Mr James wasn't entirely happy with what he heard. He also had to have a discussion with his daughter, Jemaima. He didn't follow her to the reformatory school, Mrs James did. Jemaima was pleased that her mum understood her.
"Your dad is not happy with you, my love. He might not give you another opportunity to see Steve," her mum started.
"Why?" Jemaima was curious.
"Because he feared that you are being too childish and probably neglect what's important which is your future."
"And do you fear that of me too, mother?" Jemaima asked.
Mrs James sighed then pulled Jemaima close into her arms. "I do, too. We are your parents, Jemaima. So we are trying to protect you. We only have your best interest at heart." Mrs James cupped her face.
Jemaima smiled grimly as she nodded at that.
*******
As they got down from the car, Jemaima walked straight to the boot of the car to remove the grocies she and mum had bought for Steve. She felt excited, it felt surreal. She was finally meeting Steve.
Her mother was watching her keeningly. Jemaima was beaning with joy, smiling and was lively. Was this all because of Steve? She knew too that she didn't like him, he was a roober for crying out loud? Whose parents would like him?
As they both sat in the reception waiting for Steve, Jemaima scanned the area. Her mother noticed that she was impatient.
The door creaked and Steve was in the door way. He wore a dark blue uniform which seemed fairly ironed. His hair was trimmed low that he looked refreshed and a little brighter. He looked different from the Steve of yesterday.
He smiled when he saw her but his expression took a change when he saw the familiar face beside Jemaima. A face he never wished to see again even though her husband had helped him in court.
His steps were subtle and brisk, he took the seat before them to sit down. There was a table demacating them in between.
"Steve," Jemaima called in a smile.
His eyes spoke more than calling out her name. Why was she here with the woman he had tried to kill? Was she here so that he can make amends to her directly? He should leave, he thought. He found himself slowly rising to his feet.
"Steve." Jemaima stood up.
He looked at her, although her mother wasn't saying anything, her presence alone tortured him.
"Are you leaving already? But you've only just got here." Mrs James said to him.
Steve had to sit back and he expected the next line of questions, interrogated like the criminal he was.
"How are you doing, Steve?" Mrs James asked him.
Steve's brows rose in surprise. He wasn't expecting that. "I'm doing well," he answered her as he glanced back to Jemaima to explain what was going on.
"Well, I can see that." She said, "Jemaima will like a word with you." Mrs James stood up, smiled at her daughter and left them both together.
*******
The silence between them was heavy that one could hear a pin fall. At last after a period of nervousness, Jemaima had to speak up.
"How are you doing, Steve?"
"Your mum had already asked me that question," he paused and looked away as he expected her surprised reaction. "You know that you shouldn't be here." He put in.
"Are you mad at me?" She asked him.
"You brought your mum here to mock me?" He looked back at her.
"Don't misunderstand me, my mum is only here because of me." Jemaima told him.
"That means she doesn't trust me." He bit his lower lip.
Jemaima involuntarily found herself biting her lower lip in frustration. "I came to see you, how you are fairing... Just leave my mum out of this." Her voice was stern.
"Well, I'm fine as you can see. How is your sister now?"
"She's doing well."
"I'm sure she's happy." He added.
They held their gaze. A lot of running, wild emotions was going through their minds.
"Joan meant no harm." Jemaima tried to say.
"Well, thank her for that." He turned his head away.
"I brought some things for you. Some provisions which you might like." She tried a smile. She didn't like the atmosphere, she wanted to lighten the mood.
Steve just stared hard at her.
"I just wanted you to know that you are not alone, and... I'm always here for you." She said.
He rose to his feet, trying his best not to explode. He didn't want her here. He was happy at first when he saw her but the sight of her mother.... he felt truly bruised.
"Thanks for the groceries. I'll thank your mother too for it." He turned to go.
Two hands suddenly wounded up around him, that startled him. "Don't be mad at me or my mother, please. Forget that you have met a girl like me and please, do live a fulfilled life. Forgive my sister and be sure to have a great life. And, I'll be happy and be proud of you." A year ran down Jemaima's left cheek.
Steve took hold of her hands, turned around to face her. His heart broke when he saw her tear. He took her into his arms, wiped off her fallen tear. He wanted to kiss her at that point. But he knew that her mother might be watching them from a distance.
He also didn't trust himself. He could kiss her so deeply and never give a fuck. He pushed himself away from her and created a distance between them.
"You are always so transparent, that's what I like about you. I'll look after myself so that in the nearest future, you'll be proud of me."he tried a smile.
She smiled back.
"This is goodbye." She said to him.
"It isn't good bye." He told her.
Then, she rushed into his arms and planted a kiss against her will on his lips. He was surprised at that. His heart surged wildly, he pulled her back when she pulled free and he deepened the kiss, throwing caution to the wind.
"Take care." She said.
He nodded then slowly left the room. He never stopped looking back even as he walked himself to the door. Jemaima stood still until her mum came in to her. She smiled warmly at her mother then embraced her mother.
"Thank you, mum." She said.
In the car while her mum talked excitedly about their family reunion. Jemaima seemed to be in a world of her own. She hoped to God that Steve would be alright. If he would, so would she.
"Jemaima?" Her mother called.
"Yes, mum."
"How about we go somewhere nice, you, Joan, dad and I. What do you say?"
Jemaima beamed brightly that one would think her mouth was aching. "I like that, mum. Let's do that." Jemaima smiled at that.
Everything seemed to have ended well. The family were happy to be reunited after almost five years of separation. It was indeed a fortune foretold.
Jemaima felt she was the luckiest girl on Earth to see herself back in a family where she was loved, wanted and cared for.
Joan felt blessed, she seemed to be the best friend of her new dad for he adored her. Jemaima wasn't jealous about that. She loved her dad but Joan adores him.
If he spent a night at his office, Joan will stay up all night waiting for him like a bride waiting for her groom. Jemaima would laugh at this silly act of Joan. The once upon a time shy girl became lost and grew to know this cruel world. She totally forgot the genuine love of a parent which existed.
Now that she had returned to it, it was never leaving her, ever again. They were both blessed as good luck and good fortune had found their way back to them.
APPRECIATION POST
If you have gotten to this point. I want to appreciate all my readers for getting to this point. You guys are the real gees, thank you very much for enjoying my novellas. There are still more to come. Please, kindly click the follow button and follow me all the way to the top.