Chapter 19

 

I was trying to concentrate on my homework, with 2-year-old Piper, it was very hard. I’d attended to the University of Florida and was majoring in engineering. Two months ago, after my and Piper’s birthday as well as twins’, me and Chris had got engaged.

 

As he promised, my dad had tried his best to find some clues about my mother and just a week ago, he had come home with great news: He had finally learned that she was a kindergarten teacher at some elemantary school. Immediately we’ve planned what day we could go to Ruskin so that i could meet her. When everything was set up, this time i couldn’t get over the excitement of seeing her, and that was another reason why i couldn’t concentrate on my homework.

 

A day before my trip to Ruskin, i was trying to decide what i should wear. A good elegant dress or just a plain top and jeans? While i was endeavoring with that, Vanessa came into my room, looking sad. She stopped at the edge of my bed and took Piper in her arms who was playing with her toys on the ground.

 

“Yeah Vanessa?” i said smiling.

 

“Uhm...your dad wants to talk with you about..about...”

 

“My mother?” i completed still smiling. But being an intuitive person, i also asked if something was wrong. She didn’t look at me just whispered that my dad was at the terrace.

 

I qiuckly went out of my room and to the terrace, where my dad was sitting on a chair; his elbows rested on his knees, his blond head fell into his hands.

 

“Dad?” i whispered as i placed my hand on his shoulder. “Sre you alright?”

 

A thrill went my spine when he raised his head revealing his teary eyes. He took a deep sigh and stood up.

 

“I’m so sorry baby..” he said ruefully, opening his arms to give me a hug.

 

“Sorry for what?” i asked apprehensively, stepping back.

 

His arms fell to his sides, and he lowered his head. He took another deep sigh, the expression on his face was giving me the creeps.

 

“Something wrong with my mother?” I managed to say.

 

“I don’t know hot to tell this but...i know..that you’re a strong girl...” he started leisurely.

 

“What happened?”

 

“I know that you can handle this situa-“

 

“WHAT HAPPENED??” I yelled this time. He looked down.

 

“Your mother had passed away three days ago....”

 

Something deep inside my heart sunk. As i closed my eyes, i whispered “What?” incredulously.

 

“I’m so sorry honey...”

 

“I don’t believe you. She’s alive and i’m gonna meet her tomorrow right? YOU CAN’T KEEP ME AWAY FROM HER THIS TIME!!!! I WON’T LET YOU DO IT AGAIN!!!!” I yelled.

 

“It’s okay baby, everything’s gonna be okay...” he tried to hug me. I wiggled and rescued myself from his arms.

 

“NOTHING’S GONNA BE OKAY DAY. NOTHING!!! I SPENT 20 YEARS OF MY LIFE FOR THIS DAY AND NOW WHAT I GOT? NOTHING!!!!!!” I yelled and collapsed onto floor, crying frantically. He squated down next to me.

 

“I know how you feel right now but everything will be okay. What will Piper do if you act like this. You’re a mother right now, there’s a human being in this world who looks up to you... You’re a strong girl and can handle it. Please baby, i beg you...please...” me dad whispered in my ear, swaying me back and forth in his arms. I buried my head in his chest and cried inwardly.

 

“Mommy?” i heard Piper’s weak voice coming towards the door.

 

There stood her, looking at me widely with her big brown eyes. I opened my arms and she ran towards me and hugged me with her little arms.

 

“Why are you crying mommy?” she asked innocently.

 

“I just...i don’t feel very good honey, that’s why..” I wiped the tears from my cheeks.

 

“Grandad, where’s Meggie and Randy?” she asked her young grandad.

 

“They’re sleeping right now, why don’t you go and sleep also? Go tell grandma, she’ll read you your favorite story...” he suggested.

 

“Will she?” she asked, her face gleamed with happiness.

 

“Why not?” my dad said smiling.

 

“OK!” she said, placing a soft kiss both on my and my dad’s cheeks.

 

After Piper left the terrace, we stood up. I hugged him tightly as he told me that we were setting out to Ruskin tomorrow morning to attend the funeral. I nodded silently as i made my way inside to phone Chris. What i needed desperately at that moment was his warm arms.