When the helicopter landed on the roof of a newly built duplex, I knew it had to be my dad's. He apparently bought it, while I was in Scotland. A security man came and escorted us inside the house.
My dad was standing, facing the wall, his hands resting on his waists. Mia wanted to go use the restroom so she excused herself and handed Catherine over to me. She then went to the restroom with one of the security guys.
"I know you'll probably be angry and disappointed in me, but I'm sorry dad. I had to do what I had to do to get Sonia back" I sighed.
"When were you going to tell me I had a granddaughter?" My dad asked, in a bitter tone.
"I..err.. I.. really wanted to but ..." I stammered.
"I had to find out from the gossips, Reporters, that you were even back, and with a daughter" My dad said and turned back, walking towards me with a smile.
I frowned.
What's going on?
"Congratulations son. I'm proud of you" He said and reached out to hold Catherine.
"She's beautiful, like her father" My dad said and I nodded in agreement. "Sorry about my dramatic actions. I missed you terribly. Sure I was disappointed when you went to Scotland without telling me and even the ordeals you encountered with the DCFS over gaining custody of this little darling. I was really hurt that you didn't involve me in any of that. But of course you're my son, so it's all good"
Tears filled my eyes at my father's words, and I hugged him. I knew he'd obviously have found out about everything that happened in Aberdeen. Mia walked in on us, and joined in the hug as well.
After the emotional atmosphere, my dad urged us to move to the dining room, where a banquet was already prepared for us. Mia smiled and licked her lips.
"Did you look for Sonia again, after Catherine was born?" Dad asked.
"No" I responded sharply.
"That's good. But then you know you need to get a nanny, or at best get a woman in your life to look after Catherine. I'd suggest getting a woman, because nannies are temporary" My dad said, eyeing me suspiciously.
I dropped the fork and knife and looked at him, and then at Mia, who was waiting expectantly for me to say something.
"I don't think I can..."
"Yes you can" This was from Mia. "You can move over from Sonia. She has probably forgotten about you, wherever she is. I miss Sonia, but leaving her baby alone was a terrible idea that I don't think I can ever forgive her for. Even if she comes back, there's a probability that when the going gets tough, she might do it again"
My dad smiled over at Mia "This is the reason I keep begging your mum to let me adopt you. But she wouldn't. You're smart, just like me" Mia and my dad laughed, finding it funny, but I wasn't.
"You really think getting married to someone else is the best idea?"
"Yeah, plus it will also keep the Media away from you for a while" My dad responded.
"Alright" I cleared my throat. "I'll work towards it" I said and watched as Mia's and my daddy eyes gleamed in pure delight and approval.
After discussing about work and trending issues in the company, Mia left for Seattle, while I went back home with Catherine.
LISA GORDON
"What do you mean by, 'you met my granddaughter' and hello to you too. You've finally decided to reach out after almost eighteen months?" I asked, when I saw the caller ID was my elder sister.
"You still haven't put off this proud character, have you?" Helen responded.
"What do you want, Helen?"
"I don't know if you know, and judging by your lackadaisical attitude, you obviously don't know. Sonia had a baby girl. She left her for her father. Her name's Catherine. She's really beautiful. I saw her this morning"
I ended the call and looked at the screen, wondering whether Helen was drunk or she was speaking under pressure. How would all that have happened, without me knowing?
I dialed Helen's number again.
"What do you want, Lisa?" She asked.
"I know I've been a bad sister to you, terrible mother to Sonia, a horrible employer to my employees and even a miserable person in this State, but I need you to explain to me again, what you said earlier" I pleaded, and the line went silent. I thought she was going to hang up, but then she sighed.
"We can't talk over the phone Lisa. Let's meet tomorrow" She said.
"Okay sure. Where do we meet?"
"I'm going to be in New York till the end of the week. I have some goods to supply by next tomorrow, so I'll still be around. We could meet at your place"
"What do you mean by 'goods'? What goods?" I asked again.
"A lot of things have changed in the past eighteen months Lisa. We'd see tomorrow"
She ended the call instantly.
I held my phone thinking hard about what could have changed in Helen's life in just eighteen months. Helen had always been timid, right from our childhood. It's always hard for people to believe that she's 4 years older than me. I still wondered how she was able to meet a sweet guy like, Charles, her husband who loves her deeply, despite her timidity. They have four children who are all doing well for themselves outside the continent. She was a housewife all throughout her children's growing up. After Didi, her youngest daughter, left New York, Helen became really bored and kept to herself until Sonia graduated college and went to live with her for a while, before getting her apartment close to her.
Sonia had always been closer to Helen than myself.
I couldn't handle being a housewife - I haven't even ever been a wife before. I've always been so focused on my work.
I still wonder what goods Helen has, to supply in New York.
Oh how messed up my life is!!!!!!
I don't even know anything
I don't know my sister anymore.
I don't know how her children are faring.
I don't know where my daughter is or if she's even okay.
And if Helen was right, I don't even know my granddaughter.
Why is my life messed up? I asked no one in particular.
'You messed it up yourself' The still voice in my head answered, making me shudder, at the truth in that response.
I'm going to make amends. I really am, Starting with my meeting with Helen tomorrow, and then I'll get to know my granddaughter
I'll also hire a Private Investigators to search for Sonia.
I'd travel more around the world, and probably fall in love again.
I'd stop being too uptight.
I'd give my employees the chance to be happy and free around me.
I'd reach out to my nieces and nephews.
And I'd call my mum again.
I haven't spoken to her in almost Twenty four years now. I denied her the opportunity to get to see Sonia, because she'd asked me to get rid of her, when I got pregnant out of wedlock.
I brought out my journal and wrote all these things down and I felt good.
That night was the first time, in a long while, that I slept soundly, like a baby.