Keeping The Fire Alive

chapter 2

yara....6 years later

It's now been six years since  that day I left my mother waving at me from her bedroom window. Six years since my dad told me she had cancer. Six years since he told me it was stage four , and that she had a month to live. Six years since I buried my mother .

Here lays Yakima Banks,

mother, sister and wife.

So someone please tell me why i'm standing at an alter, with my dad kissing 'I do' to a woman he's only known for 13 months . He was mom's friend for 10 years before he even mustered up the courage to ask her out .What makes this woman so special that he couldn't wait longer. Maybe until I had finished my grieving .

I can't deny that this was a wedding planned to the tea, she had hired professionals and they did they job alright.The white was complimented by the dusty pinks and gold .It was wedding fit for a queen. But my mom was prettier ,no she was more beautiful.

Jesus when did i become so resentful.

"Come on girl ,everyone else is leaving" Jackson nudges my arm. It's almost as if all the noise rushed in at one . I needed to leave .Picking up the beautiful dress that she picked up I ran down the isle ,down the stairs and out the door .The only thing that was good about this whole wedding was the garden theme for the reception .There was a huge floral maze that led to a gorgeous table for two. I needed to get lost so I ventured inside .

Finding a concrete bench, surrounded by exotic flowers , I decided to take a seat . Just as my bum touched the cold surface the floodgates opened. Everything was beginning to be too much. After my mother passed on I told myself that I needed a break from people and the outside world in general . So I moved out after graduation. My mom would be disappointed.

I can't even hold a conversation with Trey long enough to apologise. He hates me and I get it. I left when he needed me the most. Dad tells me he joined the army soon after I left and what makes it worse is that we left dad alone.

I'll never be able to forgive myself. Through my masked emotions I was able to go to college on my scholarship, drowning myself in work. Blending in with the masses and going unnoticed for the entire 6 years of medical school.

I graduated 2nd in my class. Trey didn't show up, dad said he was caught up. But I knew better.

Wiping my eyes, I look up to the sky. Mom I miss you so much.

"You showed up" I hear a familiar voice, I turn to see Trey standing at the opening.

"Trey hey" I say wiping my eyes standing to look at him properly.

"How long has it been.....4 years" he says bringing a joint up to his lips and taking a long pull.

I have nothing to say, all those times I rehearsed my words and yet, nothing.

"You know...they say humans are incapable of hate but I can't seem to not hate you sis" my heart stops.

"Trey I'm so...I'm so sorry, I know it won't take back-", I start.

"Damn right it won't! You were my sister. My mother died and you left!" He steps in front of me. He's much much taller than me now, his eyes are red, teary and dark with anger. His words so full of raw emotion, I back away.

"I know I'm so sorry, I just .... I just" I feel my heart beat faster against me chest.

" You just what, you're selfish and I hate you. What kind of sister does that, you were not the only one that was grieving, at least when I left I came back. Saw dad, kept him company TRIED to salvage the little hope that we could rebuild our family again. But you never came."

It's been confirm my heart has officially detached and is at the feet of my brother who just stepped on it.

I don't know what came over me but I kneel at his feet.

" I'm sorry I'm sorry. Please forgive me" I repeat over and over, rubbing my hands together, I probably look a mess, but I could care less who saw me. All I needed was for my brother, my precious little brother to see that I truly was sorry.

For a moment I look into his eyes and I swear I see that little boy. In an instant he turns punches a bush and walks away.

Left in my tears I cry in till I can't anymore. The dark comes and so does the rain. In the distance I hear the music blasting and I can't help but feel more guilt for not supporting and celebrating my dad on what is suppose to be a happy moment for him.

Drenched I make my way to the reception, not giving a shit about my appearance I walk between the gasps toward dad.

"Honey are you okay, Jackson get her a blanket!" 

Without a second to waste I hug him. Squeezing him tightly, letting him know that I'm sorry.

"I'm truly happy that you're happy dad, I'm going to do better I promise" I whisper. He hold me tighter, let's go and smiles.

I walk from him to my rigid brother, I can see in his eyes that knows I'm going to hug him, thinking he'll dodge me I quickly embrace  him.

" I'm sorry and I'll be here more, I'll make everything right again. Until you forgive me, I promise"

With that I step back, wave at Jackson who is holding a wool blanket, and start the long walk to my car.

When I'm out of sight and wobbling down the driveway to the parking lot, I see a man trying to break into my car.

***********

BAM BAM BAM
who is this man!!!😂

A/N

CHAPTER 2, what do we think. I wrote a chapter and a half of this book in 2019 and I'm only publishing it now 😭😭 I was going through my drafts and here it was, I hope you like it.

Stay tuned for more.

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Lori out 🤍