SHADOWS OF KAYLA

EMERGENCY PHONE CALL

Festus.

I almost lost my balance as Gina pounced playfully on me as I stepped into the shop. I tried to hold in my smiles and not look too happy with returning, but I couldn't help myself. I grinned slightly and took my backpack off my shoulder, walking further in as the other guys around either smiled or waved—probably happy for my return or sticking to a formality I wasn't aware of.

It had been a while week since I quit my job and tried to look for a new one. Although, James took his time to apologize about everything, I merely agreed to his plea and maintained I wasn't going to be returning to the job, nor would I expect to see him hovering around me.

It was like a curse, however, because in one whole week of looking for a job, I never found one. And even when I did find a job at a movie theatre, I got mixed up in a scandal that almost sent me behind bars for doing nothing wrong. I didn't realize that while on my shift, a co-worker had always stolen tickets to sell illegally. And if course, when the cat was let out the bag by a worker who was about quitting, I was dragged in too.

I got fired on my second day.

My ego had been so deeply hurt after that incident, that I was very close to revealing who my father was to them, so they would figure that they've made a grave mistake doing that to his son. But it would only mean that I was still being attached to home when I clearly didn't want to.

There was only one place I had been promised a raise in pay and a space wide open like the doors of a church on a Sunday morning if I returned to work. And that was where I was standing, after shoving my pride down my throat.

A part of my mind remembered Kayla, whom I had not crossed paths with after that morning she showed up, and I hoped it would stay that way. I only had a few months more before I got into culinary college, hoping that things would get better as time passed by. Before finally fulfilling my long dreams of beinf a worldwide recognised chef just like my mother was.

Kayla.

A silent week it had been for me and my family. Nothing changed, dad still went to work like nothing was happening, mum, patiently condoning it all, and Tom was still on medications, receiving frequent visits from his nurse.

I didn't waste my time either in those seven days. Come morning and night, I was working on my touching skills, which although very slowly, was improving. I could already grab a vase without it dropping to the ground. Although, my hands always shook vigorously like I suffered from tremors, it was worth the daily try.

The day I had taken out the letter Festus had kept in the box and placed it where dad would most definitely see it, he didn't return home that night. Later on, giving mum a call that he was going to be away from home for a few days. ‘Matters pertaining to work,’ he had told her before she riddled him with questions.

Van's vmen were not lurking around either, which made me wonder if things had died down or something bigger and dangerous was going to happen. It surprised me that despite Van knowing about dad's whereabouts, and most likely Rick's, had not thrown any stones in our direction. It scared me.

On a bright Wednesday morning, I had taken the trouble to visit Van's home to try and find out things that might help me help dad. It turned out I hadn't taken proper notes of the far route to his house while I was in the car with Zen. After hours of getting nowhere, I returned home.

Stacey only had music classes at the school on Mondays, so I waited patiently for the next Monday to come, hoping it would be a lucky Monday. And I did visit the hospital Danielle was checked into, apparently, she was discharged at a date I had no idea of.

Still contemplating what the next thing I should do was, I heard soft footsteps downstairs, heading quickly for where the sound came from. It was dad, showing up at the house after three days of absence. He walked quickly into his room and gathered some papers, clumsily shoving them into the bag he already had with him. He seemed in some sort of hurry.

His sky blue shirt stuck damply to his body due to the sweat, and his chin, and the sides of his face had scanty strands of medium auburn hairs crawling out of them. Dad had always been so meticulous about shaving his beards often that I thought it was his hubby, but things changed.

He zipped up the bag quickly and dropped the hand of it on his shoulder while he turned around, tapping his pockets instinctively like there was something else missing.

I watched with interest and questions filling my head.

What is dad up to again?

Has he found out?

Is he leaving again?

Should I stop him?

After doing a few rounds of turning, he finally took out his phone from his pocket and dialed on a number. Impatiently putting his phone to his ear, he ran his hands through his hair and brushed his index finger over his nostrils. I could hear the call ring on the other end of the line for a few seconds.

“Rick? Rick, hello?”

“Dexter. You're back?” I heard the old man inquire with enthusiasm.

“Yes, yes I'm back. But that's not the thing now. Van already knows I'm in town. I saw some of his men around and it's only a matter of time before they find where I live.”

They already know, dad.

“Rick, are you listening to me? It means you have to get out of there too, fast. I'm getting all of us out of here by tonight. Are you listening to me? Rick!”

There was a rough loud cracking noise of signal on the other end that went on for few seconds before the call finally went off with no response from Rick. I could guess something was happening where he was and the apprehensive look on dad's face agreed with me.

“Rick?” Dad called one last time before scurrying out of the door, muttering “s**t” severally under his breath.

I followed dad.