CHAPTER FOUR
1571 Words
Uncle Ezekiel was sitting in the kitchen with nanny Rose when we got home. His face was serious, as if he had something really important to tell me.
“Hi Uncle.” Miriam and I chorused.
“Hi dears, how was school today?”
“Cool.”
“Just there.”
“Nice. Tura I would like to talk to you in private, can we got to the balcony?”
“Sure uncle Ezekiel.”
I led the way and when we got to the balcony, he hugged me, tight.
“Is everything okay? Is my mom okay?”
“Everything is fine, my dear. Your mother asked me to hug you on her behalf.” He smiled and continued talking. “Your mother has decided to move back into the house. Since your father can't come anywhere near her, she believes that it is safe for her to come back and she'd like you come back too.”
“Is she really ready to come back? What if Mark sends someone to attack us?”
“Be positive, Ketura. Nothing like that is going to happen. She has work to show up to and a business that needs a her attention.”
“She's on leave, uncle and-”
“Ketura,” he interrupted, “no reason can supercede your mother's decision. You can spend the the night here but tomorrow, I'll take you back home. You won't be taking the bus tomorrow, I'll pick you up.”
“Yes uncle.”
“Don't worry, Tura. I'm here for you and your mother, always.”
“I know.”. I said weakly
Uncle Ezekiel kissed me goodbye and drove off in his black truck.
“You're leaving, right?”
“I'm not going to another town or county Mimi, I'm going home.”
I opened my arms and she sank into my embrace.
“I have to get ready for work Mimi. I'll have to go early because I didn't show up yesterday and I'll need to render an apology to my boss.”
Miriam let go of me reluctantly, “I understand. Off you go.”
I took my bath, ate a little bit and packed up the reminder for work. I walked to the bus stop and two minutes later, a bus showed up. A pack of chips and a bottle of soda later, I reached my destination. Mr Dominique, popularly called Dee by everyone was standing outside the entrance dusting the chairs and tables, opening the umbrellas and dusting them as well.
“Ketura, you're here! I'm glad. Yesterday was a very busy day, I wasn't alone but I felt your absence. A lot of things would have gone smoothly if you were present.”
“I'm sorry, Dee. Circumstances beyond my control-”
“Enough Ketura,” he said, “we all heard what happened. How's you mum doing?”
“She's better now, Dee.”
“Good. And you? How're you?”
“I'm good too, Dee.”
“Good. You need to be, you're still young. This doesn't define who you are and what you will become, they're lessons that will prepare you for what is yet to come. I admit that they're harsh lessons but we learn the most from them.”
“Thank you for your kind words, Dee.”
Dee was a gentleman. Tall, poised, soft spoken and a man of strong principles. He had piercing eyes, eyes that had witnessed a lot in this world. Wisdom lived on his lips and in his words. He was a father to everyone.
I dropped my bag on one of the chairs and took over from him. I dusted the chairs, tables and umbrellas that he hadn't cleaned and went in when I was done.
“Hi Sean, hi Trisha.”
“Hello Ketura.” they chorused.
“What's up with you, girl? You good?” Sean asked, care in his voice.
“I'm good Sean, thanks for asking.”
“We heard, how're you coping with the whole thing?” Trisha asked inquisitively.
“I'm handling it well, my mum is too. Thank you so much guys.”
“No biggie girl, we love you okay? Don't forget that.”
Sean said.
I smiled in response.
Less than thirty minutes later, Uncle Dee’s cafe was filled with hungry customers. Orders kept coming in second after second, and the kitchen almost went into a frenzy. An hour into my shift, Trisha walked into the kitchen to find me.
“Are you busy?”
“Not really, I just came to check if the customer's order is ready. What's up?”
“Someone is looking for you.”
“What does the person want?”
“He didn't say.”
“I'm coming.”
Trisha nodded and left the kitchen. Shortly after, I left the kitchen and searched around with my eyes. I saw him, Jaden. He chose the table closest to the window and he had already ordered a cup of coffee and cheese cake.
“What are you doing here?”
“I came to see you.”
“Seriously, where do you get your audacity from?”
“I came to apologize to you for what I did. It was a foolish thing to do and I regret it. I'm sorry Daisy.”
“If I hadn't found out, would you be saying this?”
He was silent.
“Exactly! You're sorry because you got busted.”
“I am sorry for what I did, Daisy. Please forgive me.”
“Listen I'm working, I shouldn't be talking to you so please drink your coffee, eat your cheese cake and leave.”
“Your shift will elapse fifty five minutes from now, I'll wait for you Daisy.”
“Whatever.” I stormed off.
He can wait for all I care, I thought, He thinks forgiveness is that easy? What assurance does he have that I'll forgive him? He'd get tired if waiting and leave.
To my surprise, Jaden kept his word, he waited until I was done for the day. I opened the door to leave and he followed me closely.
“Wait up, Daisy. You're too fast.”
I didn't respond.
“Daisy I'm sorry, I didn't mean to do what I did. Thadius made me do it, I didn't have a choice “
I stopped.
“That's a flimsy excuse Jaden. You didn't have a choice? We all have a choice Jaden! Thadius, whom I suppose is your “friend” told you to hurt me and you went ahead to do it. Don't you have a mind of your own?”
“It was a bet Daisy.”
“Wow, spicy. So he placed a bet, and you went ahead with the whole nonsense just to massage your fragile ego, right?”
“I'm sorry Daisy. I didn't think, all I cared about in that moment was looking good in his eyes.”
“You don't need to look good in anybody's eyes, Jaden. How you see yourself is all that matters.”
“I know that now, Daisy. Please allow me to make this right, please.”
“I have a place to be Jaden.”
“The People's Bank?”
“How do you know?”
“Everyone in school knows where you work, Daisy. All I had to do was listen to a few side talks here and there.”
“Do not follow me. Do not show up at my place of work.”
“I won't Daisy. I'll see you tomorrow Daisy, please stay safe. Bye.”
I didn't respond, I just continued walking. I couldn't stay mad at him any longer, I had forgiven him but I didn't want him to know that. His actions towards me tomorrow, would be the determining factor.
I finished my work at the bank quicker than I thought I would. I took a cab to Miriam's house and in ten minutes or so, I arrived.
Miriam was in the living room reading a book when I walked in.
“Hey best friend.” She said cheerfully
“Hey girl.” I said, as I embraced her.
“How did work go?”
“It was cool. What are you reading?”
“Shapes and colors.”
“What? You were five years old ages ago, you have no business reading that.” I said, laughing.
“I know, I was bored.”
“Aww. I'm back now so, rejoice.”
She took my bag from me and led me to our room. She had already folded my nighties and placed them on the bed.
“Wow, Mimi. You really missed me.”
While in the shower, I told Miriam that Jaden cane to see me. I told her about how he begged me to forgive him, how he blamed it on Thadius and himself. I also told her my response to everything that he said.
“You've forgiven him, right?”
I paused before answering.
“Yes I have. I can't help it, I don't know how to hold a grudge.”
“I knew it. Tura, it's really okay if you decide to give him a second chance, just be careful. “
“I will babe.”
We ate, danced, sang Hometown Glory by Adele, cleaned the house and finally, went to bed.
- Writer
