Flipped Into Place

City Lights, Town Delights: |||

Juli's POV:

"Yes, mom. I'm unpacking as we speak."

I was on loud speaker in the telephone at home. I chronicled every detail as clear as can be.

"Great, honey. Fold them nicely in, all right?" mom was determined to ensure I'm at my best while I was here.

"Don't worry mom, Lily's got it I'm sure. Hey! have you already seen any pretty gifts we might like?" Matt and Mark on the other hand, were anticipating what I'd get for them as presents. I can already feel them smirking miles away.

"Oh boys, don't badger your sister when she clearly has more pressing matters at hand. How's the situation there, Juli?" I heard dad speak this time.

And I told them all there is to know about today. Alex and Pops finally caught up, and how relieved he was that the dementia hadn't influenced his grandfather. At least, all we knew is that it didn't, before he became tired once more and we left him to rest.

"This is good news and all, but you must still keep an eye out, Juli. Remember our talk the night before you left?" dad said.

I distinctly remember. We were seriously concerned about Alex and his health. At least, his mental health. He's been on edge for most the time and he isn't as talkative as before. He had lost incentives. We figured it was all due to obvious reasons. At Popa's age, this fall could've led to something worse. It was terrifying to think it. And since he was on the verge of not surviving this, he must me in a weighty ton of pain. We may have composed that Alex's worries are becoming considerably greater.

Over the years of living with uncle Daniel, dad explained how he had inscribed particular actions his brother has made on every emotion possible. From his keen observation all those years, he said that sometimes he could even tell what uncle Daniel might be thinking just by minding his gesticulations. Dad's practically a psychologist. Anyway, he had picked up a few changes in Alex. This one, he said was somewhat like resilience with silence sort of matter. Acting tough, but silent because he is not. This happens when uncle Daniel gives the silent treatment just to appear indestructible, but when really, his insides were crumbling. Like when their first pet dog passed, uncle Daniel kept his sorrows bottled up to the extent that his mind couldn't take it anymore and just lost it.

"Yeah dad. Don't worry, nothing's going to happen in my watch." I was determined to stay true to that.

After a while, we said our good night's and cut the line. Then a certain someone came to mind. In which a single thought of their face can be moved from the innocent mind, to the zealous heart. And next winds up to the stomach full of flutters.

I hastily pressed my finger to the space of his first telephone number on the rotary dial, dragged it to lock it in, followed by the next. My man picked up instantly.

"Hey!"

"Took you long enough," he said. He didn't sound mad but he meant it to be taken as a joke. I also heard in his voice drowsiness which led me to guilt that I had taken so long to reach him.

"I know, I know, I'm sorry. How's your day?"

"Not telling until you give me that phone's number," he playfully said.

I groaned. I looked to the bedside table and found a small pad next to the telephone itself. Written on it was a row of numbers and a note in neat cursive that read, 'A person like you must be missed so dearly. Give them the free will to reach you.' Alex's mom is the sweetest.

I dictated the number to him.

"So, how'd your day went?"

"Pretty fine." He said it in a hurry as if trying to dodge it.