Night Before the Swing

Tracing Mason's Whereabouts

CHAPTER 29

_______________________

Mr. Forest couldn't understand why his wife refused to let Nala talk to her child. He was mad and he made that clear to both her and Warren.

Mrs. Forest: She's being accused of killing.

Mr. Forest: Her father is being accused, not her! She was probably a new born when all this rubbish happened and you're punishing her for something she had nothing to do with?!

Mrs. Forest: I don't think it's safe to...

Mr. Forest: To what?! Let Narrel talk to her mother on the phone?

Mr. Forest left the kitchen before his wife could formulate a descent response. Mrs. Forest turned to her son and shook her head with her hands, eyes and mouth wide open.

Mrs. Forest: I need you to talk to your father.

Warren: You didn't tell me Narrel wasn't allowed to talk to her mother.

Mrs. Forest: Of course I did. We spoke about this as a family and we all agreed that Narrel is better off growing up with us.

Warren: But that doesn't mean she won't speak to her mother and have visitations, right?

Mrs. Forest: So she's not a good enough mother to live with her but she's safe to visit? Don't you remember why we decided to keep Narrel with us. Have you forgotten the things we've been watching on the news? Have you forgotten those poor families' reactions after finding out what happened to their relatives after many years?

Warren: Narrel doesn't care about that. She misses her mother and the crying is getting worse mom. Narrel misses her other family.

Mrs. Forest: It will get worse before it gets better Warren. Give Narrel another month and she would've adjusted to her new reality.

Warren: Let her cry bitterly for another month? Mom, I really think a telephone conversation with Nala would've calmed Narrel down. She's not happy and it's starting to show.

Mrs. Forest: Nonsense. She's just temperamental like all children her age.

Warren: But mom..

Mrs. Forest: We're done. I still have your father to deal with. Don't make things worse.

*****

Gwen and Nala were still sleeping when Long returned so he and Tony waited two minutes before the door opened. Nala woke up after the fourth knock then opened the door after peeping through the door hole to make sure it was Long. Long walked in and headed for his suitcase but Tony stood next to Nala, feeling awkward and trying to make small talk. Nala shut the door while greeting him back. He thought about hugging her and saying he's sorry about everything that's happened to her but it didn't feel right. He managed to ask if she was okay and offered to assist in any way he could. Nala jokingly said "you could get my daughter from that crazy family at Ref-town" then laughed.

Tony: I'm sure you miss her.

Nala: And they won't even let me talk to her on the phone. I pray she's okay.

Tony: They're denying you your child?

Nala: They basically called us murderers who aren't safe to be around Narrel.

Tony: Sorry. I know it must be real hard.

Nala: Terribly hard.

Tony smiled shyly and said "I'll see what I can do about that."

Long handed Tony one of the sweaters Gwen and Nala were wearing when they left the hotel. They took snacks, bottled water and some cash before leaving. Gwen did not wake up throughout the ten minutes they were in their room and Nala didn't even think to wake her up till they were gone. Nala just knew her mother wasn't going to be pleased with her but she didn't care at that moment. She was thinking about seeing Tony so actively involved in their fight against the world. He was still the calm and relaxed gentleman that Nala has always known him to be but his tight muscles looked better that the last time she saw him. She even felt guilty for hating him at one point for showing up with Chad at her aunt's house. Nala also realised that not seeing many people she knew and loved had made her appreciate them very much. She and Tony weren't as close as they were before she became Warren's lover but seeing him gave her a feeling of being part of the world again. It was nice to see him even if it was for a few minutes and Nala longed to see more familiar faces.