NOT GUILTY

James Ntale drove swiftly as slow jazz hummed from the speakers. He was startled by Jenny, his wife, seated next to him. "James please, you cannot do this to us," she yelled, competing with the music. James gave her a quick glare and kept his eyes on the road. "James I am talking to you!" He turned the music down. His eyes were full of anger. "I am done listening to you. I have heard enough of your nonsense." "But James, we have been married for thirty years. That should account for something, right?" Her voice broke and her eyes filled with tears. "Oh please Jenny, just let me drive in peace. Make yourself useful and call your daughters. We must reach the venue at the same time." "James please listen to me," Jenny cried. "Not today, Jenny. Not today." A few kilometers behind James' dark blue car, a white car moved as slow as it could. As if the driver had no intention of ever arriving. Jackie's phone rang. "Jackie your phone is ringing," Jacinta said. "I can hear it." "It's Jenny, right?" "Yes, it's her and I am not in the mood to talk to anyone." "Give it to me." "Why? Just let her call." "Will you hand over the stupid phone?" Jacinta raised her voice. In the back seat, Jade was too absent-minded to hear any of it. She stared at the moving trees and buildings. "Here, take the phone and talk to Mommy," Jacinta ordered Jade. "What? Why? That's not my phone," Jade stammered. "Because when a phone rings, normal people answer it. Now talk to your mother," Jacinta said sarcastically. "Just answer the phone and find out what Mom wants from us," Jackie yelled. "If Mommy wanted to talk to me, she would have called my phone," Jade complained. She finally took the phone. To her sisters' surprise, she answered with excitement. "Hello, Jackie," Jenny whispered in a low and sad tone. "A... Actually Mommy, it's Jade." Jenny sighed. "I just wanted to tell Jackie to hurry up. We should reach the venue at the same time." At the venue, the Ntale family was hosting a silver jubilee. Ntale Corporation had been in existence for twenty-five years. The guests were waiting for the happiest family of all time. "Have you seen those two together? Married for thirty years but their love is still undeniable," a lady whispered. "That family is so blessed," another added. Everyone admired them. Soon, a dark blue car and a white car pulled into the parking lot. James, Jenny, and their three daughters had arrived. "I hope everyone knows what is to be done," James told his daughters. They stared into space as if they couldn't hear him. "Talk to your children," he whispered angrily to Jenny. She ignored him too. Jacinta and Jackie walked towards the entrance where the press waited. Their faces were covered in perfect smiles. Jade was supposed to walk right behind them, but she didn't. "Are you waiting for a bell?" James almost yelled. "I am not doing that. I don't feel like wearing plastic smiles and I won't," Jade told her father to his face. "Talk to your daughter, we don't have time for her madness," James ordered Jenny. "Baby... Just do as he says," Jenny almost begged. Jade had never disobeyed her mother. She wasn't going to start now. She forced a smile and walked to the entrance. That was how the Ntale family made their grand entrance. Waving, greeting, smiling. Even James and Jenny looked like they were on the best terms. The function officially started. Speeches were given by employees, friends, and important people. James would speak last, after his younger brother Jordan Ntale. The Ntale daughters did not associate with guests. They only greeted their grandmother, Jenny's mother, and Jordan, their uncle. Hardly had they sat down when they heard a familiar voice. A voice they recognized from seven years ago. "You guys are late." Jade turned. Her face lit up. "Jessi!" she almost screamed and hugged her. "In the flesh," Jessica bragged. "We have missed you so much Jessi," Jade said. But it was clear she was speaking only for herself. Jackie and Jacinta were not happy at all. "You guys are still angry," Jessica looked at her other two sisters. Jackie couldn't take it anymore. "What did you expect Jessi? Hugs! You abandoned us. You left without a word, no reason, no explanation. Not even a goodbye. You just vanished. Seven years!" "Seven whole years, Jessi," Jacinta added. Jessica ignored it all. "These two are boring. Come on Jade, let's find Mom and Dad. Maybe they will be happy to see me." She pulled Jade through the crowd. On stage, Jordan was speaking about how he and his brother worked so hard to sustain Ntale Corp. In the front row, James and Jenny sat peacefully, covered in smiles. No one could tell they were actually arguing. That quiet argument was put on hold when they noticed a face they hadn't seen in seven years standing next to them. "Hi, Mom!" Jessica said, her voice suddenly tense. "Jessi! I had no idea you were coming back," Jenny said, confused. "I wasn't coming at first... But then... I came at last," Jessica replied weirdly. She didn't say a word to James. She either ignored her father's presence completely, or decided to leave them alone. She grabbed Jade's hand and walked back to her sisters. ----