THE EX WIFE'S RECKONING

Chapter 11

A beam of light stole through the curtain. And darkness was relieved of its duty. The honk from flying vehicles greeted disruptively.

It was yet another Saturday where the family had breakfast rituals. If you were a member of the Laurent’s family living within the city, you had to be there or get fined with a wholesome visit by a large number of the family, in troops.

What fine, per se?

You just had to be prepared to treat the Laurents’ with different delicacies. Gizzards were sacred, and every Laurent must have at least 10 pieces in the reservoirs, lest any family member step in to have a good time.

Unlike every other Saturday. This Saturday was the mad devil. who demanded everyone be dressed in ebony black.

Sorrows won a case over sheer moments of happiness. Spencer has not only been part of the family, but Sophia’s greatest play mate.

You could tell from her fallen jaw, and pale floppy ears that Spencer was unhappy. Maybe her best friend ignored her.

She had curled up in the balcony for two weeks, waiting for that annoying call from Sophia, her usual way of teasing that went; Spen. C Spen. C..

********

The cloud cried, uncontrollably on their behalf as they headed for the graveside. Their tears, washed in the rain. The rain was the closest comforter to their skins. But far from their broken hearts.

“...till we meet again and part no more.” Those were the priest’s last words after a transparent glass casket had been lowered six feet deep into the earth at The Dave Man’s Cemetery.

Where do broken hearts go? Do they ever get mended? Naomi felt pains churning in her guts, with swollen eyes that now looked like a bee sting. She had cried herself to sleep the previous night. If her tear glands had a mouth, it would have begged for a break. Since there's more for each to do in the coming weeks.

“Come here, my little angel,” an elegant tall light skinned woman in her early 50’s invited Naomi for a warm hug with a shaky voice. All 16 including the Priest made for the car after placing pink-red-assorted colourful flowers which gave a sweet fragrance of Creed perfume on the soil, near Sophia’s new home. They couldn't help but stop at regular intervals to bid farewell to the departed.

****

Slowly, each tormenting seconds turned to days, and the days to weeks, to months.

Naomi found a reason to live again after the torments. She has a little Ethan in her. A spark of hope was restored. She ran her palm through her stomach and patted it gently, whispering, “I will give you the best life. I will protect you from my mistake.”

Buzzzz.. Buzzz.. Buzzzz..

Naomi’s phone kept buzzing, calling her attention. She lazily walked to the balcony and picked it up. Her face brightened as she picked up the call.

“Hello, how are doing Carmen… I”. She cut heself inbetwixt words when she perceived terror in her whimpers over the call. “What is going on, Carmen?”

“Mrs… sorry.. Miss.. the Government just served us a letter to evacuate the building as it is marked for demolision. We don't know why this would be happening to us.” Carmen fell into a loud cry stemming from shock and the mere thought of losing her high paying job in a highly reputable fashion house in the City where she can easily juggle school with work.

“Ma’am… are you there Ma’am? Hello..?”

Naomi fell to the floor at the unpleasant news. The shock had cut through her stomach, giving her uncontrollable muscle spasm that she passed out.

pum.. pum.. pum.. the call ended.

****

“The baby is fine. And she will wake in a couple of hours. She needs more attention, love and care at this trying moment. During our diagnosis we traced unhealthy shots of antidepressants in her blood sample, which contributed to the shoot in her blood pressure since she had only been suppressing it with antidepressants. Is everything okay with her?” The Doctor reported and requested for further details to see how she could help best.

“Doctor, can you stick to your job? Your job is to make her wake. Get that!” Naomi’s mother shot a bitter tongue at the doctor with her face displaying passionate disapproval for being nosy.

“Mrs. I sincerely apologize for walking into boundaries.” “You better be.”

“Oh. Nurse Williams, you're here. Here’s the prescription for the next shot of hydralazine for the evening, only.” The doctor instructed stretching the patient’s record book to the nurse as she exited the ward.

Enters Nathan; “Is she fine? What's happening with her, Mrs?” “Is she fine? how about the baby?”

“Nathan, have you not caused us enough pain? You and your convicted brother. Do you think we are fools? You come here acting all innocent when you and your brother are solidly behind the next disaster that will befall that fashion house which I made a lot of sacrifices to erect for my daughter?” Naomi’s Mother blurted at Nathan unapologetically.

Nathan’s jaw dropped, bemused. And his face lost all expressions. “What do you mean?”

“You know what, Nathan, we will be more than glad if you excuse us at this trying time before I call the attention of the security to bundle you out like a thief.” She snorted, unfazed.”

Nathan dragged his feet and his face in his palm and made for the door. What a shame. what a shame, he thought to himself.

****

“Stone, like you have known me over the years, I am a very simple and generous man, I have just one gift for every betrayer I have met in the past life and now. And you know what that gift is?” “No, sir.” Stone blurted almost immediately.

“R-e-v-e-n-g-e”. Damian spelled out the words. “You know why?” “No, sir.” Stone responded, swinging his head from side to side. “Only God has the power to forgive. I don’t.”

“Sir, the doctor called while you were fast asleep. He advised that you visit the hospital by next week for the final surgical operation.” Stone broke the silence that gripped the room.