Scarlet scars

CHAPTER 10: Feeling loved again

Scarlet

I got cleaned up, though my clothes were worn out, my face looked better. I headed straight to Mr Grande's. My shift started out as usual and the restaurant was quite busy. Everytime the door bell chimed I quickly checked who it was to see who came in, expecting to see one face but unfortunately I got disappointed every time.

I finished up and cleaned up feeling exhausted and a little disappointed that he didn't come. But why? I had made it clear I didn’t want him near me. So Why was I expecting him so much. But still, he was a liar and it got me so upset, with him,m and mostly with myself. I grabbed my stuff grumpily and headed out.

I was trying to lock the doors and being in my grumpy mood, it wasn't working out so well. I didn't even know which key to use anymore and it was really surprising because it wasn’t the first time I was locking this door.

"Need help" my heart beat sped, making me drop the keys when I heard a familiar voice. So he came after all! I cleared my throat trying to pretend that him being here, had no effect on me whatsoever. I turned to face him but he turned out to be a hairs breadth away from me. How come I had not heard him move? I was suddenly more nervous and self conscious so I stepped back. He stepped closer and when I closed my eyes expecting him to come even more closer, he bent down and picked up my keys.

"I'll do it" he said holding the keys in his hand. I wanted to say something but my voice let me down. My throat was suddenly dry such that when I tried to speak, I couldn't.

"Which key?" He asked and I moved a bit closer to show him. I accidentally touched his hand and it was as if I got burnt. I retracted it quickly and pointed out the key. My face was burning by then and I only prayed that he didn't notice.

"Did you miss me?" He asked raising an eyebrow with an annoying smirk on his face. I rolled my eyes and grabbed my keys, threw them in my back pack and started to walk away.

"Silent treatment again?" He said and I continued to walk, not looking back. I was hoping he would come after me and walk me home just like the other day and I silently chanted “Please don't disappoint, please don't.."

"Wait up Cally!" He interrupted my chant as he caught up and and grabbed my hand, turning me to face him. It worked! I thought.

"You are coming with me tonight and I'm not taking no for an answer " he said pulling me towards his car. Wait! What? I didn't plan for this!

"Wait Jerald" I tried.

" so now you want to talk? Too bad I'm not listening to you" he said

"But"

"No buts" he put me in the passenger seat and locked the car as he went to his side. I tried opening it but it was really locked! Unbelievable!

"Did you have to lock the door" I asked as he got in.

"Obviously! I don't want to play tag with you tonight. Besides I don’t need more of my cars vandalised." he said giving me that 'I know you' look

"Who said I'd run away? I'm too tired to.... Wait!.. Did you just say your car was vandalised last time? The time you walked me home?" I asked in awe but honestly I knew this part of the neighborhood so I was not as surprised.

"Yes, ... I had to go to mom's that night" he said

"Tch! I told you so" I stuck my tongue out at him to which he just rolled his eyes. "Auntie still lives here? How come I've not seen her before?"

"She came back recently. she travels a lot. But now I think she is back for good" he said pulling out of the drive way. I just nodded and kept quiet. We sat in an awkward silence as he drove and I could feel he had a lot to say but so did I but none of us wanted to go first. I wanted to know why he was back all of a sudden But I couldn’t bring myself to ask.

I must have dozed off because, when I opened my eyes, we were pulling up in an unknown but familiar looking place. Then it dawned on me. He brought me to his house. His old house.

"What are you doing?" I asked calmly but I was anything but calm as I looked at the house then back at him.

"uh I-I -I .. Brought you to see my mom..." I was looking at him and I'm sure I didn't look good because he gulped and I could sense his nervousness. Which was quite a rare occurrence. "because.. she insisted" he said scratching his ear.

"And you didn't think it was important to tell me before bringing me here?" I asked this time my voice rising a few decibels higher.

"I didn't know how you'd react.."

"Oh I'm sure you knew how I'd react. That's why you chose to keep quiet.. and weren't you so confident a while ago when you told me I was coming with you! where did that go?" I cut him off and folded my arms on my chest and looked the other way. I didn’t want to look at him.

"Yes I knew you wouldn't agree but I was going to tell you because obviously you would have noticed that we missed the turnoff. But then you fell asleep..... So I thought I wouldn't have to argue with you. and even if I did, I would have won either way" he breathed. I checked my watch and it was 7:58 already. My aunt was going to kill me. How could he just drag me here without asking me what I thought first?

“You... do you know what you’ve done” please not now water works! I couldn’t let him see me cry.

"Cally..." He tried to sound sorry. He tried!But he wasn't, at all. I closed my eyes and calmed my breathing. Okay whatever happens, happens. I thought. At least if it was my last day on earth I’d at least get to see the few people I cared about. Even though it would be this buffoon's fault. This buffoon I cared about but would never be able to let him know.

I opened my eye's and he was looking at me with a confused look. I opened the door and got out of the car.

"Cally! " he called out as I started to make my way to the front door. I didn't stop or look back nor did I answer. I wasn’t going to be talking to him. He caught up but before he could speak aunt Miranda, with the widest smile ever, opened the door as if on cue. It was as though she had been waiting for us.

"Scarlet!" She screemed in my ears while pulling me into a bone crashing hug. It was surprising how her voice was that high pitched at her age. I relaxed into her arms realising how much I had been needing such a hug. I wanted to stay in her arms for a bit longer when the buffoon cleared his throat.

"Mom I think you've forgotten about your son" he said feigning sadness.

