CHAPTER 4
JOYCE POV
I never thought seeing Albert again would awaken emotions in me that I thought were nonexistent. The last time I felt emotions so raw was when Lewis suddenly died of a heart attack after a visit to his parents. I never saw it coming - no one did. Soon after, Elizabeth disappeared, leaving her two-year-old daughter behind. So did Albert. Now, he's back twelve years too late demanding a daughter he willingly gave up.
I sighed. "Albert, for the last time, I have no idea where your daughter is."
"But this doesn't make any sense I- I was sure .." He stuttered.
"It's high time you start making sense of things don't you think? After all, you brought us where we are right now."
"It's not my fault. Your husband hated me, he wouldn't let me anywhere near her - let's be honest here, lewis is partly responsible for the mishaps I went through," He seethed.
I chuckled bitterly "You destroyed his sister's life!" I threw my hands in exasperation."Lewis did what he thought was best for his sister's future. He could not watch Elizabeth waste her life just to be with someone who doesn't care for her -"
"I did care for Lizzy. Besides, Elizabeth was old enough to make decisions for herself, you did nothing but overshadowed her decisions with your opinions, and.."
"She was just nineteen! A teenager in a grown-up body, and you were what? Twenty-five?"
"Twenty - three - but that doesn't matter. What matters is I'm back now and I want to prove to her that I still care .."
"No. You cared for no one but yourself, you left her in the most inhumane way possible. You weren't remorseful then and you aren't now. Therefore, before she left, she decided not to have anything to do with you ever again," I sighed and massaged my temples, frustrated that I'm unaware of what has become of my girls in school.
"Joyce, if you could just do this last favor for me.." His eyes searched mine in desperation.
"You don't deserve a favor from me Albert.."
"Yes I know, I know. But I need to know where I can find Lizzy. Since I've hurt her, I want to make amends." He breathes, his eyes looking hopeful. But I know him well to know that this is one of his tricks to mess up everything again, If possible, to take the one precious thing I have.
"Too bad for you I have no idea where she is," his shoulders sagged in defeat. He suddenly stumbled backward, his face turned pastel and I noticed his chapped lips were trembling. I moved closer to him, he clutched his head.
"Are you feeling alright?" I carefully examined his features.
"Yes I am," he nodded rapidly. I grabbed his arm and showed him to a chair.
"Come. Sit down, let me get you water.."
"No, I should go.."
"Hush," I scolded. I hurried into the kitchen to fetch water for him to drink, then hurried back and handed him the water.
"Thank you," he murmured. He drank the water in a gulp. I reached for the cup, but he protested, he stood and walked to the kitchen to keep it.
Then I heard a noise beside the window by the porch. I sighed. Oh, what am I to do with these girls? I'm sure Ladonna initiated the idea of trekking home.
"What did I say about eavesdropping girls?" I spoke out to their hearing. Albert turned sharply toward my direction, his face morphed in confusion.
"Are you talking to me?" He said with a raised brow.
I shook my head. "No, no," I managed a small smile. He walked towards me and stood - unsure of what to say. He fiddled with his bag, his head bowed. He then looked straight at me, his eyes filled with sincerity for the first time.
"Only you Joyce could offer me water even after what I did years ago -and also now." My lip tightened at his confession.
He cleared his throat and scratched the back of his neck. "Anyway, I should be on my way now. Thank you, Joyce. Oh - before I forget," he removed his bag and suddenly turned to the entrance, as a shadow was casting above us. And there stood my girls, staring at us with curious eyes. Fear clutched my heart, digging its fangs Into it, the thought of them hearing all we said waged war in the pit of my stomach. Emily came into view. She observed us with curious eyes as if she could see through our souls. Emily's a keen observer, inquisitive about everything around her. She would quietly analyze things and be completely lost in her world. While my oldest, Ladonna, was the opposite of Emily, she would chart how her day would go, but have no idea what she wants to pursue as a career- which unsettles me. She's impulsive - but brilliant. Still, I worried that she aimed too much for perfection, which was partly my fault considering I've always been on the harder side. Nevertheless, she was driven and a survivor - both my daughters were. Which I'm very proud of. Albert stared at them in awe.
"Is this Dora?" His eyes are wide.
"Donna. Ladonna." Donna chimed in. She would abruptly say words you wouldn't expect.
"Ladonna," I scolded.
"I can see she's all grown now," he chuckled softly." who's the other pretty one?" He asked. His gaze set on Millie - who seemed unsure how to act in the situation. She shifted her weight from one leg to the other.
"*Both* are my daughters." I sternly stated.
"I don't remember..oh wait. I shouldn't be asking all these questions. Here. I have something for you before I take my leave." he excitedly unzipped his duffel bag and brought out muffins - which I suspect he bought from Kofi's. A bakery across from us. I recognized the muffins immediately.
"Oh. Albert you didn't have to."
"No, I wanted to. Also, it brought back good memories of how you treated me with kindness back then even if we just met." he sighed, "though your husband wanted to kill me then, you made things easier. Thank you." He breathe out a laugh and rubbed his hands nervously on his trousers.
