Jessie Jones

Chapter 25:Bitter truth

    "Please have seat." He told us, gesturing to the sofa. He dropped his computer bag on a table in the corridor, removed his shoes, hanged his jacket and took a seat in an armchair. We all followed suit and took seats in the living room. Nate and I were sitting in a love seat, Rivers and Evan were sitting in an armchair at either side of us and Alice and Jason opposite us, Nicole and Alicia on the couch in the other side and Mr browns at the far end.

Don't even ask me when everyone came because I also don't know. I just saw them. I guessed Rivers called them so we will all hear everything once and for all. I know right. Even Alicia was there, the girl I haven't seen nor thought about for six months. Since Nicole broke up with Nate, they all went there separate ways. I heard Nicole and Alicia had a fight with Rivers few months ago, that was why I didn't see nor hear about her for a really long time.

Mr brown took a deep breath and closed his eyes, putting his hand in a fist. He took another deep breath then cleared his throat. My heart was beating fast, I reached out for Nate's hand and held it tightly.

"I have never thought there will come a day when I will tell all of you this. Never in my life have I thought I will disclose it to anyone. But I guess I don't have much of a choice. I'm guessing all of you want to know exactly what happened." Mr brown started. He took a look at all of us confirming we really wanted to know the whole truth. They all nodded at him but when it came to my turn, I couldn't move. I was so afraid. We were all afraid. I wanted to release my hold from Nate and run away and never come back to hear this. But Nate tighten his hold on me and pulled me back.

"I guess I can proceed then,"I heard Mr Browns voice. I open my mouth to say no, we don't want to hear anything but no words came out of my mouth.

"I am really sorry I hid this from you. But I thought it was for your own good. All what I did was for your sake. All I wanted was to protect you, I hope you will find it in your heart to forgive me." he said looking straight into Nate's eyes. Nate tightened his hold on me. I wonder what he's feeling. I felt a liquid substance drop on my palm. I looked up to see Nate trying to wipe his tears. I didn't know what I felt, all I know was whatever is going to come out of Mr Brown's mouth is not going to be good.

Mr Brown took a deep intake of breath and continued. "On September 20th 2014, my wife wanted to go shopping, I asked Nate to drive her there because she was not in a good condition to drive,"

"Why?" Alice asked. She was the only strong enough to ask questions. She and Nicole were the only ones that didn't know Mrs browns well.

"Because..." Mr brown swallowed the lump in his throat then continued "because she was ill"

Alice raised her eye brows as if asking which illness and Mr brown answered "she had cancer"

All eyes turned to look at Mr brown. He was looking down at his fingers and playing with his wedding ring. I imagined how difficult it must have been for him to tell us this story and answer all our questions. I looked beside me to see Nate with his eyes closed tightly, his lips in a deep frown as if trying to remember something.

"On their way to Walmart, they met with a terrible accident," he continued.

"What caused the accident, tell them! It was because of my reckless driving. I killed her, I killed my mother!" Nate started shouting uncontrollably. Jason, Rivers and Evan quickly stood up and held him down making him to sit. They stayed there for some minutes making sure he had calmed down. Then left after he seemed calm. Before they even reached their various seats, he pushed the flower vase on the table beside us. It fell down and the glass shattered into pieces. He then bent down and picked up the glass crying. "It is mother's favorite. She loved it the most. I broke her most precious flower vase after killing her." He started sobbing hysterical. I quickly stood up from my seat and bent down hugging him tightly.