CHAPTER TWO
778 Words
The day dawned and the sun casted a warm glow in the room. I got up and stretched "Athena, did you not wake up late today, you are late for work" mom said a little puzzled. "w-w..well I.. first Merry Christmas mom" I went to hug my mom. she sensed something was wrong and wanted to say something until we heard a voice. "Athena you have visitors" Greg screamed, I was grateful for that distraction I don't want mom to know about the restaurants now till further notice. "direct them to my room Greg thank you" I replied "who can it be" mom asked me. The knock we heard was a little faint I went to get the door and to my greatest surprise it was Grandma "I'm l not welcome in my son's house anymore" her voice was weak and pitiful, so she's done mourning-l thought because the grandma l know is very cold to us so why the sudden change in attitude. This woke Chloe, Brittany and Ivanna. "of course you are come in grandma" l stepped aside. She looked so weak, her skin was pale and wrinkled. What l saw next shocked me, she was with her luggage, is she traveling for a vacation? I asked myself. Leah, Travis and Ashley also came with their luggages. I don't understand what's going on here 'I'm so hungry show me the kitchen " Leah said immediately after throwing her bag somewhere in the room.
l exchanged glances with Brittany. "good morning grandma, are you guys travelling out of the city" Brittany tried as much as possible to be polite but the irritation in her voice was evident. "n-no, we came to stay here for sometime, we'll go tomorrow or probably next week"Leah said on behalf of grandma. l do not understand -stay here for what and why will she pack all her grand kids here? "now hurry, show me the kitchen I'm hungry" Leah continued as she rubbed her grumbling stomach. "Ash, Travis, massage my legs"grandma ordered and the two kids went to carry out her order obediently.
Travis is eight and Ashleigh is five, they are uncle Mark's children but he passed away four years ago. Leah is aunty Quins daughter but she has been in vegetative state since she gave birth to Leah and Leah is currently twenty three like l am. Aunty Quins husband abandoned his wife and daughter and grandma took them.
As for uncle Mark, his wife poisoned him so she didn't allow her touch Ash or Travis and that is why she hates mom, she thinks mom has a hand in dad's death and since he passed away three years ago she has never set foot in our house, today breaking the record. "stop right there"Brittany called out to Leah. Leah turned to Brittany. "have you lost your manners?you're in someone's house" Brittany said. l think she should have left her, it's not as if we have food in the house. "merry Christmas Athena"Ivanna and Chloe chorused as they ran to me and hugged me "merry Christmas you two" l smiled. "let's go get ready, Stein is taking us to the fair" Chloe dragged Ivanna to the bathroom as they cahttered happily.
To me this whole situation is awkward but what can l do, they are leaving tomorrow, l shrugged. "Athena I'm not going to be around today but I'll be back before dinner" Brittany said dismissing grandma and Leah. "okay, where are you off to?" la asked while picking clothes for laundry. "school" she replied casually.l stopped what l was doing and looked at her. "submitting scholarship documents" she explained."wow l didn't know, that's great but l hope you know your chances are slim" l smiled at my sister. "l know,50, 50" she replied. l took the clothes to the laundry room and started washing, l saw Nannete there. it's not that l hate her now but l kept galring at her and then at my things.
"merry Christmas Athena" she said with a smile "m..merry Christmas"l replied and then focused on my washing.
After doing the laundry, l went to buy foodstuff and prepared breakfast then l swept and cleaned the house and took care of mom. Today was a special day so l baked cookies with everyone's faces in the house, they were Chloe's favourite.
Mom was asleep already, l was so happy she didn't ask about the restaurant again, Ash and Travis followed Chloe and Ivanna with Stein babysitting.
"phew"l sighed after completing my work. l grabbed one of my coat, a cap and went downstairs. Grandma and her friends were sitted on a couch, chatting happily
- Writer
