***
we are family,
although we do not resemble
although i am black and you are white
although you are rich and i am poor
we are family,
even though i am democrat, and you are republican
even though your ancestors are from Iraq, and mine are from Africa
even though you teach the class i'm enrolled in
we are family,
although i'm a poet and you are a singer
although you are old and i am young
although i'm a gentleman and you a lady
we are family,
even though you praise Allah and I praise Jesus Christ
even though i love football and you play soccer
even though you are a Sagittarius and i'm a Cancer
we are family,
although i prefer rhythm and blues and you love blue grass
even though you have a car and i have a bus...to ride
although i have love and you are alone
even though you dress one way, and i dress the other
although my family loves me and yours does not know of you
we are family,
you and i are family,
me and you are family,
no matter what the difference is
family we are, forever
because we are here, and here is earth
and earth is our home
so here, we will live,
we are family.
~Michael J. Burt
***
The week was a blur.
Evie dedicated almost all her time in the pub-house and managed to finish half of the manuscripts that were due the week after.
During her free time, she also helped clean her Uncle's mansion to divert her mind from the stack pile of work she had to do. She was still having trouble grasping the whole situation she was in. It wasn't everyday she'd lived inside a mansion with millions worth of art.
She once stumbled upon a random room while trying to find the cleaning tools but instead of finding brooms, mops and other normal things that an average American Uncle would have, it was filled with hodgepodge of mosaic arts and graffiti. When she asked her Uncle what the room was for, he just lazily answered that he got talked into buying a whole exhibit back when he was in Spain; like it was a normal thing to do. It's not everyday you hear something like that folks. Another episode of Times When Uncle Paul Proved How Loaded He Was.
"I always forget that I have a millionaire for an Uncle. Silly me!" She chortled.
At work, Evie easily adjusted to her environment and realized that the pub-house wasn't totally bad after all. In fact, Dexter's publishing house was very busy during Mondays and Wednesdays. Those were the days when people literally mustered inside the whole first landing of the pub-house. Almost all the little shop owners and beginners in writing all over New York City came to the pub-house for their service.
Aside from Evie being productive everyday, she and her workmates were becoming more chummy as the days passed by. They would eat their lunch together and sometimes visit bistros and cafés all over town. She also got to know her workmates a little better.
The first one she really got to know was Morgan who was super enthusiastic to share all about her life. Evie wasn't surprised since the lady was quite a loud one. But she admired her for that. Morgan was like a bubble of happiness.
As told by Morgan, the lady was a graduate in UCLA which also surprised Evie. Both Jimmy and Morgan were degree holders from prestigious schools.
Morgan had two younger sisters back in Seattle. Her mom and dad got divorced when she was still fifteen. Her mom got remarried but her dad remained single, too busy with their business to bother.
When the topic veered towards their family business back in Seattle, Morgan became reluctant. Evie sensed that she was hiding something but she decided not to pry since it was apparent that Morgan wasn't comfortable talking about it. She figured that Morgan would eventually tell her once she's ready.
Evie wondered what could've gotten Morgan to work in Dexter's despite numerous opportunities that awaited her. Unlike Jim, Morgan did not owe Dexter anything.
The next one who Evie got to share a closer bond with was Eve.
It was quite easy actually. Eve was like her mom, but with a tinge of sass, well not really a tinge. A lot. She was really sassy for someone who was in her 40s. But there was something in the woman that made her heart warm.
Evie found out that Eve never got married. She was supposed to get married but something happened before their wedding. Something about the groom having a cold feet.
Surprisingly, Eve didn't show any affection or signs that she was still hurt with what happened to her before. Instead of being glum, she was all smiles and laughter while reminiscing her failed love life.
"Things happened for a reason. One thing I learned from that experience was that you can never force fate into doing your own bidding. God is like a gardener and our lives is the garden. He sometimes remove people in your life, it's like plucking off weeds in a vast garden to make room for other seeds to grow. And those seeds are gonna grow into beautiful flowers that are more fitted and better." Eve said while they were having tea one afternoon. She noticed the contentment in her eyes despite the painful experiences she had undergone.
Evie eyed the woman with envy. I sure wish I was like her.
When it comes to letting go of baggages and moving on, Evie was definitely on the bottom tier. She clearly wasn't faring well with all her nightmares and unresolved issues.
Sometimes before going to bed, Evie would think about the mysterious guy. She was so close last Sunday in finding out who he was but she was too slow. It was very frustrating in her part.
She almost had him.
She looked at the silver bracelet once more. Studying the word that was engraved on it.
horizon
"What a weird name. Who would name their kid horizon? Poor guy." She shook her head.
Evie tried searching for companies that manufacture the same bracelets because maybe horizon was a brand name or a company. But she had no luck.
"Why horizon though? Out of all the words in the dictionary." She thought one night while she was in a pensive mood.
It was Thursday afternoon when Morgan gave Evie a heads up about the surprise for Jimmy which was the day after—Friday, Jimmy's birthday.
