mum came down stairs after a few minutes. her eyes were filled with tears. my mother was a very emotional woman who cried easily. I stood up and wrapped my arms around her to comfort her. my mother was rather on the short side.
everything is going to be alright mum, I told her. she's just upset now but she will get over it. my mum nodded and heaved heavily. lately I've been the one comforting others without no one to comfort me.
we were interrupted by a knock on the door. the movers must be there. Dad wanted a more conventional house so he refused to install a doorbell.
mummy went to answer, the way she switched so fast for being sober sad mom to badass confident mom in seconds is a skill I would love to acquire.
Go upstairs, I told Mike.
He stood up and left without a word. Ever since my dad died, Mike changed. he was like the walking robot. he did everything he was told and never said more than 15 sentences per day. I don't think I've seen him smile since then. I just wonder the extent of the damage that my dad's death did to my brother and if he will ever recover.
I packed the plates and took them to the kitchen and started washing. mum hated seeing dirty plates in the sink. I threw away the leftovers and washed the plates. I dried them and arranged them neatly in the box. I looked around the kitchen.
the pantry door with so many marks. on the last day of every year, Dad would measure our height against the door and check how far we have grown since the previous year then he will congratulate us and then take us out for ice cream or a fun family trip.
I was so lost in thought that when I came back out, the movers had already started moving our things. I watched on silently.
so it was really happening, our house of 17years gone just like that. I still couldn't believe it even though it was right in front of my face.
surprisingly it didn't take long because mum left a lot of the furniture in the house.
Go get your sister and brother, it's time to go
I turned around and went straight to Mike's room, best to deal with the easiest first. I opened the door and I found him reading.
reading!!!!!! Mike reading!!!!! never happened before. something is definitely wrong.
he looked up at me with questions in his eyes.
the movers are done moving the stuff. mum said we are leaving now, get your bag and go downstairs.
he nodded and stood up immediately.
I went in and picked up the book
the cover read `the discovery of quantum numbers ' . what the hell!!!! this guy was 10 and the worst part is that it was in Chinese. what's going on?
He was already at the door when I stopped him
are you okay? I asked him
I'm fine he said.
okay but just know that if you ever need anyone to talk to, then am here for you.
sure, he replied but it was obvious he wasn't going to.
he turned back around and left.
I went to Jessica's room next. the door was locked.
Jess!!!! Jesss!!! I started banging on the door.
open the door, the movers are done moving and we are leaving now. mum said I should call you.
it took 10minutes of banging and a few threatenings from mum before Jessica finally came out.
we all got in the car and left. the drive from Georgia to Atlanta was very long. it took us 2 days with the stops here and there.
I literally lost count of the number of times, Jessica threw a fit on this drive. Mike and I only took snack and bathroom breaks
mum was so exhausted and I wonder how she kept going. she was trying her best to be competent enough.
when Dad died, mum organized the funeral almost immediately. it was very small one with no fan fare of any kind. she made sure not to cry in front of us that day but that night I could hear the muffled cries in her pillow. I couldn't sleep a wink.
it wasn't easy for her too. it was like a piece of us had been taken away never to return.
we got to my grandma's house at around 9pm. immediately she parked the car, Grandma came out. she looked so young and beautiful. infact my mum looked like the grandma and not her. she was my Dad's mother. my mother's parents were long dead. she lost her husband a few years ago to prostate cancer.
She hugged my mother first and of course my mother started crying. I almost rolled my eyes. I don't think I've cried even once since Dad died . I think my emotions died along with him.
finally they were done and she came to hug us.
Don't worry, guys we are going to get through this.
we took over our bags inside and immediately came for dinner. dinner was steak with eggs and bacon. Grandma's house was so homely, small but clean and beautiful.
After dinner, Grandma showed us to our rooms. I started arranging my things.
I know you all have this question. Didn't you have any friends in Georgia, you have never spoken about them. well I didn't. I just knew people, they were never my friends besides I was very introverted. people tended to avoid me, the weirdo. I've never truly belonged anywhere only in my family
I finished arranging everything and picked up my phone. yesss!!! guys we had technology, it wasn't the 1980's. I connected by ear pods and began playing all my dad's voice notes from beginning to end. I lay down on my bed and fell asleep immediately. I'm so sorry Dad, I should have stopped you from going that night.