"Where is he?" Aunt Miranda said peeking behind us as if there was someone else "I don't see anyone except for my little Cally" she placed her hand on my cheek with the most affectionate smile I’d had directed at me since I don’t know. I leaned in, tears threatening to spill. She hugged me again caressing my back.

"It seems no one will see me...oh how People turn on you so easily..." He put his hand on his chest "Let me invite myself in then.. Otherwise some of us plan to spend the night at the door" the causer of my early death said as he slipped past us and into the house.

"Look at the dramatic fool" Aunt Miranda said chuckling and I also laughed with her.

"I couldn't agree more!" I said amusedly as she took my hand to lead me inside. Not much had changed in here, except maybe for the carpet in the living room. I walked in and the pictures on the wall caught my attention.

I walked over to look at them. One had Jerald and his father, one Jerald and his family, there was aunt and uncles wedding photo, Jerald without his baby teeth, Jerald holding a baby which I actually think was me, I smiled and the last one made me cry. I took it off the wall and held it as I sat down on the sofa.

I think aunt was behind me as I felt a hand on my shoulder. Tears escaped my eyes as I touched the photo. In the photo was my mom and dad, uncle and aunt and Jerald and I. My mom and aunt were sitting while my dad and uncle were holding their wives. while Jay and I were possibly arguing about something.

My family looked so happy then. I touched my mama's face and all I wanted now was to let go of the emotions that had built up over the years. I felt a hand on my thigh and I knew who it was from the goosebumps I got. But my vision was blurry because of the tears.

"I'm sorry Cally... I'm here for you.. You can let it all out" he assured me and honestly, that was the last stroll. I finally gave into my emotions and let them all out and I felt him move from my feet to the sofa. He hugged me and I couldn't help but bury my face in his chest. I felt Aunty Miranda hug me too and now I was sandwiched in between them both. All the memories, thoughts of how my future would have been if they were here and how much I missed and needed them came to me all at once and I think I might have said some of these things aloud.

"Shhh shhhh...." He cooed in my ear

"everything happens for a reason" He whispered as he caressed my shoulders. I couldn't help but cry more until I felt it was enough and I felt a huge load lifted off my chest. We stayed like that for I don't know how long and honestly I did miss such comfort, I felt safe in Jerald's and Auntie’s arms. I felt loved and like I had a family. Auntie left the two of us and after what felt like hours, we pulled away from each other.

"I must look like a cry baby huh” I joked, sniffling.

" yes.. Definitely" we both laughed at that as I lightly punched his chest. Aunt Miranda came into the living room and sat next to us. She placed her hand on my thigh, to which I'm sure she meant she was there to support me. I smiled at her and softly squeezed her hand.

"Let's have dinner" she said as she got up and then I realised that I had completely forgotten about home and how I'd be dead if I didn’t leave now. I checked the clock which read 9:05 pm. Definitely dead! The latest I usually got home was 8pm and I got in a lot of trouble even then. It had only ever happened once. The first one was when my friend Adeline was leaving and I had gone to see her off. My aunt had sprayed me with a hose and let me spend half the night out and it had been winter then.

One time I’d gone home at 7:50, because Mr Grande's was very busy. My aunt had made me eat the burnt and salty food she made as punishment until I finished it all. I had diarrhoea for days.

"I have to go!” I stood up abruptly and I could tell they were both shocked at my behavior.

"I'm sorry auntie, but I have to go it's 9 and my....... Uhm.. I have to go to school early tomorrow morning ...to " I was cut off

"I'll take you.."

"First have dinner.." They both said at the same time.

"Have dinner with me first Cally, Jerald will take you home afterwards" she said while holding my hand I felt bad that I couldn’t stay.

"I can't" I started and it was heart breaking to see the look on her face.

"You also don't want to eat with me.. like him right?" She said sadly

"Cally.... Mom made this dinner especially for you.."

"It's not that I don't want to.. I ... I .." Auntie looked sad and she was such a drama queen. "Okay lets eat because, it's been way to long since I've had my aunties home cooked food" I said smiling and she squealed loudly my ears could have gone deaf.

She happily pulled me to the dining room. Such a Drama queen. I thought smiling. She sat me down and got to putting food on my plate.I smiled wiping away tears I tasted the food. I closed my eyes and moaned as I savored the taste. It was delicious!

I opened my eyes to find them both looking at me, aunt Miranda with a smile of satisfaction and Jerald.. Well he was looking at me as if I had something weird going on, on my face. I shrugged at him and mouthed "what?" He looked away embarrassed as if I caught him doing something bad. Weirdo.

"The food is delicious auntie, ... I haven't had such good food in centuries" I said filling my mouth with food. She looked at me surprised.

"You mean you never eat good food?" She asked raising an eyebrow.

"I do eat the workers share at Mr Grande's and it's just that I usually never have enough money to get myself fancy food" I continued to to eat but then I realised they hadn't said anything. I looked up to find them staring at me.

"What?" I put my fork down and touched the edge of my mouth, in case I had something on there.

"You mean to say they never buy any such food at home" oh no! I was just bubbling on that I forgot to not give out too much information. That was my problem with food.

"Um... I mean... Yea.. They do buy such food.... But I’m just never home. Yea never home." I said laughing nervously.

"Right!" Jerald said and his mother nodded absent mindedly.

"So when are you graduating?" He asked me and I couldn't thank him more because it was at the right timing. Soon enough the dinner was over, with us talking about everything. We reminisced about the past and I got to know about some of the places auntie Miranda visited after handing over the business to Jerald.