Joan seemed to be enjoying their new home which was a luxury itself. So, this was life for the rich and the can-be-rich. Since their dad was a barrister, he had books of all sorts in his study room, and by the side of his parlor.
"So, one can read all this and never get tired?" Joan asked her dad in astonishment. "But, dad these are way too much." Joan added.
Joan was already calling him 'dad' and it felt good in call him so.
The house smelt of musty books, Jemaima picked one up to occupy herself with it. But as she read, she fell asleep and dreamt of Steve.
In the dream, Steve's hair was unkempt. He stank of old cabbages. He was also locked up in a room after he was beaten up by some group of bad boys who wanted his food.
Steve curled up like a frightened cat, unable to stand up to them and fight them. Then, the door went ajar and someone walked in with a hot knife.
"You killed many, and I'm going to kill you." The person's eyes were bloodshot and the knife gnarled "hot"!!!
The boy struck the knife into Steve's stomach, twisting it that Steve groaned in pain. Jemyheld her stomach and screamed so loud that it startled her mother, sister and dad.
"What is wrong, my love?" Her mother walked up to her, worried.
"Steve," she called out his name as she hugged the book which had fallen off her chest.
"Steve? Who's Steve?" Her mum asked.
Joan couldn't hide the disgust on her face. She winced at the spoken name. "He's the boy who was taken to the reformatory school." Joan answered.
"What does he have to do with her?" Their mum asked Joan.
Joan shrugged. "They are into each other." She said.
"My God, a robber!" Mrs James exclaimed in shock, turning to look at both of her daughters.
Jemaima turned to look at both her mother and her sister.
"Since when was this, Jemaima?" Her mother pressed on.
"Since we were looking for you." Joan answered for her. "She has kept to herself because of him." Joan added, watching her twin who wouldn't say another word.
Mrs James pulled Jemaima close to her. "Come, let us talk."
"I want to be alone, mother." Jemaima pushed her mother's hand away.
"You need to forget him, Jemaima. He is gone and gone for good." Joan said behind her back while her twin shot her a dirty glare.
*******
Her mother came to see her later while she was in her room. She sat close to her daughter on the bed.
"Every girl passes through the stage of puberty. That's the stage our body develops and we become suddenly attracted to the opposite sex. This is a crucial state that can be controlled. All feelings tends to fade with time." Her mother started.
Jemaima glanced at her mother while Mrs James continued.
"Can you give me reasons why you like this Steve?" Her mother asked, staring into the eyes of Jemaima.
"Because he cares so much about me. He's human like me too."
Her mother laughed at the response. "You must really like him. I wasn't expecting such a response from you."
"What were you expecting?"
"When I was like you. Back while I was still in school. I used to like this dashing boy every girl would kill for," she paused.
"Well, I did liked him but he was a casanova. He took advantage of any girl." She went on.
"And what happened next?" Jemaima was curious to know.
"I was like Joan then. So quiet. I wondered if he would look my way despite the fact that he was not good for me."
"And did he?"
"Yes he did." Mrs James smiled.
Jemaima returned the smile.
"We got into a relationship, my parents never knew. He was into me until I realized that it was all an act. He faked everything just to get me. It was painful. He needed therapy."
"But you still liked him?" Jemaima asked.
"Yes, I did. But I had to let him go. Though it was in a bitter way."
"Did he apologized?"
"When I was finally letting go. He told me that he really liked me but it was a little too late though. The damage had been done." She finished.
"But your story is different from mine." Jemaima said to her mother.
"Yet similar in a way. I want you to stop thinking about Steve."
"But I like him, mother."
"I know that you do. He would have therapeutic sessions and he wold be given another chance to life. I hope he would come out better than who he once was." Mrs James explained.
"Why then do you want me to stop thinking about him?" Jemaima asked.
"So, you wouldn't hurt yourself. Live, be happy. Steve would want you to be happy."
Jemaima slowly nodded at that. Her mother was trying to make her see reason. "Can I see him mother, even if it's just one last time?" She asked.
"You want to see Steve?" Her mother asked in surprise.
Jemaima nodded.
"Sure. Why not? We can always make palns for that." Her mother reached out to touch Jemaima.