All about Joseph

The Past Revealed

My mind’s been whirling for hours now. Why does he have to be in Manila? What is he going to do there? I called mom at the house. She answered the phone, thank goodness.

“Mom, it’s me, Jo. How are you doing?” I’m breathing heavily in the background.

“I’m fine dear; your dad is in his work and my here tending with your brother’s needs even though I know he doesn’t need anything yet.” She laughed. Hearing her laugh brings me to tears. I could hear Claude singing in the background. I miss being with him even though his annoying.

“Nice to hear that mom.” I said.

“How about you? How’s your vacation going? I’m glad that you’ve already found Rebecca’s grandfather. That’s very brave of you to go looking for him even though at first I didn’t want you to go because there’s no certainty in finding a missing person all by yourselves.” I sighed. I’m sure mom heard it.

“What’s the matter?” my mom said in the end of the line.

“Well, mom, I’ve discovered something here in Vigan these past days. And at first I didn’t want to believe those words given to me but as time goes by it gotten serious. I’m sorry to ask this but I think you’re hiding something from me, mom. Or, or, you’re not telling me something. I want you to be true because these past days it has been a whirlwind from me. I didn’t know things could happen like these in just days, weeks. A while ago we’re rejoicing the second we’re running in circles then now we’re waiting, I am waiting. I’m so troubled so distracted; I don’t know what to do anymore. I’m lost.”

I could hear her breathe; I can’t hear Claude in the background anymore I think he went to his room already.

“I don’t know where to start, Jo. Please help me. I’m sorry if things happening to you is my fault, I’m sorry.” She’s crying, I didn’t want her to cry, I just wanted to clear up something but I never thought that it was this serious for her.

“I’m sorry, mom. I didn’t mean to hurt you. It’s just that I don’t what to do after Lamarte.” After saying his name my mom shuddered at the end of the line.

“How did you know about Lamarte?”

“I met him here, I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you about him. I’m just caught up with things. Especially that he’s threatening me and Rebecca. At first he was timid about it but last night he told me that he was your old boyfriend. And that’s why I’m so lost because he’s wrecking this vacation my life with Rebecca here. Please, mom, help me clear things up.”

“He was not boyfriend and never will. AND how dare he to threaten the life of my son?” She’s furious right now.

“He texted me last night and he wanted to see me and I told him that I did not want to, what is the reason for meeting him up?” she also remarked.

“He texted you?” well, that was something. How did he got her number?

“Why, yes. And it bothered me a lot. I never gave him my number that’s why I’m wondering where the hell he has gotten my number.” It’s obvious that she’s really swearing.

“Mom, I have to warn you, he’s in Manila right now, Geoff’s father told me, he’s a police, head police in Vigan. Wait, how did you met Lamarte? And why is he claiming that he was your old boyfriend?”

My mom told me everything. Questions have been answered and more questions rushed in because of this answers. She told me that he met Lamarte before in France. He was good friend back then, they were close and he told her stories about the Philippines that made her fall in love with this country. In some way he became a part of the reasons why my mother wanted to go here in the first place. Lamarte has this friend that he kept on telling her about and she became curious about this guy because he was always in his stories. Lamarte told her that it was his bestfriend this bestfriend of his also became his enemy in some way because everyone in their town or school or at home he was being compared with him. And he didn’t want that because he knows that every person is unique in his own way but because of the pressure building inside he decided to go abroad and work there in France just to save their friendship, as he would say. My mom said that it was obvious that Lamarte was missing his bestfriend and at the same time was envious by his achievements. He showed affections to my mom and tried to win her heart. He almost got it but my mom saw something wrong with him. And it was not the perfect time for my mom so she cleared to Lamarte that it was all friendship. He was heartbroken but still continued to  show his affections towards my mom even though he knows that it would not grow into something more. My mom told him that she was going to the Philippines for a visit and he told her that she should visit the heritage sites of the Philippines.  When she got here, Lamarte was left in France to work but stayed in touch with my mom. Mom, sent pictures to Lamarte showing the heritage sites and with that a man was always with her with these pictures. When she got back to France she told Lamarte that they’re together.

“He’s expression was priceless. It was all written in his face that his heart was really broken. He told me that he was happy for the two of us especially that I am in the hands of good man. And I wondered, how could he know that this man in the picture is good man for he haven’t met him yet and then he told me that it was his bestfriend, Stephen. And I’m shocked. My heart too was broken because I know that he was really envious with him and at the same time he wanted to praise him for all the things that he’d done. It is really a small world, Jo. That day when I told him that he just nod and he just said good bye to me. And after that I’ve never seen him again. Up to this day. I tried to call him, write him letters but it was no use. I tried to invite him in our marriage of your dad since your dad was looking for him as a best man but he never showed up.”

“Of course mom, he wouldn’t show up because it’s too much painful to see the one love of your life goes to someone who’s really dear to you and just can’t accept the facts that it was coming true.” Now, I understand why he is acting this way. I think after my mom he didn’t love again and he remained that way, thinking that he was just second best.

“I’m sad for him, Jo. I didn’t mean this to happen but if it weren’t this way maybe you’re not born and all. We wouldn’t have a great family.”

“I know, mom but there’s one thing I don’t understand. Why didn’t you tell us about it? It was long ago and I think things would be fine. But we know it is not.”

“Well, your dad told me, as a respect he doesn’t want to bother to go with the past with his bestfriend. Wait, I remembered that he was there on your christening day but he didn’t want to have a picture with you. He didn’t show up really.”

“Wait, what do you mean? So you’re telling me that he’s my godfather?”

“Yes.”

“How was that day? Did you talk to him?”

“I tried but there’s no use. He was just talking to your dad and for the whole ceremony he was quiet. He didn’t even bother to show up to me or to the crowd. He was very private. After that, we’ve not heard anything about him till this day.”

“Did dad know that he contacted you?”

“No, not yet. But I’m bound to tell him because it’s giving me the creeps why after so many years talk to me. Why only now, why not before?”

 

That question trickled in my mind up until I sleep. He waited for me 17 years after for what? What is his reason? Why now? What is he up to? Too many questions again, Jo. You need to loosen up but how. Oh dear, Lord. Help me.