Vanished (3) - A Short Story - Contributed by @imbigdee
THINGS FALL APART
The same year, she took in and months later, she gave birth to a bouncing baby boy. He was the cutest baby she has ever seen and took many pictures of him but a part of her felt a severe pain. She has sent many mails to her mother but no response. She even sent a picture of her son to her and no reply still. There are times she would cry silently but the smile from her son, Andre, would make her happy. He looked so much like Charles, he was an answer to her silent prayers.
It was so close to Andre birthday when things changed for them. Charles got promotion and they moved to a bigger apartment. Everything went well until she got a mail, her heart froze and the whole world went blank as she read about the death of her mother. This was the present opportunity to go home and sadly, to bury her mother. As soon as her husband got back from work, she ran to hug him and tell him the news. He hugged her tight.
I have to go for her burial. I wont be able to live with myself if I dont. She suggested.
I cannot hold you not to go but you have to go alone. I dont want Andre to meet those people.
This created slight argument, Mary wanted to take him so they would see the handsome young man. She believed this will reduce the resentment her mothers relatives have towards her. He disagreed bitterly with her husband, she knew how stubborn he can be. The burial is the following month so there was still time to convince him.
Well, for a while, Charles have been trying to make amends with his father. He felt guilty most times whenever he was alone and things got hard. He grew up with comfort and riches but now, he had to cater for his familys needs. The very day he got a mail from him was the same day he went home to hear of her mother-in-laws death. He had to keep the news since she got her angry about Andre. His father invited him to his mansion and begged him not to inform his wife for unknown reasons. He agreed to it, he couldnt wait to see him and apologize to him.
To make this possible, he had to reluctantly allow Mary take Andre home for the burial. He didnt tell her about his own exploits. He drove them to the airport and when they departed, he waited for the next flight out of Paris. He finally got home and rang the bell, the old maid opened the door for him. He still remembered Ms. Steele, she was happy to see him and took his bag. She directed him to his fathers room. He stood at the door and saw him on the bed, he was already old and looked sick. As soon as he saw Charles, his heart forgave him and stretched his hands towards him. He hugged his son tightly and almost cried.
While Charles was making up with his father, Mary and Andre were miles away facing the stern and cold response of the relatives. She was already prepared so she didnt allow it get to her. They may be mad with her but Andres sweetness got to them. She apologized to them when the opportunity came and it looked like the apology was accepted. One of her aunts took her to see her mothers corpse. She was still as beautiful as ever and she cried. She knew she broke her heart and made her sad but this is why she was here to perform the final rites.
The burial rites went well and Mary was happy to be there to honor her mother. After the rites, they went home to receive the guests and treat them to food and drinks. They came and asked of her husband, she gladly told them he was busy at work in Paris. She looked different and it was obvious, things were going well for them so they stopped gossiping about them. She promised Andre they would go to the park so she could show him where he met his father. He was so happy, he was tired of seeing unfamiliar faces and missed the presence of his father.
Charles was having a swell time with his father. The doctor came around to check on his father in the morning and he asked him how his father was doing. The doctor just smiled and left. It got him worried so he met with Ms Steele to ask how his father was fairing. She didnt quite answer the questions he asked so he knew something was wrong. I am sorry Mr. Davolta, your questions can only be answered by your father. I will take my leave now if you dont mind. Charles sat stunned as she walked away, he demanded some answers so he went to his father. Mr. Davolta smiled as he saw his son in his room.
Charles, come in, let us have a little chat before I go back to sleep.
After a little chat, Charles went mad after the chat. He held the papers in his hand with so much fury. I came here to be with you and spend time with you. How can you break my heart like this? Charles asked angrily.
I can die anytime, this is your opportunity to hold on to Davolta Furniture. I will like to rest now, the ball is in your court.
Charles felt like going out for a walk but he didnt want anyone to see him especially his wife. If she knew she was around and didnt come for her mothers burial, she would never forgive him. He went to his room and stared through the window. So many thoughts came through his mind. If Davolta Furniture become his, it would mean a new life but what his father wanted would break him forever. He went to sleep and at night, he went to his father and shredded the documents he gave him without saying a word. He left the room angrily and slammed the door behind him. He went to his room to pack his bags, he would leave the next day for Paris and forget totally about his father.
The End