Chapter 21

The days following Lucas giving me his card- to go out and buy things for the business event he wanted me to attend with him- was pretty much uneventful. Not much or anything new has happen since—the past few days were just the same as every other day since I've been stuck at this place. I stayed home as usual and helped Greta with whatever she would allow me to. The only difference was that Lucas wasn't around for the few days. Greta said he was gone away on business but he would be back by Saturday for the event.

Mom and I also continued to be in touch. She had informed me that they had schedule a date for her nonsurgical heart procedure. I was really hoping that I could be there with her but since I couldn't, I could only hope that this procedure was successful. I was hopeful that the procedure would work and my mom could get back on her feet and out of that nursing home. The payment for the surgery remained a mystery—we still had no clue who paid the medical fee but we were really thankful for it.

I also couldn't stop wondering about Katie and Nora. I had done a little digging to find out which rehab there were in. When I called the center, I found out that they were not allowed any outside interaction except for immediate family. In my mind, I kept thinking 'Lucas isn't here now. I don't know if he had anyone keeping an eye on me but what if I just run out for a couple minutes a day since he isn't exactly here to stop me?' But then another thought came to me 'what if I sneak out and he indeed has someone keeping an eye on me or he shows up and find me gone?’ I absolutely didn't want any trouble though so I figured it would be best to follow his warnings and stay put.

The last time I ignored a warning from him, I ended up witnessing my boyfriend being killed. And then I almost got myself kidnapped or worst. I needed Lucas to start trusting me enough to let me go and trying to sneak out, wasn't going to help my case.

Being bored with nothing to do can make one derived with some crazy thoughts or want to do crazy things. I was looking at myself in the mirror –particularly my hair— and thought to myself that I never really did anything different with it in ages. It was always in its natural brown color except for getting a few highlights at times. I mostly kept my hair the same way and I was starting to feel like I should do something different with it. I thought that I would look nice with purple hair so I made it official. I planned to dye my hair after the event with Lucas on Saturday. I wouldn't want to do it and then be the center of attention when we go there. And I was pretty sure that Lucas would not want me going with him with purple hair. I know he would rather have me shave my head. However, I was going to dye my hair the minute we come back from that event. If he wanted me to accompany him anywhere else after and he doesn't approve of my new hair, then he better buy me a wig or just get over it.

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So the day that mom was doing her angioplasty, finally arrived. We've talked this morning before she apparently had the appointment. I was so nervous about it. Even though it wasn't exactly a surgical procedure where they would have to cut her open and it could be riskier, I was still fearful and nervous for her. That was her heart we're talking about here. I still have doubts about certain things and even more, I know I should always try to think positive but I couldn't help it all. I kept thinking 'what if this procedure doesn't help her heart issue in anyway?' I hate that there were negative thoughts swirling around my head that I couldn't quite control. All I could do was just keep hoping for the best.

Thinking about my mom and that she was the only family I knew, I couldn't help but wonder about her own family back in the Caribbean. I was wondering about my grandparents; were they still alive? And what about my uncle that she told me about? Did he have children? What if someday I found someone and get married only to discover that he was a long last cousin or some other relative? I felt bad for mom, she sacrificed a lot just because of me- including her relationship with her family. Mom developed a heart problem years ago, what if this procedure she was doing- along with being reunited with her family- could help to heal her somehow? They always say that being close to people you love can mend a broken heart. Mom's heart wasn't exactly broken but what if somehow being reunited with family could help her to not have so much worry and become healthier? Mom never talked about her family until I asked her some month ago, but I'm sure she must think about them. In that moment, an idea came to me. I know it was probably a long shot but I needed to try.

I went on the internet and downloaded a telephone directory for Barbados. I didn't know which part exactly in Barbados mom and her family lived or even if they had moved after all these years. I didn't know my grandma or grandpa's name since I forgot to ask while mom was telling me about them but I remembered my uncle's name-Marten.

I began searching through the directory for Marten Stewart and when I finally found that section, I knew this was going to be more than a task- there were over a hundred people with the name Marten Stewart in the book. I didn't care if it took me months to finish contacting each and every one on the list but I was determined to find my uncle.

