Starlight

-12-

Asher___

It's been a week since I left NY. I feel better at peace. I made the right choice by leaving that city. I don't know how I would have survived with the thought of ever running into Rose and the effortless reminders of her.

It's been six years and still she controls my mind.
She's stuck in it.
I can't seem to get over her.
It's so hard and frustrating.
Anthony suggested therapy, I don't need one.
With time, she'll leave.

That's what I've said for years now.

Why do I feel I'm trying to convince myself?

I got down from my car. Yes, I travelled with my car. I went by road.
I need to stock my apartment, it feels so empty so I decided to go shopping. I went to this supermarket that literally has everything, grocery, accessories, clothing, name it all. It's quite popular here besides it's closer to my apartment.

I strode into the supermarket with my hands in my pocket. It's quite large and spacious. I head to the grocery unit once I got my shopping cart following through with the direction hung on the walls.

I spot the unit that's basically for chocolate products. I make a mental note to get Deb some before heading home. I shopped for a while. I got some foodstuffs for my family, might as well drop some off for them. A perfect excuse to go share the news.

They don't know I'm in NJ yet. I haven't told them. Neither does Charlotte.
I want to surprise them. I guess mum will be delighted to have me close by.
I'll mentally prepare myself for unexpected visits then.

                                ***
"Chocolates!!" I heard a scream from behind me.
"Mummy, finally!! I'm gonna get a lot!!" The voice sang probably running from the sounds of her footsteps. I shake my head, just like Debs. I move to get some for Deb when I felt someone collide with me. The little girl I suppose from earlier, bumped into me from behind.

I turn around, crouch to her height. She was rubbing her forehead, I guess from pain.
That was a hard collision.
"Hey sweet pea," I said running my hands through her hair. She had her hair fall over her shoulders. She looks five or six.
She raised her eyes to meet mine.
I frown.

She looks like someone I know very well.
"Hey, handsome uncle. Sorry for bumping into you." She apologized smiling at me.
She has one beautiful smile.
I'm captivated already.
I don't know her yet.

"What's your name, sweat pea?" I asked her taking her hands into mine.
"Michelle and you?" She said with a tilt of her head to the side.
"Asher. You can call me Ash."
"Handsome uncle Ash." I smile at that.

"What do you say about a chocolate hunt?" Her eyes had a glist of light in them. Her brown eyes sparkled at the mention of chocolate and her smile widened.

"Sounds fun! Let's hurry before mummy gets here."
I don't know why I feel this to be exciting and surreal. But I do.
We hurriedly picked a good number of chocolate bars. I picked a chocolate cookie for her and one for Deb.

"Michelle! Michelle, you need to stop running off."

That voice.
It can't be.

"Elle, no chocolates for....Asher." I heard my name being called with a slight gasp from behind me and frowned at that.
I look back at who called me and I'm startled.

Rose.

Of all cities, it had to be here.

Michelle is Rose's baby and there's no mistaking that.

Glancing back at Michelle, I see the resemblance. She looks like a replica of her mum except her hair and chin.

"Roselyn." All I see is red. The anger and hatred I long buried rush through my body. I'm sure she noticed cause she stepped back.
"Uncle, you know my mummy?" I lick my bottom lips.

Unfortunately I do. She just had to be your mum.
"Yes, sweat pea. I do." She clapped her hands smiling brightly at us.

"Isn't she pretty? She's the best mummy in the whole world." I look back at Rose who watched us interact silently. I don't answer that question.
She's always been pretty.
I don't say that aloud. I despise this moment.
Why couldn't it be any other woman?

"Mummy, this is my friend, Uncle Asher. Uncle Asher, my mum." The little girl introduced us to each other like we just didn't acknowledge we already met before.
I don't mind, she's being polite.

"It's nice to meet you, Rose." I said through clenched teeth glaring at her. The anger in my veins is about to explode anytime soon. I don't want Elle seeing that.
I don't know what she'll think.

"Likewise, Asher." I snatch my attention from her to the little girl beside me.
"Let's go pay for this." I pointed to the cart, she nodded. I hold her hand as I rolled the cart to the cashier unit.
I feel Rose trail behind us.

We put out everything on the counter.
All this while I feel Rose's eyes on my back.
Quite staring.
I wonder where her baby daddy is.

We paid for everything. We had everything packed. I had then pack Deb's chocolate bars separately from Michelle's. I took all the bags on my right and held Elle on my left. She kept talking about random things and all I do is listen.
Just this morning, I was glad I didn't have to bump into her and then this.

I felt Elle tugging on my sleeves. I crouch down to her level.
"Do you live around?" I nodded to her question.

She clasped her hands together excited.
"We do too. Wait a minute." She grabbed a piece of paper rather she offered me the receipt. Well the clean side of it. She had a pencil in her pocket.
Wow!

Where did that come from?

"Here, take this and drop your contact." I look at the little girl infront of me. I chuckled, scribbling down my details for her.
"I'll call you!" She literally squealed.
"Sure do." I was about standing up from that position when she held my shirt. She pecked my cheeks.

"Goodbye, Uncle Asher." I ruffle her hair.
"See you, kiddo." I watch as she made her way over to her mum.
Rose.
Rose held her hand still staring at me.
What's her problem with staring?

She's been doing that for a while and it's so irritating!
"It's nice meeting you, Asher."
The nerve. It's not nice meeting you, Rose.

"Bye Uncle Asher!" She waved her hands and I waved back.
I took my bags to my car.

That night I got a call from an unknown number.
I picked it up with a monotonous voice, I said, "Hello. Asher Storm speaking."
"Uncle Asher, thank you for the chocolates." I heard Elle speak into the phone and my face softened. A smile broke out on my face.
"My pleasure, angel."

"Goodnight. Make sure to pray before going to bed. Love you!" Well that's children for you.
"I love you too, sweat pea. Sweet dreams." Well, I do love her.
She's so bubbly.
The line went dead.

I slept with a smile on my face.

###
Remember to pray before going to bed and in the morning once you wake up.

God bless you 🤍.