Since three days ago when the whole household of The Wilsons had already known that Dave had regained his memory, they've been suspenseful. Chief had spoken with Doc and she said Dave had been quiet since he woke up. He spoke normally but seldom, like he was being cautious of his words. Doc told Chief Dave wanted to speak with him but Chief said he'd call later. It's been three days and Chief still wasn't prepared mentally to hear his son's voice. Deep down, he felt guilty for what he did but it was something he had to, for the sake of Dave himself. When that reporter published that story, he knew his son's reputation was at stake and if something wasn't done to it, it may ruin his future purposes. He never wanted something like that for him. Ever since he had knew about his mental health, he knew he'd be extra harsh and cautious for his sake. He wasn't the harsh-disciplinarian parent type, he just had to compromise for his sake. When he heard about his accident which led to amnesia, he had mixed feelings; happiness and sadness. He was happy because his son forgot his memories of his childhood days and also sad because he had suffered mentally too much and adding amnesia to his suffering would do nothinh but another harm, especially when he heard that there was a chance for him to regain the lost memories. He had been dealing with his wife's issues, he believed his son's own won't deteriorate like that if he handled it early.
That morning, he perambulated up and down the large private living room. They had two living rooms; one for accommodating guests, one for themselves. Both living rooms were designed and architected same way. He clamped the phone in his right palm for minutes before he released the firmness and then repeated the process again. He was on this for over an hour and was oblivious to Ella standing behind him. Since they've heard the news three days ago, Ella had noticed the drastice reduction and change in Chief's morale, even towards his office workers.
"Sir."
No response.
"Chief. Sir." When he didn't answer, she moved closer to him and gently prodded his left shoulder. He turned snappily. If it wasn't Ella that touched him, whosoever it might be would have been fired by now because his anger erupted like a volcano. When he saw Ella, he relaxed a bit.
"What is it?" His tone was still harsh a bit
"Sir. Sorry to disturb, but your breakfast, brunch and lunch have been on the table, untouched..."
"Ella, do I look like someone who should be eating?"
"Why, sir, would you say that?"
"I need to speak with Dave and I have no idea how to do that?"
Ella paused a bit before speaking, "Chief. If you'd not say I'm being too forward, I'd like to give you my insights." He beckoned on her to continue. "Chief, I've been with you before you got married, I've been aware of everything going on from the onset. I know you did what you did to Dave out of fatherly love, however, you didn't let him view it from that perspective, hence him hating you. Now, to the remedy, when you find yourself in a dicey situation, you tackle it with your might. So, face your battle and be ready for anything."
Chief paused a bit, "Ella, when did you become a motivational speaker? Nevertheless, thank you, you can go. I'll eat when I'm ready." Ella bowed slightly and left. Chief wondered how battle and remedy would help him speak with Dave. Then the phone rang. It was Doc. His heart shuddered; he waited for some seconds before he picked the call. At the other end, Doc spoke,
"Good day Chief. Hope you're good."
It took a while before he found his voice. "Yes, I'm good, Doc. What about you?"
"I am fine. Dave and I have been expecting your call, so I decided to initiate the call myself, probably you forgot."
"Oh, no I didn't. I was just about to call when your call came in." Beads of sweat gathered on his forehead. "can you pass the phone to him?"
"Sure. Also, he made mention of a particular Nancy. Do you know anyone with such name? I'm just hearing it for the first time."
"Nancy? I'm not sure I do. I don't know at all." By that time, Ella and Tina were approaching the stairways, they were leaving the kitchen. When they heard the name, they paused, and listened to hear more. In short, they stayed back to eavesdrop.
"Hello, Dad." Doc had passed the phone to Dave.
"Dave, how are you doing?" He struggled to keep his voice steady.
"I'm good." They both went on silence spree for some minutes. Both didn't know what else to say. Then Dave spoke again, "Dad, I'm coming home soon."
