Ethel was playing with her grandchildren in the garden a few days later, Matt had suggested they go there because he wanted to play with his ball.
It was a favorite toy of his and lots of times was out playing with his father or Danny. Lately though, it was just him with Danny or by himself.
"Since coming back home, he was getting stronger every day, both she and Lindsay had to keep an eye out for him so he didn't strain himself."
He had stopped asking for his dad and, "Ethel didn't think that was a good thing. It wasn't just Matt alone but Ashley and Danny too."
That night when he had left her sitting outside and staggered away, "she realized that her daughter was right in giving her a fair warning."
"Rex was indeed in a world of his own, and if nothing was done about their dire situation, all of them would be sorry," she realized.
"The day before, her daughter had gone to submit her c-v with the pastor. That morning she had gone into town taking several others, after checking up on her."
"I hope that very soon one of it will pay off and she can start bringing home paychecks no matter how small," Ethel hoped, as she said a prayer.
"Rex had remained adamant not consenting to his wife going out to look for a job. Lindsay, however, had stood her ground and proceeded on her quest."
"I wish Rex would hold his family close and forget about his ego for a while. Since becoming a widow, she felt the void of her partner's absence, they did have more than a fair share of misunderstandings but they had each other," she recalled.
Matt's excited screams caught her attention and she focused on her surroundings.
Smiling in spite of herself when she saw Ashley swaying in a hula, making a fool of herself in the process and eliciting laughter from her brothers.
"Well, they are happy. Thank God, in spite of everything," she thought to herself. To Ethel, family was everything and somehow she had passed the same ideal to her daughter.
"Mum, without his wealth, we can still do great things together. I am conversant with business and I believe I can achieve something if only he will let me," her daughter had told her last night.
"He basically told me to choose between him and my threat to go searching for a job and at this point, I have just about had it with him," she lamented, unable to stop the tears streaming down her cheeks.
"My dear, do what seems right to you for the sake of your sanity, I will fully support you," she had told Lindsay and hugged her close, wishing she had all the answers.
Her phone began to ring and she took it out from the pocket of her pinafore. Across the screen was the name of a very good friend and she answered without hesitating.
"Gracious! It's been ages since the funeral. How have you been?" Ethel said excitedly into the phone, her face beaming with smiles.
"I have been well. Indeed it's been a couple of years. I am glad you are almost yourself now since the funeral," her friend replied.
"Oh yes, thank you. My warm regards to your family. It must be raining over there in Canada this time of the year," Ethel added.
"You are right about that. My regards to your children Ethel, your grandkids and your amazing son-in-law. It's good to know that you are being well taken- care- of. Any word from Luka?" she heard her friend say.
"We hope to see him in the states soon. Congratulations, I heard you are now a grandmother too," Ethel countered, swiftly changing the direction of the conversation.
Mercifully, the phone conversation came to an end and her friend ended the call. The sun was getting harsher on the skin and Ethel stared at her timepiece.
It was already noontime. Calling out to her grandchildren she shepherded them into the house. Matt was doing well so far, humming quietly to himself as he held onto her hand.
They all went to sit on the sofa in front of the television and Ashley changed the channel so they could watch cartoons.
Ethel sat a little far away from them as she dwelled on the,"whereabouts of her first and oldest child Luka."
"He had always wanted to go to Africa, intent on pursuing his dreams of mining precious stones."
"After the funeral, she had sold off the family business and given part of the proceeds to him hoping to help ease the pain of his father's passing on him because they had both been very close pals."
"He had called several months after his departure informing her that he was somewhere in South Africa and for her not to worry about him."
"That was several years ago, there had been no more word from him but a mother's instinct told her he was safe, she longed to see him soon," she reflected sighing deeply.
"She had given birth to three wonderful children and wouldn't have it any other way. Her husband had stood by them through thick and thin," she reminisced.
"They weren't rich but were comfortable enough to ensure that everyone of their children were properly schooled," she recalled with some element of pride.
"I wish their father had lived long enough to see what would become of our hard work. I have faith in my children," she affirmed.
"Granny, I am hungry," Ethel felt small soft hands tugging on her knees. "It was Matt. The medications were giving the child an appetite beyond normal," she realized.
"Let's go to the kitchen and ask for a sandwich love," she cajoled softly as she held onto his hand and led him there.
Several minutes later, they were back to the sitting room watching the television when Lindsay walked in with a long face.