RECONCILIATION
[MARTHA's POV]
"There you guys are. Thought you did never join us" my dad said immediately we entered the kitchen.
"We were just saying some needed words to each other. Daddy, meet Lily. Lily, meet my father, James Jordan" I said, averting my dad's question and introducing Lily to my dad.
"Good day sir" Lily greeted with a bow.
"Rubbish little one! You are in this house now, we are family" my dad said and drew Lily for a hug.
Lily stood there and didn't hug my dad back, shocked by my dad's act.
She doesnt know of the good that fills the man.
"You are being very stiff daughter, aren't you going to hug me back?" asked my dad.
It was when my dad said this that she was awakened from whatever initial shock she was in and she hugged my dad back.
They stayed there like that for a while till my dad released her.
"She needs to have her bath now dad" I said
"Why, didn't she have her bath before coming here?" Marcus asked innocently, munching on an apple.
Lily narrowed her eyes at him as she threw daggers to the side of his head. Men and insensitivity!
She wanted to say something but I gave her the side eye and she swallowed back her words.
"She did but when she came here, she decided to help me out with my room" I said
"What's wrong with your room?" asked Seth.
"It was…was in disarray" I said looking away from Seth because I knew he was going to make a nasty comment but he didn't. Instead he guffawed as hard as he could. The fool!
"So what is for dinner?" I asked and Lily turned around to go have her bath.
"Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, cheese,coleslaw, gravy, biscuit for those who prefer and corn for those who want that but I'm definitely team Corn" said Seth.
"Let's get into work people, the ingredients won't cook themselves you know. Michael, pass a knife and some potatoes to Martha" my dad said.
"Forrrr?" I asked
"For you to play with" he teased.
I wanted to push the chore away and use my injury as an excuse but reminiscing on what that caused me earlier today, I said nothing else.
The kitchen was lively as we a put in effort for dinner. My brothers made Marcus laugh so hard his ears were red throughout the cooking. Lily returned half way into the cooking and Cameron join us. She had changed into comfy Mickey mouse pyjamas and she looked cool. Her hair was slightly wet and her face looked very fresh.
"Looking sweet Lily" said Seth and he sent her a wink.
"As sweet as the flower itself" Seth continued in a flirtatious way.
"Like you have tasted the flower" Michael chipped in and Seth eyed Michael up and down. The action earned giggles from Lily and I.
"I wish she is a flower…this one is definitely a bully" said Marcus.
"No she is not" defended Seth.
"Are you guys going to bicker all day? Fix the table and clear those peels from the table now, let's eat!" shouted my dad.
"Yes Sir" we all cheered in salutation and we began to do what he asked.
We sat down round the table and after a sma prayer made by my dad we dug in the meal.
"This is definitely delicious. A ten over ten" Marcus commented as he ran a tongue over his bottom lip.
"Amazing! Thanks Mr Jordan" praised Lily
"You are welcome Lily" my dad responded.
The potatoes were really mashed well and I ate my fill.
"You are the best dad" I said feeling drowsy before I belched.
"So sorry for that, it wasn't intentional" I said and everyone laughed except Michael, he just smiled. A smile that still didn't reach his eyes.
Lily, Marcus and Michael helped clear the table. My dad came to me and asked how my legs were and after assuring him I was fine, he patted my head and kissed my forehead.
"You are forgetting something" I said to my dad as he straightened his back to go to his room.
"What is that?" he asked.
"My turn" I said as I touched my forehead.
He understood what I meant and he bent a little and I brought my lips to his forehead.
"Satisfied?" he asked
"Definitely" I said with a smile.
"Michael, Seth" called my dad and he gave a thumbs up to their direction.
"Goodnight dad" they said in unison
"Night boys"
"Lily, Marcus" acknowledged my dad.
"Good night Mr James' ' they responded simultaneously. My dad took a beer from the fridge and went his way.
"So I guess it's time for us to call it a night," said Michael, preparing to go to his room.
"Definitely not!" I said as I turned my chair to face them all.
"The night is still young gentlemen and… lady" I said pointing to Lily.
"What wheels do you suggest?" Seth said and I narrowed my eyes at him but I answered all the same.
"We watch a movie and have some drinks. Cool?" I asked.
"Cool" they cheered, pumping their fists in the air.
"But Mr James mustn't know" I said, above a whisper.
"That what?" my dad suddenly asked from behind me.
"Uhmm…didn't know that…" I began but he cut me off.
"When you want to do something weird, you call me Mr James you sneaky child. Well I just want to get another can of beer, you guys carry on with whatever you want to. Just don't be late for breakfast tomorrow" my dad said and my brothers and I exchanged knowing looks.
"Sure dad" I said and he went away.
Everyone began to match out to the living room but Lily came behind me and helped to push my chair.
"Thanks Lil" I said
"Yeah yeah"
Settling on the couches in the living room we all looked at the television.
"We need to choose a movie. Any recommendations" Marcus asked.
"The Addams Family" Lily said.
"The cartoon?" asked Marcus
"Trust me, it's very enlightening and INTERESTING" I said
"Alright MJ. Let's get it started" concurred Marcus.
We watched the first part of the movie but we couldn't stop there and we ended up watching the second part.
"Sweet! Petite" I said, snapping my fingers.
"The latest phrases in the house I suppose. This would last like a century" Seth said.
"Make that a millennia" I said.
"Oh shit, it's 12am already" said Michael
"And?" asked Seth.
"I have got a meeting to attend in the next thirty minutes and I haven't had any rest at all" said Michael.
"Meeting?" Marcus asked.
Thinking up a cover up lie quickly, Michael said, "yes it's like a study group stuff with some of my school buddies"
"Oh cool! But you should take it easy, scholar, school just went on a break" Lily said.
"Yeah, wish I could," Marcus said with a nervous laugh.
Seth and I exchanged nervous looks before quickly looking away.
"Goodnight you all," Michael said.
"Uhmm, can I see you for a while Mike? Like just like five minutes at most…" I said
"Okay! But nothing more than that" Michael said and came to sit down by my side.
"Wanted to help take you up but it seems I have to excuse myself for now. Goodnight you all" said Lily.
"Goodnight Lily" everyone chorused.
"Uhmm, please where we're my things kept? I do also need to take a needed shower" asked Marcus.
"Seth please take him to his room" I said flashing Seth a smile so he wouldn't refute.
"Okay. Let's go" said Seth and they left, leaving Michael and I in notable silence.
"You might want to spill the beans now," Michael said.
"There is actually no bean to spill. I'm so freaking sorry Michael, I did you bad and it was wrong of me. I shouldn't use someone else's weakness against them just because I am opportuned to know it. Can you please forgive me?" I asked.
"You are forgiven Martha. I can never stay mad at you but don't you do that again, it was…it was really terrible" he said sadly.
"I'm sorry Mike"
"Yeah yeah" he said and hugged me.
Instead of pulling away from me, he picked me from my wheelchair.
"I don't think I want to recover from this injury," I said with a mirth in my voice.
"And why is that?" asked Michael.
"So I can continue to be carried like this!"
"You chicken. I'm not the man for the job. Nathan is!"
Immediately Nathan's name left his mouth, the smile on my lips was wiped off and I went mute.
"You still haven't spoken to him?" Michael asked as he marched up the stairs.
"I never want to," I said as I remembered him kissing that lady.
"You will have to someday" said Michael as he got to the top of the stairs.
I said nothing at this as unshed tears were threatening to spill.