COLD SUMMER

CS 4: SUMMER

Summer (4)

He looked at his watch and sighed. His shift was over and he needed to go home. He goes to remove the apron and changed his clothes before going back to the kitchen

“shift’s over” someone said

“yes Collen, you up”

“love you too Alex”

Alex chuckled as he left the restaurant, he took a deep breath before walking to the parking lot where his cycle was. He stood and admired it from a distance. He had changed it’s color and inscribed the name Rebecca on it.

His son’s departure marks a year tomorrow and he needed to get home and look over what he has planned out for the day.

He walked up to the bike and hopped on it

“its time to go home, Rebecca” he said as he wore his helment, started the cycle and drove out of the lot.

He hadn’t heard from laurel or Teresa and he never tried to reach them. About 8 months ago, his mother appeared on his doorstep with her belongings.

Flashback

He opened his door and saw Alice

“Alex” she said

“umm, you’re looking for who?” he asked and she pursed her lips

“would you just leave me out here, it’s about to rain”

“Do I know you?, Have we met?”

“Alex’s please, I beg you. I know that I’ve not been the best mother to you and we’ve all wronged you but please, I’m here now”

“I don’t have a mother, she died years back”

“Alex..”

“stop, please, I am just not in the mood”

“I have nowhere to go, I have left your father”

“I don’t have a family, woman, don’t you get it”

He sighed

“please just go, find yourself a place to stay. I don’t have much, I would have given you something to get a room”

“I don’t need your money Alex, all I need is your forgiveness”

“Yeah, tell that to the son you abandoned years ago” he sighed again “im busy trying to eat, please, leave my doorstep” he closed the door and rested on it

“Alex, Alex please” she said as she knocked the door

He could hear the clap of thunder but he cared less about it, he headed back to the dining room to eat.

Later

The rain had reduced and he needed to go to the store to get groceries. He wore his jacket, grabbed his cycle keys but on getting outside, he saw his mother by the doorstep all drenched in rain and shivering

“mother” he said

She stood up and gave a small smile “Alex” she fell and passed out

Present day

He opened the door and entered but it was obvious that his mother wasn’t at home. He went to her room to affirm it and he was right, she wasn’t home. He was about heading for the sitting room when he heard the front door open and he definitely knew who that was.

“Alex, you home” she called out

He headed to the sitting room

“you went shopping” he said looking at the bags

“Yes, I had to…we’re going to have a lot of visitors tomorrow, Alex. I needed to cook”

He nodded, trying not to elongate the conversation. He had planned to have the memorial beside Wave’s grave side all on his own.

“Brianna and Julianna Fisher are joining me”

“why?” he said as he removed his gloves

“don’t be hostile Alex, it’s just to help not to seduce you” she said as she entered the kiglove

“yeah and that’s why Brianna wants to always clean my room” he said as he entered the kitchen to help her unpack, Alice chuckled

“Go out and bring the rest of the bags, my son”

He mumbled before going out to bring them in.

“Why did you have to buy so much?” he asked

“that’s because we’re not expected to starve Alex, are we?” she asked him

“well no” he said

“great, help me fill up the refrigerator before you go lock yourself inside your room”

He’s hasn’t really been opened to her but she’s been glad that he’s allowed her to live with him. Even though he says very less to her, he responds to her calls, helps her if she needs a hand and sometimes keeps her company. She would say this is their longest conversation since she’s started living with him and she’s grateful that he didn’t shut her out completely.

As he arranged the items, he thought about the lady he saw at the cliff. Is she Rebecca?, he had always asked himself. He never tried to borrow again but instead managed everything he has and even though he still not pleasant with her, his mother’s presence had actually helped to reduce loneliness and his suicide thoughts.

Sometimes he wondered why she’s here, why the sudden change of mind about leaving her all knowing husband for her wretched son who has grown accustomed to being a nobody. He had always been a nobody since the beginning of his life, no one never knew that he was related to Gary Burnham, that part had been held a secret to the world. His mother never allowed Gary to expose him to the world. Alex had lived most of his life with his maternal family in Trinidad and did whatever pleased him.

His grandparents passed away 2years after his father sent him away and his mother happened to be the only child. He had them as his support but when they were snatched from him, it was like as ive part of him was gone.

Later again, Neil passed away also and then Wave, the only child of his who loves him so much. It was like death was intentionally taking away all those who stood by him. Now, his mother is by his side and he wondered, will she pass away also?, will he be lonely for the rest of his life?.

“Alex” he snapped out of his thoughts and looked at her

“you were carried away, what were you thinking about?”

“Nothing”

She didn’t push it and nodded,

“I’ll make dinner”

He did not reply her and left the kitchen instead, leaving his work halfly done.

Alice sighed and hoped that he is fine in and out. Gary never reached out to her, she knew he wouldn’t but hoped he would sometimes but now, she doesn’t care anymore. She’s left him and his ex-wife’s children to their evil. She’s been so blinded and abandoned her son for people that does not even worth it but now she’s back with her son and she’s never been this happy.

She’s been saving money secretly since her marriage to Gary had entered its full course. Even though Alex collected not one penny from her, she still won’t back down from helping her only child.

