The terms of Mr. Abiwu on our little contract was that I don’t mention anything about doctor Focus. The audacity. So now the mad house was full. Alex and Charli and Luther also came to join in the mad house. And it took them exactly five days to settle in because Taylor was on a mission to either murder them or beat them up. It was going to be three against three. If Mr. Abiwu hadn’t butted in. yes, butted in. and so they settled for a stale mate.
Then there was Mr. Abiwu’s fight with Taylor over him wanting to frame him. well not exactly a fight because the two actually laughed over it like it was a freaking joke and moved on after deadly threats about any repeated actions in the future. The case wasn’t closed, its dangerously pending.
Okay—moving on to the next act of the mad house. There is Julian and Luther and Hannah. A dangerous love triangle I had to talk to myself in the mirror as a self-therapy for me to stop counting the day when one will murder the other. We even tried to convince Mr. Abiwu to let Hannah go (granted he has no idea about her little espionages) and his excuse was that he needed everyone around for Christmas. What?
Luther really cared about Hannah it turns out, in his words Hannah was, I quote, ‘she is a little crazy and way out there but I never saw this as pretense.’
To say Hannah was shocked by Luther’s declaration would be a major understatement. Hell we were all shocked. Even Mr. Abiwu himself. And Julian being—well Julian, he poured petrol on the fire when he said and I quote, ‘I’m sorry that it had to happen this way—but I love Hannah too—she is unlike any woman I have ever met and I am not letting her go,’ and for the big blow he added, ‘she is mine and we are getting married as soon as Lawyer sorts his things with Judith.’
Yes he totally sold those two out. Shocked again, Lawyer and Judith had to come forth with their explanation and it was simply something like this and I quote, ‘Judith and I are getting married next year, I already paid for her dowry—there is no going back.’
And everyone was speechless to comment, but apparently Mr. Abiwu ended the arguments with one knock off statement, ‘you should know that the Abiwu men are as obsessive over their women as they are over power, let’s just accept things as they are and have a happy Christmas no?’
With growls and grumbles and murmured expletives we all walked out of the meeting.
So that ladies and gentlemen is how I found myself in the crazy situation. Everyone is home (because Mr. Abiwu threatened to get gun happy to anyone who called it otherwise) for Christmas. The house is full and we all share meals in the dining room. For anyone who ever thought they’d ever had a crazy creepy Christmas, please allow me to add this one to the list.
I don’t even feel excited when I wake up on Christmas Eve. At least the weather is cool and cloudy, just like how I love Christmas. I wake up with Taylor hand gently caressing my stomach (he finally convinced—no threatened me back to his room). He murmurs something in my ear and plants soft kisses all over my face and I think I mumble something about him letting me sleep in peace. Whatever it is must have been funny because he chuckles softly in my ear before leaving me to sleep in.
What’s the point of waking up? The only person excited about the new living arrangements is Gertrude. The woman has been coming up with remarkable menus for every meal for the past month and a half. She is in heaven while all of us are singing kumbaya near the premises of hell.
I only wake up when I can’t sleep anymore and that’s nine am. Still too early to avoid breakfast. I am two weeks away from labor so I have been using that to avoid, well everything. I was hoping against hope that after the damn Christmas Mr. Abiwu would release people from confinement. How am I supposed to survive living a month in an environment filled with people who are secretly dreaming of murdering each other?
Thirty minutes later I walk into the dining room and it’s the same old setting ladies and gentlemen. Mr. Abiwu is at the head of the table looking like he has achieved something great. The four uncles are seated ate either side of him. Judith is seated next to Lawyer and Hannah of course is next to Julian but is facing Luther who is not trying to hide his open stare at her.
I have never been glad to not be someone my whole life.
‘Look who has finally decided to join the fiesta in hell!’ Alex says as he digs a fork into his eggs. I ignore him as Taylor helps me in my chair. The bigger the pregnancy gets, the harder it is to do simple tasks. Don’t let anybody tell you anything else.
