At Dover Denise’s Apartment
His Godfather had called the previous day to request that they should resume their walkout and Denise accepted but he had one problem. He felt that his wife would be grabbed by the mysterious man in his dream and he thought of how to keep her safe by requesting, “I would be happy if you would pick us up.”
“That will be nice. I will pick you up and afterward, we will retire to my house.”
“That will be all right by me. Or we can take my wife to your house before we commence the walkout.”
“You are right. See you in the morning.”
“It is all right.”
That Saturday morning, at 6 AM, Nicholas drove to his house and picked him and his wife. He took them to his apartment and left Olivia in the care of his wife before he left with Denise for the walkout.
Then, they drove to their regular tea shop and parked before they began their exercise. They walked for about one hour and thirty minutes to and fro the tea shop, where they finally settled down for tea.
“Waiter,” Nicholas called out and a cheerful young man walked hurriedly to them.
“Good morning to you all. What do you care for?” he greeted them.
“Good morning. Tea for me,” Nicholas requested.
“Good morning to you too. Tea for me,” Denise ordered.
“It is all right. Give me a moment, please,” the waiter announced before he left.
Likewise, the two relaxed and began to wait for the waiter. Then, Nicholas asked him, “How are you enjoying your marriage?”
“Marriage is the best thing that would happen to anybody. I am a witness,” he answered happily.
“You are right. If the couple feels the same way. Marriage becomes a nightmare when you are with the wrong person the person who does not have the same opinion as you.”
“You are right, Godfather.”
Shortly, the waiter arrived with the two cups of tea and served them. Thereafter, Nicholas paid with his credit card and the waiter left.
Then, Denise made clear, “Godfather, something is bothering me.”
Nicholas dropped his teacup on the saucer and look at him with consternation.
“What could be bothering you again, Denise?” He asked him.
He could not believe that Denise could be bothered by anything at that juncture because his need to get married, which he saw as paramount, was already settled.
Now, Denise who had not sipped his tea cast a glance at his tea and then to his Godfather before he announced with a sad tone, “It is my brother, Louis.”
Then, his Godfather furrowed his brow and asked him, “What about, Louis? Is he ill?”
“No, Godfather. He is not ill but he has been acting strangely since I got married.”
At that point, Nicholas was distraught. He sipped his tea again and asked him, “What do you mean, Denise? I saw him at the registry on your wedding day. How does he behave strangely?”
“That is the problem. I did not see him in the registry. He was supposed to be my best man, but he disappointed me and had never called me since then.”
“Since then? You mean he had not called to apologize for disappointing you even until now.”
“Yes, Godfather. Even when I shared our pictures on the family platform announcing that my wife is pregnant, everyone commented but he did not?”
“This is strange. I know that your family is a united one that your late father fought hard to maintain, and now your uncle is doing the same thing. I don’t know what could be responsible for Louis’ behavior.”
“It baffled me too because there was no rift between us. Right from when I announced that I was getting married, he had been joyful and encouraging.”
“If you did not see him at the registry as your best man, what did he come to do there then?”
“I had been wondering too. I got home after my honeymoon and found the suit he wore in the guest room.”
“This is serious,” Nicholas said and gazed into the space for a while before he asked him, “Is your Mom aware of this?”
Denise nodded his head in disapproval and Nicholas asked again, “What about your father?”
Denise cast a searching glance at him before he responded, “No. Father is busy with his marriage preparations, and I would rather not distract him.”
The bewildered Nicholas asked hastily. “Your father is getting married?”
“Yes.”
“That is a good one. He had honored his late wife. I think he deserved to remarry.”
“You are right.”
“I just pray that he marries an accommodating woman that would uphold the unity and peace in your family.”
“That is everyone’s wish, Godfather. He is getting married to the right woman.”
He searched his face and asked him, “I see. You sound so sure. How do you know?”
Denise smiled softly and announced, “He is getting married to my Mom.”
Now, Nicholas was gobsmacked, and gave Denise an incredulous stare before he asserted, “You cannot be joking with such a momentous issue.”
Denise smiled again and proceeded, “But I am not joking, Godfather. That is the best thing that would happen to us as a family.”
“That is a piece of good news, but, why is Louis trying to make the joy in Bailey’s family incomplete?”
“I wish I knew,” Denise responded sorrowfully.
Nicholas jolted as an idea suddenly came to his mind before he demanded, “Have you attempted to call him?”
Denise frowned and asked him, “Why should I call him? He wronged me, he should call me and apologize. I should not be the one to call him.”
Now, Nicholas took a deep breath and encouraged him, “Yes, he wronged you, but two wrongs cannot make a right. Apart from that, you are his senior. Just give him a call right away.”
Nevertheless, Denise, who could not afford to be disrespectful to his Godfather, tried to wriggle himself out of the hook by making an excuse, “He may be busy by now?”
Nicholas, who knew where he was going, smiled and reminded him, “This is a weekend. Just call him.”
Denise sipped his tea before he reluctantly called Louis’ number while Nicholas watched him with interest. He looked at Nicholas when his phone began to ring. After it rang five times, the call timed out.
Then, Nicholas defended Louis at once, “Maybe he is not close to his phone. Let’s give him some time. He will call you back.”
“It is all right, Godfather,” Denise agreed.
They engaged themselves in other discussions while waiting for Louis’ call.
“So, tell me. How did it begin between your parents? I never noticed that they were in a relationship.”
“It baffled me, too. When I got out of my honeymoon, I tried to chat with my family members on the family platform by sharing pictures of my wife and me. I was surprised to see mom’s and father’s engagement pictures and videos. I was awestruck. Not only that, I have not had the time to ask how it all began.”
“Wow! That is a brilliant idea. I don’t think anybody outside the two of them would be ideal.”
“We the children could not ask for more. Their coming together is the best thing that would happen to us.”
“You are right. What about your wife? What is her idea about getting a job?”
Denise’s face beamed with pride before he enthusiastically responded, “I don’t think she is willing to get a job. She preferred to be independent.”
“That is good to hear. If she can be self-employed, then you are better off.”
“Yes. That is undoubtedly what she wanted.”
At that point, Denise looked at his wristwatch and inquired, “Godfather, it is over twenty minutes and Louis has not called me back. Do you think I should call him again?”
Nicholas looked at his time too. He picked up his phone and declined, “No. Don’t call again, I will do that myself.”
Denise was happy with that. Instantly, Nicholas called Louis’ number, and he picked up his call at the first ring. He nodded his head in despair and watched him as they began to discuss.
“Good morning, Mr. Field. It is good to hear from you,” Louis greeted him happily.
“I’m happy to hear from you too, Louis. I’m just checking on you. I hope you are good?”
“I am good, Mr. Field. Thank you for checking on me. How is your family?”
“My family is fine. How are you?”
“I am good.”
“It is okay. Have a pleasant weekend.”
“Thank you. Have a productive weekend, too.”
(Cut)