“mummy” Teresa shouted

“hey baby” Laurel said as she hugged her tight “how was school, my dear?”

“great mummy”

“that’s good. Come my dear, nanny Lana has prepared something delicious for you” Laurel said as they headed to the kitchen

“Teresa”

“yes mommy”

“we might visit your father tomorrow”

“is it because of Wave’s memorial?” Teresa asked

“yes my dear. We have to pay your little brother his respect”

Teresa sighed “I do want to see dad” she said and they were quiet for a while “can’t we help dad?, I know you divorced but we should still help him with his debts. Dad has no one but us”

“I don’t think Alex has debts and it puzzles me every single time cause I’ve been wondering how he paid it all.”

Flashback

“im glad it’s all over” she said stopping him and he sighed

“what do you want, laurel?”

“don’t try to fight for custody rights”

“Never crossed my mind”

That stunged a bit

“let me help you…to pay the debts. I can give you enough to get a life”

He turned and gave her one of his cold stare and that sent shiver down her spine

“I’ll prefer not to have a life if getting one is from yóur hands, Laurel” he said and walked away

Alex, he seemed different. She went outside and saw him hop on a motorcycle. She knew, that the cycle was one of a kind and wondered how he got it. He wasn’t the weak Alex she knew. He has ego quite alright but not this much that it sends real fear into the deepest part of her heart.

Present day

Thinking about it brought back the fear she felt that day. This new found attitude will bring up something she might end up not liking.

She stood up, leaving her daughter and headed for her room.

She isn’t supposed to care or bother herself about Alex but since the divorce, he can’t seem to get out of her head and she’s so eager to see him, to fish out what’s new about him.

The next day

He used a pillow to cover his ears, he’s suddenly lost interest in Wave’s memorial, all he wanted to do was respect his son in his own way. He couldn’t relive it again, to accept the fact that Wave is dead.

The room door opened and Alice came in. She saw how he positioned himself and knew immediately that he wasn’t Interested in anything they were about to do. Surprisingly, everyone invited was present, including Wave’s mother.

She sighed and goes to sit at the edge of the bed, she tapped his leg slowly but he didn’t move.

“please Alex, get out of this shell. You’ve made new friends, Collen, Gregor, Raphael and simon. Everyone you know is at the backyard, they all left their respective lives to spend this day with you. 90% of the people out there weren’t there when wave died and was laid to rest, most didn’t even know him but they’re all here to be with you and help you through it” she sighed and stood up “I am here for you Alex, I’ll always be” she said and left.

After a while, he stood up and decided to take his bath and wear the cloth his mother had bought for this memorial. He’s gonna hate this, he’s so sure of it.

He went down the stairs and to his surprise, they were all there. Laurel’s family, his family except his father. Anger ran through him like his blood and he could feel it almost bursting out of him

“what are you all doing here?” to his mother “why are they here?, Did you do this?”

“Alex, please” Alice said

“you said you wanted to respect my son not disrespect his memory” he snapped at Alice

“Alex…”

“don’t you dare, don’t..”

“Alex, we are his family” Bruce said and Alex let out a chuckle and then laughed

“his family!” he said mockingly and looked at Yna “his family and some people couldn’t even show their condolences openly”

He breathed in deeply and calmed himself

“you know what, I’m not in the mood. I’ll just go back to where I was coming from” he said and went back to his room. He smashed some of the things around him angrily and that startled the people down below.

“This was a bad idea” Kai said and Alice turned to him

“why are you even here in the 1st place?”

“Laurel invited us” Bruce said

“you invited them” Alice said “what is this?, to taunt my son” she said angrily

“Alice” loisa started “we all abandoned him, them but my daughter has come to her senses. We are all here to give Wave his respect, to support Alex”

“My son needs none of you’s support”

“don’t act all better Alice, he is your only child and yet, you abandoned him for 8years” Liam said and Alice was about to say something but swallowed back her words and left

Alex picked up Wave’s picture from his cabinet and held it tight to his chest. He sat on the floor and sobbed his heart out. For the past one year, he’s shut everything out, forgot about his son being dead, divorcing his wife and having his daughter away. The only memory he held was that he made by the cliff with a complete stranger and that has given him great strength. He’s made friends that made him really happy and support him in both stupid and good way.

Collen came into the room and saw Alex on the floor, he sighed. He met Alex 10months back and they’ve been really good to each other. He knew Alex had a lot in his heart and was hurting greatly but the man kept it cool and always lived his life but right now, he’s seeing a different Alex. A grieving father, a broken husband and a rejected son.

He goes to sit beside him but didn’t say a word to him till he noticed that his cry had subdued but Alex went quiet instead.

“Alex, it’s Collen”

Alex didn’t respond to him

“they’re not worth your tears, Man” no response “I don’t know what might have happened between you and your family but I don’t want you to make their presence ruin the love and respect you want to give to your son”

Alex raised his head and looked at Collen. He’s never told Collen about his true backgrounds and Collen didn’t push it. He knew that Collen had always been concerned about him but Collen also knew that he wasn’t interested in talking about his life

“im sorry that I lied about the fact that I don’t have a family”

Collen chuckled and then smiled

“I knew you had, it was written in your eyes and I could see the pain and hatred that came along with it. So, I never pushed it”

“they hurt me real hard and bad”

“We don’t have to talk about it now Alex, all I want is for you to come down and join us at the backyard”

“I don’t want to”

“you don’t have to talk to your family, your ex-wife or her family”

“how did you depict it all?”