‘This is just a setting to torture ourselves with empty murder threats.’ Charli says looking at Taylor. Taylor ignores him and starts serving my food after shooing Gertrude away. No he actually glared at the poor woman until she scurried away like startled cat.
‘Be nice to Gertrude.’ I reprimand him
‘I told her not to bother she doesn’t listen.’ He mumbles irritably.
Celine who is sitting across from me rolls her eyes and picks her mug of coffee to her lips. She is the only one who hasn’t promised to murder anyone on the table – yet.
‘Gertrude is a wonderful woman to keep up with you monsters.’ Celine announces loudly like its important news.
‘Thank you madam Celine.’ Julian bows his head mimicking Gertrude’s voice.
The other uncles snicker while Hannah nudges Julian with her elbow. He grunts but continues laughing.
‘While I was explaining about the great uncles, did I forget to mention they are a bunch of impulsive immature five year olds?’ Lawyer deadpans looking directly at me.
I offer a small shrug, ‘oh you wouldn’t steal the joy of me discovering this by myself.’ I say as nonchalantly as I can.
Hannah bite her lips and her eyes somehow land on Luther who retaliates with such a scalding hot look the poor woman had to look down. I suspect Julian kicked him under the table or he wanted to kick Luther but his foot accidently landed on Charli who didn’t waste time by plastering a jam coated slice of bread on his face.
The thing in slow motion slid down his face and landed on the table before Julian landed his older brother with a frosty glare. Alex and Lawyer were laughing loudly. And just like that, the food fight started. I mean we are adults, its Christmas Eve and well here goes nothing. Not that I join in anyway, I don’t want anyone to be almost murdered by Taylor.
As for Mr. Abiwu, he is just sitting there easily at the head of the table like the responsible adult among children paging through the newspaper. You know what? I am done trying to understand what goes on in this house.
***
Celine is by the couch, an old hymn book on her lap singing ‘silent night’. The woman can actually sing. Moments later, Julian and Hannah walk in the living room with a box labelled ‘Christmas supplies’ and they set it under the large tree that we all ganged up on Mr. Abiwu to let us place in the living room.
Julian gets on his knees and blows dust off the surface of the box. Hannah squeals and swats her hands across her face as Julian continues to blow dust kisses on her. After a few coughs and shrieks she finally gives up trying to escape the dust tirade and comes onto Julian claws out and all. The picture makes me chuckle as Julian lifts his hands up trying to defend himself but also totally undone with laughter.
Celine closes her book and shakes her head looking at the two as well. Her gaze finds mine and we roll our eyes at the scene. She stands from the couch and comes to stand by the windowsill with me.
It has gotten warmer as the day progressed and now at full midday the sun has taken up complete residence in the sky and the snowy white clouds that had gathered early morning have vanished like a dream.
‘Great singing by the way.’ I tell her.
‘Taylor is not the only angelic voice in the family.’ Celine gloats giving me a sideways glance, ‘I actually used to dream about music school and all that crap when I was younger.’
‘Younger? You’re still very young.’
‘Heather dear, even you must know that life has a way of aging you in a day.’
I know what she means. Images flash in my mind and I banish them because that’s what I do. No matter how many times I think over a horrible image, I always end up with the disappointing conclusion that nothing could be done now. Some dark scars are meant to be packed away in dark corners of our hearts I guess. I used to believe in some form of redemption, now I am not so sure. After everything that’s happened, I feel more inclined to look out for myself. That way, I know what I am doing. But that is also a lie.
‘Celine.’ I breathe out, ‘if I may ask—does Mr. Abiwu have a perfect family complex or something?’
Celine laughs. But it’s a weak laugh, ‘it’s not a complex, it’s twisted.’ She says, ‘he has been doing this every Christmas since--.’ She pauses and I just know. ‘Ruthless as he may have been, he didn’t take the loss of Taylor’s mother very well.’
