THE CITY

CHAPTER TWO

“Walk in my ancient days to find the answers that you seek. The answer that you seek lies in the city, the birth of life.”

“Go back to where it all began.”

“An empty soul I was before I entered the city that saved me. I was cold at heart and was drowning in deep sorrow but this city gave me life.”

“What does it all mean?” Michael asked his wife Laura.

“I honestly don’t understand it. Why does he keep referring to the city?” she said.

Before he could say anything she continued,

“Do think the city is standing in for something your father held most dear?”

“But what could that be? And what does he mean by go back to where it all began? Where did it begin? And what began? I need a drink.” He said and walked over to the liquor cabinet to fix himself a drink.

* * * *

At exactly 09 AM the following morning they were all gathered in the living room of the house they grew up in. They all had so many wonderful memories.

“Has anyone managed to figure out the clue in the text messages Mr. Thomas sent us?” Michael asked his siblings.

The silence that answered him was enough for him to realize that no one had succeeded.

“I wanna say something.” Veronica said.
Everyone turned to look at her and she continued. “If we have any chance at figuring this out I say we do it together. I am certain we will fail if we choose to go our separate ways. We will figure out who gets the family fortune once we get there.”

They saw the sense in what their sister had said and they all agreed.

“Ruth can you read out loud the text message.” Edward said.

“Her blood was his your names IS her.”

“This is even more confusing. How was his blood hers? Who is he talking about here?” Michael cursed.

“Here’s a thought. I think Mr. Thomas is trying to tell us about the girl in the picture. The one of the boy and girl holding hands.” Veronica said.

“I believe ‘Her blood was his’ is referring to a blood tie. Could that have been dad’s sister?” Ruth added.

Michael who was now pacing up and down the room said, “But how is our names her name? Even his friend is just as crazy.”

“Michael quit with that attitude you are not helping! Let’s just think we will figure this out.” Edward said to him in a very strong voice.

“I have to admit. Dad was right. We know nothing about him and where he came from. We even don’t know if he had any sisters this is really bad. Really bad. I understand why he did this. This was his only way of telling us about his past. We really were bad children to him.” Ruth said. She stood up and went in the kitchen to fix herself some coffee.

It wasn’t after several hours had gone by that a thought hit Ruth. She had been quietly calling out her sisters and brothers names. At first it didn’t make sense then it finally hit her and she couldn’t contain her excitement.

“Michael, Edward, Ruth, Veronica! Of course how could we not have seen it?” she said excitedly. “Yes our names is her.”

“Ruth we don’t understand.” Veronica said.

“Wait a minute I will be right back.”

They all watched her as she stood up and walked to the drawer and took out a pen and paper. She came back to where they were standing waiting for her like she was holding the results to their HIV status and started writing their names starting with the eldest.