“I didn’t, I was just there when they arrived and was there when they were all blabbering around”

Alex raised a brow at him for a moment before chuckling and shrugging it off

“you’ve already known about me having a wife and daughter”

“Yeah but I only care about you and your moving forward but not about them. Your mother loves you Alex and trust me, she didn’t bring them, your wife…

“Ex-wife” Alex corrected

“ex-wife did” Collen said and they laughed “give your mother a second chance, she’s everything. I wish my mother was still alive, their over protection attitude is so similar”

Alex laughed and then chuckled

“I don’t wanna forgive her, I don’t wanna forgive any of them but me not forgiving them doesn’t bring me any good thing and biblically, it’s wrong”

“Yeah, at least one of us knows Jesus”

Alex laughed again

“give your life to Christ Collen” he said as he stood up to drop the picture back on the cabinet

“wave was a cute baby”

Alex smiled “im really proud of my son and I hope we meet again”

“There’s no life after death, i***t” Collen said standing up

“there’s life in Jesus, Ediat” Alex said and Collen gave him a small punch on the shoulder

“ouch you bastard, you know that I just removed my hand support. And it still hurts sometimes”

“Sorry, sorry” Collen said and stepped back “so you coming down”

He gave a small nod

“Doesn’t seem like it, Alex”

“don’t push your luck Collen” Alex said as he looked at him and Collen could see the anger that was starting to rise in his eyes

“ok, do whatever you wish, I’ll be downstairs”

“I don’t want to be here Collen, I want to be beside my son”

Collen sighed and pursed his lips

“ok, brighten up and let’s visit Wave’s site together. Is that ok?”

“Hmm” Alex said

Just then the door opened and Laurel stood by the door way

“Alex” she said

He remembered Collen telling him that she was the one that brought the guests and that ignited his anger

“I’ll just go” Collen said and left the room, leaving them alone.

She closed the door and stared at Alex for a while. She was right, the Alex before her is not the one she’s always known, this new Alex is wicked.

“we should talk” she said and he gave a dangerous smirk

“talk?. What the f**k are you doing in my room?”

“Last time I checked, this is our room” she said

“was our room but now, it’s MY ROOM, i***t”

She tried not to be offended

“I’ll let that slide Alex, for old time sake and for Wave”

“Did you kill wave?”

“Excuse me!, Kill my own son!, Like, WTF”

“Then, why the f**k are those people here?, why are they here?”

“Those people are our family, his uncles, aunties and grandparents”

“Tf Laurel, Tf you talking about. When did wave have all that?, Where were they when he was born?, when he grew, when he fell sick, when we were rotting in poverty?, Where tf were they when Wave was in the hospital?, When he had his heart surgery and when he passed away in my hands?”

“There’s something called forgiveness and second chance, Alex”

He scoffed at first and then laughed

“forgiveness, Second chance, right, very right. I should let them all waltz into my life like it’s ok to be abandoned for 9years, to be spat on, to be ridiculed, to be forgotten and to loose a child” he barked at her and she stepped back a little

He sighed and goes to sit on the bed

“you know what Laurel?, Get the f**k out of my room” he said

“Alex…” she started

“Get out, laurel” he said calmly without looking up

“you can’t…” she started and he cuts her off

“GET THE f**k OUT” he snapped and she was startled. She went to the door

“who are you Alex?, What has hatred turned you to?” She said before leaving

He can’t believe she stood there and said a bag load of garb to his face and expect him to waltz with it like a stupid, f****d up lord who just met the woman of his dreams. Forgiveness is going to be really hard but he will eventually have to do it but second chance, give em WHAT?. Someone better not play on his intelligence cause he has more on his hands than people that isn’t worth his worry a teeny little bit. There and again, the name REBECCA rang in his ears and it sent a jolt to his heart.

She didn’t try to look at her family, she was sure they heard their argument and how he chased her out with angry words. She’s not ready for pity faces or questions about what really transpired, all she needed was a full glass of white wine and nothing but complete silence. It was once her house, her home, she knew where to get her peace.

Collen turned off the engine and they looked at they looked at the site before then

“you sure you want to do this” Collen asked but Alex didn’t respond “Alex..” Collen said

Alex opened the door and got down from the car, opened the backseat and took the flowers there before walking away

“Common man, wait for me” Collen shouted as he got down from the car, locked it and hurried to catch up with Alex

“He’s just too fast” Collen thought as he ran after Alex

Alex stopped and bent by the graveside of his son

“hey wave, dad is here to honor you” he said and Collen ran in

“and some wierdo called uncle Collen” he added

“Very funny Alex” Collen said “you want your son to visit me and call me weird Collen in my dream”

Alex looked at him for a while before turning back to wave