" Good morning, how's your wrist doing"
" Great, how are you doing".
" Oh, am fine. I wasn't really hurt"
" Marvel." He paused, searching my eyes. "Am sorry. I didn't mean what happened yesterday, I was acting under the influence of alcohol and drugs"
" Yeah, about drugs and alcohol, we will have to talk about that later. For now, let's focus on making sure your wrist heals faster".
"Okay Marvel, thanks"
" What would you like to eat?".
"Surprise me".
"Hmm, okay sure will".
"Marvel"
"Yes"
"We are friends now ain't we?".
"No Simon we are the best siblings in the world," I said laughing.
After having breakfast we went to the sitting room and watched the reruns of Easton heights.
"Do you have any idea why Makaela is?"
"No, why?"
"I haven't been seeing her. I should probably ask mum"
"Don't". He snapped
"Why? I asked surprised at his sudden reaction.
" I don't think she will like you bothering her about Makaela".
"Bothering her about her own daughter. I don't think so".
" OK then go ahead just don't say I didn't warn you".
I stood up and told Simon that I was going to blue heavens.
"Right now?" He asked surprised.
"Yes, captain obvious".
" Why don't you find a more appropriate moment, please"
"Is there something you are not telling me, Simon?"
"No, am just saying..."
"Please," I said cutting him shut.
I went to blue heavens but did not meet mum. I waited for about an hour and still did not see her. I went home to prepare lunch for Simon and read a novel. For the first time, I decided to wait for mum. I barely saw her because she works at the blue heavens in the afternoon and doesn't come home early. I doubt that she even comes home at all. I have not seen her more than five times ever since I came to Duncan two months ago.
At about one a.m in the morning, I heard the door open. Mike came in alongside mum. Mum was sober enough but Mike was a bit drunk.
" Mum can we talk?".
"Oh, baby not now".
"Mum it's urgent".
"You know what Barbara? Let's talk later okay".
"Where is Makaela mum?".
Mike left us and went to the room he shared with mum.
"She is not around obviously"
"I know she is not around. What am asking from you is her whereabouts"
"She went somewhere Barbara, just drop this conversation okay?".
" No mum" I was already crying."Makaela is not always around and you are telling me to drop this discussion uh?. Mum talk to me. What is going on mommy you can not keep lying to me. it is not fair".
" Baby life is not always fair".
"Why not mum. You left dad to live here, you dragged my sister into this and you are making her suffer. Why can't she live here like the rest of us and where does she stay"
" There are a lot of this you do not understand Barbara. I wasn't happy with your father".
"Oh, so this is where you are happy mum, running a brothel, housing prostitutes, selling drugs and alcohol to young people. Mum is this what makes you happy?"
"Don't judge me, Barbara. You decided to stay with your dad and I did not try to stop you so do not judge when you don't even know me"
"I know you mum. You are a selfish, money loving woman, a bad mother. That's who you are mum, it is who you are".
She slapped me so hard that I felt dizzy.
"You.....Barbara. How dare you?
"Where is Makaela mum. Where is she?"I asked shouting.
Mum walked out on me and went into her room to cry. I went to my room and cried too. I did not sleep that night.
The next morning I saw my mum sitting on the table in the dining area.
"Barbara, we need to talk".
"About what mum?. Are you ready to tell me the truth mum"
"What truth?"
"Like where Makaela is, what happened between dad and you, why you chose to live with Mike when you could have a good life with dad?".
Mum laughed.
"Even if I told you the truth you would not believe me so why bother?. Your dad is dead and gone and it's disrespectful to talk about him like this".
"Don't you dare talk to me about respect mum". I looked at her and saw her closely for the first time. Wait is that a bruise on her forehead
" Mum, you are injured"
"I have to go now okay. Mum loves you"
"Mum, wait...."
"Bye"
" I told you it wouldn't work out".Simon said while staring wildly at me.
"What's going on Simon".I asked confused.
"Things are a bit complicated around here".
"You think I don't know that".
" No Marvel, it's more complicated than you can ever imagine."He paused."WAY- MORE- THAN- YOU- CAN- EVER- IMAGINE."He added dramatically
"OK, I get it" I snapped.
