Survival Under Protection - Book One

14 - Ice Cream Time

Dad was driving the Chevy as the fight between John, Jack and Alex did not get settled as to who should drive the vehicle. It was a very old and boring and yet a routined quarrel that happened every time when we all went out together. But today Mom didn't let dad or Logan scold anyone.

She was already heavy-hearted and was quiet for most of the time, but Andy and Joe made sure to make her laugh and all of us too laughed at their stupid jokes. I genuinely hated Andy but I loved when he always stepped up to make the entire family cheerful even on the unpleasant days. I mouthed him thanks and he thoughtfully smiled back at me.

We reached the ice cream parlor by the roadside. It was a small one but dad would always take us here. Alex and John would sometimes complain about not going to the big ones in the mall but I liked this one only. We used to come here earlier too and at that time even uncle Garry came with us along with his family.

We used to take the entire space inside the parlor. After all, we were 12 then. And the ice-cream-uncle, was that's what we used to call him, would attend us all first, leaving the other customers in waiting and we liked him a lot, he always remembered our flavors. He was a really nice man with a dainty build but a huge heart who would always welcome his customers with the sweetest smile.

"Hey, Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, welcome! Aah, my favorite family is here!" Icecream uncle greeted us with the same old lovely smile and we all smiled back at him. "Hey, Tony! How are you doing?" My dad asked him back. "I'm good, Harry. But I can't see Mr. Garry and his family though.." he answered while looking at our crowd.

"Oh, he, umm.."

"They have been to a friend's place, Tony." Mom intervened while dad stuttered to reply.

"Cool!! So here goes pineapple for Mr. Harry, butterscotch for the stunning lady," Tony said while handing over icecreams to mom and dad and continued, "Arabian fruits, mango, and black-currant for the big fellas and as usual, the special chocolate fountain for the pretty young lady!" He said while he handed over the icecreams to my brothers and my fav, chocolate fountain for me with lots of choco chips on top! He always did that for me.

We all thanked him and came out and sat on the pavement by the roadside enjoying having our icecreams. The sky was a lot clear tonight and I could see stars all over the sky. The breeze was wonderful and it felt cooler with the delicious ice cream.

It was almost silent if you had removed our Wilson chit-chat every a while. I felt amazing and suddenly I felt something on my right shoulder. Alex lay his head on my shoulders unknowingly while having his ice cream and I didn't move him away.

Everyone finished while I was still savoring my chocos. "Ria, can I taste it a little?" Joe cooed to me and I gave it to him smiling. "Look, the babies having chocolates!" Andy made fun of us and then said, "I also want a little" He snatched it from Joe, and then everybody including Logan took bites and it was finished!!!

"You old monsters! You finished my whole ice cream!" I was stumping my feet and no one even bothered to offer me one more. And the next moment we saw Mark and Gino coming towards the parlor and we all got silent.

"Hey, Mark... and Gino, how are you both doing?" My dad asked them with a smile.

"Oh, we are good, much better in fact with you all gone," Mark replied with a straight face and a hint of anger and sadness covered over mom and dad's faces.

"How dare you, you son of-" Logan launched himself towards Mark but dad stopped him, placing his hand on Logan's chest. "Mark, behave!!" Gino scolded Mark and it was a shocker for me. How was he behaving so differently these days? Logan removed dad's hand but stood in his position.

"Mark, I suggest you apologize right now or face the consequences later," Logan spoke very smoothly as if he knew his command will be well accepted and the same happened. Mark mouthed sorry to dad and stormed into the parlor.

"All right, guys. Let's go back." Mum said and we all proceeded to our car. But I couldn't move my steps forward. The hate in Mark's voice boiled my blood.

"Hey, Ria, come." Joe stopped by me.

"Joe, I want to talk to Mark. Now." I said to him.

"But Ria.."

"No, Joe. And you have to help me out, please!!"

"Ok, ok, let me think."

Joe ran to dad and said, "Dad, Ria, and I want to have another ice cream, can we?"

"Sure lad, go on but return soon," Dad said to him. We thanked him and went to the parlor as everyone else sat in the Chevy.

I saw Mark going through the menu while Gino was on call. I asked Joe to stay outside the parlor. I had to do this alone.

"Mark, I need to talk to you." I started the conversation, but I had no idea how it would end.

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So here's a quick update. Next chapter will answer all queries of Ria and I am sure your's too!!

Stay tuned keep posting your comments. :)