Chapter Two: Past
1201 Words
Marissa Brook
"Mummy?" I called out to my mum as she walked away. Turning her back on us as she clasped her hands with the man beside her.
My dad shushed me, pulling me closer to his chest and started walking away.
"Who is that guy?" I pulled back from his chest to look up at him. He ignored me and continued walking.
Is he a relative of ours? Maybe its mum's cousin? Or a long lost brother?
No my mother doesn't have a missing sibling.
We entered the fast food restaurant. A sound of people chattering filling my ears as the smell of fried chicken filled my nostrils.
He placed me on the stool on the counter and he sat beside me, wiping his cheeks.
"What do you want to eat Riss?" My dad asked, flipping the menu over.
I just shrugged not knowing what to say.
"You know, you gotta eat. Do you want some fries and some chocolate shake?"
"Daddy, who is that guy?" I asked out of nowhere. "And why did mummy say that she isn't my mummy?"
He had his eyes widened at my questions. He propped his elbows on the counter and sighed.
"Mummy loves him. That means she's happy with him," he forced a smile. "And we want mummy happy, right?"
I nodded my head.
"Is she not happy with us?"
"She's happiest when she's with you, baby." He stated proudly.
"Then why is she not here with me?"
"She's always here with you." My dad reached out to place a hand near my chest, where my heart is. I smiled knowingly, understanding my dad completely.
"Now you've got to eat." He concluded, handing me the menu.
"I've got one last question." I said, smiling cheekily at him.
Dad pretended to be tired as he smack a hand in his face making me laugh.
"Daddy!" I whined, making him laugh.
"Okay darling, what is it?"
I took a deep breath and stared at him.
"Do you love mummy?"
"I do."
"Then why did you let her get away?"
"Because I love her and if you love someone, all you want for them is to be happy."
"Where is she going?"
"I thought you said only one question?" My dad grinned.
"I miss her." I frowned.
"Me too, baby. But she's going to stay at grandma's for a while. She'll come back to you soon. She just have to fix things." He explained, tucking a strand of my hair back into my ear.
"Where are we going to live?"
"We'll stay at the hotel for a while, until I find us a really nice house."
"Can you build me another tree house? Or we can just get my old one." I suggested.
"We can just build you another one."
"What about my toys?"
"What about choosing a food before they kick us out of here?"
-
It's already dark as we head back to the hotel. After eating, my dad took me to the nearest park and made me play for hours. It was the longest time I played in the ball pit. Mum usually has things to do and I only had little time when I'm with her because she say's she got important things to do.
I sat on the bed, staring at my teddy bear.
"Daddy said he'll built us a new tree house!" I shouted, talking to my bear.
"But I saw mummy crying and she was sad. So is my dad." I frown as I remember both of their faces.
"I hope she'll come back though." I hug my teddy bear as I cried silently.
I wonder what my mum is doing right now. Is she thinking about me? Why did she left me? Why is she clinging into the other guy when she have my daddy?
The door of the bathroom opened and I wiped my tears away.
"Baby are you crying?" My dad whispered.
I stubbornly shook my head as he walk towards me, pulling me into his arms to hug me.
"Go to sleep, you had a long day." he said, rubbing soothing circles on my back. I nod and he set me down on the mattress. He pulled the covers on top of my body as he smiled.
"You need to sleep, I have to go and get us groceries for our breakfast tomorrow."
"Can you please sing for me?"
"Of course." He sat down beside me.
"Isn't she lovely..
Isn't she wonderful?
Isn't she precious..
Less than one minute old...
But isn't she lovely?
Made from love.."
-
I woke up from the sound of sirens blaring. I snuggle closer to my side to reach out for my father but he was gone. I opened my eyes, to see different people talking. I noticed some of them are police officers and one of them is a lady wearing a blue suit.
"The kid is awake." The lady announced, they all turned to look at me as I pulled my teddy closer, feeling frightened.
Who are these people?
The lady rushed to my side. I recognize her face from somewhere.
"It's alright Rissa, do you remember me?" she smiled at me warmly, holding both of my arms.
I shook my head no. Her face falls a bit but she recovered it with a small smile.
"I'm aunt Margareth. I'm your mother's sister. We met once at grandma's and I gave you ice cream." She explained and I suddenly remembered her.
"Are you that woman my mum had a fight with?"
She chuckled lightly. "Yes. I am that woman."
I nodded my head, hugging her. "Where's my dad?"
She pulled away from the hug and turned to look at the two policemen beside her.
"Daddy has some things to do. But he asked you to come with me."
"My daddy said I shouldn't come with strangers."
"It's okay. I'm not going to do anything wrong. If I did, you can tell these two officers beside me."
-
"This is where I work and also my home." Aunt Margareth said as we arrived at our destination.
I looked up to see a large house, there's a playground on the side and it looks really colorful.
"Your home." She said to me as she lead me inside. Two officers still following behind us.
As we entered, I was greeted by a lot of kids. Some were around my age, babies and even some adults. I even saw nuns.
"Welcome!" They all greeted.
I smiled at them shyly.
I looked up at Aunt Margareth and tugged her hands to get her attention.
"Is my dad here?"
She sighed. "I just have to talk to her for a bit." She announced to the people and she led me towards the room upfront.
She closed the door and I sat on the chairs, realizing that it is a classroom.
"Marissa.." She trailed, sitting at the chair beside me.
"Do you know that God take people away to stop them from suffering any further?"
"I know aunt Margareth, my dad always tell me that."
"God has decided to take your dad to stop him from suffering. He's in a better place now Riss."
- Writer
