Hidden Truth

Where is Paris?

         *'’The night before dads death, their voices were extremely loud and they kept throwing words at themselves and glasses were flying everywhere ‘’you are strong smart and skilled you can pull this off’’ I heard dad say. ‘’And you are old, sick and retarded I rather die than do what you want me to do’’ Paris exclaimed rudely his voice sounding really pissed. Watch your tongue young man I’m your dad. ‘’No you are not my dad my dad would never ask me to do such a thing ‘’ Paris raised his voice. Shh! Keep your voice down you will wake your sister up and the neighbors might hear you. Dad cautioned. ’’ Like I give a s**t’’ Paris said*  

It’s almost two weeks since dad’s death. I can’t believe this. That party was supposed to be a memorable one ‘’Oh yes’’ it is because he passed on that day. How will one forget? Thanks to our relatives, they helped with the funeral and everything needed. I’m so tired of crying, Every time I look into the mirror, am the shadow of my old self all forms of color had vanished from my face. I had lost weight because I had no appetite to eat. I look like a ghost but aside all of these, where in the world is Paris? About two weeks ago, when he didn’t show up on dad’s birthday, I just thought he was being irresponsible. Must have gotten drunk and couldn’t make it back home. But after two days when he didn’t come back home, I got worried. He never called me he was just…… We had set the burial day three days after dads death and still Paris hadn’t come back home. I got really worried because he didn’t show up for the funeral .now that it is almost two weeks am not angry, worried or disappointed am really scared .Paris and I aren’t really close but I’m still his sister. He always calls to check on me. He has never stayed this long without saying anything to me not even if his mad at me. I just want him to come home. Aunt Beatrice had already told me on dads funeral day that if Paris wasn’t home by the end of this week, I would be leaving Lakewood to go live with her at Havana island and right now I have just two days to go before she comes and takes me to live with her. I argued with her I know I tried to convince her that I was eighteen years old and old enough to take care of myself. I may be a little reserved with little or no friends but as long as there was Ghana and my other cousins I was okay. Aunt Beatrice would hear none of this. She insisted it wasn’t safe and I was safer with her. Aunt Beatrice lives at Havana Island. She got married some years ago and divorced her husband when she learnt he was cheating on her with his secretary at work. She runs her own restaurant and since she has no children with him, she moved out of his house and went to start her life all over again. She’s made up her mind not to get married again. She’s in her mid-forties. She’s the last of dad’s siblings. She’s a short skinny lady. I am a bit chubby I have long silky black hair. Ghana always teases my about my Big breast and ‘’scanty behind’’ as she always says. I barely pay attention to her especially since I hardly talk to people and suck at making new friends. ‘’ why don’t you just wear this? I am not going out with you wearing that.’’ Florida always said whenever we wanted to go out ’’and please wear a little make up” she’d say after looking at me closely. I’d just laugh at her. What? It’s true. I hated wearing makeup because it always made me look……not me. If for one thing I know is that am not girly anyway. Paris my only brother is tall and had high cheek bones white teeth and ocean eyes. Standing here on his favorite spot, I can still perceive his spray. Where in the world is Paris? I just want him to come home or call and tell me his alright. I turned and walked back into the house. I jumped on my bed and feel asleep immediately. I woke up to the sound of my phone ringing. I was confused who’s that? I looked at the caller ID it was Aunt Beatrice. I answered my voice husky “And good morning to you too” she greeted before I could speak she cut me short “Did I wake you up?” she asked not even a bit concerned “Yes” I said straight out. “That’s good,’’ she laughed ‘’Listen darling, I wanted to ask if Paris had returned.’’ I Shook my head ‘’No, no he hasn’t.’’ ‘’Has he called you or sent you any voicemail?” she asked now her voice sounding concerned. I just hope his okay’’ I said softly she sighed ‘’don’t worry sugar. Paris is a full grown man. He can take care of himself.’’ I wanted to believe that, it was just not right. He would have called me but I didn’t say that to her I just stayed quiet. ‘’ Well honey ‘’she continued’’ if you don’t call to tell me his home, I’ll be at your doorstep 10am tomorrow. No further discussions’’ she said. ‘’it’s alright’’ I’m just too lazy to argue. Besides I am just bored at home. ‘’Make sure you eat. I don’t want a skeleton under my roof’’ she said firmly and cut the call. Great, now I can’t go back to sleep. I came down from my bed and went to brush my teeth. I went into the shower to have a warm bath. The scent of my shampoo filled the entire bathroom and my stomach began to rumble. I was very hungry. I don’t even remember the last time I ate something reasonable. I can only remember always drinking water and eating dad’s cake. I had to eat. I dressed up quickly. Since I wasn’t going out and I wasn’t expecting any visitor, I just wore a pair of white shorts and a large red hoodie Paris got me one day on his way back from wherever he had gone to. I looked at my supplies, I was low on supplies. After I saw what I had left I resolved to scrambled eggs and stock with hot coffee. There was no need to restock, if I get hungry I would just stop at the nearest eatery or order something. The aroma of the eggs and stake filled the house, my stomach rumbled even more and more, I never thought I could be this hungry. I sat down there in the kitchen and ate my food. It’s almost dawn and I still had a lot of things to pack up. I had only packed my clothes and I was exhausted. I still haven’t packed my shoes, undies, gathered my pictures, cleared dad’s room and thank God Paris is so organized. I went into his room and it was clean and arranged. With so much hard work and with all the energy left in me I manage to pack up all my things. All that was left was to clear dad’s room. Walking into the room felt so strange. The room still had his scent. I brushed my fingers across his bed, I remember how he used to make Paris and I sing him to sleep. I removed the sheets from the bed and left it bare so it doesn’t get dusty. I packed his clothes back into the wardrobe. I will figure out what to do with them later. Dad loved clothes, his clothes are all here but his not. Thankfully, dad’s room isn’t so much in a mess so it took me few minutes to be done. As I walked out, my eyes fell on a picture from besides dad’s bed. A little bit hidden, but well enough for anyone to miss it. I have never seen that picture in my entire life. It was a picture frame of mom; she was wearing a pink bikini with her arms spread out facing the beach. She looked about her mid-twenties, so happy and so…alive. How comes I have never seen this picture? Why did dad keep it from us? I shoved it off. Really silly he wouldn’t hide it, must have fallen off and he forgot to pick it up or something. I tripped and fell down releasing the picture into the air and it came crashing down and breaking into pieces. ‘’oh my goodness’’ I exclaimed loud getting up and picking up the picture now since the frame was shattered. I turned the picture to see if there was any date to see when or where the picture was taken. Instead of a date or something there was a note written there in dads writing. I walked out of the room to the parlor. I sat down comfortably on the couch and started reading the note dad had written on the picture. ’’ Oh my God,’’ I said. This has to be a lie because whatever it is I am reading now is not possible, no it’s insane and wait ‘’F**k ‘’ I said loudly I think I just found out what dad wanted Paris to do and if it was it Paris was right, dad really was sick. This is the sickest thing I have ever heard or seen. Dad wasn’t human, he was an animal. I sobbed right there on the couch silently then something hit me…….. If Paris had gone to do what dad wanted, then Paris is in big trouble. This can’t be good.