Twisted Chances

Chapter3

The taxi driver tucked the luggage into the boot, slammed it shut, and entered his car. When he started it, Evie gave him directions to another address. She had changed into black tee’s and jean trousers, coupled with white boots. She looked out the window as the man drove, her eyes were hooded with sunglasses to hide them from her daughter.

Her mind raced with ideas, ideas of where she would go next, what she would do, and how to tell her baby that she was not going to see her father again.

The driver pulled in front of a school, and Evie stepped out, told him she would be back soon and paid half of the fare money.

The atmosphere of the environment was serene, trees lined the path to the building, under a warm afternoon sun. Just then, a bell rang, disturbing the quiet academic grounds and within minutes, children broke through the front door of the old, tall building, its walls now covered with hedera plants.

Evie scanned the children that swan out like bees, searching for brown heads. She spotted Vivian with three other girls who were Brianne, Mac and Lesly. Evie would even recognize them in a coma since that was all Vivian talked about. She was sad her baby wouldn’t see her friends again. Evie managed a small smile before she called out to her daughter.

The little girl’s head turned at the sound of her name and saw her mother waving at her. Her smile spread immediately, causing her ears to poke out of her long, shiny brown hair. “Mummy!”

Vivian waved at her friends before she ran to where mummy stood and hugged her. “Mummy, mummy, mummy! I passed my math test today.”

“You did?” Evie stooped to smoothen her daughter’s hair and smiled; a tear slipped out from under the dark glasses.

“Mm-hmm. Mummy, you’re crying.”

“Oh, baby. I’m just super proud of you. Did you wave your friends good bye?”

Vivian thought Mum was behaving strangely. She had never gotten a B before or failed any tests, and mummy never cried on those occasions. “Mummy, are you okay?”

Evie shook her head, “yes, baby. We’re not going home today. We’re going on a long vacation.”

Vivian’s eyes lit with joy, and then she paused. “We only go on vacations in summer. Won’t that be against the rules? Summer is still a long way to go.”

Evie chuckled. “No baby, we’re not breaking any rules. C’mon, let’s go.”

“Is dad coming along?”

Evie clenched her teeth at the sound of that. Every year, Vivian always asked if her dad would go out with them or do anything with her. Her little girl ought to know by now. “No, it’s just us girls, okay?”

Vivian nodded as they entered the taxi. The engine roared to life and off they went.

“Why aren’t we using your car, Mummy? Did it get broken?”

“We won’t be needing it where we are going, baby.” Evie endured all the questions her baby asked till Vivian curled in the car seat and fell asleep, probably exhausted from school.

Evie let her sleep on her lap and looked outside the window, praying things turned out well for them. She replaced her hand on her stomach, connecting with the seed of life growing within her, and swore they would never experience a father like Andrew.

Hours later, in another part of the country, far away from home; Evie whispered into Vivian’s ears. “We’re here, honey.” Vivian’s eyes fluttered open and glanced at her surroundings.

“Where are we, mummy?” The sun had gone down and it was dark out.

“A hotel. We’re just going to stay here a little while okay? Go on down let’s see the rooms they have.”

Evie sighed as she held her daughter who was still half asleep, tipped the driver, and watched him drive away. It was a crazy day today had been. If she had known, she would have called her lawyer instead to prepare the divorce papers.

She got worked up, and Andrew made her flow with the emotion. That bastard had taken all that was hers without mercy, and it was legal and sealed since her signature was now on it.

Another seven years would pass in a twinkling of an eye, and instead of pursuing a case with Andrew, she vowed to make something of herself before then.

They booked a room and then went for dinner before they retired to their room. Vivian, who was half asleep some minutes ago, was wide awake at the smell of fried chicken, chocolate souffle, and lasagna. Evie ordered anything her child wanted, and she ate till she couldn’t anymore. So much for a celebration.

As they stepped out of the elevator to the floor where their room was located, Vivian kept asking questions about her father and when she would talk with him. Evie wisely cornered her questions and directed them to something else instead.

Once they entered their room, Vivian forgot all about her father and dashed to explore the place. Thanking God for the intervention, Evie settled on a sofa, she tried to think again but soon fell asleep.

The distant sound of water dripping, made her eyes open. She stared at her surroundings, wondering how she got there, till it all came crashing back to her memory like waves. Her feet were ankle-deep in water and she stood in fright, wondering how the water got there.

Vivian.

The thought made her knees weak with pain, and she pushed her feet through the water, shouting her daughter’s name.

Vivian was in the bathroom, trying to fix the shower head she was curious about. She had pulled it earlier because she wanted to know how the water came from the little pores. The result was a downpour of water that drenched her clothes and didn’t stop flowing.

She turned her head at the sound of the bathroom door opening and saw her mother, who was shocked to the teeth. Vivian gave the heartiest, innocent smile she had ever given.

An hour later, both mother and child stood hand in hand, in front of the hotel, with their luggage, and they stared at the busy street.

Vivian poked her head from the side. “Mum? Did they just kick us out?”