have to eat.”

“I’m”

After about an hour, Fred and I headed back but he declined to enter insisting it was really dark. He wished me good night and left. Ann was still curled up in the same position we had left her when I entered the house. She was sobbing.

“Ann, what’s wrong?”

“I just can’t believe Mike is capable of doing that.”

“Me too but maybe he was just drunk or something.”

“Yea…but he had no right to do what he did to you. What if Fred wasn’t around when you were being attacked?”

“I thought about that too but there is nothing we can do at the moment.”

“I just wouldn’t believe he was capable of that. I have known him for the past few years and something like this has ever come up.” Ann said placing the pillow behind her back for support.

I didn’t know what to say at this moment but i just leaned in and hugged her. I cried all the anger that i had and Ann joined in. I cried blaming myself why didn’t I report him to the police and why did he do that to me of all the people. He didn’t even bother to apologize to me and decided to go to his parents.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Recount

“Are you okay?” Fred asked after I cleaned up.

“I think so. How do you think Ann will react to this?” I asked fearing it would complicate things.

Fred came and sat next to me. “I think you should tell Ann everything that happened.”

“Okay. Let me send her a text and tell her to come straight home after work.”

Fred went and made us a cup of coffee and about an hour or so, Ann came home. She was on her mobile laughing but after seeing my swollen face, she dropped her phone and sat next to me.

“Kate, what happened to you? Were you attacked?”

“Yes.”

“Where? You have to go and report this to the authorities at once!”

“I was attacked in the house. Mike attacked me.” I replied slowly.

“Pardon?”

I told her what had happened between Mike and I. Fred chipped in when I stopped to hold back my tears. She was silent for a while as she struggled with the news.

“Oh my God! But I just talked with him and he didn’t mention anything.”

“Wait. Was he the one on the phone while you walked in?” I asked.

“Yea. He said he had to go to his parents today. I thought it was weird as he hadn’t told me before but I let it go.”