Last conversation with Louisa

chapter 4

The next day was Saturday, after doing her chores Stella went over to Louisa's house as Mirabel told her the day before. She wanted her to be there so that she could speak to the policemen in charge and have a look at Louisa's room. When she got to the house, she noticed it looked better that it always looked, she could guess everything was in the right place. Louisa's room was a different story, it looked miserable and bare.

Stella thought it was because the police were still investigating. Mario couldn't look her in the face, and fidelia sat on Louisa's bed and was looking out the window.

''We talked about so many things, from school, to future plans, to universities and our goals too. but she wasn't happy about her mother and Mario's attitude.'' Stella had told Mirabel the previous evening before she left. She emphasized on Mario's drug addiction and expulsion from school.

She concluded within her that fidelia and Mario's peculiar behavior towards her that morning was an aftermath of Mirabel's rebuke. She probably blamed them for Louisa's disappearance. Stella fought back a smile that was making its way to her lip and she dusted the edge of Louisa's bed, a very familiar spot.
The policemen acting like know it all, asked a lot of questions and Stella answered with certainty and sincerity. They kept on picking random objects in the room and showing it to her, asking for recognition and placement. Stella wondered what that had to do with everything. She excused herself by faking a headache and went to sit on the veranda. She notices the swing by the fence, and she remember when they pushed each other on that swing few years ago. She remembered when they both played hide and seek, her eyes searched the compound spotting their common hiding place. By the tree, underneath a plank, underneath and old car. She smiled.

''I miss my Father.'' Louisa spoke up after minutes of silence.

'' Well it's not a crime.'' Stella responded '' we are all allowed to miss people that are of great values in our lives Louisa.''

Louisa looked at her and smiled through her blurry eyes.
'' I remember, he told me he would watch me grow up and become very important to people around me, he told me I would save lives and help people, then i would come home once in a while and we would still sit and have tea.''

Stella smiled, she understood her, that was every parent dream. Her father told her almost the same thing before he left to another country and she hardly saw him once a year. She missed him, and she always told him that, and he always reminded her that he had a duty and he had to take care of it. What is he, a hero?

'' It made me happy, and I thought that's how its meant to be.''
She walked to her bed and sat on it, staring straight ahead.
'' But its not, and I'm left with just a wish that it should have been my mother and not him.''

'' Louisa you shouldn't say that.''

'' Well what should I say?'' She turned to stella '' I am glad it was him, and I'm finally leaving my best life?''
Stella was quiet.
''Don't you think it would be better if it was my mother?''

Stella knew it would have worked out better if Mr Theodore was still alive. He died four years, although he was diagnosed of chronic lymphoblastic leukaemia five years ago. He was a fighter, he struggled to the end. It took Loiusa a year to get over it, even though her mother acted like nothing happened and her drinking problems got worse, twice she had been arrested and most of her bail out money was Louisa's.

''I just wish I could be with him, everyday i pray for that chance.''

'' Loiusa, you know that means you dying.''

'' And I don't mind, I just want to leave this place. Ever since father died, everything has been upside down for me. Aunt Mirabel pays for this house and not my mother, only thing she does is squander Father's money on alcohol and accessories.''

It was quiet in the room again.
'' So what is your plan now?''

Loiusa pointed at the table, there was the kitchen knife sitting atop it.

''Do you know of any other friend of loiusa, apart from you?'' Mirabel's voice brought her back to the present.
'' I don't.'' Stella answered before turning to face her. She wondered if they found the knife and blood stains. But Mirabel hadn't said anything about it.

''She misses her Father.'' Stella started '' A lot, she talked about him the last time I saw her, she had always wanted to be where he is.''
Mirabel looked disturbed
'' Louisa is stronger than that, I refuse to believe she could kill herself.''

Stella looked away and put her hands in her sweater pocket.
She just hoped Mirabel was right.