CAUGHT IN THE 'MIXST'

THE SECRET

CHAPTER ONE

Lee Author Lawrence Sr. Avenue, Miami Florida, USA

  The night was a cold freezing one down till the morning. The wind whipping through the trees making them groan like an old rocking chair. It was winter. Tiny little specs of fluffy white balls floating down to earth and covering it in an icy grip making the place all bright and blurry. The snow blazing in the sun, seeming to strew a heat that tempts one to step outside yet crave immediate warmth the moment one does.

  Standing on wearied legs was a figure, a masculine figure covered in a sweat suit with arms on the windowpane peering through to find crisp white layers covering the field. With a bottle of whiskey in hand, it was a long night since he found out. One could detect the notes of sadness in his every movement. A pained soul he had become. He paced around the room absentmindedly muttering inaudibly before dropping right back on the hard floor with a thud. He gulped down another full cup of whiskey.

''No... How could she do this to me? Why? Why? What have I not done for her. I tried... I tried to be loving and less controlling but she took me for granted. Vanessa... Vanessa...'' He took out a cigar and lit it. ''I wish to God I never met you. I wish to God I never loved you...'' The words trailed off before someone opened the door. It was the house keeper. Old man Burton. A man who in his own words 'have seen the world in seventy seven years' 

''Mr. Jordan, Mr. Jordan... Please, talk to me.'' One could feel the tone of agitation even in his old and seemingly croaky voice.

He could barely reply the old man as he had almost passed out due to his excessive consumption of whiskey but for the old man who was able to revive and get him to talk. He was only able to mumble some few words. ''She left me...'' Old man Burton was confused. 

''Sir...who did?''

''Vanessa. She...(hiccuping) she left me''. 

''What happened sir?''

His questions were left hanging as the excessive whiskey had taken its full effect. He had drowned into the deep sea of weariness and sleep seemed to be his only comfort. Mr. Burton thought it best to let him be. He went to get some blankets to cover him up.

''He will be sober when he wakes up''. He assured as he gently placed his head on the pillow he had brought along with the blankets.

In the evening,the snowballs made by little neighborhood children had already melted into thick freshwater layers that could possibly float on super - salty oceans. 

Daniel Jordan, flipping the pages of a magazine he was reading while lying down on a couch, he seemed to be in his right frame of mind. One would have even assumed he switched bodies. He was having cheese burgers when he heard a gentle knock on his door. It was old man Burton.

''Mr. Jordan. Hope you are feeling better sir.''

''I'm sorry Mr. Burton. You should never have met or seen me in that state.''

''It's alright sir... I understand this has to do with matters of the heart.''

A chuckle escaped Daniel's lips.

''Why would you think that?''

''Uhhh...cause I've been young once. And I think I still remember how a broken heart feels like.''

Now came the laughter. 

''So, someone has broken your heart before Mr. Burton?''

''We all have had our own fair share of heart breaks.''

''I'm sorry about that.''

''I'm 77 years old... The past is way passed. We live through life. I'm worried about you Mr. Jordan. You know your father would be upset if he finds you like this.''

''I know... I'm sorry.''

''So if I may ask sir, who is the lady?''

Daniel sat up to get a cup of coffee but soon returned with two cups.

''I'll tell you if you'll have a cup of coffee with me.''

''Oh sure. With pleasure sir.'' He replied, grabbing one cup for himself as Daniel held the other.

''Her name is Vanessa. We've been dating for a while now. She's always been whining about me not being there for her or not giving her the proper attention she needs but Mr Burton, I know I been trying my best. I really have.''

''So what happened?''

''Two days ago, I decided to go pay her a surprise visit and I was going to tell her my intentions of making her my wife. I was going to ask her to marry me when we are done with college but on getting there, she...''

He sighed as he used his left palm to rub his eyes as if to stop a tear from dropping.

''Let me guess sir...'' Mr. Burton cut in. ''You found her with another person''.

''No. Mr Burton. I didn't just find her with another person. I found her having s*x with him. And she was absolutely not sorry about it.''

There was silence. One could hear the sound of the clock echoing across the large room. It was already running late.

''I think you young people are hyper active in all your ways. Pleasures of youthful exuberance oftentimes leaves stains of regret which we all would be ashamed to look back on.''

''But Mr. Burton, I was true to my words.''

''Do you still love her, Mr Jordan?''

''What?''

''If you still love her, you should give her another chance. We all make mistakes.''

Daniel Jordan wandered off in thoughts, wondering if the old man in fact really understands before looking up and waving the idea with a sullen shake of the head.

''Thank you Mr. Burton. I will be fine.''

Mr. Burton got up as if to leave but then turned again.

''Mr. Jordan.''

''Yes''

''She doesn't know about your inheritance right? The estate...''

''No. She doesn't. But why do you ask?

