The Seven, and their Wealth. II

XV - Clinton.

Clinton woke up feeling miserable solely because it was a chilling winter morning. He could not bear to stand such piercing weather conditions.

The morning sun seeped through the little openings in his dark curtains, and he reached for his phone, charging on the wooden end table. Turning it on, he was greeted by a rush of messages only synchronising now. The phone vibrated endlessly. There was a particular bother that he could not seem to look past.

Today was a special day and he'd not heard from Jenner in nearly two days now – for no good reason. He held back for a day, deciding to give it time but that all went out the window when the silence poured into the second morning. He was going to see Jenner.

Clinton jumped out of bed, his head aggressively thumping, still trying to recover from another one of those celebratory nights. He showered and readied himself for the day ahead, noticing that his preferred Rick and Morty hoodie had been missing, among a string of other clothes. He gritted his teeth at the thought of either Amani or Francisco helping themselves to his wardrobe, again.

Nothing vexed Clinton more than when this happened. The blatant disregard for property, everyone had their own wardrobes – what was the need to take from the next?

Clinton stormed out of his room and made a beeline for the kitchen downstairs. No one was there, instead interrupted by laughs from the patio and peeking out the window, everyone was present around the table including Amanda.

'Has anyone seen my white Rick and Morty hoodie?' he politely asked, looking at his brothers.

'Is that how we greet?' Nhlanhla, his father, asked.

'No, but my hoodie is not in my wardrobe and it's not in the wash either.'

'Would you like to take a seat, perhaps Clinton?' Adelaide asked, taking a sip from her coffee mug.

The last available chair had a plate with a lone, massive red velvet cupcake with a candle sticking out and a birthday card beside it. The patio overlooked a serene garden space that encompassed a wide selection of flora carefully picked and placed by Adelaide.

Smiles were all around when Nhlanhla lit the candle smiled and the family all started singing.

'Happy birthday to you.'

Clinton was curtly reminded that it was his birthday.

Family weren't the best singers, but they never failed at forcing Clinton to smile, from endearment. He sat down, staring at the candle and upon concluding the birthday song, he blew it out and the family applauded. It was a family tradition to start any birthday this way.

'Thank you, guys. But can we get back to the matter of my hoodie?'

They all groaned.

'Someone wore it, and I know it was one of you,' he hissed, pointing at Amani and Francisco.

'Why does it always have to be one of us? What if Zi decided to try it and on for herself?'

'Now why am I in it?' she interrupted and placed her fork back on the table.

'Zion would never. Ei, guys my hoodie man!'

'None of us have it!'

'Alright, alright,' Amanda spoke. 'Hoodies aside, have you seen the little present in the envelope?'

'You guys didn't have to,' Clinton feigned modesty. He tore it open and took out a blue and red birthday card, another piece of paper slipped out from it and Clinton scrutinised it. 'A three-night stay at Habitas? In Namibia? I knew I could always count on you!'