EPISODE EIGHTY TWO
THEME: The Swift
AT THE SWIFT HOME
The Swift’s home bubbled with activities as Penelope and the rest of her siblings moved around trying to help their parents pack up for the journey to Moon Stone Fortress. Penelope had assured Meagan that the jet can be sent over the next day.
There was no need to be told twice that they had to be at the Fortress as soon they could. Each one of them sent mails to their workplace asking for days off and the ones who worked on their own informed their workers of their absence. Deciding they would all leave from their parents house, each one of them dropped by. Penelope and Jasmine had been the first to arrive to help with the packing. Then the other man came in aside Benjamin who was yet to arrive.
“Where the hell is Benjamin?” Jasmine screamed from the kitchen.
“Should be hung up somewhere in traffic or probably locked up in a pussy.” Collins replied as he chuckled at his own jokes.
“No vulgar words in my home!” Mrs Smith yelled from the confines of her room.
Penelope shared a look with Collins. “How the hell did she hear that?” She said in a whisper.
Benjamin bursted in like he was being pursued from outside. “Hello family! What did I miss?” He looked around, dumping the back pack on the available couch next to the one Collins sat on.
“Took you long enough.” Jasmine rolled her eyes as she chewed on a toast.
“I was about to ring your phone.” Collins said as he stood up and walked over to Penelope.
“Come on, no time was stated, you only mentioned to come this morning. Moreover I had a visitor over at my place.” Benjamin stated.
“I told you so.” Collins said in a singsong voice into Penelope’s ear.
She flung her hands at him like a mosquito. He walked away and leaped to where he had dropped his bag and he rechecked if he had the right things in place. “I can’t wait to see Meagan.”
Mr swift rolled his eyes at his never growing young son, Collins always act like he was still a teenager with so much energy bubbled through him that one can’t tell he is over forty.
“Well I still don’t get why are we being called over all of a sudden.” Mr Swift said. He had been having an uncertain feeling about the sudden need to travel.
Penelope pouted. “Dad, you know Carl isn’t well.”
Mr Swift shook his head. “Yeah I know. So is this a farewell then?”
The children exchanged a look, wondering what had gotten their father turned out of the blue. They had all known about Carl’s sickness since Jaylen went down to the Moon Stone Fortress. Despite not being in communication for a long while, they still needed to be there for their family.
“What’s going on here?” Mrs swift called out as she stepped out of her room, adjusting the rope of her dress.
“Can you talk to dad please?” Jasmine added.
“What’s there to talk to me about?!” Mr Swift yelled as he stormed out of the living room through the front door leaving the others to stare in awe.
“Did he wake up on the wrong side of the bed?” Benjamin inquired, looking straight at his mother.
“I will go talk to him.” Mrs Swift offered as she went after her husband.
Mr Swift stood outside facing the garage with his shoulder shaking a bit. Mrs Swift walked towards her husband and held him by the shoulder.
“What’s the matter honey?” She asked in a solemn voice.
Trying to steady his voice, Mr Swift wiped at his almost wet face and turned to her. “How can you all be fine?”
“What do you mean?”
His lips trembled again and he let out a deep sigh. “Our daughter has been in pains for years, first was having to let go of her own child for ten years and now she is saddled with a soon to die husband. I feel so useless, being unable to protect my daughter. And everyone here is smiling like it’s a good thing for us to go and mourn.” Mr Swift sounded angry now.
Mrs Swift nodded in understanding. “I know and understand clearly what you are talking about. But you do know it’s nobody’s fault. No matter what happens we still need to be there for each other as a family. Honest, don’t you miss our daughter? Our presence would surely lighten up her face. This is the time she needs us more than ever. Carl’s health is derailing, do you know how burdening that must be for her? And let’s not forget about the situation she found herself after having to stay away from her own child for ten years. Our daughter is strong, Meagan has tried to push through till this end. Now that she is reaching out to us, she definitely wants to lean on us. We can’t chicken out now, baby. Please.” She heaved a sigh with her eyes pleading with him to try to understand the situation and not misunderstand his children.
Mr swift looked away, trying to hide the agony he was feeling. The door clicked open and their children filed out with a confused expression on their faces. Only Penelope seem to understand the reason behind their father’s sour mood. She walked down the porch towards her father and leaned her head on his shoulder.
“I know how hard this is for you dad. But we can’t reject fate as it is. Meagan and her children need us and we would be there for them. Please dad.” She pouted.
“I know you are just as eager to see her just like we are too.” Benjamin chipped in as he patted his old man on the back.
Mrs swift sighed. “Can we go in please, this nosy neighbors have their heads out.” She said, motioning towards the hurriedly closed windows of their neighbors.
Getting into the house Penelope remembered something. “Oh before I forget, aren’t we inviting aunty Julie over?” The rest of the family groaned in displeasure. “Oh seems like I am not the only one then.” She giggled.
“Almost thought you were missing her so much.” Collins held his chest like he felt relief.
Aunty Julie is their ever nosy aunt who loves to throw shades at the Swift girls in particular when they were quite younger. She picked on Meagan the most, none of them would be surprised if she finds Meagan’s present situation amusing.
Mr Swift stood tall in the middle of the room, examining each person’s bag placed at the foot of the door. “I guess we are all ready for this trip then?” He mused, sounding more relaxed.
“Yes daddy!” Jasmine howled into the air.
Mrs Swift shook her head. “Sometimes I wonder if you all ever grow up. Isn’t this the time you all are meant to be a bit more reserved?”
“A wish to remain a child forever.” Jasmine giggled.
Benjamin exhaled, placing a loose arm on his mother’s shoulder. “Being reserved is for those who take life a bit too serious. Us right here are living mama.”
His mother slapped his hands off her. “Get off of me” Mrs Swift bickered
“Mom!” Benjamin whined.
They were all laughing when a horn blared loudly from outside, Penelope jumped to the window peeping at it.
“Our ride is here!” She announced with an accompanying scream.
Filing out with their bags while Benjamin and Collins helped with that of their parents. They got into the limousine assigned to take them to the port to board the jet.
“I still can’t believe I would be seeing my child again after so many years.” Mr Swift muttered, as their jet took off into the air.
Leaning her head on his shoulder, Mrs Swift heaved a deep sigh as she stared out into the blue clouds. “This moments would be unforgettable.” She muttered.