"You know there is an untold story about Makaela"
"Tell everything you know Simon".
"Even I do not know the full story but".
"But..."
"The thing is Makaela should be home this weekend"
"Today is Saturday" I said hastily.
"I know. Calm down and listen. She should be here today".
"How do you know this?"
" You would know if you will be nicer and listen more"
"Oh please, you have been here longer so it is only natural that you know more".
About 2:00 in the afternoon, a bus parked in front of the house and someone alighted. Lo and behold! it is Makaela.
"Barbara"
"Makaela"
I ran to her and carried her as high as I could. Whoa, she is light as a feather.
"How are you baby"
"Oh am not a baby anymore"
"I know its an endearment dear"
"What is an endearment, Barbara?"
"Its a word or act expressing affection".
"oh OK"
"Let's go in". Simon chipped
We went in and I made lunch for the three of us. Lunch comprised of basmati rice with chicken curry and banana and coconut fruit juice.
"You cook well" Simon said.
I looked up and smiled at him.
"it is so nice to see you guys getting along so well".
"What are you talking about, Makaela?"
"The last time I was here, you two were not the best of friends"
"Oh let's just say we have settled our differences"
"Good to hear".
After lunch, I told makaela to go and shower and rest while I washed the dishes. I needed her to be as calm and collected as possible when I talk to her. When I went to my room, I met her sleeping soundly. She slept like she had not slept for long. I prepared coconut pie with warm milk and took it to my room. She woke up when she heard me come in.
"Did I wake you?"
"Oh no. I was already awake, I only stood up when you came in"
" Good because I will hate to wake you"
"Barbara"
"what?"
" You know we make a really great duo"
"If only we did not have to live apart".
"You will always be around right Makaela".
"Yes I will"
We watched a movie on Netflix on my P.C.
"Wow, the movie is so interesting".She smiled
"You like it?"
"Are you kidding? I love it"Then I smile disappeared and her whole demeanour changed.
"You know you are so lucky. You got to live with dad and soon you will be leaving here for the university and I will live here for the rest of my life"
"oh don't say that, you will live for the university soon too"
" I hate mike".
" Don't say you hate someone okay. it's a very bad thing to say. Dislike is a bit better. I'm not Mike's greatest fan either."I paused and tried to read through her." " Can I ask you a question?"
"Anything Barbara"
"Where do you spend your holidays because you are not always home".
"I.....I .....you can't understand"
she burst into uncontrollable tears.
"Its okay Makaela, you do not have to cry ok. Everything will be alright"
" No it won't Barbara, my life is ruined"
"No, it's not. You have a life and a future to look forward to Makaela, don't cry"
She continued weeping.
"You do not understand".
" Then make me. I hate to see you like this makaela"
I tried to make her talk but all she did was weep. I soon realize there was no way I would be able to get her to talk. I put her to sleep. I changed into my pyjamas and went to the kitchen to grab a glass of water. I met Simon silhouetted against the wall.
" You have made the biggest mistake of your life Marvel".
"what"
" Asking Barbara where she goes"
"oh please don't be dramatic"
He turned around. He was looking so serious like he was remembering something that happened in the past.
"You have gone too far Marvel and things are not going to remain the same anymore. First, you asked mum then you asked Makaela. It is like you are trying to wake the ghosts that had haunted us all in the past. Even I feel haunted right now"
"What are you talking about?"
"I tried this once Marvel"
"Tried what?".
"I tried to be a man. I tried to stand up for mum, for makaela but it only made things worse. I got nothing but suffering, cries, dashed hopes and ghosts to haunt my soul forever. Dad is not even ready to send me to school"
"ok, now you are been scary"
"I, Your mum, my mum and Makaela are a product of the environment we found our selves in" He paused. "Stop Marvel, stop"
"Stop what"
"Stop being inquisitive, stop asking questions. It will help no one"
"But I need answers"
"oh you need answers"
"yes"
"you really do?"
"of course"
"Makaela is usually away at Shadowing Meadows".
"Shadowing Meadows? where is that?"
" A rehabilitation home".
Simon went to his room and locked his door