I dialed the number of the first Marten Stewart on the list and said the only thing I believe would make sense.

"Hello, good day sir. I'm calling from the United States. I'm in search of some relatives that I haven't met before but I'm not quite sure of the names. My mom only told me about a Marten Stewart and I'd like to know, did you have a younger sister by the name of Mariean Stewart?"

When the guy told me no, I told him thanks for his time anyway then hung up and proceeded to call the second number. I was disappointed but no one said that this task would be easy and that I'd find him on the first ring. That would've been pure luck and sometimes luck isn't always on our side. I called the second number and ask the same thing. The answer I got was the same as before. After almost eleven calls, I was ready to give up. I had thought that somehow luck would have it that it'd eventually heard from the right one by now. Greta found me in the couch looking really discouraged and disappointed. She asked me what was the matter, I told her and she offered to assist me. We continued calling the different numbers for hours and still all of them said no.

"I don't think this is of any use." I said to her. "Maybe he moved away or maybe he died or something because we've been through almost all the numbers already and still we haven't found him."

"Don't say that. You don't know that yet. There are still a few more numbers here we haven't tried yet." Greta replied. "Let's try going through those before coming to any conclusion okay?"

"Alright." I nodded sighing.

We had eventually went through all the Marten Stewarts in the directory and still none of them were my mom's brother. At this point I had given up. It was clear that my mom's brother was either dead, not living in Barbados anymore or his number wasn't enlisted.

That's it. I tried but I guess we're never going to know what happened to my mom's family.

"Amy, I'm so sorry we couldn't find your uncle through that directory." Greta said to me.

"Yeah, it’s okay though. It wasn't a sure thing that we would find him," I replied. "But I'm just a bit disappointed that we didn't. I was really hoping I could find a family member for my mom and surprise her."

"Hey, maybe you could ask Lucas when he returns. I mean he has got a lot of connections. If anyone can help find your family, it’s Lucas." Greta suggested.

"I don't know, maybe. But I really wanted to do this myself." I said to her.

"I understand. Do you know what his occupation was or anything?" Greta asked me.

"No, I think he was still in university when my mom left there." I said to her "The only other thing I know is that they owned a restaurant at the time- a diner."

"Well do you know the name? If you have the name you could look it up and see if it's still opened. Did you try that?" Greta asked.

"No, I never thought of that." I said becoming hopeful once again and searching through the directory again. "I believe mom said it was called Stewart's variety diner. Although, that was ages ago. They could have closed down or change the name."

"Well you have to try first. You can't know for certain until you try." Greta said.

"Oh my God, look I found it." I said just as I saw the name and the numbers. "I don't know if it's theirs but this is it, it’s my last hope."

"Well go for it. Even if it isn't them at least you tried and we could still ask Lucas for help."

"Okay, here goes nothing." I sighed dialing the number and putting the phone to my ear.

"Stewart's variety diner, Good day. How may I assist you today?" A girl answered the phone.

"Hello, I'm looking for a Marten Stewart. I'm not sure if I have the correct number." I replied.

"He isn't here, but I could get a message delivered to him. I'm his daughter who may I say is called?" The girl replied surprising me.

Oh my God. I found them. I'm actually speaking with my mom's niece, my cousin. I really was at a lost of words, I wasn't sure what to say.

"Well, I'd actually like to talk to the manager of the restaurant. May I ask who is that? I'd like to talk to that person." I said to her.

"Well my grandparents are the managers of the diner but they aren't in at

the moment. Would you like to leave a message?" She asked me.

"Uh, are they a Mr and Mrs. Stewart?" I asked to make sure.

"Yes, they are the managers." She replied.

"Oh, okay. Uhm, could you tell them to call me back when they are in? I'm calling from the United States, my name is Amy and my number is 13766257716. It is important." I said to her.

"Could you repeat the number again please?" She asked.

"It is 13766257716." I repeat the number for her.

"Okay got it. And you said Amy right? Calling from USA?" She asked.

"Yes, that's correct. Please have them call me okay? Thank you. And have a good day." I said to her before hanging up.

"So?" Greta asked me expectantly.

"I... I think I've found them."