Moment with God (Book 2 of With God Trilogy)

XIII

Fast forward, the vacuum portal transported me to a place I was familiar with. I think I know this place. Wait, let me think. Ha!

This is where my dad worked!

I heard the door creaked slightly as a man came out.

"Yes, sir. Thank you for your trust." It was dad, talking to his client.

"I should be thankful for your trust, Mr. Melbourne." His client finally said before he walked away with a gray briefcase.

Wait, when this happen? Ahhh! Be patient, Janice!

I followed my dad as he drove his car to grandma's house. I can see how time changed here. The walls once covered in sky blue stripes were now painted in blonde yellow. The flowers in the front yard were once blooming with the sunshine touching its petals but now, I am afraid I can only see a handful of flowers in the porch. 

"Mom!" dad knocked and pressed the doorbell.

The door slightly opened. "Yes?"

"Hi, I'm Mrs. Melbourne's son. Who are you?" Dad asked the unfamiliar man.

"Oh, sorry. I just came to clean the house. Your mother told me not to entertain visitors, so I'm just making sure." The man opened the door widely for us to come in. "Come in, please."

"Wait, did mom really get a cleaner here?" Dad asked as he inspects the house. "How long have you been here?"

"I just started a while ago." I can feel the nervousness in his voice.

My dad crunched his eyebrows and scratched his forehead. "Where's mom?"

"Joseph!" Grandma yelled from upstairs. My dad and I rushed to see her.

"Mom!" Dad looked at grandma's colorful hands.

"Where is Emily?" Dad asked as he looks at grandma's painting.

"Son, I fired her. Can't you see? Jacob taught me how to paint his face." She was amazed by her painting. Did she really paint that herself? Well, the painting looks rugged, unfinished.

Dad glanced at her while she swirled her paintbrush in red and painted again. He rushed downstairs and looked for the man. "Hey! Hey!"

"Yes, sir?" the man looked clueless.

"Who are you? Why is my mom painting your face?" Dad pointed upstairs.

"I am Jacob." He smiled nervously.

Dad cruched his fist and slammed the table. "Do you think I would buy this trick?!"

"I am just a good heart who wanted to teach your mother to paint?"

"What? So you are not sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure. Sir, your mother has been looking for her son...

"I am his son!" Dad raised his voice and stepped closer to the man.

I shivered as I felt dad's anger. So that is what it feels when you hear him shout.

"Joseph! Jacob!" Grandma yelled. "What is happening?" I heard grandma's cane getting louder. Oops! She is going down. Dad, please stop this.

Dad sighed. "I cannot trust anyone anymore." He gave the man an intimidating stare who was bowing his head. 

"One last question or else I will call the police. Who-

He quickly picked $ 500 from his pocket. "Here, take this. I'm really sorry I had to take this from your mom. I just really need money." He lifted his head up. "My name is Rus." He smiled as he walked to the door bowing his head again.

Why does he have to do this? I don't know if I am going to get mad or sad. I can see pity in dad's face as he looked at the man walking away.

Grandma realized that my dad drove Jacob away. She sat quietly on the porch as we follow. "Mom, your $500." Dad handed the money to grandma. She ignored him. "You don't know the guilt feeling I have for a long time." Grandma uttered. "I don't need the money. I need your brother."

Dad kneeled to grandma and wiped her tear. "Mom, I know how much you missed Jacob. Do you want me to drive you?"

"Really? Are you not busy?"

"Mom, since I left the Navy, I promised to have more time for you. I'm just so sorry that I can only visit you thrice a week. I mean, I hope Emily is doing good, isn't she?"

"Emily cares for me. She is a good friend."

Dad picked his phone. "I'll call her. From now on, I will be his boss."

Grandma turned her gaze to dad.

"Mom, I need to protect you. Emily is still your friend." Dad smiled. "I just need someone I can trust."

Dad drove for grandma. We had a fun road trip in California. Dad decided to treat grandma to a relaxing spa wherein she can relax and just let out all her worries. As we arrived home, grandma sat on the porch as Emily, her caregiver came to her.

"I'm sorry, Emily." grandma murmured.

"Mrs. Melbourne, I am always here. Even if you would want to drive me away." Emily smiled as she gives grandma's favorite warm, chamomile tea.

Dad kissed grandma goodbye. She hold on to his arm. "Emily, can you please give my son a pack of chamomile tea to taste at his home?"

"Mom, it's okay. I'm not that into tea." Dad respectfully refused. 

But grandma insisted. "You can always try." She smiled. "Or give it to Sania."

I would want to try! I haven't tried tea, yet!

Finally, everything is fine now. I rested on the passenger's seat and accidently glanced at the side mirror. Oh no!!! The dark shadow is behind us!!

Dad is driving smoothly and he doesn't know. What should I do now? What does it want?

I closed my eyes and prayed to God to let me be out of this situation. I quickly opened my eyes after a few minutes, and I was shocked. I am now in my bedroom.

"Janice!" Dad was calling from downstairs. I hurriedly ran downstairs. He was downstairs with mom...

Wait.

Why are there policemen here?

Wait, I do not remember this scene. Where am I?

I ran upstairs and looked at the bedroom again. I was there sitting on the edge of the bed, my eyes closed, listening to God. My headphones were attached on my neck while I am writing in my diary.

So, all these happened without me noticing?

I...

Did not....

Hear.