EPISODE NINE
THEME: Call from mom
GABRIELLA DAMIEN HOME
After every one had left, leaving Jaylen and Gabriella. They both sat down on the porch watching the beautiful sky with its half moon.
Thoughts of how amazing it would be to shift under the bright moonlight crossed Jaylen’s mind. It had been so long he shifted and he had almost forgotten whether he was human or a werewolf. He was more human in his thoughts, and werewolf in his heart.
Gabriella watched her grandson as the lines of his jaw tightened. She had never met someone who kept his pains so much to himself like Jaylen. It was obvious he feels guilty whenever he unburdens himself on another person. She felt like the proudest grandmother on earth. Having to watch him strive from the uncertain teenage boy to becoming one of the most sort after young man made her extremely happy.
Jaylen had grown into a fine young man and he never gave her any problems since he lived with her. Despite the troubles they said he did cause, there was nothing of sort in his attitude. He had always been easy going and kept more to himself.
However, Gabriella watched him reel in his own misery every day as he grew and years back it was easy to notice. Since he became an adult he had become really good at masking his pains. When Meagan had called to tell her Jaylen was leaving home, and had insisted on his father handing over to him his share of his inheritance. The poor woman didn’t know what to do and almost sounded like a maniac as she wailed.
When she did call Jaylen to affirm, the young one had said he meant every word and no one was going to stop him from leaving. Thinking hurriedly, she had told her own son to hand him his rights and for Jaylen to fly over to Chicago to meet her that very day. And the rest they say is history.
It has been ten years and nothing had remained the same. Although there was a more glaring form of distance which no one was ready to talk about.
Adjusting her sitting position, Gabriella let out a long sigh. Jaylen chuckled as he looked towards her.
“What’s got you so deep in thoughts Granny?” He asked.
Gabriella smiled loosely, staring into the darkness. “I was only thinking of how far you have come. I’m so proud of you Jaylen.”
Reaching out for her hand, Jaylen patted it sweetly. “I couldn’t have made it this far without you Granny. I am extremely grateful for your love and affection till this very day. I am hoping you would extend that till I grow really old.” He teased
Gabriella snatched her hand away from him. “You had better get that dirty ass of yours married and don’t make me throw you out of my house.” She warned in a playful tone.
Jaylen held on to his chest, making a pain stricken face. “You just hurt my feelings Granny. I thought we were best friends for life.”
“It’s my right to denounce it.” She snorted.
Laughing as he stood up, Jayden headed back into the house to grab two soda bottles.
“Don’t you think you should show up now?” Gabriella asked, mouthing a brief thank you when he handed her a soda.
Jaylen kept mute as he uncapped the bottle and gulped almost half of the content. He closed the bottle and placed it next to him. He held a blank face.
“I have no idea what you mean by that Granny.” He responded
“It’s your home, Jaylen.” She said.
“My whole life and home is right here.” He countered.
“You know that is only half the truth.”
Jaylen was getting frustrated now as he threw his hands up. “Do you mind dropping this discussion Granny? I have had a long day and all I want is to take some much needed rest.”
“But I-” Gabriella tried to continue but got cut short by the glare he threw her way and the incoming call from her phone.
Checking the caller, she gave Jaylen a pleading look. Jaylen sat down trying his hardest to calm down.
‘Is everything okay, Meagan?’ Gabriella said into the receiver. ‘Yeah… He is here.’ A slight pause. ‘He would call you. Do take care.’
“What’s wrong?” Jaylen asked.
“It’s your mother, she says you should call her.” Gabriella replied.
“Why should I?”
“Stop being so rigid, Jaylen. Don’t act like you don’t want to so bad. You should know it’s important if you are being asked to call.”
Getting up from the seat, she stretched her back slowly. “I would leave you now. I need to go rest my back. Your room is intact and cleaned out. Feel free to use it.” And with that she went into the house.
Gabriella is a few woman of words as she finds no interest in pushing a discussion for too long. It’s her way of respecting the other person’s decision and privacy.
Jaylen tapped on his leg slowly, wondering what his mother wanted to discuss with him so bad. He hadn’t heard from them in months and the thoughts of them finally letting him go had haunted him. He didn’t know what he was suppose to feel now that he eventually heard from his mother. The urge to call her almost immediately pricked him. But he didn’t want to sell himself off so easily. The more he thought of it the more an unsettling feeling roamed the pit of his belly.
“What if something was really wrong?” He muttered to himself.
But then again, if anything was wrong his grandmother would have been aware and let him in on it. Yawning loudly, he stood up. His body was giving in to jet lag. It made him push for the call by morning. It would be better if he spoke to her when his mind was more clear and settled.
Whatever it was they had to talk to him about would have to wait till morning. Jaylen walked back into the house. And as he stepped onto the stairs leading to his room, he felt heavy and he couldn’t decipher his feelings.
Something was definitely about to go wrong and he hoped it wasn’t going to be too much for him to handle.