Curiosity and the Remains of Us

Chapter Four

"Good morning, my golden girl. Big day today!"

Amarachi almost didn't want to be blinking, or moving, or even breathing.

"Uuugggh."

A sign of life.

It was Sunday; the day she would lose everything she had ever had. Sadness had already taken over. She turned her head to where her mother's voice had come from. With one eye open, she yawned. "Good morning, mummy."

"Morning, my love. How are you? Are you ready? Are you excited?"

She wasn't, but she nodded. She had to do everything according to the plan. It was not the time to be selfish. "Yes."

"That's great!"

Amarachi rushed everything. When she was done dressing, she made her way downstairs. Her mother had already made breakfast for her. Her father and little brother sat in the living room, both dressed and waiting for her.

Waiting for her to leave.

"Good morning, everyone," she greeted with a smile. It was her last day with her family, she had to be nice. What was done was done.

"Oh, there she is, the English woman!"

"Amara!"

She mentally rolled her eyes and sat at the dinner table with them. Theresa joined them after a while. She walked around the room kissing each person. When she sat down, they all intoned the Grace before eating.

"Amara, how are you feeling?" Gideon asked. Everyone seemed excited apart from her.

"Nauseous," she answered and patted her belly. "I think I'm full. There's too much oil."

"Sorry about that," her mother said. "Why don't you get the fresh juice from the fridge? It will help."

"Alright."

"Where are you going, Amara? Come back, let's finish our last supper together!" Junior yelled as Amarachi was about to leave the room.

The house fell quiet. The sentence was too powerful. Gideon took off his glasses and pinched his nose in frustration. He didn't look anyone in the eyes. Amarachi didn't move from her spot. She tried to steady her beating heart but she couldn't. She turned to face her mother. As their eyes met Theresa dropped her fork on her plate and began to cry.

Finally, it was time. They all arrived at the airport on time. Each person made no more than two sentences after the incident at home. When Amarachi's flight was mentioned, she got up and faced her family. She was ready. Ready for her mother to tear up again, ready for her brother to cry loud and drag her by the dress, pleading for her to stay. She was ready for her father to say he was proud of her for something a parent shouldn't be proud of.

"I'll miss you so much, my love," Theresa gulped and sobbed.

Amarachi hugged her mother and kissed her on the cheek. "I'll be fine."

Her father was next. He held her by the shoulder and looked straight into her eyes.

Here it comes.

"I'm so proud of you, my angel," he said as he hugged her. "I'm going to miss you so much. So much."

"Me too, daddy."

Junior was next. He looked up at her with his big eyes. "When are you going to come back?"

Amarachi smiled. "Soon."

"Okay, I'll be here whenever."

She had gotten it all wrong. Gideon didn't cry. Not at all. He was tough. It seemed like the little guy had grown up right under her nose. She went on one knee and hugged her brother. They stayed like that for a while.