Bellman Tower

Chapter 10

"Okay, so the plan is, we just go in and tell them they have to go out on Monday and that you will be there with me in the house." I run over the plan for the hundredth time.

Jay nods, "Yes, now calm down. You're so over-anxious. It's going to be fine."

"You're right," I agree, "I'm being stupid. Let's go." Taking a deep breath, I open the door and walk through into the main room, where Aunt and Uncle are sitting and chatting idly. Jay and I sit down opposite them.

"Oh, hello!" Aunt says, when she sees Jay. Jay smiles and nods, and then nods at Uncle. Uncle nods back politely.

"Aunt, I know it's your anniversary on Monday and I want to say congrats early. I didn't want you to stay at home because of me. I don't want to spoil your anniversary. So Jay and I thought that you could out, both of you and Jay would stay here with me so I won't be alone in the house. What do you think?"

"You'd be here?" Aunt says, looking nervous already.

"Yes, but I won't be alone." I remind her, "Jay will be here with me." Aunt looks at Uncle anxiously, who then turns to me and bites his lip.

"And Jay would stay here until we came back?"

"Heck, maybe longer." I say. "The point is, he won't leave the premises until he's seen your face back here. I promise you that, Uncle." I look at Jay. When he returns the stare back, with a blank look and nudge him, gesturing to Aunt and Uncle with my eyes. He nods, "Yeah, I won't leave the house no matter what until you're both back home. I swear, I won't. Trust me."

"Okay. But only because I want Nikki to redeem herself. Thank you for this, Nikki. I appreciate it, believe it or not. I know we don't have the best relationship, but this is the nicest thing you've ever done for me. Thank you."

"You're welcome, Aunt. And I'm sorry... for not being a good niece to you when I should have been. I understand where I went wrong and I'm going to try and set it right now." I say, nodding. Aunt looks tearful. She gets up and envelopes me in a giant hug. When she pulls back, tears are streaming from her eyes, "It's okay. We all make mistakes. The first step forward is to admit it. You're a beautiful girl."

"Thanks, Aunt." I say, smiling. And I mean it. Now I know why she's so hell-bent after security and why she doesn't want to go into the attic. I understand why she was so caring to me even when I was really mean to her and Uncle. I feel so bad, so bad about every spiteful thing I've said to them because all they were trying to do was experience having their own child when they lost theirs. Before I do anything, I swear to God, I am not going to question her motives again. Tears gather in my eyes but I push them back, "Dad would have been so proud of you if he were here. He loved you way, way more than you know."

Tears roll down Aunt's cheeks, "Oh, Nikki. If my brother was here, he'd be the proudest father in the world to have raised such a beautiful daughter. You know that, right?"

"I do now." I nod, smiling and then look at Jay, "Thank you, Jay, for helping me realise my mistake. Perhaps if I hadn't met you, I would still be blundering around lost with life. Thanks."

"You're welcome." Jay shuffles uncomfortably, "I'd better go. Mom probably has tea ready and my sisters will be waiting."

"Okay, Jay. Thank you for everything. Good bye. We'll see you on Monday." Aunt smiles warmly at Jay, her watery eyes lighting up. This is the first time I have seen her so genuinely happy. I'm glad I could at least do this much for her.

She lost a child, I lost my parents.

Maybe we do have something in common after all.

I show Jay to the door. He smiles, "Good luck. Be careful tonight, I have a feeling that it won't be smooth."