Danger Love Ahead

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Truth

(April's version) 

The next morning, I planned on confronting mom about the truth. I waited for Kenny to leave the table. He did leave the table with his breakfast unusually early this morning which made me wonder if he knew about what I had planned. I though of a casual approach but seeing as the topic was a little sore for mom, I went for a cautious one. Cautious but blunt.

"Mom," I began slowly. She sighed in a resigned way and set down the dish she was wiping on the counter. Surprised, I watched as she set at the table with me, her eyes vulnerable and yet expectant. "You know what I'm about to ask you," I accused. She sighed again and nodded.

"I do." The professor must have spoken to her, I guessed. I frowned, disappointed with the professor.

"He didn't tell me anything," Mom assured as if she read my mind. "I knew this was going to be brought up soon. I was...waiting." 

That took me off guard. I didn't know how to begin. Professor managed only to tell me that my father had passed when I was at a very tender age and I was sent to school in London. He also mentioned something about seizure attacks, but he was too evasive on the topic for me to follow what he was on about. So, for a start, I thought a brief history lesson was needed.

"Mom, could you tell me everything?" I asked. "From before dad passed." Kenny walked in at that moment and took a seat beside me, folding his tiny hands on the table. I suspected the munchkin was eavesdropping. Twerp.

"What?" He asked after a few seconds of everyone staring at him. "I want to hear this too." I rolled my eyes at him but mom sighed patiently, slightly amused.

"I was a lawyer back then and your father was an accountant. He worked for a University here in the US that was founded by a french group," she paused and licked her dry lips,a nervous habit she seemed to have. "Your father worked at home. He was a dad more than he was an accountant. I can't really say the same for myself. My parents were both doctors and...I guess I was out to prove to them that a Lawyer was..was at the same standard. I tried so hard, that family was at the bottom of priority." I listened intently, smiling encouragingly at mom who looked like she'd rather be anywhere than here, talking about this. "Your father was such a loving and tolerant man. He never complained...ever..but he constantly reminded me. Family first. Always." She sighed sadly and leaned back in her chair. "I didn't listen. In return, my bond with the children wasn't as strong as his. When Halloween's eve came around, your father was in France discussing the funds for the college jubilee. I was to take you two out for trick or treating."

"Something came up?" I guessed when mom once again paused.

"My client was being interrogated for something...I had to be present before she um..speaks." Mom's voice shook a little and she cleared it with an inconspicuous little brush across her nose when she sniffled. "Yes well, I canceled on trick-or-treating and your father found out. He was on the first flight back to America and arrived um...Halloween evening. It was my fault...I kept rushing him. I couldn't leave you kids alone so I rushed him and..." I grimaced in guilt at having brought up the topic in the first place when mom broke. She cried for a while, grabbing at the tissues Kenny and I provided. "I'm so sorry.."

"Mom, it's not your fault!" I told her. "Car accidents, road accidents...it happens all the time. It's...it's life.." I grimaced at what I was saying. "Dad would have hurried even without your encouragement. He would have wanted to be here with us. I'm sure, he would." Kenny raised an eye-brow at me. I shrugged. He couldn't expect me to comfort her with words about dad! I can't even remember him. Mom shook her head.

"Everything went downhill from there. You couldn't handle it especially. You were at a tender age...I couldn't help you. You didn't respond well to therapy and medication. Finally, a friend of mine suggested The Sacred Heart Monastery in London. An in-built all girls school there was apparently good with handling children who were autistic, undergoing depression...and what not. I didn't want to send you at first. The walls made me think it was some sort of prison. I spoke to Sr.Gina and she showed me a different way of seeing it. It was a sanctuary. The walls weren't built to keep them in, but to keep people out. People in pain needed time alone, time to think, time to reflect and time to heal. The walls kept the pressure of the public and media away. The walls gave you peace. I always remembered that. Sr.Gina is such a woman. Anyway, yes, I sent you there. You came home for the summer holidays and eventually I saw an improvement. I also felt I owed your father something. Family first. I quit my job, I moved Kenny and I here to Graham. Took up a teaching position in Literature and fixed a spot for Kenny at Preschool. Than with Sister's permission, I brought you back to the US to attend Graham High."