"Thank you, Albert," I said with a small smile. He carried his duffel bag and headed to the door, his shoulders hunched, his tall frame Dominating the entire room.
"My name is Emily," Emily suddenly spoke, she offered her hand toward Albert for a handshake. He looked down and smiled - a smile so familiar. He shook her hand firmly "how are you, Emily?"
"Fine, thank you, sir," she replied with a smile.
Ladonna stepped forward with a slight frown etched on her face, she reached out for a handshake also. "my name is Ladonna," he shook her hands.
"You're a replica of your mother," he said with a tilt of his head, "I wouldn't want to cross you," he teased. She cracked a smile.
He turned to me "You have fine girls Joyce, I'll see you when I see you," he turned and walked out and down the driveway onto the street.
♡´･ᴗ･`♡♡´･ᴗ･`♡
Despite everything that has happened, I don't regret taking Emily from Elizabeth - not even when Lewis was against it at first. And I never will. Emily will always be a part of this family - a part that has comforted me always.
Just then I remembered we have to be at Gabby's by four, so I set out to the kitchen to package the cupcakes I made. Meanwhile, the girls were in their room changing from their uniforms to get ready - I hoped. Then I heard
footsteps approaching the kitchen. Ladonna walked towards me as I took the already-baked cupcakes out of the oven.
"These cupcakes weren't for us?" She said as she stood beside me. I nodded.
"I was looking forward to eating five of these," she pouted.
"What happened to watch that growing hips of yours," I raised a brow in question.
"That's not important anymore, not when it comes to cupcakes," she chirped and I chuckled softly, "so.. can I have one?"
" No you cannot, it's for the gathering at Gabby's, you can only have it when we get there," I said sternly.
"But it's a restaurant," she deadpanned.
"All the more reason then," I concluded. She quietly helped me package the cupcakes.
"Where's Millie? She should get dressed and wait.. did something happen in school today?" I furrowed my eyebrows. Emily is proficient in her academics, sometimes too smart for girls her age, as her IQ span is higher than normal. Therefore, she struggles to tread at the pace of her classmates. She's in turn treated differently.
"I have no idea," she replied nonchalantly. I glared at her "look at me," I instructed. She looked up, her face marred in confusion.
"You have to intentionally look out for your sister, it's completely abnormal that you care so little about her well-being, I.."
"She won't let me. Besides, I like how things are between us right now," she shrugged. "We don't meddle in each other's business, I hate having to adjust because she refuses to open up to me."
"Well, she's your sister, and if it requires you to change your approach just so you could be closer, do it."
"But changing is hard," she complained. Her lips were tightly pursed.
I sighed "Donna. You know, change doesn't always feel good but it's necessary no matter what. Moreover, you don't have all the time in the world with the people you love," I mumbled distantly. She cleared her throat and fiddled with the spoon she was holding.
"Maa?"
"Mhm?" I absentmindedly respond.
"Do you still miss Pa?" She timidly asked. I slowly turned and faced her. I examined her features as I tried to gauge what brought about the sudden need to ask such an unexpected question.
"Every day," I said with a smile and pat her cheek.
"Okay! Let's go," I sobered up. "Millie! get ready, we're leaving in ten minutes," I called. Donna groaned. "Can I get out of this?"
"No."
We walked into 'Mama Gabbys' the chime jingled announcing our arrival. It was like I stepped into a mini African Dom. Everything from the walls, tables, and chairs was painted either peach or lemon green, with the dust of sky blue and honey brown sprinkled atop the original painting. The chairs were opposite each other and the benches were shaped like a couch with a headrest.
Art and awards hung on the wall. Mama Gabby's wasn't a big or exotic place, but cozy.
"Mama Gabby's!" Veronica announced with a wide smile. Her smile widened when she saw me.
"Mrs. Vanni, good evening ma," she grinned.
"Good to see you too Vero," I smiled.
Veronica was a sweet girl working at Gabby's, part-time. Hardworking girl.
"Your usual table awaits," her grin widened - didn't think it was possible - but she did.
"You ladies just take your seats and I'll be with you in no time at all," She chirped.
We went to our usual table by the huge glass wall overlooking the front yard of the restaurant, we quietly sat and watched the sun peeking through the glass wall into the restaurant. There were brown-colored benches outside the porch - it looked like something out of a painting - the wide entrance was lined with flower pots. And right on the lemon tree in front of the restaurant hung - were tiny electric bulbs, which set the whole front porch aglow. Everything was bliss. But the trees bending because of the breeze outside made me think of the days I mourned Lewis alone in my room, how I sniffed his scent on his clothes and wish the pain in my chest will go away. However, now, the pain isn't as it was before. The thought of the responsibility and dilemma of raising these girls isn't so daunting anymore. Whenever I'm with the people and in the places I love, I felt less burdened. I inhaled the fresh air and then exhaled. This place always refreshes my mind.