What? She must have seen the scowl on my face because she goes on to explain;
‘These stories are not always as you heard them Heather. There are just some details no one ever talks about.’ She shakes her head, ‘things that explain why Taylor can never totally turn his back on his father no matter how cruel the man is.’
‘He cares about his father,’ that alone is a mountain of mystery on me. He seemed to not understand my feelings towards my father when he is the same towards his. For all that its worth, somehow I know that Taylor and I’s relationship has been shaken to the core. To the point whereby I allow myself just to feel. My love for the man is unreasonable. Even when I still hurt because of him I still can’t seem to turn my back either. But I know we are no longer the same as when we first met. When we married.
Celine scoffs bringing me out of my reverie, ‘once upon a time this was a perfect close knit family. They were just so damn perfect they made the rest of us look like we didn’t know how to exist in harmony.’ She rolls her eyes, ‘personally I think Mr. Abiwu was willing to keep things that way, as long as his family didn’t know what he did in the dark. But of course there came a time when he couldn’t hide it from them anymore—and everything fell apart.’
I glance back at the tree where Julian and Hannah are proceeding to hand crystal balls and decorations on the tree branches. It adds a whole new feeling—or, my wild mind projects a realistic picture from Despicable Me where the minions are basking in a false temporary tropical island. How can I not worry about what will happen when this phase is over?
And I am having way too many serious thoughts today. I shouldn’t. They won’t get me anywhere. Celine breaks into my thoughts again and this time she is singing ‘oh holy night’.
I smile at her when our eyes meet. Feeling almost close. But we can’t be—we are broken souls. I have come to learn that the broken have nothing to give if it means mending their deepest wounds to accommodate such blossoming existences of life.
And then Alex strides into the room, instantly breaking the dreamy atmosphere. He even has to clap to announce his arrival like he even needs to. The bastard.
‘Getting straight to the point.’ He throws himself on the couch and takes Celine’s hymn book paging through it because I think his hands just need something to do, ‘who wants to ditch tomorrow’s Christmas party with me?’
We all look at him. ‘What?’ I am the one who asks. I just can’t help it.
‘Well they are all going to be here to celebrate the seasons with the leader of their clan—duh… and the little precious one is a bonus as well.’
Celine sucks in a breath while my heart skips a beat and my hand comes to rest on my stomach, ‘what?’ I ask again. I mean its Christmas Eve, the atmosphere around this damned house is even close to settled. What is this now?
Alex looks at me then shakes his head, ‘I don’t like you but I just feel sorry for you—not that you are the pitiful type or anything and I don’t do sorry feelings for people.’
‘Point taken Alex.’ Julian growls at him through his teeth, ‘we promised to get through this holiday in a peaceful stalemate so can you please not push buttons?’
Alex actually acquiesces and raises a palm at me, ‘sorry Heather—I just hate cases that prolong unnecessarily.’
I don’t have to say anything to him so I just turn away from him and look out the window a sick feeling rising in the pit of my stomach.
‘Ignore him Heather.’ Celine tries to reassure me, ‘let’s go out for a walk.’
I know better, ‘no.’ I whisper and turn to Alex, ‘tell me what the hell you are talking about now.’ I demand, glaring at him. I still can’t believe that I am letting Mr. Abiwu into my child’s life—what is this now?
Alex rolls his eyes, ‘seriously Heather, how can you not know these things? Your father led a great clan—he left it all of course but there are still some lunatics out there who are loyal to him.’
‘Alex!’ Julian and Celine exasperate all at once but it is too late
‘No she should know—Christmas will be over soon and its easier if she knows what the hell is going on.’
By now I am close to hyperventilating but I manage to snap, ‘just say it!’
‘They are rebuilding your father’s clan.’ Alex says, ‘and your brother is the leader.’
Brother!
‘you are the heir as well—its clan business now--, and that baby could be the only thing Mr. Abiwu and the rest of us can use to not cause a warfare between our clans—she connects the families together.’
