CHAPTER THREE
They'd drive to the river in her dad's old truck and some times her mom will tease her dad about the car.
And when they got there, they'd sit on the Green grass only after spreading a thin layer of cotton fabric.
Sometimes they'd lay there, basking in the sun. Her life back then was like a fairy tale.
When the period of winter came, they would all wear matching coats with the scarfs knitted by her grandmother.
Her dad would always teach her how to skate, but she would give up only after a few minutes.
" Dad you can teach me later after I grow up." She'd say.
Little did she know that her little fairytale will one day be broken by her mom's absence.
" Jane! Jane! Jane!" A distant voice called out, it was Justin's voice.
He waved his hands in front of her face, bringing her back to reality.
He lets out a sigh of relief, " you scared me you know,"
" Oh, I'm sorry."
" What were you thinking about? You were so immersed in your thoughts."
" Nothing."
" Okay... I told you about my family so now you tell me about yours."
" There's pretty much nothing to say. My parents split after some unknown fights and after my dad left us, my relationship with my mom has gone sour. I'll rather say beyond repair." Though she tried to hide it, he could still hear the sadness in her voice while talking.
With a bitter Sweet smile on her face she continues, " if only she had been there,if only she didn't accept the promotion, if only she put her family before work, if only she had cared for us the slightest bit, dad would still be here with us." Jane said with much annoyance and resentment.
" Do you want to give her another chance? Maybe try talking to her about it, she might have her reasons."
" No. I'm not going to talk to her about it, she had so many chances to fix things but she didn't. I'm not going to give her any more chances."
" How about your dad?"
" He calls once in a while."
" How about you? Have you ever taken the initiative to call him?"
" Yes, but he's busy most of the time,"
" Or that's what he tells you, what he wants you to think."
" What do you mean? Are you trying to say my dad's at fault here?" Asked Jane peeved by his remarks.
" I don't know about you, but I do know I'll give anything to talk with my mom again. Take it from someone who knows what it feels like to lose the ones you care about, you might think she's in the wrong but your anger towards her isn't justified. You blame her for your everything that's happened, but come to think of it you never really found out the whole truth. You're probably blaming her because she only came back after your dad left. You feel that if she wasn't absent, your dad wouldn't have left, but even if they split he could have taken you along but left you behind, have you ever wondered why?" Justin stands up to leave.
" Think about that." He said before finally turning around to leave.
Jane sat there, pondering over what he had said.
' Yes I don't know the whole truth but it doesn't mean I'm wrong' she thought to herself.
Her mom began to distance herself and she rarely came along when they went on trips or outings. When she got promoted, she just prolonged her stay at work and came back late.
She couldn't see her mother anymore. Everytime she woke up, her mom would be gone. After some few months she stopped trying.
That day after her parents came back from the court, her dad went up and descended the stairs with his suitcase.
She remembered she had cried that day and she pleaded that she wanted to go with him, but he didn't agree. He said the court had granted her mom custody over her. Ever since then she hated her mom, her fairytale life was shattered.
Sitting in front of the frozen lake, she cried silently. The memories of that day was a scar on her heart, one that time couldn't heal.
She wiped her tears, she didn't have time to feel sad, she had to prepare for the upcoming Christmas party.
Christmas was drawing near and as usual the town was preparing for the upcoming party.
The whole town would celebrate together in the city park. After which families can go home to celebrate together.
Well Jane was different, she would stay out through the day. And even after the party with the town, she never goes home, she'd go over to Carolina's.
Jane takes a stroll to the park where she meets Justin once again.
" Hey Jane," he called out.
Jane was reluctant to respond because she didn't want to talk to him, not after what he said about her father.
She takes a deep breath and smiles, " Justin you're here."
" Yeah, my sister and I are volunteering,"
" Oh, that's good."
" Yes. It's really nice to be involved in this kind of stuff. I mean everyone working together to bring out the best. It's amazing."
Jane smiles, " yeah, it's a small town so we all try to get along. Everyone is nice just like a warm family. What can I say? It's the town's vibe I guess."
They both get back to decorating the place. The park was lively and the kids were running around, some making snow men, this was exactly what she needed.
There was so much to do with so little time. There was only so much they could do in a day.
After retiring for the day, Justin decides to walk her home.
" So your grandma is granny Lisa who owns little bakes?" Asked Jane a little surprised.
" Yeah." He chuckles.
" I really didn't know that. I've known granny Lisa for so long now and I have never seen you. Although sometimes she did talk about her grandkids. Who would have thought?"
" Yeah I know. So you've been in this town since you were a kid right?"
" Yeah,"
" For how long have the town been celebrating the winter bliss festival?"
" I think for over thirty years now"
" Wow. Why do you celebrate the winter bliss a day before Christmas eve?"
" Uhm... How do I put it? The winter bliss is to like a party to welcome the Christmas and new year. We kinda share that day with everyone in town and sometimes with tourist. We do it, hoping and praying for a better time and also it brings the town together." She explained.
" Ooh, that's really nice."
" Yeah, I guess." She stops in front of the door, " thanks for today."
" It was nothing."
" See you tomorrow?"
" Yeah. See you tomorrow." He smiles.