Lunch

“Let’s do lunch at Jo’s.” Fred suggested. “It has been a while.”

“Okay.” I responded. “I need a change anyways.”

We left the office and went downtown to the famous joint. Jo’s is a small establishment located in the heart of the city that serves beverages and home cooked meal. It was started in the middle 90’s by a couple who wanted a change in food presentation. Despite the changes in technology, political atmosphere, economy challenges and tastes, the joint has maintained itself as the go to zone if you want a good cooked meal.

We walked in and found the place really busy but managed to get a seat on one corner of the restaurant. The orders were taken and we waited a bit before we were brought the chicken stew and rice. Yum yum! It had been a while since I had good food like this. Fred seemed to be enjoying his meal too since he finished his plate in minutes before starting to scope on my mine! This really reminded me of our earlier dates with Fred. We used to explore new places and have dinner together.

Later on, we walked to the office slowly. We still had time before two o’clock and besides the boss was not coming back. As we took the last corner to the street that housed our office, we met with Mike carrying a bouquet of yellow roses. It was a pleasant surprise.

“What’s up dude? What are you doing this sides?” Fred asked him while giving him the boy hug.

“What’s up!” he responded then turned back to me. “Hi Kate.”

“We are good.”                           

“I was just from the flower shop down the street. Thought I should get these flowers for Ann.” Mike said.

“”Aaawww….” I started.

“Stop it Kate.” He said cutting me short.

We bust out laughing.

“She would really like them. It would be a nice surprise for her.” Fred said.

“Yea, thought so too.” Mike added. “So where are you guys from?”

“We went to Jo’s for lunch. It’s when we are heading back to work.”

“Okay then, I’ll leave you to head back. In the meantime, let me go check my family.” He said with a delight on his face.

“Say hi to them all.” Fred said. “Talk later.”

Office Meeting

It’s about 6.30 in the morning when I receive a text. I check it up and notice it’s my boss, Mrs. Wright. I quickly open it and see what is written.

                “Please come to the office by 7.30am. We have an early meeting. Be Punctual.”

I gasp! Which meeting is this that was set up and I didn’t know about it? I quickly dress up; have cereals then kiss Fred before driving to the office. There was no traffic. Seems it was a good time to get out of the house.

When I arrive in the office, I walk to the boardroom but get the room already full. At the center of the room, Mrs. Wright was seated on the middle of the table surrounded by the board members. On the left side of the room, there were chairs that were set up that other head of the departments that had sat on.  I quietly walk over and sit beside them. I remove my notepad and have my hand ready.

After about two or so hours, we emerge from the room tired. Tea and some snacks had been served near the entrance but I was a bit tired to take it at that time. The impromptu meeting was about the new upgrading system that was supposed to take effect immediately after complains of fraud emerging in the market. It would secure the company and make work even faster. We, the head of departments, were informed of this as it would affect our work at one point or the other.

I went to my desk and organized my desk. I later called the extension to Fred’s desk to check up on him.

“Hey, sorry for speeding out of the house in the morning.” I asked.

“Yea, what was that all about?” he asked.

“I was called to come attend a meeting in the office on upgrading the system.”

“Oh, so you done with it?”

“Just finished it.” I said. “I want to go have the tea and snacks that were handed out.”

“Cool, talk to you later. Can we catch up during lunch hour?”

“Definitely.” I responded.

Royal fever

I don’t know about you but I have been following up the Royals story. Ever since Kate got engaged with Prince William, I have been living on fantasy world. I mean, how many females can have so much luck like Kate? A simple commoner ending up with the Prince just as we have been dreaming of ever since we were little girls from reading fairy tales. They got married almost two years ago and seemed to have the best of marriages.

Last week, they were blessed with a beautiful baby boy and the media has gone crazy with the news.  I mean, who wouldn’t? I know sometimes the attention can be too much but what the hell? Who cares? It was on a Saturday reading one of those tabloid magazines which is filled with pictures from the day William and Kate went to the hospital to the presentation of the baby to the world. The pictures were really beautiful.

“Hey, so what’s new with the celebrities?” Fred asked sitting next to me. He was from the barbers.

“Same old…but there are pictures of the new baby William and Kate had.” I replied showing him the magazine.

“Oh, let me see.” He said taking the magazine and scrutinizing the pictures.

