Chapter 19
I was trying to concentrate on my homework,
with 2-year-old Piper, it was very hard. I’d attended to the University of
Florida and was majoring in engineering. Two months ago, after my and Piper’s
birthday as well as twins’, me and Chris had got engaged.
As he promised, my dad had tried his
best to find some clues about my mother and just a week ago, he had come home
with great news: He had finally learned that she was a kindergarten teacher at
some elemantary school. Immediately we’ve planned what day we could go to
Ruskin so that i could meet her. When everything was set up, this time i
couldn’t get over the excitement of seeing her, and that was another reason why
i couldn’t concentrate on my homework.
A day before my trip to Ruskin, i was
trying to decide what i should wear. A good elegant dress or just a plain top
and jeans? While i was endeavoring with that, Vanessa came into my room,
looking sad. She stopped at the edge of my bed and took Piper in her arms who
was playing with her toys on the ground.
“Yeah Vanessa?” i said smiling.
“Uhm...your dad wants to talk with you
about..about...”
“My mother?” i completed still
smiling. But being an intuitive person, i also asked if something was wrong.
She didn’t look at me just whispered that my dad was at the terrace.
I qiuckly went out of my room and to
the terrace, where my dad was sitting on a chair; his elbows rested on his
knees, his blond head fell into his hands.
“Dad?” i whispered as i placed my hand
on his shoulder. “Sre you alright?”
A thrill went my spine when he raised
his head revealing his teary eyes. He took a deep sigh and stood up.
“I’m so sorry baby..” he said
ruefully, opening his arms to give me a hug.
“Sorry for what?” i asked
apprehensively, stepping back.
His arms fell to his sides, and he
lowered his head. He took another deep sigh, the expression on his face was
giving me the creeps.
“Something wrong with my mother?” I
managed to say.
“I don’t know hot to tell this but...i
know..that you’re a strong girl...” he started leisurely.
“What happened?”
“I know that you can handle this
situa-“
“WHAT HAPPENED??” I yelled this time.
He looked down.
“Your mother had passed away three
days ago....”
Something deep inside my heart sunk.
As i closed my eyes, i whispered “What?” incredulously.
“I’m so sorry honey...”
“I don’t believe you. She’s alive and
i’m gonna meet her tomorrow right? YOU CAN’T KEEP ME AWAY FROM HER THIS
TIME!!!! I WON’T LET YOU DO IT AGAIN!!!!” I yelled.
“It’s okay baby, everything’s gonna be
okay...” he tried to hug me. I wiggled and rescued myself from his arms.
“NOTHING’S GONNA BE OKAY DAY.
NOTHING!!! I SPENT 20 YEARS OF MY LIFE FOR THIS DAY AND NOW WHAT I GOT?
NOTHING!!!!!!” I yelled and collapsed onto floor, crying frantically. He
squated down next to me.
“I know how you feel right now but
everything will be okay. What will Piper do if you act like this. You’re a
mother right now, there’s a human being in this world who looks up to you...
You’re a strong girl and can handle it. Please baby, i beg you...please...” me
dad whispered in my ear, swaying me back and forth in his arms. I buried my
head in his chest and cried inwardly.
“Mommy?” i heard Piper’s weak voice
coming towards the door.
There stood her, looking at me widely
with her big brown eyes. I opened my arms and she ran towards me and hugged me
with her little arms.
“Why are you crying mommy?” she asked
innocently.
“I just...i don’t feel very good
honey, that’s why..” I wiped the tears from my cheeks.
“Grandad, where’s Meggie and Randy?”
she asked her young grandad.
“They’re sleeping right now, why don’t
you go and sleep also? Go tell grandma, she’ll read you your favorite story...”
he suggested.
“Will she?” she asked, her face
gleamed with happiness.
“Why not?” my dad said smiling.
“OK!” she said, placing a soft kiss
both on my and my dad’s cheeks.
After Piper left the terrace, we stood
up. I hugged him tightly as he told me that we were setting out to Ruskin
tomorrow morning to attend the funeral. I nodded silently as i made my way
inside to phone Chris. What i needed desperately at that moment was his warm
arms.
***
