Gone Too Late, Part 1

Chap 1

Anna hurried outside after realizing her mother is not in her bedroom. Where could she be? She asked herself while walking in the compound. It’s not even 7am but it’s still dark as the night. The wind is blowing, shaking windows like steam rising but unable to lift a closed lid. Anna thought that the only place she must have gone to is St Mary’s. The chapel, for adoration. A chapel that’s ten minutes’ walk from where they live. With her arms tucked under her armpit, shivering to the chills of morning, Anna caught a glimpse of a figure walking towards her. Her breath slowed down trying to figure out who it might be. And at last, she spotted her mother’s face. What could have happened? She murmured under her breath. 

They all prayed for her. Anna and Nico. The two knew their mother deserved it. But it was going to take a miracle from God. “I haven’t looked yet.” Those were the first words her mother said, shivering. “Why?” “I wanted to go pray first so I am able to accept anything that happens.” she replied. 

Anna slides her arm in her mother’s as they walked side by side inside the house. “Everything is going to be alright Mama.” Five months ago, Anna wanted her mother to stand on her two feet again. She had done everything her mother wanted her to do. Study hard. Get a scholarship and make sure Nico is doing well in school too. Now, it was her turn. After 10 years of raising her and Nico, she agreed to take a leap of faith and look for a job. If she doesn’t find somewhere to work and make a living, she will have nowhere to stay. The three knew this day might come two days after their father passed away and left them with nothing. 

Now, Peggy, Anna’s mother was sitting rubbing her hands together, fearing to see what’s inside the envelope. An envelope she has had for a week now. An envelope she took to church as a Bible. Holding onto it, but afraid to open it as if a living ghost might come out of it. Well, she thought of opening it once in the chapel. If there is bad news, at least Jesus would be able to save her from heartbreak. He won’t let me sink in sorrow, she thought. But she didn’t open it in the chapel. She waited and waited until she was ready. Or probably not. But sooner than later, she had to see what’s inside for her sake.  

“Come on Mama. Open it” Anna implied. Peggy nodded. With every tear, her heart sunk. Finally, she pulled out the letter, held in her hands and stared at it. She fixed her eyes at the letter folded in two, wondering what the blurred words she sees through means. As a young girl, if what’s on the other side of the paper was numbers, she would have figured it out without opening it. That’s the kind of genius she used to be. But again, that’s in the past. She rarely practiced any numbers other than counting rent, household money, tuition fees. She felt bad at times for throwing her talents away. But, it’s the results of her hard work she’s done in the meantime that kept her going. The result of what Anna and Nico have become. Two humble teenagers who saw hell their mother went through and chose to be grow up kind and disciplined.

“Oh my God mom” Anna cried when she saw the first word on the letter. Her mother saw it too, but she was reading the rest. Like a statue, she stood still. Tears floating in her eyelids, throat tight as if she is chocking. “Mom. it’s happening.” Anna kept saying. Like a feather flowing in the air, the letter flew out of her hands as soon as Anna jumped on her feet to hug her mother who had been looking towards this day. As long as she can remember, she heard again and again and saw her mother daydream of the day someone will rescue her from her misery. And, after days of searching, that day has finally arrived. 

Dear Peggy,

Congratulations on this new adventure,

I wish this news came earlier than today. But I hope it’s still not too late.

Peggy, you are the apple in my eyes, and I am sorry I was not there when you needed me the most.

There is a lot I want to tell you. There are places I want to show Anna, Nico and You.

And I can’t wait to see you so every day can be like the way we dreamt about it when we were little.

I want to hold you close in my arms and I am excited that I will get a chance to do so.

I look forward to seeing you and the children soon. 

Yours truly!

Chap 2 – To be continued