I Won't Cry For This Family

The Taste Of Freedom

‘’Grandma Christy, where’s my passport?’’I showed Joseph where his passport was.

‘’Yes, what of mine?’’ Graham whined. I also showed Graham where his passport was kept.

I went back and forth my son and my grandson's rooms, trying to meet their unending demands, and I did that while my daughter-in-law, Lucy applied make up lavishly.

From time to time, Lucy would raise her head and give me a nod of approval as if I was a maid trying to gain favor from her mistress.

‘’Mom, I’ll have some tea for my belly. Just that.’’ Lucy waved at me and smiled at me, demanding that I also served her just like I was serving Graham and Joseph.

‘’I made pancakes...’’ I announced happily, thinking that my thoughtfulness would at least be applauded, instead, when I said that, Joseph stomped his feet angrily.

‘’We are going to have breakfast inside the aero plane. Who wants your soggy pancakes?’’ He pouted his thin red lips and whined as if there was a big problem going on.

‘’Come on Joe...’’ Lucy pulled Joseph close to her and put her hand over his mouth, pretending to scold him.

‘’Grandma made you something, you should thank her regardless.’’

‘’I remember that time that Grandma gave you pancakes when you were going to school, you secretly threw it away and said that it looked disgusting. Why are you now shouting at me?’’

Joseph's voice rang across the room, causing everyone to pause. Feeling the sharp drop in the room, Joseph ran into his room, deciding not to allow anyone to rid him of his joyful trip.

‘’Okay, we are getting late.’’ Graham quickly diverted everyone’s attention, and soon, we were all in a hurry again.

Soon, I had been pushed to the back of the burner as if I didn’t matter.

I didn’t matter in this family,and I was sure that I never would if I continued to tolerate their excesses.

By the time we got to the airport, Joseph’s excitement was over the roof. He jumped out of the car when he saw Gilbert and Alice at a distance waiting for them.

‘’Grandma Alice!’’ Joseph jumped out of the car before anyone could hold him back, then he started to run towards Gilbert and Alice at a very fast speed.

‘’Joseph!’’ Lucy yelled in horror as Joseph tore across the airport.

An airport carrier was too slow in steering clear of Joseph, so he hit him, causing Joseph to fall, and the cross bag he insisted on hanging across his shoulder flew open and poured its content out.

Then he started screaming and crying.

‘’Mum, why didn’t you hold him?’’

Lucy yelled at the top of her voice as she hurried towards Joseph.

‘’Come on, mum! You had one job.’’

Graham also scolded me.

He jogged behind Lucy towards Joseph.

‘’You are so clumsy...’’ I could hear Gilbert rebuking me as he was walking towards us. A worried Alice also shot me a disapproving look.

‘’I’m fine. Where’s my ticket?’’ That’s what Joseph said when everyone came around him.

‘’Get his things.’’

Gilbert yanked me as he watched Joseph get up and dust himself.

Graham dusted Joseph and asked, ‘’are you hurt?’’

Joseph shook his head.

Alice clung on to Gilbert’s arm like a mistress.

I looked at her, and she stared back at me with defiance.

Gilbert belonged to her more than he would ever belong to me.

It had always been so.

I was lucky to find Joseph’s ticket not far off while gathering the scattered items across the airport floor.

I picked up everything, and then I put them back in his bag.

‘’I’ll hold it. Give me!’’ Joseph snatched the bag from me since I wanted to give it to his mother, Lucy.

Seeing that everyone was okay, Gilbert took Alice’ hand and started to walk away.

‘’We are late.’’ That was the only thing he said as he turned his back on me and started to go to the tarmac gate.

‘’Los Angeles, Gate 5! Los Angeles, Gate 5!!’’ I heard the announcement on radio.

Graham and Lucy took Joseph’s hand and all of them turned their backs one me without saying a word.

They maneuvered with excitement through the crowded airport while I watched them disappear with every step they took.

They left me, without saying a word. After my family disappeared into the crowd, I turned my back and started to go home.

I kept a straight face as I thought about what I was going to do next. I also thought about the fact that I was free. Not just free for some days, I was free for the rest of my life.

The feeling, though surreal, was one that I could not thank my stars enough for.

I returned home and started to get ready to hit the mall. I had some savings from selling fruits I grew at the back of the house.

I had saved quite some thousands, and since I didn’t have a life, my money remained intact. Unspent.

I went to the mall and bought a nice black gown. I would have bought a red gown, but I was going to be speaking formally, so I thought not to look so loud in red while talking to a crowd of mature and serious minds.

The Science Adaptation Council was no small feat.

I picked up and purchased Hermes designer heels and a lovely bag to match.

Next, I went for a makeover.

I made my hair into a gorgeous bun that would become more beautiful on the day of the event.

I waxed my skin and did every single beauty procedure one can think of.

My toenails which looked hideous now looked neat and beautiful.

I was ready.

To celebrate my newfound freedom, I smacked red lipstick on my lips, put on one of the new gowns I bought for myself, got into Gilbert’s car, and hit the road.

I was going to the club.

I was going to celebrate my freedom.