“How was the visit honey?” I asked, and that caused all her cheeriness to fade, dimming my
strength.
“It was fine.” She mumbled. I kissed her hair with a deep sigh.
“I made you brownies.” I said gently, her smile returns, vibrant and beautiful, her dimples were
just like her Father.
I used to swoon over that.
I dusted my mind and forced it to focus on the present rather than the past that had been done and
gone.
“Go to the bedroom Willy, I’ll come and help you change.” I told her she nodded enthusiastically. I
am glad I made brownies then. My mother was seated on the sofa, rubbing her temples.
“Mom? I called out sitting beside her, she tilted her head up to me then slumped down on the sofa a little resting on the headrest.
“I am fine honey, just a little dehydrated you know it’s been a while since I’ve driven for a long route, don’t fret it.” She ensures me clarifying the situation and brushing off her trouble, with
motherly love shining in her eyes. I bit my lip and my heart clenched at the sudden thought, that my parents were aging.
She chattered nonstop about the new colouring kit that was launched, and the difficult puzzles she put together faster than my Father and enjoying her weekend with Sabrina, my niece.
She also told me the school her PT told about where physically disabled kids go, my heart broke at that, but I knew it was more than accepting you’ve failed miserably, Wilona had a future, a life ahead of her, and I would make sure it was just as bright and filled with happiness as any other
normal kid.
She snuggled up to me yawning after her chitter–chatter, and I caressed her soft curls, staring up at the ceiling with a hollowness in my chest.
Am I being too selfish? In a way Willy would always be at a distance from her Father now.
I swallowed the thickness in my throat, and kissed her temple.
“Mom?” She calls out sleepily, a little drooling on the side of her lips. “I miss dad.” She uttered making my eyes water and heart crumpled into a throbbing mess.
I need to arrange for her to spend the day with him soon, it wasn’t healthy, she was innocent, she shouldn’t be mashed between our fights and issues.
It wasn’t until she was so deep in her sleep that I slipped out of bed and went to the kitchen, making sure I didn’t make any noise while opening the cabinet and picking a glass for a drink. I wasn’t a drinker so one glass might put me to sleep, that had left my life these days.
I remembered the first time I tasted wine, it was our third date and Wilson brought it, he assured me bought something sweet so there would be more possibilities that I would like it. He was such an amazing guy and lover, even a better Father. What happened to that guy? Why?
I drank more than one, stopped at two, cried out the pain that was whirling and bottled up inside me, then collected both my mind and emotions to senses.
I made sure to brush my teeth, rinse my mouth and wash my face to remove any evidence because a curious, smart eight year old would catch your lie.
The next day when I returned from work, I was playing uno cards with Wilona who was frowning every now and then, because I kept winning.
“This is my turn to win.” She calls out dramatically. I laughed letting her win the rest of the rounds.
Before I could help my mother with dinner, I walked to the bedroom to keep my phone on charge, my eyes landed on Wilson’s strings of texts despite my warning. I gritted my teeth ignoring his incoming calls, wishing I could just block him but he was still Willy’s Father.
Dejectedly sighing, I grabbed the phone, reading, but all his texts basically said the same thing.
21.78%
Leo please reply,
Please pick up the calls Leo.
It’s important.
I can’t tell you about it in text.
It’s about Willy’s treatment.
The last one grabbed my attention.