My brow creases, ‘what do you mean?’
I mean really—I thought the marriage was what brought the family together as Mr. Abiwu has been flaunting how unsuitable my family was. Not that I cared about families I just wanted to be with Taylor—well look where that got me.
‘The marriage contract wasn’t that solid – you could have just divorced Taylor and all this is over—but the child is a permanent connection, we definitely cannot fight each other now.’
My jaw drops open and everything falls into place. Mr. Abiwu is rushing the man-man deal to increase his influence and power so that he won’t be subdued by the rising clan—and having me on his side makes things easier for him to put down the rules like always. Like I said before, ruthless people should not be allowed to be smart.
And brother. I had forgotten his existence for a while now—I mean wasn’t he supposed to be in hiding—my breath gets caught in my throat—if he has been hiding from the mad man Mr. Abiwu he surely wants to come back and take revenge. Surely this child is standing in the way for a much heated war.
I can’t believe the bastards have already dragged my unborn child to this madness and should I be thrilled that they are making her a pillar of peace?
I shake my head bringing my mind back to the present, Alex is staring at me with a smug smile on his face, Julian and Hannah seem to be holding their breaths, and I don’t have the strength to see what Celine is doing. But by the silence that has engulfed the large living room I know that I am the only one who had no idea about this little piece of information.
Taking a deep breath and I give a nonchalant shrug, ‘well what do you know? The Abiwus are born dignified.’
Alex’s smug expression is quickly replaced with surprise, Hannah and Julian match his expression. What did they expect? A tantrum? My usual frozen with shock stance?—not this time Johnny.
‘Well are you all going to stand there gawking at me like your pants are full?’ I say in a commanding voice, ‘it’s Christmas Eve—get on with it.’
I leave their speechless presence and waltz easily into the kitchen like my brain is not about to explode and something inside of me is about to snap and break. Every time I have soft feelings towards these people I get to find out a little more of their hidden selves—I need a holiday.
‘Madam Heather.’ Gertrude beams at me as I grace the kitchen with my presence, ‘good morning.’
‘Merry xmas.’ I put all the cheerfulness similar to my inner grief into my voice, ‘I need a sweet fix I am famished.’
‘Oh dear you didn’t have to come all this way, you could have just rang me.’
I scoff, ‘I am not inclined to call someone who is in the same house as me, its laziness bordering towards insanity.’
Gertrude smiles and rolls her eyes, ‘I just need you to take it easy these final days.’
I roll my eyes as well, ‘I am sick of sitting in some stuffed chair feeling like a whale—I just want to feel normal.’
‘You are the only normal person in this house and Judith.’
I nod in approval at her statement.
‘So what’s a sweet fix?’
Good, now we are talking. I watch her eyes grow wide as I explicitly explain how I want my sweet fix to be like. Who said sundaes were only for desert? And so what if I want it to be completely chocolate with Mt Everest pillar of cream and chocolate chips on top instead of cherries. It’s Christmas Eve and I want it. And why should she be shocked that I want a milkshake along with that? Hasn’t she ever heard of a milkshake?
‘I don’t know if I can pull that off without food poisoning you.’ She mumbles, smart way to deny me my cravings.
‘You Gertrude can pull anything off – you made stuffed fish for dinner last night—you deboned the fish by yourself and they were so good they brought a moment of awed silence at the dinner table.’ I rumble on, ‘if you can make a meal to shut the great uncles up during meals, you can do anything.’
Gertrude is gaping at me and I think she is beginning to wonder if I am alright. I realise motivation isn’t working so I settle for staring her down with all the bitter vengeance I am feeling towards all the lunatics at the moment for keeping such vital information from me.
She gets the point and nods reluctantly, ‘you are right madam—I will whip it together and bring it to you.’
I smirk at her, ‘I wasn’t born yesterday—I will wait for it here.’
Gertrude smiles nervously. That’s right sister—no escape.