All about Joseph

The Morning After

My dad and I didn’t talk about it anymore. After the incident he decided to go back to Manila with him was Richard. I asked Richard for a favour that he would always update me with what is happening to my dad and to Lamarte. And he promised that he would.

That incident made me stronger? I think I don’t know. I didn’t realise that when I got outside Geoff’s house that it was dark, it’s already evening. I looked at my phone, it was 9 pm. How long was I there? What time did I get to find my father? Oh well. Whoa, 50 messages, 34 missed calls, 30 texts from mom, and 15 from my Rebecca and 5 from Claude. While 33 missed calls from my mom and 2 from Rebecca, this is really funny. I forgot that I put my phone on a silent mode. 30 minutes after I’m in the lobby. How will I tell mom all about this incident? How will I tell her that dad went back to Manila? Shiz. I need to come up with a story or something. Or I’m a goner.

Maybe, one is wondering how did I tell it to my mom. Well, I just told her the truth. At first she didn't believe me because dad did not tell her anything about it. After more convincing and after repeating what I said from the start for the fourth time, she hardly took it in. When she realised what was all happening she called my dad right away. She spoke on the phone discreetly and while that was happening she was sobbing and she tried hard to stop her tears because she disn't want Claude to notice but of course, my brother, even though he was immature, for me, he would be in first year high school this June and he could understand these stuff and he's not that numb. He pretends not to notice but he can. Mom was fortunate that time that Claude was watching tv in the living room. We're in the kitchen, Rebecca was by my side all that time. She was holding my hand and i have a feeling that she was getting hysterical about the situation. I rubbed her forefinger and looked at her way.

"Rebecca, I know what you're feeling right now. Don't be hard on yourself..."

"I know what you're going to tell me, Joseph. You don't need to tell me anything and I know, I know that it is my fault."

"No it's not. You are ou tof this and you have nothing to worry about. It's Lamarte, it's all his. Why..."

"Stop it Jo." By this time she let go of my hand. "It's mine. If I haven't told you about my grandfather, if I haven't insist you to join me on my search, your family wouldn't be at this situation. It's all my fault."

Mom's over with the conversation with my dad. She was holding her phone as if it were her child. I put my arms around Rebecca and kissed her on the cheek. Her cheek was wet from her tears. I slowly raised my hand and wiped her tears.

"It'll be alright, believe me. Don't blame yourself about it." She tried to speak but I stopped her and layed a finger on her lips.

"Shhh...don't cry now. Hey, what about visiting your grandfather?"

"Maybe that's a good idea, yeah, I'll go there."

"Yup," I assisted her outside our door. And before she left I embraced her and give her a long kiss on the lips. She smiled at that and left.

By the time I entered our room my mom was looking at me.

"She very lucky. She have you." Her eyes wides and red from crying.

"Mom, you have me too." And I came toward her and spread my arms wide, like a flying eagle and gave her a power hug.

"You know, I'm jealous. Your dad's not here. You're here but Rebecca, of course now owns you."

"Aww mom, don't be a folly! You still have me!"

"What's happening here?" Claude was now awake. He stands in the opening netween the kitchen and living room. We didn't answer anything and he rushed towards us ang removed my arms that are around mom.