INJURY JOURNEY
1374 Words
“You came back from work so early,” Laurette said. She had just returned from her shift. Her wide smile made her lips run into cheeks for a good purpose.
I replied “Yes I am.. why wouldn't I? When I can't find happiness at my workplace. Unlike you who is always lucky with things”
“Well, I'm blessed…that's the work of my guardian angel now so things will fall into place for me. Miss you Papa.” Laurette replied.
Staring at the portrait on the wall sorrowfully.
Each time she says things she does not fail to include our late father into the discussion. How do we even tell her that our fathers murders have been seen, that he lives within us and is right in our family. To make matters worse, his children will be our niece's or nephew when Denise gives birth in the nearest future.
“Suit yourself darling” I frowned at her reply.
Laurette tossed her handbag on the chair. Yawning of tiredness.
“You need to take a shower before joining us at the table. Mama hates germs, you know that.” I instructed.
“Give me a minute. I can't do that, you know. Momma would snap the living hell outta me. What's the occasion?” She asked, looking through the meal I was carrying to the dining table.
After some moments we all gathered at the table eating peacefully like a family.
“Denise called me today, she asked if I could work as her PA. Whenever she returns from honeymoon.” I broke the news to her. She seemed gleeful. But didn't utter a word to congratulate me for what was coming ahead for me…
When she finally spoke she said.
With food in her mouth, Laurette chugged in a glassful of water, finally gesturing to speak like she was choking.
“What changed? I thought we all planned to abandon her since she couldn't invite anyone of us to her flash wedding with Greg. Good for you anyway” she pouted.
“We don't have to hold grudges for too long, she's still one of us. We can't keep eating trash when we have a rich sister, unarguably the first female CEO to hold that position at the El Dorado Group. We need to look further into the future” my mum said.
“Exactly Laurette. This is for our good” I added.
Actually, my mother's plan isn't going to hold. I don't think it's a good idea to hurt my sister or isolate her because she chose to marry a man of her choice. Immediately she employs me, I'll be able to fly first class to everywhere around the world. That's my own reason for wanting to take that job.
“Laurette, everything will be fine.” My mum encouraged her. Her words were full of pretence. She was up to something. I choked when she reassured my sister. She stabbed and grabbed those tiny Smoky fish into her mouth. Grinding gently and observing every moment, each body movement that we made.
“Is everything okay?” she asked. Quickly noticed that something was off the way I stared at my mom. When we were little, we always choked to give out signals within ourselves.
“Yea, everything will be fine” I added.
The dinner table was immersed with silence as we all got ourselves staring at each other, the plate, the food, Laurette trying so hard to park the spaghetti with chopsticks until she couldn't.
Her voice cut through and silence “Thanks mom ... .I'm done, I enjoyed the meal.” She got on her toes leaving the dinning.
She grasps her handbag; about stalking the wooden stairs, “Sis, you barely ate your food.” I replied with a faint yet harsh tune. My mom was still eating her meal, she didn't utter any words.
Laurette came to a halt “I've lost my appetite. I'd be going out with Jojo late tonight. He invited me for dinner. So I don't want to fill my Tommy.
“Just say you didn't like the food ‘cause it's not as nutritious as we used to have it before” my mum said. “And it has nothing to do with Jojo's date.
Laurette smiled. She isn't someone who talks back to anyone. She's taciturn in nature. Jojo is her boyfriend who shares the same birthday with her. A nerd who helped her secure a job after life turned around for us. When our luggages got thrown out when we couldn't pay our mortgage.
Later that day, in the evening, I went into her room she was already prepping for the date.
“I can assist you with your hair sis? I asked.
She stretched her hand with a comb to me. “There you go” I smiled.
“Mommy want me to live with Denise once our plan fall into place.
She wants me to keep a close tab on her family.”
“Whatever you too are planning, I wish you luck” She added.
“Why?” I asked.
“Mom asked me to work for Denise but I refused”
“Why?” I asked again.
“She wants me to seduce Greg when we get close to achieving her plan. You know what she wants, don't you?”
“If I say I know everything then I'm lying. Although I'm interested in working for Denise. Be close to her and travel around the world”
My hand stroked her hair to rub the strands in…
“I love that,” she acknowledged. She turned to me and, whilst I sank my buttocks in the bed.
“Let Denise leave her life okay….don't destroy her family. Fine Colin was good to us but not her. We can't force her to be with the man she doesn't want to.”
My gaze fixated at her lips as she spoke and those words bounced to my hearing repeatedly.
“We are not sure if it was Greg who killed papa yet. But…”
I cut her off. On hearing that, bile rose to my throat quickly. The only thing that motivates me to want to do what my mom is asking me to do.
“He did Laurette. We saw the pictures and everything. He is a murderer. And I'd make him pay.” I rose up clenching my fist and bitting my lips aggressively.
“Wait…don't get angry just yet, Abigail. Let's let justice take its course.” Tears began to trail my eyes. She patted my back, ensuring that I relaxed.
“Lately, my mom gathered some information that father was into some illegal business just to put food on our table when he got laid off from work, and he couldn't meet up with the target some mafia thugs gave to him. So they retorted to killing dad at the hospital. The accident gave them a chance to murder papa, Laurette. It's so horrible and I miss my papa so much.”
“C'mon dear, we will get rid of it okay…” I sat on the bed again as my leg couldn't carry me for long again. Considering the amount of pain I'm having, I have been hoarding.
Laurette squatted to me height wiping my tears away.
“I'll make him pay and there's no going back” I retorted.
“I don't want you to go to jail Abi, alright. Here, get dressed, she left my sight, went into her closet and dragged a shimmering brown dress out. “You should join the date…” my jaw dropped instantly.
“Do you love it?” she asked. I got a hold of it, caressing every bead on it.
“Yes they look wonderful” I wowed.
“I lied about the date with Jojo its nothing serious. We should get ourselves a drink at the rare pub Abi, we have tried. Maybe you are going to meet the love of your life there.” I smiled..
“Sure…let me get a bath please..I'm not going to waste your time”
Immediately I stood up and dashed into her bathroom.
- Writer