“Has Kate already had the baby in this one?” he asked pointing to one showing them holding the baby on the steps of the hospital.

“Yes, can’t you see the child?” I replied.                       

“And how comes she has a big tummy?” he asked looking confused.

I laughed. Fred cannot be this shallow.

“The stomach does not immediately go ‘flat’ once you give birth. It takes time.” I explained to him.

“Huh? But the baby is already out, what is in there?”

“Fred, really?” I said getting tired of his silly questions.

“But..” he started.

“You won’t understand. It’s a bit complicated.” I said.

My phone buzzed. It was my mother on the line. I answered the phone and talked to her. She was checking up on me since it has been weeks since my surgery. I assured her I was better and had even gone for a follow up and everything was fine. She was doing fine too and she had finally moved to the city. Although I had reservations on her moving her, it was going to do her good as she would be busy and be able to connect with her relatives more easily.

Holiday?

“Baby, we need to go for a holiday.” I said.

“What?” Fred asked.

“I think we can do a holiday. I need a break from all these stuff, from the ‘normal’ life.” I said trying to make the quotes from my hand in the air.

“Where is this coming from?” he asked confused.

“I don’t know. I just feel like we need to get away and go somewhere where and relax.” I said.

“Kate, are you trying to make yourself forget what happened? And we went for vacation just a few months ago during our honeymoon.”

“I know.”                                

“We are a bit short on cash especially since we used some of our cash on your hospital expenses. I hope you remember that the insurance didn’t cover all the bills at the hospital.”

“I remember.” I said slowly feeling defeated.

“Don’t worry dear, we will plan one soon.” He said kissing my forehead.

We then prepared ourselves then drove over to Ann’s and Mike’s house. While I was in hospital, the baby, Brad, had been baptized in one of the local churches around our area. Today, we were invited for a Sunday brunch to celebrate. I was dressed in a white dress that reached just above the knee. Fred was on dressed in white shorts, black t-shirt and a basketball cap. The weather was just too hot!

Ann was really excited to see us. She was at the front door ready to welcome us into the house. We were ushered in with a glass of chilled red wine which seemed too perfect for the weather. Mike was on the couch holding the little precious one. He was fast asleep but didn’t seem disturbed with the commotion. I was about to sit down but Ann grabbed my hand and directed me into the kitchen.

“How are you?” she asked.

“I’m okay, what about you?”

“We are all doing well. I am really glad that you are okay. I’m really sorry I couldn’t come visit you at the hospital or at home.”

“I understand, besides I was the one who asked Fred not to tell you guys.” I replied. “It was unfortunate but glad we are okay.”

Healing

The next three days were really long and uncomfortable for me. Lying all day looking up the white ceiling and the silence of the hospital made me feel more sick. The nurses did their rounds as if it was clockwork. They came at six in the morning, at ten, during lunch hour and in the evening.  Some of the people in the ward that I was in left and we remained only two of us alongside another elderly woman. Luckily for me, Fred and mum never left my bedside. I also received other visitors like my brother and his family who brought me beautiful flowers each time they came. Fred had also informed Ann and Mike. Although Ann wouldn’t make it, Mike came to see me the day I was being discharged. It’s good to have people around you that you can count on when in need.

Fred took me home and cared for me like a baby. The helped me bath which was a task since my lower tummy ached. He also helped feed me by preparing fruits and blending them. He also ensured that the bed was always made, the house clean and had a constant supply of movies to watch so that i couldnt get bored.

Without his help, I am not sure how I would have done it. The emotional support was the real deal for me. I cried a lot. The pain of losing the baby was too much but I also thanked God for giving me another chance to live. Deep in my heart, I thought maybe it a punishment for the abortion that I did over a year ago. Was I experiencing karma? I had gotten rid of a baby but when I really needed one, I lost it.  I wasn’t ready for it then so I decided on the easier way. Fred also spoke about it with so much difficulty and expressed how he truly felt. He actually shed a tear! He was sorry that it had happened the way it did. He also added that we give ourselves time to heal before we decide to try again.

I spent a total of two weeks at home before returning back to work. I didn’t do much work as my colleagues tried all their best to help me around. Some of them had visited my house to see me and they brought along flowers, card and a letter from my boss who passed her message to me. Everyone was really helpful.