A surprise visit

Chapter 5

The journey to his home wasn't too lengthy, we exited the vehicle and entered his house, we were unexpectedly greeted by a man "welcome Mr Rivers," he greeted, he was unfamiliar to me as he gave me a quick look "thank you, Ferdinand, this is Annette, a childhood friend of mine," Cole introduced me to Ferdinand "ah, Miss Annette's, Mr Rivers has spoken highly of you," he shook my hand and I accepted "oh, is that so? "Did he really?" Ferdinand smiled as Cole laughed the man also laughed and said "he did."

I saw some decorations inside the house, which looked slightly different from when I last cleaned it. A woman in her forties entered the living room with a young boy who ran straight to Cole. The boy resembled Cole, except for his light brown hair instead of Cole's black hair.

As she welcomed Cole, the woman took his coat and mentioned, "Welcome Mr. Rivers, and I think this is Miss Annette." She smiled at me, showing that she knew who I was. "Yes, I am Annette, nice to meet you," I responded. Cole's child looked at me curiously, and I smiled at him, he returned my smile shyly. "And you are?" I inquired of him, and he responded bashfully, "Collins Rivers." What an intelligent child. "Collins, that's a nice name. Would you like Aunt Anne to hold you?" Cole was already holding him, I observed how pleased Cole was as his child interacted with me, he signaled his approval and I took him into my arms, the woman let out a barely audible gasp that I could even hear, "he doesn't trust just anyone, he must really like you," she remarked, I can't deny that I also have a liking for him, even though we just met, he reminds me so much of his father, I chuckled, looking at him and asking, "so Collins, do you enjoy apple pie?" His eyes gleamed with excitement "I definitely need some apple pie" and Cole chuckled "I knew he's a foodie".

Collins began enjoying the apple pie, and, according to Cole, he truly adores food, savoring it like his father does, despite having some certain traits which he must have inherited from his mother like his hair and eye color. The boy is so good-looking, he is irresistible. "Your son is quite handsome," I tell Cole who agrees, saying "indeed, thank you for coming, Annette." I nodded happily in response, saying "you're welcome."

After finishing his pie, I spent some time playing with him. He became chatty and told me about his favorite toys, including Superman. He showed me the action figures his dad had bought him. I had a great time with him but it was time to leave. I will miss him a lot. "I'll come back, okay?" I say to Collins "I will take auntie to her destination, all right?" Cole told his son, Collins was already tired and he weakly replied to his father "okay, next time, auntie Annette." I grinned and kissed him, "I promise." It will be great to have my own family, but currently it seems like I'll remain single. I chuckled to myself at the thought of Cole getting married before me, with such a cute son. I bid my farewell and Cole walked me to his car, starting the engine once I was seated.

I have been expecting him to mention his wife, but he hasn't. I hesitate to bring it up, he must have a valid reason for not discussing her. "Thank you again, Annette" he said seriously. "It's no big deal, you would have done the same" I replied. "Perhaps" Perhaps? What is his intention in saying that? "Are you kidding or being sincere?" While driving, he maintained focus on the road, appearing to be thinking about what to say "it must've caught you off guard, huh?" He questioned, but then he continues "that's how life goes. I always had a feeling you would have eventually gotten married but I was wrong." well, true, If Rodney hadn't deceived me, I might have gotten married myself. He sneered, I glanced at him, he appeared wounded, but I can't figure out why, from what I observed, his life seems flawless, or is there something I'm missing? "Marriage," he expressed unhappiness, causing me concern, "Cole, are you okay?" This man is giving me the creeps. He furrowed his brow and shook his head, his expression revealing a pained smile, one that was unfamiliar to me even during our friendship.

We were close to my house when he suddenly said, "No, things are not okay. I will talk to you later about why I left suddenly and how I ended up getting married. I will tell you everything when I'm ready, Annette." I could see he was upset, and I nodded in understanding. "I'll be patient until you're ready to talk. Don't worry too much, okay?" He flashed me a comforting smile and said "alright".

As we reached my home he dropped me off and also came down himself to see my dad, we went in together, my dad was sitting in the living room reading a news paper when we walked in "dad, Cole came to greet you" my dad on seeing Cole stood up and smiled, he went towards Cole and held his shoulders, "oh, you've grown to be a real gentleman, my wife told me you're back, how have you been?" My dad says looking at Cole "I have been good sir, and you?" My dad laughed "well as you can see am good too" .

Both men talked for a bit before Cole went home, today was hectic, but I couldn't stop thinking about what Cole said, I thought he had it all together? Did he come here alone because of his marriage? I felt like I didn't truly know him as I used to.

I remembered when I used to get angry about his sudden departure. He was only fifteen and living with his mom when they both left without notice. I went to his house one day to ask why he wasn't in school. We weren't in the same grade, as he was eight months older. We usually went to school together. That morning, I assumed he had gone to school without me. Later, I found out he was not at school, so I thought he might be sick. When I returned home, my mom was not there, so I made porridge for him and went back to his house. Despite knocking and calling his name multiple times, no one answered. I feared the worst and ran back home, Edmond and Emilia were both present; "You didn't serve him the porridge?" Edmond inquired, "No one responded to my call, and the door was securely locked with his mom being absent." I suggested, "Perhaps they went out and will return soon, or maybe he was taken to the clinic. I sincerely hope he is safe." Emilia stretched her hands towards me "May I please have some porridge?" It is preferable for her to consume it rather than let it go bad. "just wait a little while Em, it's quite chilly, I'll heat it up."

Night came and I couldn't leave Edmond with Emilia to go knock on Cole's door because it was a little far from our house it was a twenty minutes walk, my mom came back home that day and found me worried, for some odd reasons I was so worried that I couldn't place my fingers on it, " why are you outside? " My mom asked " um I went to Cole's and he wasn't home, maybe he was sick but no one answered, he didn't come to school today" my mom sat close to me on the balcony, my heart skipped a bit, was he really that sick? Why does my mom wear such expression on her face? I held my breath for what she wanted to say "Cole and Sally left, Annette" left? Where to? "What do you mean by left?" I asked "they've gone out of this little town Annette, Sally had to take him to his dad so he'll have a better life than here" I stood up abruptly "he couldn't have left without telling me mom, are you lying?" My mom stood up also and took my hands, "I know you're upset because he didn't tell you but don't be upset, it is the right decision his mom could take".

I hurried into my room, Cole departed without informing me. Just as I was about to confess my feelings for him, he left without saying anything. I believed we were friends, but he didn't even say goodbye.

I wept that day and in the days that followed, I would wait outside his house hoping he would return but he never did, he abandoned me, I was devastated. Thirteen years have passed since then.

Thinking back, he actually didn't mention about his mom, and I forgot to ask about her. She only wanted the best for her son, so maybe him staying with his dad was the right choice. I'm curious why Cole looked sad though- did he not enjoy being with his dad or getting married? he looked quite hurt at the mention of the word marriage, and he was somewhat happy that I wasn't married either, I pondered on it until I drifted off to sleep.