Chapter 9 Memories

• DONALD
• I sat beside Avala's bed, checking the drip I was administering to her. It had been two days since we've been at home, no school for her and no work for me and I have to admit, it's been a very great challenge for us. I had to call in sick at work, using myself instead of telling them it was my baby. I don't want to be seen as incompetent, and I know they'll understand because it's something I don't normally do.
• Avala's pulse and temperature is okay, everything is beginning to go back to normal. She's no more having fever, and I thank God for His mercies.
• I looked at Avala, who was sleeping peacefully, I remember the chaos we experienced at the restaurant, and how Avala bugged me again to call the waitress yesterday. The young lady has experienced enough stress, I don't want to bother her again. After what happened at the restaurant the other day, I've been changing the discussion whenever Avala brings any that have to do with her.
• I think it's time to address this issue once and for all, Avala's disturbance has gradually began to get on my nerves. After what happened, I'm waiting for Avala to recover, and then I would sit her down and have a talk with her.
• “I should have told her.'’ I mutter to myself.
• I regret not correcting Avala sooner, I should have answered Avala's question honestly the day she asked me if the waitress is her mother.
• I looked at the drip again, making sure everything is in order. Satisfied, I gently closed the door behind me, allowing Avala to sleep in peace. I made my way to the laundry room, gathering the dirty clothes that had piled up over the past few days and sorted them into the washing machine, as the machine started, I leaned against the door waiting for it. I didn't realize when tears began to pour out of my eyes while thinking of Avala's illness.
• “I caused it. I'm the reason why she's sick.'’
• I blame myself for being the cause of it all. If I never scolded her at the restaurant that day, who knows, maybe she wouldn't have fallen sick.
• “She cried heavily that day, and it's all because of me'’
• The pain of not been able to care for my child as I ought to troubled my heart, sometimes I feel like going back to Washington DC to meet my parents. I know my mother would be happy to help me with Avala.
• How can my mom possibly help me when she doesn't even know Avala exists?. Each time I thought about it and the memories of how I left home. After the arguement with my father, I refused to follow the path he had laid out for me. I've always wanted to be a medical doctor, but he wanted me to take over his company.
• “Donald you're a fool.'’ I said to myself.
• The day I left the house was after my high school graduation, I stole my mother's diamond necklaces. Not two, not three, but six of them. I had taken them and ran away with it, leaving my family behind without leaving any trace, it was a hard decision to make but I did anyways.
• How am I going to face them after all these years?.
• I took the clothes out of the washing machine when it was done, after rensing them, I hung them up to dry, then, I went back to Avala's room to check on her, as I opened the door, I saw her fully awake, holding her phone to her body and trying to hide it from me.
• I had already seen it, though. "Avala, are you talking to Miss Clara, your class teacher?."
• Avala shook her head, I walked up to her and gently took the phone from her hand, checking the screen to see who she was talking to, the number wasn't saved.
• "Who were you talking to?" I asked Avala while keeping my voice low.
• Avala refused to talk, crossing her arms and looking away from me. “Avala, you need to tell me who you were on the phone with. If it wasn't miss Clara then who is it?'’ I was still trying to persuade to tell mewho she's talking to, then, the door bell rang. Out of frustration I sighed, before getting up to answer it.
• I opened the door, and was surprised to see Tricia standing there. "I'm so sorry to disturb you, Avala called me earlier, saying she's sick. I came to check up on her.'’
• Why did Avala call Tricia?. This thing is getting out of hand. Now I know why she was hiding the phone and refused to talk.
• I stepped aside, letting Tricia in. "I should be the one saying I'm sorry. Avala is disturbing you too much. Thank you for coming.'’
• “You don't have to thank me, She's my baby.'’ Tricia said smiling at me, I could see the sincerity in her.
• “Tricia I'm really sorry about how Avala keeps disturbing you, I'll make sure I tell her that you're not her mom, so she can stop calling and disturbing you.'’
• “You don't have to apologize, and, I think it's best if we clarify things with her. However, let's focus on getting her well first. She needs to recover fully before we tell her.'’
• Tricia stayed in the living room, and I made my way to Avala's room to check on her. When I got there, I noticed that the drip is remaining very little to finish.
• “Daddy, can you stop the drip?, I want to go and stay with my mommy.'’ She said with pleading eyes.
• “In less than no time the drip will be done. You need to take complete dosage for the medications to work effectively. By the way, why did you call Tricia?.'’
• “Because I'm not feeling fine. Marcus's mom used to carry him on her body whenever he's sick, I want mommy to carry me.'’
• I felt like telling her there and then that Tricia is not her mom but I remembered my deal with Tricia to let Avala recover first. I stopped the drip and watched as Avala ran off the room.
• “Be careful so you don't fall.'’