As Bennet made his way to the private health facility to visit his supposed mother-in-law, he felt as though he was headed to a danger zone. The persistent rain yesterday prevented him from visiting alongside his new wife. But he promised himself not to miss out on today's visit.
It was important that he introduce himself to Priscilla properly. Judging from the fact that the woman was the only family his wife had. Yet, never in his wildest dreams would he have thought that he'll wake up pretty early with plans of visiting another in-law aside Felicia's family.
He thought about them, they would have gotten the news of his new marriage. It won't be a new thing, news like that spread across the city like wildfire, and honestly, he didn't really care.
He stopped to get a box of dark chocolate for his new in-law. He already checked in with the oncologist who told him to get chocolates with at least 70% of pure cocoa. Knowing where to get the exact one, he dropped over at the store first, before heading to the health care facility.
Once he was done at the store, he placed a call to the health facility and his call was picked up by one of the caregivers on duty.
"Hello, I'm Bennet Lewin, I'd like to know if my wife, Clara Noman been in for a visit yesterday or today?" He asked the caregiver that picked up his call.
"Hello, she didn't come around yesterday, and she's yet to come today as well, Mr. Lewin. But I imagine she'll be here soon, she rarely stay away from Priscilla that long."
"Okay. Thank you so much, ah, Miss ... ?"
"Lori. My name is Lori. Priscilla is one of my favorite patients."
"Good to know. See you soon Lori." He hung up, turned back to the store to get more chocolate bars for the caregivers that might be on duty.
After doing some shopping, he entered his car and drove down to visit Priscilla. In few minutes, he was at the health facility and stopped in the doorway of Priscilla Noman's room, taking in her appearance, as she lay on the bed, eyes closed and an infusion running through her vein. She was a small woman, or maybe it was as a result of her ailment. But she also looked plump, with few white hairs and dull skin. Slowly, Priscilla opened her eyes when she sensed she was being watched. Bennet took this opportunity to knock on the door. Those eyes lifted up to his direction at the knock, regarding him with suspicion.
"Can I help you?"
He stepped in, holding out a large bouquet. "Hello, Priscilla. I'm Bennet Lewin, Clara's...."
"Nice of you to finally show up." She interrupted him with a snort. "I almost thought that people like you don't associate themselves with people like me." She reached out for the flowers, and held them close to her nose for a brief second. Looking up at him, she flashed a weary smile. "Not so bad for a first impression, although I don't recall permitting you to visit me" She said.
"Anyway, My name is Priscilla. How are you and my daughter, are you treating her well, Mr. Bennet?"
Bennet bowed, "yes, she's well cared for."
"Uhhhhm, I bought some cocoa bread, made with some quality cocoa powder and wheat, and some oranges." The oncologist said they were good for you" From the bag he was carrying, he lifted out a package of soft brown looking bread and five oranges he had grabbed the very last minute from the store.
"I'd love to have some bread. I've had breakfast already, but it wouldn't be bad to have a bite. He pushed the bread to her on the bed. "I just want a bite Mr. Lewin." She reminded him.
"Oh, sure." Bennet replied and pulled the bread open.
"Could you cut out a little for me, I only need a bite." She repeated with an amusing smile.
"Sure," he replied again, and started fumbling around for a knife or something to cut the bread.
"There is a tap at the adjoining room, you can wash your hands, then cut out a little of the bread for me." She told him, still smiling.
Bennet quickly rushed to the tap, in a moment, he was out. Opening the bread, he cut out a large chunk and handed it to Priscilla.
She began to laugh. Loud peals of amusement echoed off the walls. "I spoke to Clara on phone this morning, and she told me that she likes you. She must like you for your looks because it can't be for your brains."
Bennet couldn't help but grin at her sharp tongue. She reminded him of his first wife. In the time he had known his first wife, she was the one person who cared about him completely. She was blunt, direct, and had no problem expressing her opinion. He cut out a tiny piece of the bread and helped Priscilla with it, putting the others away. 'Damn, the woman made him nervous' he had no idea why.
Looking at her, she could be in her late fifties or maybe not. But she did look way older and Bennet wonderd if it was as a result of her ailment or how she really looks.
"I want some oranges too." She told him, and as suspected, he started fumbling for a knife.
Shr smiled broadly, shaking her head. Reaching to her left, she pressed a button on the wall to bring a caregiver to her room. "Rita, will you please help me cut these oranges." She turned to Bennet. "If you ask her nicely, she'll bring you a glass of juice." She added.
"Oh no, I'm fine Rita." He replied turning to the caregiver. He fumbled in the bag, and held out a box of chocolate, that he had left with him after giving out some to the caregivers. "I got you chocolate Mrs. Noman. I was told these were good as well." He said, stretching out a box of dark chocolate her way.
Priscilla arched an eyebrow at him. "There may be still be hope for you then. Now, sit down, and tell me how you've been doing and what being married to my princess feels like." She smiled, noticing the tiny pebbles of sweat on his forehead.
"Uhmm, life has been beautiful." He replied as he produced a second box of chocolate.
"Are those for me as well? If yes, then you have my permission to visit wherever you wish to."
Priscilla Noman was bright, smart, and as Bennet learned from the chief caregiver, the woman was practically filled with stories of her daughter, Clara. And even Bennet discovered, that Clara was the best part of her life and the only immediate family she had left, so it was only okay to hold on to the girl and all the sweet memories they've shared together.
More than once, he noticed her smile whenever Clara's name came up in their conversation. Even when he apologized for not seeking her consent before going ahead with the marriage, the woman had brushed it off and told him that her Clara explained everything to her already and she wasn't angry, at least not anymore.
Their conversation continued until she yawned drowsily and asked for a glass of juice. By the time Bennet found Rita, she showed him to the kitchen area, and he went back to the room, Priscilla had dozed off.
Looking around, it was easy to understand why Clara took the marriage in order to offer her an opportunity to good healthcare. Priscilla was fun, comforting, warm, charismatic and homely. He looked around the room and caught sight of the mini frames of Priscilla and Clara on a mountain, at Clara's graduation, at the fields and there were quite a number of photographs showing Clara's childhood transition, placed on the bedside drawer. It felt like Priscilla didn't want any moment to pass without having something
of her daughter to hold on to.
An unaccustomed wave of guilt drifted through him as he remembered that he probably took her daughter away from her. But the guilt subsided a bit when he recalled that Clara was as much of an adult as he was. None of them forced each other into choosing their current state.
Yet the wave of guilt didn't disappear, rather it subsided. But he was still feeling the sharp bangs in his heart. Gradually shame became a tsunami, engulfing his brain, piercing his skin with it's deadly thorns. He shifted in his chair, unused to the strange emotions.
"Bennet?" Clara's shocked voice startled him. "What are you doing here?"
Bennet stood up, more guilt flooding his head. Clara looked exhausted, with worry lines and he knew it was because of him and his ill-mannered daughter. "I came to meet your mother."
"But we agreed to go yesterday, not today. You didn't tell me you were coming."
"I felt it was important that I come and get myself introduced."
"I'm surprised to see you here, I thought the rain from yesterday would prevent you from coming today, since the weather at Eschial gardens will be nothing to write home about." He said, clearing his throat, feeling more guilty.
"I couldn't stay away." Clara confessed. "Thank you for coming, I really appreciate it." She told him, the genuineness of her confession totally evident in her eyes.
"It's my pleasure Clara." Bennet said and stood up for his wife to sit beside her mother.