LISA GORDON
"Come in. The door is open" I said and stood up. I hugged Helen tightly as she stepped into my house. I couldn't help shedding tears at how much I've missed having my sister around.
" Huh... This is unlike you, Lisa. You've never been big on affections" Helen smirked and I smiled in response.
"Come sit" I responded and went to the kitchen. I brought a plate of macaroni and cheese, with turkey wings and served it in the living room. I also brought along two spoons.
Helen insisted on sitting on the ground to eat, and so I placed the plate of food on the ground.
"Betty's children have made me get used to sitting on the ground. Ella, her first child clocked three, last month, while Owen's just learning to sit. Whenever it's time for Ella to eat, she'll put the food on the floor and call me to join her. Owen always crawls to join us. He doesn't want to be left behind" Helen chattered happily about her grandchildren. I could tell she was really excited, being a grandmother.
"How's Jade and Liam?" I asked.
"They're both doing great. Jade is completing his Master's program in aviation by next month. Liam is also returning from his tour at the last week of next month. We're throwing a party to celebrate the both of them. You should come too, or well, if you're busy with work, you don't need to" Helen said.
"No. Of course. I mean, yeah I'll come. You just text me the address" I replied.
Helen dropped her fork.
"What changed?" She asked.
"I'm sorry Helen. I've been a terrible person.." I started.
"Yes, you have" Helen interrupted.
"I don't even know Betty's children. I feel so lost. The last time I've been in contact with any of them was...." I stopped, trying to recollect when last I saw Betty.
"At her college graduation" Helen responded, and I nodded.
"And then Sonia..." my voice trailed off as I broke down into tears, sobbing uncontrollably. Helen kept rubbing my back softly,not saying anything. She was quiet all through the two hours I spent crying and then I fell asleep.
HELEN PATTERSON
Sure enough I've offered my shoulders for my daughter and Sonia to cry on when they experienced heartbreak or some agonizing stuffs, but never Lisa. Lisa has always been the perfect child - good grades and all - until she got pregnant for Ryan Caldwell and he denied the pregnancy.
I was married at that time, and that was when my mum finally acknowledged me all these years. I could still remember her cold, ice-shot eyes, as she said those words.
'Can't you see your sister Helen? She's gotten herself a family, even if she isn't academically equipped to do so. Helen didn't get pregnant out of wedlock, but you did. I had so much expectations and I believed in you. If anyone was to bring this disgrace to this family, it should have been Helen, not you. Get out of my house, Lisa'
'I'm sorry mummy' Lisa sobbed.
Mum ignored her and left the house, leaving me alone with Lisa. I went to her and hugged her, rubbing my hands on her hair. Shortly after, my phone beeped. It was Charles and I smiled brightly.
I actually never enjoyed or had fun memories of childhood, but Charles and our kids sure gave me enough memories and reasons to enjoy marriage and motherhood.
After making sure Lisa was okay, I left and went back home. She came to visit me two days later saying that mum asked her to have an abortion, but she doesn't want to, and she'd never forgive mum. She said she was leaving for New York.
After she gave birth, I went to stay with her for a while to assist in taking care of the baby, and then my sweet Charles suggested we relocate to New York to be close to Lisa and her baby. She was strong all through, she never complained. Immediately after I left her house, she employed a live-in nanny to look after her daughter Sonia. When the nanny started acting up and being irrational, Lisa fired her and I stepped in to look after Sonia.
In fact, Sonia has been more of my daughter than Lisa's. I really did wish Lisa would break off that strong wall she always put up. She never let anyone get close to her, after she left home.
I wish I'd done something to repair the damaged between her and mum's relationship. But now it seemed like it was a little too late.
"Do you think mum would forgive me?" Lisa asked, jolting me out of my reverie.
"You're the one that needs to forgive her. She offended you. She asked you to leave" I responded.
"She called me back, after I'd left. She said she was just very angry, and I should ignore everything she'd said. She said she was sorry and I should come back and she'd help look after me and my baby, but I was too proud and stubborn. I decided to cut her off completely"
"You've made a lot of wrong decisions" I commented.
"Yeah I have. And I intend changing them" Lisa responded.
"What about Sonia?"
Lisa shrugged.
"Lisa's just like me. She'll come home when she feels it's right. No amount of persuasion from me will bring her back. But then I intend getting to know my granddaughter. What's her name?" She asked.
"Catherine Joy Caldwell. You should see her. She's so beautiful. I teared up when I held her"
Lisa's eyes brimmed with tears.
"I'd love to see her but..."
"You need to speak with Ryan. It's high time you spoke with him about the situation on ground. Address your feelings, if possible, with him". I told her gently.
"I'll talk to Ryan. It's long overdue, but there's no feelings. Ryan and I were done long ago. Our relationship back then was just a casual fling. We were what you'd call.. friends with benefits" Lisa responded.
"So what are you going to talk about with Ryan?" I asked her.
"I don't know yet. Let's take it one step at a time"
We talked about a lot of things over the next few hours. I told her about my newly growing business. It was actually my daughter's decision to make it formal after I made crochet dresses for my granddaughter Ella and her friends.
She supported me with money to get a sewing machine and the necessary sewing and crocheting tools. Her husband, Dylan bought a warehouse for me to manage and with their help, I have about 4 workers now assisting me.
"You're really blessed" Lisa said to me and I nodded.
"I know" I smiled.