Chelsy and Rachel had been sitting in the living room while watching TV when her elder brother Leonel had called asking her to come over to his house.
When the call ended, Chelsy was a little bit worried. ''But why will Leonel ask me to come over to his place tomorrow? And what has Melinda got to tell me? Her coming here today was definitely not a coincidence. Anyway, I will be going there tomorrow to hear what she has to say to me.'' Chelsy muttered to herself.
Rachel, who had been watching Chelsy, asked, ''Baby girl? Why are you having such a look on your face?'' Chelsy took a deep breath and said, ''I will be going to my brother's house tomorrow. He asked me to come over.'' Rachel nodded and said, ''Okay. But be careful when you get there and don't let Melinda bully you in any way. If she does, she will have me to contend with.'' She spoke while holding her biceps up like a boxer.''
Chelsy could not help but laugh out loud, ''Girl, your new title should be Rachel The Mixed martial arts fighter.'' They both laughed and Rachel said in a playful tone. ''Baby girl, you are the one good at martial arts, but you let people bully you. You are just wasting that talent.''
Chelsy rolled her eyes and stuck her tongue out at Rachel. ''I am a lover and not a fighter.'' Rachel just humphed and replied, ''whatever.''
It was the next day. Chelsy arrived at her brother's house at about midday. When she got into the living room, Leonel and Melinda were sitting on the sofa and little Fiona was in her swing.
Chelsy rushed to the swing and picked up Fiona. ''Hey little nugget. I have missed you so much.'' She lifted Fiona and gave her a warm hug. Fiona started giggling and cooing, indicating she was happy seeing Chelsy too.
Leonel stood up and walked towards Chelsy with a smile on his face. ''Do I get a hug too? I have missed you too, Chelsy.'' Since Leonel had gone to Bedworth and came back, he had not seen his little sister.
Melinda sat down with a guilty look on her face. She couldn't even look at Chelsy. Her conscience kept pricking her after everything she did to Chelsy.
Chelsy noticed her expression and said, ''Greetings Melinda.'' Melinda looked at her and then stuttered, ''Hey. Hello Chelsy, and welcome.''
Chelsy sat on the couch adjacent to Leonel and asked, ''Lenny, you asked me to come today. Hope all is well, and you are okay.''
Leonel didn't want to beat around the bush. He cleared his throat and went straight to the point. ''Chelsy, I know Melinda has done so many terrible things to you and I understand how angry you are. I won't force you to come back, but please just give a listening ear to what she has got to say, okay?''
Chelsy took a deep breath and nodded, ''I am all ears.'' Leonel looked at Melinda and signaled with his eyes for her to start talking.
Melinda cleared her throat, and with a nervous look on her face, she started talking. ''Chelsy, I know I have been horrible towards you. I have done so many unthinkable things against you that I am not proud of.''
She went ahead to explain what had happened in the past between her elder sister and her husband. ''I know this is not reason enough to justify my actions. But please, can you find a place in your heart and forgive me? And please come back home. The house is empty without you.''
Chelsy's eyes were already shimmering, with tears starting to form after hearing what Melinda had said. She gave Fiona to Leonel and walked up to Melinda. She held her hands and said in a low voice, ''Come on Melinda. It is okay. I hold no grudge against you. I forgive you, okay? No need to remain in your past. We are family and family sticks together.''
She gave Melinda a hug and Melinda burst out with a loud cry and said, ''Thank you, Chelsy.''
Leonel's heart leaped in joy as he saw his wife and sister making up and burying their hatchets. He smiled and muttered. ''Finally.''
Chelsy and Melinda disengaged from the hug and Chelsy said, ''Lenny, there is something I would like to tell you both.'' Leonel and Melinda looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders.
Then, Leonel responded, ''Okay. We are all ears.'' Chelsy took a deep breath and said, '' I won't be coming back to live here with the both of you.''
Leonel's brows furrowed, and he asked with a little sadness on his face, ''But why Chelsy? I thought everything between you and Melinda had finally been sorted out. Why don't you want to come back home?''
Chelsy gave a little laugh and said, ''No bro. It is not because of Melinda. I have thought about this for quite some time now. I will be leaving Wolverton.''
When Leonel heard this, his eyes grew wide with surprise, and he asked, ''But why Chels? This is your hometown and where else would you go to? Who else do you know out there?''
Chelsy looked at her brother with loving eyes and said, ''Lenny, I am already twenty-four years old. I am sure I can find my way out there. Besides, I will be moving to London after graduation. Uncle Edward has already sent my resume to a contact of his in London. I will be leaving after my graduation.''
Leonel looked at Chelsy and asked, ''But why London? There are so many good companies in Wolverton too. I guess with your performance at school, you could have a great internship here.''
Chelsy looked at her brother and responded. ''Lenny, I know that. But with everything that has happened between Ken and me, I just want to leave this environment and have a fresh start somewhere else. Besides, Myra Roberts has coaxed her father into repudiating my name from all the major PR firms here in Wolverton. So staying here wouldn't benefit my career anyway.''
When Leonel heard this, his face was red with rage and his hands were clenched in a fist. ''Don't worry Lenny. I have got this. By the way, I was wondering if I could have dad's guitar.''
Leonel raised his eyebrows and looked at Chelsy with so much curiosity, plastered on his face. ''Dad's guitar? But why would you need dad's guitar? It's been more than five years since you played it.''
Chelsy nodded and spoke with so much nostalgia. ''Yes Lenny, it's been more than five years. I would like to visit the Halo Mountains at least one more time before I leave for London. I would like to bring the guitar along with me for a three-day camping trip, like we used to do with dad.''
Before Chelsy's father died, he used to take Chelsy and Leonel camping every summer to the Halo mountains. That was a little tradition, the three of them did every summer. But when he died, Chelsy nor Leonel ever went there, and it had been five years.
''But Chelsy, how can you go there alone? It could be dangerous being there. Besides, we are still in spring and the rain might make it even difficult to move around.''
Chelsy gave a little laugh and said, ''Come on Lenny. I am no stranger to the Halo mountains. I know almost every nuke and cranny of that mountain. Have you forgotten how good I am at tracking paths? Besides, the Halo mountains are not known for wild animals, and you know I have a black belt in Marshall Arts. So no one can harass me there.''
When Melinda heard this, her mouth was agape and eyes wide with shock. She turned and looked at Chelsy with eyes screaming surprise.
''Chelsy! Are you actually a black belt holder?''
Leonel raised his eyebrows and there was a slight smile on the corner of his mouth. ''Mel, I am sure these are some of the things you only get to know when you are close to Chelsy. She is actually a second degree black belt holder in taekwondo. Anyway, let me get dad's guitar.''
Melinda sat on the couch still in shock. Leonel got up and walked into the storage and took out his dad's guitar. When Chelsy saw it, her eyes were filled with tears. Tears rolled down her eyes as she caressed the guitar.
''Daddy, I miss you so much. I wish you had been here.'' As she cried, she started playing hers and her father's favorite song, ''A dance with my father again.''
She remembered how her dad would play this song, and she would sing, wishing it never ended. She remembered how her dad would say, ''Little Chels, whenever you miss me, you can play and sing our song and I will come running to you.''
As tears were streaming down her cheeks, Leonel walked to her seat and wrapped her in an embrace. ''Lenny, I miss daddy so much.''
As she buried her face in Leonel's chest and cried profusely, he rubbed her back lovingly and said, ''remember he is always in your heart, and I am always here.'' Chelsy tightened the hug and couldn't help but cry.
Will Chelsy leave for the Halo mountains, or will she stay behind? What will happen next?