The Virgins Guide to a Happy Life

32-Some bonds can never be broken

I had woken up early on Monday morning. I had yet to organise the kitchen the way I liked and that was because yesterday, Terrance dragged me with him to all the pets places on the east-west corridor to make sure we had all the essentials for Rex.

We had eaten out every meal and he had walked with chow for Rex. The dog liked me, at least I thought so. Because he was always laying on my lap and chewing on my finger. It was odd for a dog to be so attached to me, since I was so afraid of them.

I was currently in the kitchen lining up the appliances, in nothing more than one of Terrance's shirt and a pair of underwear with period cramps and a craving for cookies. The doorbell rang and I chose to ignore it. I was washing up the dishes when it sounded off again and I heard a door slam from upstairs. I heard muttering as Terrance came down the steps and bounded his way to the door.

"Yes?" He said, his voice husky from sleep. I didn't hear the other persons response but I took it that it was something unwelcoming because Terrance steupsed. "Y'all not supposed to come at 10." He said, sounding annoyed. He was probably talking to the people from Courts who came to drop off the appliances that we bought.

I heard my phone ringing and left what I was doing to go up the stairs to get it. By the time I reached, the call had passed and I looked to see it was my mother calling me. I redial her number and pressed the phone to my ear.

"Gwyn." She sniffled.

"Yes?" I asked. Her reason for calling must be rooted to Matthew's condition, last I heard he was still asleep.

"Can you come to the hospital, it's important." She hiccuped. I scrunched up my eyebrows in confusion.

"I can't give blood you know." I said just for measure.

"Gwyn, this is your brother. I'm asking you to come see him. Is that so hard for you." She snapped, her voice watery. I was speechless.

"Give me 30 minutes." I said and ended the call. I went into the bathroom, took a quick shower, re-brushed my teeth and made my way to the walk in closet that was properly assembled. I pulled out a simple casual dark green dress and grabbed a bra and underwear and quickly dressed. I pulled my sandals on my foot and grabbed my bag from yesterday. I stuffed my phone in the bag then made my way out the room, and down the stairs.

"I was now coming to look for you. Where are you going?" Terrance asked looking me up and down.

"My mom called. Something to do with Matthew." I said. He scrunched up his eyebrows and looked annoyed. "Are you home today?"

"No. I have someone for 11:30. I'm here till these people leave, then I'm off."

"Tonight." I said and walked towards him to plant a kiss on his lips. It was something we got in the habit of doing.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

I always hated being in the hospital, it reminded me so much of dead people and bad things to come. I know a few people who would argue otherwise when it came to hospitals but I always felt dirty in one. I was walking down the hall towards the reception desk when a chubby nurse in yellow scrubs called me out.

"Gwyndolyn." She said and made her way to me.

"Hi." I smiled. Her brown eyes were wide, hiding behind her circular glasses and her hair was freshly cut short, in a bald style. Her red skin was almost caramel from tan and her plump lips smiling.

"How are you babe?" She asked. She was forever my nurse. Every single time I was admitted at hospital, she was my nurse.

"I'm well, busy as ever." I said and smiled lightly.

"Are you here to see Matty? Your mom is up there with him."

"I would like to. Can you lead the way?" I asked. She nodded and turned away and I followed after her. We got into the elevator shaft and she pressed the button for the second floor and we stood in silence until the bell dinged and she led the way down the hall to the fourth door on the left and walked in. The room was white, with a bed in the very middle of the small room. Matthew lay on the bed, reading a book entitled 'Friends and Enemies'. Mummy sat next to the bed, eating a bagel and sipping on her tea.

"Mrs. Samuels, how are you?"

"Oh, I'm good today Faith." Mummy said and she smiled when she saw me. "Oh, I have a call to make, I'll be right back." She said and stood from her seat. She dragged Faith out behind her and left me alone with Matthew.

Matthew lay there ignoring me. His eyes never left his book and I thought for a second he was dead, until he let out a heavy sigh and turned his head to his left, further ignoring me. I took further steps into the room and took a seat on the chair my mother had just occupied.

"Are you okay?" I asked after a very pregnant silence had elapsed.

"No." Was his reply. I bit my lip.

"How bad is it?" His head swung around to look at me and he stared at me for a long time before he said anything.

"Do you care?" He asked and I was taken aback.

"Of course I care." I snapped.

"Why are you here? Did lover boy get tired of you already?" He hissed out venomously.

"Matthew, my reasons have nothing to do with him."

"I don't want you here Lyn so go back to lover boy." I flinched at the name and I glanced at my lap then back up to my brother.

"I thought I was going to get a thanks. For saving your life and all." I said lightly, ignoring his poisonous words

"You should have left me to die. Are we done here?"

"Matthew-" He cut me off.

"I don't want you here. Go away. Leave. I don't care that you saved my life, you mean nothing to me. Go. Away." He hissed and my heart shattered. I stood stiffly from my seat and walked towards the door. I looked back at him and his head was turned the other way. I opened the door and walked out and bumped straight into my father.

He looked down at me with furrowed brows then up at the door.

"Are you okay?" He asked, his voice soft and I fought to get myself in check.

"Yes, I'm fine." I said ready to sidestep him.

"No physical harm?" He asked and I stared at him shocked. I shook my head, my tongue too heavy to talk. He let out a relieved sigh and did the last thing I thought he would do. He hugged me.

He held me tightly to his body, his head on top mine and he rubbed soothing circles in my back. It was odd, I couldn't remember the last time he hugged me, the last time he showed emotion other than anger towards me.

"Dad?" I asked confused. He pulled back and his eyes were brimmed with tears.

"I thought they got you. I thought they had taken you. I was worried. Call me, for anything. If anything is ever a problem, call me." He said and pulled me back to him. And then I realised, I realised that I had been right.

That deep down he still cared about me. I still mattered to him, that even though he sold me away, my life mattered to him. And I was a daddy's little girl and I supposed I would always be a daddy's little girl.

Unless I was losing my mind.