Chapter Thirteen
“Why did you leave without telling us? You know how weak-hearted I am, is that how much you wanted me dead?”
I was shocked to my bones, dad has always been void of emotions. The only time I had seen him cry was the day grandma’s corpse was brought back from the morgue to be buried.
His tears were uncontrollably and we feared terribly for his health.
I watched him wipe his brow with his left palm still holding on to me with the other hand.
“And whose children are these? He asked, leading me to an empty seat beside his.
“They are mine”
His excitement could not be hidden. He rushed at the kids and assembled them in a tight embrace. I heard a gasp from one of the kids and concluded it was James’ own.
Laura and Lilian returned the gesture by planting light kisses on his cheek, as for James, he merely eyed him and looked away almost immediately.
Well, I didn’t take it to heart and neither did Adam, my father.
“They are so beautiful, just like I have always envisioned your kids to be. What about their father?”
I knew he would continue ranting about the kids, so I quickly popped a question, intending to change the direction of his earlier question.
“Where’s everyone else or are you the only one at home?
In response, he shook his head in pity, and chewed deeply on his lower lip.
“What’s the problem? Why are you suddenly moody?
He raised his once lowered head and watched them turn from bright color to misty.
“They have all left the house”
“What do you mean by they have all left the house? Are you not meant to be with them?
Without waiting for his response, I stood up from my seat and sat beside him on the single sofa patting him slightly on the shoulder.
“Tell me, what made them leave? Did anything happen while I was away?
Suddenly, he broke into tears and I watched as the kids looked at him in shock and I knew why.
I remember telling them during one of their bedtime stories that men don’t cry.
“Only women cry when hurt” I had announced to them, taking note of the bemused look on James’ face. “Did you hear that James? When next you cry, I will remind you about this’ ‘ This was Laura, although she’s the youngest of the triplets, she has always shown more maturity in speech than Lilian and James.
“Like I’m a man. Mom said men, not boys.” James countered.
“What’s the difference? A boy is a younger version of a man, that makes him a man too” Lilian finally added after remaining quiet for too long.
“You both are wrong. A boy is not a man”
I watched them argue and laughed out at how much such a little thing could interest them.
He blew phlegm into his handkerchief and sat up, propping his two hands on the seat handle.
“After the news of your departure got to us, your mother suddenly started acting up. She cussed at me at the slightest provocation and when I complained your brothers would threaten to beat me up.” I was living like a beggar in my own house. They denied me meals and only gave me whenever we had guests in the house”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. It was shocking to hear about their departure, but, it was a greater shock to hear about the ill-treatment they meted on dad.
“And exactly was responsible for such a change in behavior? Mom was never like this. You both lived peacefully. I even envied your relationship and wished I could be the same in my own home.”
Although he was wiping his face, the tears flowed freely. He spoke with a cracked voice and struggled to maintain composure.
I asked the kids to go into one of the rooms. I didn’t want them to continue watching his open display of emotion. I will have lots of questions to answer once we get home.
They obeyed without hesitation and trudged into one of the rooms.
I motioned for him to continue and he heaved a loud sigh before getting up from his seat.
“It’s all my fault. I brought this upon myself.”
“You need to stop blaming yourself. I’m sure whatever happened wasn’t totally your fault.
“After you left, your ex. Husband came to the house and threatened to lock us up if you were not provided.” I clenched my fists in anger upon hearing about William’s threat to them.
“That bastard! What else did he want from me?”
“He said you brought disgrace upon him and his family and showed us some of the news headlines that announced your divorce with him as a result of your unwanted pregnancy.”
I told him off and maintained that he was responsible for the pregnancy. I knew it was impossible for you to cheat on him, as I was aware of the kind of person you’re.”
“So, what happened after that?”
“He said I was a terrible father and blamed me for not raising you properly. Your mom and siblings were against me and my stand in your defense. They cautioned me in his presence and begged him to take your younger sister in exchange. ”
“Did he accept the offer?
“He didn’t! But they made him a promise to find you if he could pay them handsomely. Surprisingly, he agreed to terms and paid them over $20,000 to find you.”
I listened with rapt attention, eager to hear what happened between them and Williams.
“They kept me in the dark until I saw them moving out with their things some days later. I was shocked, and when I asked them what was happening, they ignored me. Your younger sister told me they got another apartment downtown and were moving there.”
I knew mom was capable of a lot of things, but what I just heard now didn’t come close to the kind of things she was capable of.
My phone suddenly beeped, and I was astounded by the message on the screen.
“Meet me at Venlad Park if you’re still interested in keeping your job.”