As Ella had predicted, Dave arrived a day before his scheduled day of arrival. When he arrived, everyone, except Mrs. Wilson, was in the private living room, dealing with their various businesses. When they heard the car-honk from outside the gate, their attentions got diverted from what they were doing to the window that faced the gate. They watched the car drove into the compound, it was a brand new sports car which was never among the fleet of cars in the compound before. Ella and Chief exchanged glances. Tina bounced up with joy: her brother was back. She hopped forward and approached the door. She got outside the same time Dave opened the door of his new car. She jumped into his arms. Ella and Chief appeared behind Tina. Dave hugged Ella, bowed slightly at his dad and went inside, with Tina latching onto his arms. The workers carried his bags in.
It's been awkwardly silent for the past four hours since Dave returned. He only conversed with Ella and never mentioned anything about his regained memories. When those memories flushed in, he felt like a stranger in his own body. He believed the memories were not his. He couldn't imagine himself being like that. But Doc sat him down, explained everything to him and had some sessions with him.
"Dave, you have a disorder but over the years, you've learnt how to manage it. Your amnesia also helped, not like it's a good thing, but it did helped. I won't start explaining how it affected you over the years, you already know now. However, here are ways you can avoid scenarios with extreme feelings, should in case you start feeling different. Whenever you feel moody, do something that makes you happy. I know you love reading, you can do that, as long as it'll change your mood positively. Anytime you feel an overwhelming excitement without any prior incidents that warrant such bright emotion, calm yourself down and apply limitations to how you express it. And, finally, if you feel suicidal or the thoughts cross your mind, remember the memories you love most, or the memories of someone you love, dwell on them till you feel the urge to live again."
Doc explained other several things to him while he listened partially absentmindedly. He came home because despite everything that happened over the span of few days, his heart kept reminiscing on the memories he had with Nancy. He missed her, but his predicament was an obstacle that needed to be cleared.
"Can I fall in love again?" He once asked her.
"Dave, from what you told me about your encounters with this Nancy girl, you've already fallen in love."
"Doc, I mean now that I've known who I am, I can't predict what I'll do next. Do you think I can love a lady dearly?"
"Dave, once again, your regained memories will have no negative impact on you if you adhere to my previous pieces of advice. You're a grown up man now, you can control your emotions. You are more than capable of falling in love again. In fact, your relationship can help you avert suicidal thoughts."
It was nightfall already when Chief called everyone in the house, except the workers. He could have delayed the confession but procrastination would cause more harm than good. In his heart, Dave didn't know if he should be pissed at him or be at peace with him. He couldn't conclude if his dad meant harm or not. Doc said the latter, but he couldn't see any reason to buttress both feelings. Perhaps he'd conclude on one tonight. Ella was sitted beside Tina, Dave sat alone, Chief and his wife sat together. She was still as silent as ever. She just stared at the blank TV.
"Good evening the whole Wilsons. I called everyone here to shed light onto a serious matter that has rendered everyone in darkness. First off, I'd like to apologize to Dave for everything. I was harsh on you because I understood your predicament. The thing there is, your disorder is hereditary, and..." He exhaled, "...you inherited it "
Dave sat uprightly. "I did?"
Tina looked at Ella who didn't seem surprised.
"Yes, you did. I'd first knew since you were six, but I was hoping it wasn't. After all, it's hard to detect any mental or psychological issue in children because it could be something else. That day, on the balcony, I knew my greatest fear was coming to manifestation. I had arranged a session with Dr. Theresa but I was optimistic that you'll control it. The day Tina's kitten died was the day I stopped my optimism. Dave and Tina, I'm sorry I haven't been a good father to you, I'm sorry I missed each of your celebrations, I'm sorry the father's space in your childhood days was empty. I'm sorry for everything. It all had a reason."
Dave brought his two elbows to his two knees, clutched his palm together, each finger intertwined, and he leant his jaw on his clutched knuckles.
"Dave, you inherited it from...from...me." he caught a glimpse of Dave's expression, it was blank. When he said that, the atmosphere was silent.
"You?" Dave found his voice after some minutes. Chief nodded.
"But you appear normal."
"That's because Dr. Theresa's father was my therapist when I was young. My childhood days weren't here in Nigeria, everything happened over there. My Mom knew it'd affect me afterwards, so she got a therapist for me. I was guided in every movement till I could control myself. Over the years, I became normal. When I first detected yours, I prayed with everything in my heart that it shouldn't be it. It isn't a great feeling because I've been there before. The only person that knows about everything is Ella sitting here."
Tina and Dave turned sharply to look at Ella. Their gaze said it all: so she kept them in darkness and didn't tell them anything. Ella pretended not to see them.
"When I heard that Dr. Theresa was my therapist's daughter, I was glad that Dave would be in safe hands. I was harsh on you not because I wanted to, but because I feared you'd become uncontrollable and I didn't want that."
Dave exhaled deeply. His heart was still in turmoil. It wasn't like his dad was too harsh, his absence at home did more harm than good. If he was at home often, he'd have taken him to a therapist before he hurt the kitten. "But, why were you always absent?"
"That's another confession. Your mother here was my reason for being absent. She was seeing a psychiatrist."
Dave and Tina yelled, "What?!"