Apparently, Morgan already planned everything starting from the cake down to the party hats and confetti. She was so stoked while explaining everything that was gonna happen tomorrow.
Evie nodded in affirmation every time Morgan blurted out something in her squeaky voice. She was tasked to buy the drinks in the department store. Eve was gonna cook the food, among it was Garlic Buttered Shrimp—Jim's favorite food. Dexter was assigned in picking up the cake from the bakeshop that Morgan's friend owned. While Morgan was gonna decorate the place and buy the gift for Jim.
They all went to the pub-house earlier than usual the morning after, except for Jim of course. Everything was already settled, from the blue metallic balloons, party poppers, fondant cake that was shaped like a camera (Jim loves photography), drinks which Evie bought, the home cooked food and Morgan even managed to buy cute little party hats that would go with the whole blue themed party.
In short, they looked like they were in a children's party.
In an instant, the pub-house became brighter in mood. Not like its usual gloomy exterior.
When they heard the sound of Jim's motorcycle, everyone started standing in their distinct places. Morgan was totally strict when it came to surprises. She liked everything to be perfect and according to plan. Don't even try to leave your post or else she'll scold you with her high-pitched voice.
After surprising Jimmy, they sang happy birthday and started eating their food. Morgan even prepared a slideshow of Jimmy's baby pictures. As to where and how she got the pictures, Evie did not know. Despite the short amount of time she'd known Morgan, she knew that the lady has a way with bending things to her likings. If she wanted to achieve something, she'd definitely have it. Well, except for taming her cat.
The surprise went surprisingly well in spite of Morgan's propensity to reveal stuff. After all the eating and singing, they all went back to work and later that night, Jim invited everyone to eat in a fine dining restaurant, his treat.
Although Evie preferred the bistro since the mysterious guy would be performing that night, she can't reject his offer, especially when it's his birthday and especially when the food is free.
Not tonight. Evie thought.
It was already dark when they arrived at the restaurant. The city lights gleamed from a distance and more and more were lit as the night arrived. The moment they settled in their table, a waiter gave them individual menus. Eve started telling her orders to the attentive waiter named Jake while Evie silently perused her menu.
After Jake had taken everyone's order, the table broke into another conversation. But this time, they were more formal and less loud given that it was a fine dining restaurant and people expect a quiet and peaceful ambiance.
They talked about work but Dexter insisted that they should talk about anything other than work.
"Isn't there anything interesting going on with you millennials other than work?" Dexter said, cutting off Morgan.
Eve cleared her throat.
Dexter quickly glanced at her. "Of course I'm also referring to you Eve." The old man laughed. His wrinkles appeared vividly.
They all smiled as if Dexter's smile was contagious.
Not a moment later, everyone started jesting. Throwing jokes and razzing each other. They specifically made fun of Morgan about her promised journey to being healthy which she hastily said earlier for the reason that her skirts were becoming tight.
"Hey, cut it off. I really am indeed going to take it seriously this time. No more going astray." Morgan retorted while rolling her chinky eyes.
Jimmy's eyes narrowed. He wiggled his forefinger at her. "Oh yeah. I remember you saying that the last time when we were having lunch in Pepper's. Eve what exactly happened the morning after Morgan promised to be all healthy and goat-like?" Jim said and glanced at Eve. Morgan frowned at the word goat-like.
Evie looked at Eve, anticipating her answer.
"I found her munching on some chips and a box of doughnuts." The lady answered while stifling a laugh.
The poor Morgan was beginning to turn red due to the embarrassment. "It was one time! ONE TIME!" She said, trying to reason out the whole binging thing.
"Dexter, they're bullying me." She said to Dexter like a kid telling his dad.
"Don't drag me. I wasn't there." He said. Everyone laughed boisterously, unaware of the casual glances from other customers. Morgan frowned at him. "But I know that Morgan is true to her promise this time. She can do it." Dexter continued to at least help Morgan. But he winked when the lady wasn't looking at him. His action obviously said the otherwise.
"See? Someone believes me. I shall not fail you Dexter." Morgan said cheerfully.
Everyone was occupied with talking except for Evie. She would answer every time someone asked her but most of the time, she kept quiet. Not that she wasn't enjoying herself. She was. But she was too busy observing everyone.
She looked at their faces. Trying to memorize every little detail about them.
Jimmy's witty remarks.
Morgan's cute outbursts and funny stories.
Eve's sassiness that made her able to ride on with Morgan and Jim.
Dexter's warm smile and contagious laughters as if he's a dad who was chaperoning everyone.
Evie's mouth curved.
It had been a long time ever since Evie was able to sit with people who genuinely laughed with her. She saw the bond and the personal connection of everyone that was seated around their table.
When Dexter told her to treat them as family during her first day, she honestly thought it was just an empty phrase like a typical welcome for new employees in a company.
Now she understood why Dexter wanted her to call them family. Because indeed they were like one.
And Evie was intent in keeping them in her life.
Because no matter how independent Evie was, losing another family was too much to handle in a single lifetime.