Chapter 13: CARA
Immediately Mrs Chloe opens the door, I hug her and begin to cry.
“Oh, child,” she says hugging me tightly.
I needed it. This week has been very overwhelming for me.
“Come in. Let me make a cup of iced tea for you,” she says carrying my bag inside.
I can't remember the last time I was here but I know a lot had changed. Almost every part of the house had a picture of her, her husband and her son Peter I think. Their only child. He left Dublin long before I entered college. We used to be childhood friends and we both went to the same play school and high school.
Not sure if I'll be able to recognise him anymore but the picture of him all grown hung up beside the plant gives me a clear view of
him. I was told he went to a very expensive British boarding school. People say his father comes from a wealthy lineage but they don't act like it. Very humble couples.
Someone clearing their throat brought me out of my sea of thoughts. “Peter?”
“Cara Rufus?”
“It’s Cara Bloom now. I took my mother's name.” I say smiling.
Please tell me he didn't just hear me sob like a child on his mother's shoulder. I didn't even know if I should hug him or shake him. He opens his arms and I take it as my cue to hug him.
“Been what?” “Ages?”
“The last time I came around, I heard you and your mum had moved. Flew in last week. My mum told me about Mrs Bloom. My condolences.”
His mum walks in with a cup of iced tea and a plate filled with cookies.
“Thanks. Mrs Chloe, I appreciate the kind gesture and I'm so sorry for the impromptu notification.”
“Dear child, you are welcome here anytime any day. My home is your home.”
“Thank you, Ma.”
“You are welcome. Not sure if you have a job and a place to stay. Peter is now a judge in Birmingham. He can help you get a job in his firm.
If I can clearly remember you studied law right?”
“Yes, I did.”
“Very well then. I'll leave both of you to talk. Good night. “Good night Ma’am.”
“Good night,” Peter responds kissing his mother's cheeks. “Do you have a place here?”
“Yeah. It's just something temporary.” “Oh, I see. Any job yet?”
“Yeah.”
He was waiting for me to probably say the type of job but I was too embarrassed to say I work as an assistant in Johnson ACE.
“How long are you here for?”
“Three weeks. One week is gone already.”
“True. So a judge in the Uk?” I ask rhetorically making him smile.
“I wasn't able to go to law school due to personal reasons. If you don't have any intention of going to bed anytime soon, I'll like to hear about what it feels like being a judge in the big city.”
The rest of the night went by with Peter and I talking about work, life and goals.
How long did I sleep? It felt like I hadn't slept in ages. I check my phone and see a message notification from Liam. I ignore it because I have zero intentions to spoil the rest of my pleasant weekend which has been ruined halfway by a certain man.
I get out of bed, wash my face and then brush my mouth.
On my way to the living room, I hear muffled voices. Should I reveal myself or do I just go back to the room? I turn back and begin to walk to the room when I hear my name. I tiptoe back to the spot I was previously on.
“Did you tell her you had a crush on her?”
“Mum, can you please lower your voice she might be up.”
“I still do though and no I never told her and I'm not sure I will.” “Why?”
“She used to be in love with Liam. Not sure if she's in a relationship as we speak.”
“You can ask her.”
I tiptoe back to my room and shake the door like I'm just coming out of the room.
“Good morning Mrs Chloe. Good morning Peter.” “Good morning,” they say in unison.
“I hope you had a nice night?” asks Mrs Chloe. “Yes, I did. Thank you very much.”
“Coffee or smoothie?” “Coffee, please.”
Peter hands me a cup of coffee.
“It smells really good in here.”
“Mum’s cooking her famous chicken casserole with Basmati rice.” “That sounds good. What can I do to help?”
“Sit down and relax, that's all,” she says patting my cheeks. “Mum, you know Cara is all grown right?”
“She’s not complaining.” “It’s fine, Peter.”
My phone light comes up showing an incoming call from Liam. Speak of the devil. I end the call. He calls me a second time and I end it. On the third ring, Peter and Mrs Chloe both turn back. Peter glances at my phone and goes back to what he’s doing.
“Is everything alright darling?” Asks Mrs Chloe.
“Yes. It's no one important.” I say switching off my phone. “Breakfast is ready.” Peter beams.
“Can I at least set the table? I won't feel too good knowing all I did was eat this sumptuous meal without contributing.”
“Fine.” Mrs Chloe says.
I set up the table with the help of Peter while Mrs Chloe dishes the food into a glass bowl.
“This is so good,” I say with my mouth filled. “You can say that again,” says Peter.
“Both of you flatter me.”
“I know I usually advise that one shouldn't talk when eating, but today's going to be different because I want to know what you've been
up to Cara.” Mrs Chloe says dabbing her mouth with a clean towel from the table.
“Nothing much,” I respond. I don't want to talk about everything that has been happening because there's no way that Liam's name wouldn't pop up which will eventually lead to me spilling why I showed up at Mrs Chloe's doorstep at midnight.
“Common, I want to hear all about it.” “Mum?” Peter says
“It’s okay Peter.”
“After my mum passed, Mrs Johnson got me a job and an apartment.”
“Liam’s mum?” Peter asks. “Yes.”
“Do you work with her? She's into decorations, right?”
“No, I don't work with her and you are right she's into interior decoration.”
“So what do you do?” “I..”
“Mum, don't forget you have a church meeting in like now .”
“Very true,” she says clearing up her plate. Thank goodness.