22 years later, John was now 21 while Alexis was 23. Penelope was 19. Patty had a daughter aged 17. Patty had come to her sister and asked for forgiveness. Jenny forgave her and they had both been happy with themselves. The both companies were doing well and everything was running smoothly. Jenny invested most of her time in teaching Penny much about the line of business she was into and how to handle it.
Penelope was a pretty young girl, she had black hair and her interest was in the fashion world. At age 13, she had drafted a very detailed design for a skirt and top. That design skyrocketed in the fashion world and promoted the company as many ladies fell in love with the design. Since then, she had been an employee in the company and was paid monthly. She was the youngest employee and she received so many awards from the top personnels every end of the year party.
Penny was Jenny's exact copy only that she was more prettier than Jenny and had straight legs. She carried her beauty from her father. She wasn't interested in the skincare company but in the fashion world. Since 13, she had been drafting designs and had made her mother proud. Henry supported her in whatever thing she wanted to do as long as it was beneficial.
.......
John just graduated from the college of engineering. He wanted a space at his mother's company but Jenny wanted him to follow the Just Brand. It was at this time that Jerry was released from prison. He had been tortured and had lost his young charm. On the day of his release, it was Alexis that brought him home, John refused to see his father.
When brought home, Jerry was given food by Jenny, a room to sleep and some clothes. He was very grateful. He had begged Henry for forgiveness and Henry let go of the situation. According to him, it has all happened nothing can change it. As long as Jerry had a change of heart. And truly, Jerry thought things through and made up his mind to be a better man. His son, John hated him and refused to acknowledge him as a father. It was Penelope and Alexis that were fond of him. They tried their best to visit him time to time every visiting day. Jerry was so happy to see them and always anticipated their coming. John do refuse to see him and it hurt Jerry at a corner of his heart but seeing his niece and nephew cheer him up, he gave up on trying to persuade John that he was a changed man.
.....
"So what are your plans?" Henry asked Jerry. They were both sitting in the study room. Penny served them hot coffee and Jerry thanked her. She smiled at him and left. He wished he could have this closeness with John.
"I don't know how to handle a company," he replied, "so, I think, investing in a business like opening a big mall," he added.
Henry nodded his head, "that's a good plan. Fortunately for you, the mall at B city is for sale. The owner went bankrupt after investing his money in lottery. If you wish, we can both go there tomorrow to see the place," Henry said and Jerry was interested. They both planned to go to B city and see the mall.
Alexis and John's room.....
John sat on the bed reading an engineering textbook. Alexis entered and sat on a chair. He smiled at John who greeted him, "John, how are you?" He had asked.
"I'm not fine. Why did you bring him here?" He asked with a dejected face.
"Who? Your dad?" Alexis asked. "It's been 21 years, why harbour deep resentment? Besides he never hurt you. Mom and dad he hurt still they forgave him and are in peace with him," Alexis added.
"That's them. I'm not willing to accept an ex con as a father," he replied grudgingly.
"Laugh Out Loud," Alexis blurted, "you can never know tomorrow." He told Alexis and went into the bathroom.
Unbeknownst to them, Jerry had heard the convo. He felt bad for his son and couldn't blame him. He had truly lived a bad life. He was grateful Alexis was trying to bring John out. He shook his head and was about to go to his room when Penny came out and called him "uncle." Jerry turned around and tears came out of his heart because Penny had called him uncle in a loving and warm way.
"Penny, I am about going to sleep. Go to bed," he said and smiled.
Penny felt his pain. If it was one thing she inherited and learnt from her late grandma was knowing how to feel for others, their pain. "No problem," she told him, "don't dwell too much on the issue, I understand," she was now standing with him. She held his right hand, "uncle, you are a good person. You should believe in yourself and prove yourself. Every body commits bad at one point in their life," she added.
"Thank you Penny," he replied and was fighting to hold back his tears.
"Let it out. Cry it out. You will feel better," she told him and held her tears, "you are a good man remember that. It may take time but you will achieve it," she added and told him to go to bed. Penny watched as he entered his room. She shook her head and knocked at her brothers door. It was John who opened the door. "When will you let go of your resentment?" She asked John who looked at her. "That man," she pointed at Jerry's door, "is passing through pains. You can't endure what that man had endured. Everybody makes mistakes," she said to him and walked over to her room leaving John in deep thought. All this while she was standing outside the room.