Chapter 7

• ***
• Once we were both in the room, my father locked the door behind him.
• I went straight to sit on the bed. He didn't say a thing but went to the bathroom to change into his sleeping pants and a T-shirt.
• On his way out, he came over and joined me.
• "Son?" he said in a low voice.
• "Yes, dad?"
• "Never repeat what you saw this night to uncle Kenneth or to anyone else okay?"
• I nodded.
• "I think aunt Christina wasn't in her proper senses this night. But I promise that if she tries that again, I'll tell uncle Ken myself." he added.
• "Okay, daddy."
• "I don't want you to be implicated in this." he hugged me. I hugged him too, feeling tears well up my eyes.
• I had the feeling that my father felt very lonely without my mother. He'd loved her with all his heart. And he did not even intend to remarry though he was still a young and strong man.
• "Now tell me," he started, "...what was the exact reason you came downstairs."
• I looked at him.
• "I wanted to tell you something."
• "Which is?"
• I hesitated at first but then I saw it right to let him know. I told him about aunt Christina and how she was mean to me but acted all nice around them. Surprisingly, my dad didn't seem surprised.
• "You don't seem surprised."
• "Cuz I ain't, son."
• "Huh?"
• "Christina has always been quite odd. She hated your mother for no reason."
• I looked at him surprised.
• "Really?"
• "Yes."
• "Did mom tell you why?"
• "Your mother had her own theory about the way Christina behaved. She always told me that Christina was attracted to me. Though already married to Ken. I didn't believe her and that caused a lot of arguments between us."
• "Maybe mom was right, dad." I murmured. He looked at me.
• "Maybe. I didn't believe until this night. I have doubts now. Her hatred for my wife increased when she was pregnant with you. I think that's why she behaves with you that way."
• "S– she loves you?"
• "No, son. That's nothing but lust."
• "What's– lust?"
• "You'll understand as you grow. For the moment keep it all to yourself for your own good."
• "Okay, dad. But please is it possible for us to leave this weekend? Like after tomorrow?"
• "Sunday?"
• "Yes."
• "Okay. I think it's a good idea."
• ***
• The next day soon reached. We all had breakfast. I was silent and avoided aunt Christina. Meanwhile, dad acted like everything was normal. He would laugh along with aunt Christina and uncle ken like nothing was wrong.
• As we ate and the adults chatted, I noticed Heather was looking at me. I looked at her too.
• Quickly and in a discrete manner, she waved a little, hoping I would wave back. I waved back and smiled. She blushed. It wasn't because her mom had stopped us from playing and speaking to each other that we weren't friends anymore.
• We were still at the table when uncle Ken's cellphone rang. He excused himself and went to answer the call. He returned soon.
• "Hey Paul, the pals are in the woods waiting for us. You know it's hunting Saturday right?"
• "Oh, I forgot. I gotta take a quick bath, okay? You can go first. I'll catch up."
• "Okay." uncle Ken kissed his wife his wife goodbye and turned to us.
• "Okay kids, gotta go. Have a great time today."
• "Thanks dad (uncle ken)." we replied. He then left the farmhouse.
• Some minutes later, my dad went upstairs to freshen up and aunt Christina cleaned the table. We kids went to watch TV. That was the only time I could be near Heather without aunt Christina yelling.
• We three sat on the couch. I, Heather and Sawyer. I was kinda glad heather was in the middle, me being on her right and Sawyer on her left.
• We put funny cartoons and began to watch. While we watched, I discretely held Heather's right hand in mine. We looked at each other shortly and smiled. Sawyer didn't notice. She was too concentrated with her cartoons.
• Minutes later, I decided to go see if my dad was through. While making my way up the stairs, I heard two people arguing in low voices. I stopped to listen. Dad and aunt Christina. Their conversation went as thus,
• "I said I was sorry, Paul!" she complained in a low voice.
• "Sorry?? Sorry??"
• "Yes! I didn't mean to."
• "What do you mean you didn't mean to. What is wrong with you Christina? How could you just enter my bathroom without knocking?? You saw me completely naked and you're telling me you didn't mean to?!"
• "Don't get so angry, Paul. Alright Paul, I admit it. My intentions were to see you."
• "Oh god, this is crazy! Stop what you are up to, Christina. I beg you!"
• "Paul, I can't resist you. I can't! Especially now that I've seen you. Oh Paul, please! Please! Ken will never know if you make love to me now."
• I wasn't supposed to be hearing this. I was shocked! I couldn't believe it.
• "Christina, you need help!"
• "Oh, shut up! I need only one thing and it's you."
• "I'm sorry but I will have to tell Ken about you."
• "What??"
• "You heard me."
• "Paul, no."
• "Yes, Christina."
• "Paul, no! You wouldn't dare! Stop! Paul!"
• I heard them coming nearer. I ran back to the living room and pretended to watch TV. My heartbeat had increased crazily. I didn't feel okay and I felt a little dizzy.
• They came into living room. My dad made his way towards the door. Aunt Christina had stopped halfway, staring at him in a panicked manner. The girls were too concentrated on the TV to notice them.
• My dad opened the door to leave when I spoke.
• "Dad, you're leaving?"
• He turned and came over to me.
• "Yeah, son. Catch you later." he held my face and  kissed my forehead, "Remember, I love you with all my heart." he said seriously.
• "I love you too, dad. Bye, bye."
• He hugged me and left the house. Aunt Christina, looking nervous turned to us
• "Heather, where is Rob??" she asked.
• "In the barn feeding the horses, mummy."
• "Okay." I watched her run out the back door, heading for the barn.
• "Who's Rob?" I asked
• "One of the employees." she answered.
• I felt some certain uneasiness.