Love In The Time Of Pandemic

Chapter 12

I wanted to punch Genevieve in the face for taking advantage of Cellie this way. Look at the poor thing, it looks like she hasn't been eating well. I swear to God, when I left them to go fight the... well, I guess, I shouldn't rehash old stories. Focus on the present moment, I berated myself, as I patted Cellie on the back.

"Oh Daddy, it was horrible. This terrible thing got into my ear and it was so painful. Thank God, Gordon was here to save me. I'm so happy to see you though. You look healthy. I was worried you wouldn't be eating properly."

She was a good kid, I thought, as I patted her on the cheek. "I look better than you. Have you been starving yourself? I thought Viv left enough vegetables and food for you to last a hundred years. Why did you have to run off to this camp? It took me ages to find you, you know. It was terrible. I went searching for you at the house, but then I..."

"I'm sorry to interrupt this sweet family reunion," Gordon said, with his bloody hand up in the air, "but I am going to have to ask you to explain yourself to us. Irfan, could you grab us some towels?" Gordon said glancing at his and Yash's bloody hands. Irfan nodded and dashed off to complete the task. It didn't look like the British man was going to be any trouble. "While Irfan does that for me, how about we all have a proper seat. Cellie was sleeping when this happened, but I had been in the process of preparing tea and waking her up to have some. How about we all sit down and enjoy a cuppa, as your British ancestors would say, Sam?"

The Indian man stared at Gordon, the leader apparently, with admiration in his face. I was quite taken aback myself. How did this boy know my name? It couldn't have been stored in his memory since that one time he came to visit us. That was eons ago. And I have changed quite a bit since then.

I let go of Cellie and we both sat down next to each other on the couch. Irfan came back in with hot towels for the two men and gave me one as well.

"That's very kind of you. Thank you." I used it on myself, and then dabbed at my dear little child's ear, which was quite bloody, but also quite safe, thanks to the ministrations of Gordon and Yash, as they called him.

Once we all had some hot, sweet tea in us, it felt like everything was a bit more stable. I felt like I could actually have a proper conversation about things, when my stomach started rumbling as if it were a thunderstorm in my belly.

I blushed. It was true that I hadn't had anything to eat in a while, but I didn't expect my body to announce it to the world in such a shameful manner. I looked up with shame but received only sympathy in return. No revulsion, and no judgement.

"Sorry Irfan, would you be so kind as to wake Nathan up and ask him to whip something up for our guest? In fact, I'm hungry as well. Ask him to make us a few portions, so we can nibble on it. He can join us as well, if he wishes. You as well, of course." Irfan nodded, as a good soldier would, and dashed off again. He seemed to respect Gordon, as much as everyone else in this room. Maybe I could trust him with my story. With my needs. I needed someone on my side. Lord knows, I have been alone for way too long.

"Now that's done, let's get down to business. You are Cellie's father, and you are here to ask for our help? Is that the gist of it?" Gordon said, and again, I marvelled at his candor and his ability to get right to it. No need for superficial small talk. I liked it a lot. I could get behind this kind of efficiency.

"I am. I am her father, and I have been working underground, to fight against the system, and my wife for the past twelve years." I said, letting it all out into the open. I didn't know if this was a good idea. I didn't know what I was really doing with myself. But I have had enough of subterfuge and melodrama. I was sick and tired of the hypocrisy that is pervasive in society right now. I wanted to end it all. I wanted to move past it. Not for my sake. My life was almost over now. But for my daughter's sake. She looked so happy to see me. I patted her hand a bit, as she squeezed my arm, and put her head down on my shoulder, like she used to.