Friday
Bram and I were on our way to Mama Credence’s house. Jonas was driving and Chantal was beside him. Mama Credence called Bram when we were having breakfast. She wanted us to go to the ancestral house before lunch. She said that she would cook a special lunch for us.
I looked outside and wondered what Mama Credence wanted this time. She would not just call for a special lunch for nothing. I shook my head and gave up. It could be about a lot of things. Maybe about Roland, or about Aunt Calla?
“What is it?” I heard Bram ask me.
I turned to my right side and looked at Bram. I was thinking of a white lie that I could tell him but I decided that it would be useless, “I’m just thinking why Mama Credence called us.”
Bram grinned at me, “Wow, you’re getting used to it now?”
My eyebrows met in the middle, “What do you mean?”
“Mum likes hitting two birds with one stone,” Bram said to me, “She’s like that even when I was a kid.”
When we reached the ancestral house. Mama Credence was waiting for us at the entrance. I got out while Jonas and Chantal assisted Bram. Then we greeted Mama Credence with a kiss on her cheek.
“Connor’s here,” Mama Credence announced. Then Bram and I looked in the same direction where she was looking. Connor was getting out of his red Subaru. He removed his sports sunglasses and closed his car door.
“You’re early today, mate!” Bram commented when Connor reached us at the entrance.
“Shut up!” Connor said to Bram. Then he kissed Mama Credence’s cheeks.
I just waved at Connor because I knew how Bram felt about him when it comes to me. Connor just lifted his left hand as an acknowledgement.
“Let’s go inside,” Mama Credence told us.
I walked beside her as she started to tell me the menu that she prepared for us. Bram and Connor were just behind us.
“You know, I get nervous when your mom calls me,” I heard Connor say to Bram.
Bram laughed and asked, “You’re scared of my mum?”
“No, she only calls me when you did something dumb, like crashing your car,” I heard Connor retorted. Then both of them laughed.
We had beef bourguignon as our main course. I tried to recall where I heard of this dish then I remembered it was in a movie that starred Merryl Streep. Bram and Connor obviously enjoyed the food because they ate a lot. They both asked for extra rice, twice. I finished eating ahead of them all because I was just listening to their conversation.
“Bram dear, are you sure your therapist will agree with the amount of your rice?” Mama Credence asked Bram.
“I will not tell him,” Bram replied and continued eating. Mama Credence and I shared a meaningful glance and shook our heads.
“I will request this from my mom when I visit her next weekend,” Connor commented before putting food into his mouth.
Mama Credence nodded, “How is your mom?”
“She’s into Zumba these days,” Connor responded. Then he wiped the side of his mouth with a napkin.
“Glad to hear that she’s working out,” Mama Credence said, “She can call me if she needs help with the recipe.”
“What’s in it, mum?” Bram asked.
“I braised the beef in red wine with onions, garlic, potatoes, carrots, mushrooms and a bouquet garni,”
“What’s a bouquet garni?” Connor and I asked in unison. Then we smiled at each other.
“Oh, it’s a bundle of herbs that is added to stews,” Mama Credence explained to us, “For beef bourguignon I used a bundle of parsley, thyme, and bay leaves.” Connor and I nodded as we listened to her.
After lunch, Mama Credence asked all of us to go to Don Agustin’s office. Connor walked beside Mama Credence. And I walked beside Bram. I was watching his steps when I heard him say my name.
I halted and looked up to him, “What?”
“You look pretty today,” Bram said as he held my gaze.
I smiled at him and looked at my pink floral dress, “I thought I was pretty in your eyes everyday.” Then I laughed slowly.
Bram smiled broadly, “I couldn’t agree more.”
I touched my forehead to the side of his right arm, then Bram lowered his head and kissed my temple. When we got to the room, Mama Credence ordered refreshments and told the maid to not disturb us. When we were all seated, Mama Credence placed her hand on the table and clasped it.
“How long have you known Bram, Connor?” Mama Credence asked Connor on her left.
Connor paused for a moment, “Ooh that’s a hard question. I don’t know, maybe when we were eight or nine years old?”
Bram momentarily looked at Connor and nodded in agreement. Then they both looked at Mama Credence.
“And you and Bram are like brothers, correct?” Mama Credence verified from Connor.
Connor’s facial expression changed. His eyebrows met in the middle. Then he replied, “Yeah.”
“And you know a lot of things about him that a lot of people don’t know, correct?” Mama Credence asked again.
Connor turned to Bram nervously, “Oh no, is this about the yacht party?”
Mama Credence laughed mildly, “No dear, but if you want to share the details about that. Emma and I will love to hear it.”
Connor closed his mouth and turned to Bram again. This time he looked like he was asking for help. But Bram just shook his head.
“This is about me telling you that you do not know a lot of things about Bram,” Mama Credence said sternly, “So that means you need to be careful.”
Connor glanced at me then at Mama Credence. He swallowed and asked, “Is this about Alicia?”
I crossed my arms to my chest because I suddenly felt cold. I was intently listening to them. I was also curious to know what Mama Credence’s purpose for this.
“Do you know Emma’s brother?” Mama Credence asked Connor. Connor answered by shaking his head.
“I was supposed to attend his birthday last March but Bram said it got canceled?” Connor stated then he glanced at me. I nodded at him. Then he turned to Mama Credence again.
Mama Credence stared at me for a moment. Then she took a deep breath, “Emma’s brother is Alicia’s boyfriend.”
There was silence in the room. My mouth hung open because of what I heard. I could not believe that Mama Credence shared that information. I glanced at Connor and he had the same expression as me. I turned to my left and saw Bram shook his head.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t know,” Connor said as he looked at all of us.
“But you know Alicia, right?” Mama Credence asked Connor again.
Connor nodded, “Yes.”
“Why did you invite her when you know Bram is going to be there?” Mama Credence’s question sounded like an insult.
“Mum,” Bram tried to call Mama Credence’s attention. He probably wanted to stop her from what she was doing with Connor.
Mama Credence raised her right hand to stop Bram, “I was asking him a very sensible question.”
Connor looked down and closed his eyes. He shook his head, “I have no excuse. I’m so sorry.”
I suddenly remembered the look on Roland’s face when we were in the shawarma place. He looked beaten. I blinked quickly so my tears would not fall.
“I appreciate your concern with Bram. You’ve been a very loyal friend to him from the start, “Mama Credence told Connor, “I want you to know that your yacht party started all of this. And my son ended up in crutches.”
“Mum, that’s not fair!” Bram protested.
Mama Credence glared at Bram then turned to Connor again, “I don’t want this to happen again. Have I made myself clear, Connor?”
Connor swallowed and nodded at Mama Credence, “Crystal.”