''I wouldn't know sir. I'm just glad she never got to find out.''

''You fear she might be a gold digger Mr. Burton?''

''Again sir, I wouldn't know but one cannot be certain.''

He proceeded outside the door holding the coffee cups. His gait was not so bad for a man in his late 70's. A father figure to Daniel and who has also been the house keeper and Mr. James Jordan's confidant. Their relationship had spanned over 30 years. It was very unlikely for Daniel to hide things that troubled him. 

''I will return these sir. Try get some rest.''

''Goodnight Mr Burton.''

Alone on his couch as he ruminated over his discussion with the house keeper, his thoughts dragged back to his early childhood. He hardly remembered anything but there was an immense sense of dexterity he employed whenever he daydreams. Creating or imagining scenarios which would make him smile or even burst into a chuckle for some seconds. He got up and dragged himself in awkward lethargy towards his bed and that was his curtains call. 

The morning that followed in the winter season didn't have much of the fluffy white balls falling from the sky. Just the cold breeze which seemed to have had its wavy torrents trapped in an unknown penitentiary. Dry leaves getting squashed when stepped on. Glad all these will soon be over. 

The alarm clock seemed to have been ringing since forever but Daniel had been dead asleep.

''Jesus! How long have I slept for?'' He asked himself yawning and stretching shamelessly before turning off the alarm and falling right back to bed. Seeing the time was 9:30am. Breakfast was going to be by 10am. It's been like a ritual. The few years he had spent with his mum when she was in the United States with him, she had always noted or pointed out the importance of taking one's breakfast not later than 10am. He would never know why but it's already become part of him so... He knew better to just go get ready. 

Getting up from his bed, his phone rang. Seeing the caller, he couldn't help but c***k a smile which to him was even surprising. Here was the person he was bitter about yesterday and now here he was, smiling sheepishly upon seeing her call. He picked with air of anticipation.

''Hey.''

''Hi Daniel... Look I can explain...''

''Explain? You mean lie?''

''Look Daniel. You were just not there when I needed you and I desperately needed to cool off.''

He was high raged but managed to keep his cool.

''Oh really? You know I had intentions to propose to you. Vanessa, I wanted to marry you after college. So many plans and intentions i had for you. How could you?'' 

The lines went dead silent for a while.

''Daniel, I'm sorry but I really am not ready for commitment. A life of commitment right now just isn't it for me.''

''What?!'' Daniel screamed in bewilderment. ''What do you mean Vanessa?''

''I meant what I said Daniel. I am not ready.''

That seemed to be the last straw that finally broke the Carmel's back. Daniel exhaled.

''It's over between us.'' 

The lines went off and a still silence enveloped the moment. It was like life was paused for a very short time as Daniel tried to reflect over what he just heard. He stood there, oblivious of how long. A thought raced into his head. Was it not high time he visited his parents already? They were in Lagos, Nigeria and it's been years he'd seen them. It was as if he had been fully adopted by old man Burton even though he remembers his parents visiting and staying with him for a couple of months.

Daniel Jordan, a graduate from the medical school of Minnesota, he could never seem to grasp why his father never asked about his return to Nigeria but only about business and relationships. He had a lot of questions and he needed answers.

A knock on the door jolted him back to consciousness. He checked the time again. It was almost 12pm. He smiled. ''I wonder what ma would have said if she were here.''

''Your breakfast is served sir.'' 

''Will be right with you.''  

Breakfast was served. Scrambled Eggs with Bacon with a cup of hot coffee. It was a pleasing sight to behold. Mr. Burton was obviously a man of many talents. Everything seemed perfect. This was the life. Fork and knife kissing the plate as he picked the eggs and straight into the mouth. He savored every taste of it. 

''Mmhhm... Delicious. I love it.'' he said amidst a mouthful. ''You know... I often wonder why my dad never asks or bothers to know about my returning to Nigeria. It shocks me even more when my mum wouldn't even say anything. Is there something you know about this Mr. Burton?''

Old man Burton grimaced. ''I know nothing sir, other than your parents being busy businessmen...''

''...oh please...'' Daniel interrupted him raising his fingers. ''I've been hearing that for the past five years in a row.'' He sipped his coffee and continued. ''I'm not a kid anymore and I'll really appreciate you realise that''.

''Mr. Jordan, I honestly am not in a position to discuss this sir.''

''Certainly, it's because you know something.''

''I am not in a position to tell you. Your father made me swear it.''

''My father?'' Daniel asked in bewilderment. ''....now we are getting somewhere...:'

''...but whatever the reasons may be, I am sure it is for your own good.'' 

Daniel sat still. Looking forlorn. He would be graduating in a few months time. Perhaps, his parents would be around. Then will he ask and they had better have good reasons. Having been born and brought up in the United States of America, he could never understand why his parents were against his return to his home country.. He had a lot of questions and he desperately needed answers.