“Shall we join the other Family Heads in the hall? Nichole, you can wait for us, we won't be long.” The Patriarch announced. They stood up and Arthur grabbed his wife, and she stood up too. Then, they began to walk out of the house.
“Nichole, you can join them in the car. Ask Denise to join us,” Arthur whispered as they got off the house.
“All right, Hubby,” she said, and began to walk towards the car after her husband released her hand. Meanwhile, Brown and the Patriarch were edgy.
'What of the chap?' They asked themselves. Soon, they were in the hall and took their seats after greeting the other Family Heads. Before the Patriarch could declare the meeting open, Denise walked in and greeted, “Good day, my fathers.”
“Good day, son.”
They responded in unison. He walked towards his father and took his seat beside him. Then the Patriarch began by welcoming everyone and appreciated Arthur and his son, who were the reason for the meeting. Afterward, he asked, “Can we meet, the boy, Arthur?”
Arthur looked at his son and instructed, “Get him, please.”
“I will, father.”
He stood up, ignoring the numerous eyes of the elders, and headed for the car. He opened the passenger's seat and spoke, “Mom, father sent for him.”
“It is all right, son.”
“Come with, Tim.”
The lanky looking boy got out of the car and began to walk with Denise.
“When you get into the hall, just say, good day, my fathers.”
“I got it, uncle.”
“Good. You know you are born to win, right?”
“Yes. I remember.”
“Then, don't allow anybody to intimidate you.”
“I won't.”
They walked into the hall and Tim greeted boldly.
“Good day, my fathers.”
“Good day, our son.”
The elders responded cheerfully. It was as though, they had a rehearsal for that purpose because everyone wanted the young kinsman to hear his voice. Then they began to make side comments.
“Oh! See the semblance.”
“Just like the father.”
“This was how his father looked when he was his age.”
After he greeted, he walked behind Denise, who had taken his seat, and took his seat too. Then, the Patriarch spoke, looking at Tim, “How are you, son?”
“I am fine, our father, he responded sitting down.”
Denise lifted his hand and whispered, “Be upstanding.”
Tim stood up at once and repeated his greeting, and the Patriarch acknowledged it with a soft smile, “You can take your seat.”
“Thank you, our father.”
He said and took his seat. Then, the Patriarch commended the Denise for his thoughtfulness. He could not say much about Stephen to avoid embarrassing the young man. Then, Brown, spoke, “When I heard of his return, my family and I were jubilant and have made arrangements for his return. Thank you, once more, for bringing him back. Our ancestors are proud of you.”
Then, he faced Tim and introduced, “I am your family head. My wife and children cannot wait to receive you. We will be going back together after this meeting, and you would meet your cousins.”
While he was speaking, he was switching his eyes from Tim to Denise and to Arthur. As usual, their facial expressions were blank. Afterward, he took his seat and there was silence. Then, the elder, who pushed him in one of the meetings, spoke, “Brown, I don't think it is appropriate to take him away at the moment. Allow him to settle down before you think of anything.”
His speech brought up some murmurs while they fixed their gazes on Arthur. Then another person spoke, “I don't think I agree with any of the points. I think he should stay with our Patriarch until the house decides on what to do with him.”
Now, the last speaker's point seemed sensible to the house, and they set out to vote. At the end of the vote, they came to a consensus that the young man should stay with the Patriarch. Brown was elated with the decision because no one would accuse him of being insensitive as the family head.
The first point brought some murmurs because of the feud between Arthur's family and Stephen. So, it was not an option at all because they assumed that he would not even accept that. To the Patriarch, it was a great honor to accommodate a lost but found kinsman. Then, he spoke, “Thank you for honoring my invitation despite the short notice. I am highly honored that I witnessed this day, and I am certain that our ancestors are honored too. As your Patriarch, I feel honored to accommodate him until we think of what to do with him. Can someone move for an adjustment?”
One of them moved for an adjournment and another person seconded. Then, the meeting was adjourned. Meanwhile, the young kinsman, who was not an object, had his opinion. After Arthur stood up, Denise stood up too, followed by Tim. To avoid appearing arrogant, he chatted with his fellow Family Heads while Denise and Tim stood by. When he was through, he began to walk towards the car, Denise followed and Tim walked beside Denise. Now, all eyes were on them.
“Why is he going with them?” Brown asked the Patriarch.
“I guess he wants to get his luggage.”
“I see.”
When they got to the car, Arthur, who was ahead of them, joined his wife in the back seat, Denise moved to the driver's side, opened the door, got in and closed it. Tim, who had walked to the passenger's side, opened the door, got in and closed it, too.
“Nonsense!” Arthur exclaimed. Denise laughed quietly because he expected it. Under the eyes of the elders, who were out of the hall and waiting for Tim to get his luggage, he turned on the ignition and drove off.
“What is the problem, Hubby?” Nichole asked as she looked at her distraught husband.
“Don't bother yourself with these people, who will never cease to annoy one.”
A Month Later
Mr. Bailey had employed Jude as the manager of the Daniel De Pianist Concert. Tim had been of assistance in the online promotion. He had also attached a security guard to his wife who drive to the island with Tim once in a while. The sales of the tickets were in top gear and the response was encouraging.