These days everyone has just been on my neck ever since the episode and for days they don't let me do anything at all by myself because they feel like I'm prone.
The house even became more unbearable because my mom blamed my dad for what happened and threw a huge fit. Ever since then, she has been making snide comments about how him coming back into our lives made things worse.
I'm tired of how I'm being treated like a delivery Package labelled fragile and I just want to know what happened to Kyle.
I've tried every way to find him. We even checked the streets where he would live. I really want to find him and know if this is all a misunderstanding and maybe he's just with his mum or any other family member and the only way to find out is something I dread so much; calling his mother.
Telling her that someone she left in my care is nowhere to be found is dreadful, because I know very well how the reaction will be.
When I found out that Kendall was dead, I was furious; I felt guilty; I felt sadness, heartbroken. I pushed everyone away and almost committed murder because of the rage inside me.
I know how it feels to lose people, so maybe Mrs. Campbell would murder.
I search for her number on my contact list because she gave me her number so that I'll call her or so that she can call me in case anything is wrong with Kyle.
I ring the number but no answer.
I ring it again and again, no answer.
Immediately, I get a message; 'This number is not in service'
But she called me on Saturday with this number.
I ring again and the same message is sent.
I call the number again, but this time with my landline and it still sends the same message again.
I give up after multiple rings and throw my phone across the room and hang my head down.
"Are you okay?" I look up to see my mum. "What's wrong? Why are you throwing things around?"
"What are you doing here?"
She smirks. "I can be anywhere I want to, plus I wanted to check on how my baby is doing"
She strokes my hair and I jerk. "What's bothering you, Andrew? Is it about the missing patient?"
She asks still stroking my hair and I nod. "But I told you not to stress yourself on this issue I told you that I would han-"
I interrupt. "I've been calling his mum's number and it's telling me that the number is not in service when I have called the number and spoken to her with the number."
She tilts my head to face hers. "It will be okay. Don' worry abo-"
I interrupt again but this time I raise my voice. "Don't worry? Someone is missing and I shouldn't worry? I don't want to lose another patient. I lost Kendall and I don't want to lose another one."
The mention of Kendall's name makes her stiffen. "Drew, it's not your fault. Don't beat yourself up." She scolds. "You are a man so man up. You can't continue thinking about that anymore"
"Do you have anything to do with it?"
"I don't know. I guess I've lost track of the people I kill and kidnap."
I open my mouth surprised at her words and try to spot the sarcasm in her tone. I try to speak but she speaks first. "I've told you that I am not a monster. I have emotions. I have a heart. Why would I take a child or his mother who I barely know away? Don't think of me as a cold-hearted person."
"I'm sorry. I just asked. I'm sorry"
She pulls me into a hug. "I just want you to know that I had nothing to do with this. Do you trust me?"
I don't answer and she repeats the question again. "Do you trust me?"
I still don't answer. "It's understandable if you trust me since I haven't given you a reason to trust me, but now I'm telling you to trust me on this one."
I give a small smile. "I trust you, mum."
"ANDREW!!" Someone calls.
Adanna walks in a black dress while putting on her jewellery. "I'm sorry to interrupt the son and mother moment you both are having, but I have to tell you we are running late."
"Running late for what?"
Mum lets out a light chuckle. "Oh, um, Adanna here suggested that we go to a restaurant to eat together as a family"
"Why would you suggest that?" I ask surprised that Adanna would want that.
Adanna exhales. "So that mum and dad can act civil and not kill each other." She continues. "Hurry, we are going to be late."
***
The drive to the restaurant was smooth. It wasn't perfect, but it was better.
For the first time in weeks, my parents spoke to each other without venturing into a quarrel about who is right or wrong, and my sister spoke to my mum, making no sarcastic comments.
My dad puts on his dark glasses and a hat to hide his identity the moment our driver reaches the restaurant.
As we alight the vehicle, Ralph and Jim step out to follow my mom.
I pull my mum back. "Mum really?"
"What?"
Adanna frowns. "Why do you need bodyguards to follow you here? No one is going to kill you here." She exhales. "I said family dinner and these two are not part of the family."
"They won't cause any harm. They'll be as far from us as possible." Mum argues.
"Yes, I agree with you. They will stay as far as possible by staying in the car. I'm not arguing this with you"
"Ralph and Jim wait outside." She tells them and they remain fixed in the position they are.
We go into the restaurant and find my dad motioning us to come to sit with him at an already prepared table of four.
"Good evening and welcome. Would you like to order anything?" Our server says the same rehearsed line with a fake smile.
"I want nothing for now yet." My dad tells the server, and he turns around to leave. "But you can ask them if they need anything, though."
The server turns back to us and takes our order and leaves.
An awkward silence follows the following minutes, and everyone's head turned to their phones.
Our food comes in and everyone eats, still in silence.
Mum clears her throat loud enough for the people at the other tables to turn to look at us.
I send them a little smile to tell them to mind their business.
"Why exactly did you bring me here?" Mum asks in a voice loud enough for only us at the table to hear.
"This is a restaurant and why do they bring people to a restaurant?" Adanna asks with an eye roll. "Obviously, to eat."
Mum ignores Adanna and faces my dad who sits across her. "Really, why did you bring me here? I'm not stupid and I know it's not for food. So why did you bring me here?"
Dad wipes his mouth with a napkin. "I was going to say you should get done with your food first then maybe we can talk about this later but from the looks of it you haven't touched your food." He continues. "I brought you so that we can talk on the real issue of why you wanted me to stay away from the family."
She scoffs and folds her arms. "There is nothing to talk about."
Dad takes a sip from his water. " Andrew deserves an explanation?"
"What explanation?" She turns to make her leave. "Look I don't know what you are planning but just know that if you plan on hurting or killing me in here, just remember I have men outside"
"He deserves an explanation on what happened to Kyle, his mother and Kendall," Adanna says sternly.
"Okay, Chill." I attempt to lessen the heat. "I already asked mum about Kyle and his mother and she said she has nothing to do about it. And why would mum have anything to do with Kendall, she died because I left here. Mum wasn't there."
"Andrew, why do you believe everything you are told. After everything you know she is capable of you still believe her words." Adanna tells me.
"Mum may have done so stuff in the past but that doesn't mean she would hurt anyone without the need to. I mean why would she hurt Kendall or Kyle?"
"Well she's here, you can ask here about it. And you can also ask her why she would want to kill me." My dad finally speaks.
"Honestly, I can't deal with this." She turns to leave. "Andrew, are you coming?"
"Yes, I'm coming with you" I give my sister and dad a cold stare.
As I make a move to my mother. Two men and women stop my mother from moving any further.
"Can you get out of my way?" Mum, says loud enough to cause others in the restaurant to turn around and stare.
"I'm officer Patricia Smith and Mrs. Julianna Briggs you are under arrest." One of the female officers announces making the people at the restaurant pay rapt attention to what's happening, and some bring out their phones to record.
"Under arrest for what?" I asked turning to give my sister a face that asked, 'what are you up to'.
"You are under arrest for attempted murder, murder of Kyle Campbell, abduction, arson and other crimes." The male officer tells her.
"But I didn't do anything." Mum protests as they try to handcuff her.
"You have the right to remain silent. If you say anything, what you say can be used against you in the law court."