Val looked at her mother's tired features. She seemed to have aged a decade since Jay came out of the coma. There was a sadness in her eyes that she couldn't quite place. Jayson's loss of memory had left her quite shaken and hurt but there was something else that she was hiding.
"Are you okay mom?" She asked her as she sat besides her in the hospital cafeteria.
"Yes, I guess I'm just a little overwhelmed by everything."
"Come on mom, I've known you long enough to be able to tell when you're hiding something from me. What is it?"
"Don't worry, it's nothing. I suppose we should head home first. You must be exhausted after your flight."
"Okay,let me say goodbye to Jayson first, then we can leave." She got up and went to the patients' rooms. Jayson was fast asleep on his bed, a slight frown on his face. "I love you little brother," she kissed his head and left the room.
She found her mom in the same position she'd left her. "Come on mom,let's go home." They walked hand in hand to the hospital's parking lot and got into the black Chevrolet Impala that had been her dad's twentieth anniversary gift to her mom. Her mom got behind the wheel and they drove off, soft country music playing on the car stereo as they sang along.
Her flight landed at the JKIA at around the same time her mother and sister left the hospital. Charlotte, Charlie as commonly found her father waiting for her at the airport. He was after all the only one who had known her flight schedule.
"Hey kiddo, it's good to see you." They hugged for what seemed like an eternity. "And you've grown taller."
"And you shorter," she said, teasing her father as they both burst out laughing.
"Hope you're hungry, let's get some food." They walked hand in hand to the car park,where his Porsche was parked. He put her luggage at the back seat as they both got in.
"Is everything alright dad? You sounded distraught when you called."
"I messed up Charlie. And I don't think your mother is going to forgive me."
She looked at the man she had come to rely on her entire life. He looked so lost, unsure of himself even. Something had really gotten to him. They drove in silence for a while before she looked at him and asked, "so, are you going to tell me what's eating at you?"
"In a while. Let's get something to eat first. You still haven't told me what you want to eat Charlie," he said looking at his first born child. She was his pride and joy. They had so much in common. Once any of them set their minds to something, nothing ever came in between then and their goal. She had been bullied a lot in her primary school years but had finally beaten the punk to a pulp when she'd had enough. He could remember how proud he had been of his daughter despite his wife's obvious disdain and horror at her outburst. The drive was spent in silence after that. Charlie took out her iPod from her purse and put on some slow music as she dozed off.
A light tap in her shoulder woke her up. " Come on, we're here,' her dad said.
"Where's here?" Charlie asked, rubbing her eyes. Her eyes lit up in recognition. "Daddy, you remembered?" Her delight was evident in her voice.
"Of course I did, " he responded as he brought her in for a hug.
About Thyme Restaurant had been her favourite restaurant in her teens. Every time she flew into he country, she always ensured she got to dine there.
They walked hand in hand to into the garden where he had reserved a table. A waiter immediately came and to take their order.
"I'll have the Pan roasted Teriyaki Salmon with an Crème Brûlée Trio," said Charlie.
"Pumpkin & Amoretti Tortellini for me, with a strawberry cheesecake. And bring me your best bottle of Michel Torino Rosé Malbec," her father told the waiter. Turning to his daughter, he smiled and said, "first we eat."
AUTHOR'S NOTE
I realize I haven't upheld my promise for regular updates but hey... I haven't been in the right mind frame for writing.
Part two of this chapter will come after 17... I know, I know it's unorthodox but I'm not exactly an orthodox writer.
The book is coming to an end pretty soon. Probably for or 5 more chapters to go, and five is stretching it a hit too far.
Hope you enjoy the chapter. Remember to share widely,comment, and vote if I deserve your vote.
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Don't Let Me Go (A Kenyan Story)
Short StoryJayson has just had his heart broken by his high school sweetheart, after dating for five years. In a bid to get his mind of her,his best friend Mark sets him up with a girl and he slowly finds himself falling in love with her. But people are not wh...