"Oh, okay. Sure." Nothing has ever shocked him that much; even when the Doctor diagnosed his wife's mental trauma, his shock wasn't this resounding. After all, his wife would be normal if she used her medication on time. It's been over twenty years though.
"Dad, can you help me call Tina? I don't know if she's home. Her number hasn't been going through."
"Tina is home currently."
"Oh, good. Relay to her that she should tell Nancy that I'm fine. When I'm back, I'll explain what happened during the phone conversation to her. Nancy's number isn't going through as well and even if it goes, I can't explain to her on phone. So, I'll see her when I'm back."
"Oh, alright." Another pause, "Dave, when you come back, can we have a heart-to-heart discussion?" Dave wasn't the fifteen-year old he sent away without his consent, he's twenty four now, he can stomach his secret without falling apart. He's a man now, not a teenager. He deserved to know where he got his issue from and how to tackle it. Chief hope Dave would forgive him for concealing such secret.
"Chief. Dad, I already know what happened..."
"No. This is different. It's a secret I've never told anyone except for Ella who had been with us since. It's not a matter to be discussed via phone call. We need to see."
"Alright Dad, I'll be home before the end of this week."
"Alright." Dave was about to hang up when Chief spoke, "Dave, I'm sorry for everything."
"Dad, till I come back." He said and hung up. Chief sank into the cushion, exhaled heavily, and rubbed his palm on his face. Tina and Ella approached the stairs as if they heard nothing and were just coming out of the kitchen. Chief spoke when he saw Tina.
"Tina, I just dropped a call with your brother."
"Oh, okay." She'd be a terrible actress if she were to be one. With her response, it was so obvious that she already knew it was Dave who called. Chief scrutinized her face for answers. "Dad, what is it?" She quickly averted her gaze to avoid her being caught that she eavesdropped.
"Well, who is Nancy?"
Tina and Ella heard him when he first said the name when he was on call and they've been nervous about how the name got to exist between Dave and him.
"She's my neighbor."
"Neighbor?" That picqued his interest. "Which neighbor? You've finished school since, so you have no business with students' hostel."
"Daddy, I no longer live here."
He sat up. "you don't?" He looked at Ella, "she doesn't?" Ella looked elsewhere, as if looking for something that's not lost.
"Daddy, I left your house for you because I didn't want to see your face anytime you're home. Well, Nancy is my neighbor and she's my brother's new crush." She folded her arms across her chest. Chief was beyond flabbergasted. A lot had gone with his children and he wasn't there. He had reasons as well.
"Oh. Dave said you should tell this Nancy that he's fine and he'd arrive soon and come give her explanation."
"Dave is arriving?!"
"Yes. By the end of this week."
Tina and Ella smiled with their heart, the news warmed them.
"Tina, Ella. When Dave comes back, I'd like to meet with everyone."
"Well, I'm leaving for my apartment now, I'll be back in two days. I need to relay my brother's message to Nancy as well. See y'all." She raced up the stairs, towards her room.
"Ella, I'm going to tell them everything."
"Sir, everything?"
"Yes. They need to know, especially Dave. I've been unfair to my beloved children. I should make things right before it gets too late. I want to be in their lives again. I hope that won't be difficult."
Ella moved closer to him, "Sir, regardless of how you table the matter to them, they're adults now, they'll reason from your perspective. I'm sure they'll forgive you."
"Thank you, Ella. Thanks for everything. I know they took you as their mother, I'm happy that have your mother figure in their lives."
Ella smiled, "it's nothing sir. I'd like to start the preparations for Dave's return." She attempted to leave.
"It's in four days. Why the hurry?"
"I should start now, sir. Dave can arrive before then. He's full of surprises." She smiled and left. Chief stared at the chandelier for a while and wished his fatherly life was as bright as the chandelier. Things fell apart when his son inherited what he shouldn't and when his wife got traumatized by their third child. He'd explain everything to them now, there's no need to conceal again. He'd be free from the guilt eating away his soul. He stood up and approached the dinning table where his meals were set.
Come Dave, come all.