I was a well of emotions as I stood embracing Myra, being back at the place where I had been given a chance at the sweet life had a dismal feel to it as apprehension plagued me.

Here Myra had taken and groomed me for the life of the elite. She had taken me and rubbed my rough edges smoothing out the country boy and refining me into a young gentleman. Mind you she never once took away from me what Mama had instilled in me only enhance it and mold me for the life I was destined to live.

I look beyond her to the voices that I heard milling about in the adjacent room and my apprehension surfaced with full force. Inside that room was the man who along with Myra had helped to shape and mould my life, but unlike Myra who stood lean and regal in her royal blue palaza and a matching satin blouse, he was a cancer-ridden carcass of his former self.

I heard Estelle speak tearing my mind from my dismal thoughts and I turn to Leslie pulling her to my side. I watch as mother and daughter so unalike stared at my wife who stood there staring back.

I took the opportunity to make the introductions and when Leslie's hand reach out to hold Estelle's in a handshake which was chaste and indifferent my mind went back to earlier this morning.

Shit! Leslie must recognize Estelle as the woman who was in my background as we spoke over the phone this morning. I was about to say something when Leslie took the bag I held and hand it to Myra.

"I baked a cake."

Myra took the bag and smiled, "Thanks that's sweet of you," turning to her daughter she said, "Stella she's not only pretty but domesticated too."

I felt Leslie stiffen beside me at how Myra complimented her. It was indeed a slight against Estelle. Myra was in her own way showcasing to her daughter this attribute that Estelle made no effort to partake in.

"Stella take this to the kitchen will you dear, I want to take Julian's pretty new bride to meet dad," she said pushing the bag to her daughter and taking both our hands and heading for the room where the voices of the other guests could be heard.

My heart paced with a bit more apprehension and my feet almost gave way to reluctance but I man up and walk with them into the artistically decorated living room.

The room did not hold my attention the way it held Leslie's, I watch her so as not to find my father in the fear that seeing him sick would ditter my ability to be cool, calm, and collective. I muster up the courage and greet the other guests, seven in total mostly close long-standing colleagues of the great a respectable Professor Kenton P. Rivers.

I was glad for this brief distraction and the opportunity to share their appreciation of my nuptials. I was genuinely happy when they tease and chided me but reality gave way when I walk with Leslie to the padded sofa in which the now pastely, forlorn, and shrivelled man I once saw as a giant of strength, vigour, and vitality now sat. What had hhappenedto that valiant man who had rescued me?

I look at Myra who was now perched beside him on the arm of the chair then at Estelle and falter in my progress toward my father. I felt tears spring to my eyes but I push aside all sense of bewilderment and weakness and smiled at him when I felt Leslie's fingers squeeze mine in support.

He reaches out his arms to me and I took them, his fingers felt boney and I held them tenderly. This was a far cry from the hands that I arm-wrestled with me so many times that on most occasions allowed me to win.

"My boy," he smiles fondly at Daniel his watery eyes shining with pride. "Now what a pretty bride you have just as lovely as my Myra."

He looked over at Leslie who smiles warmly at him as she reaches for his outstretch hand taking it gently in hers.

He offers his apology for not being at our reception but promises he would ensure he made it up to us. Pretty soon he had Leslie in conversation that allows me to relax a bit and enjoy his banter and ability to engage and take charge.

I was also aware that Estelle was somewhat aloof and seem very much unable to get a hold of what lay in front of us. Our father was on terms with what has befallen him and all of us present knew that this was his goodbye to us. It was however not going to be easy no matter how much he was allowing us to come to terms with it.

I watch her slip away from the room and I excuse myself and follow her as I too need a retreat. I found her standing out on the balcony of the dining room. I walk up to her and we stood in silence staring out into the night that was being awash by the now pummeling rain.

"I don't know how am going to handle this Dan," she whispers her voice clouded with pain and sorrow. "Mi a try but mi cyaah manage."

I watch as she sniffles and wipes away tears that were now making a path down her cheeks. I reach for her and pull her into my embrace trying to give her the strength that I had to find to pull myself through.

"I wasted so much time being the spoilt likkle bitch, defying him evry chance mi get, and now he's going to go away fi eva," she cried into my shirt her pain ripping and my barely repress heartache.

I hug her tighter using my actions instead of words to offer comfort as there was nothing I knew I could say to console her. Estelle had to come to her terms with what would eventually happen with our father. Death was a must we all know but it was never an easy pill to swallow. No amount of preparation could prepare you for the finality that such an occurrence brought.

We were like this for a while until I felt Estelle pull away slightly from me but when I made to pull away completely she steps closer and found my lips with hers. It took me a few seconds to react but a few seconds too late.

The sound of the balcony doors sliding open and Leslie standing there staring at us only made the night more dismal than it already was. I move away from Estelle and made for her.

"Leslie!"

"Sorry to interrupt, but Kenton is asking for you Daniel," she said quietly then walk away before I could reach her.

"Rass," I swore hissing my teeth in anger.

"Dan," Estelle calls her voice a mixture of regret and apology but I continue to stop Leslie who was already slipping into the room where we were earlier.

I felt like a total asshole! I could just imagine how she felt considering I ask her here to support me to only find me now in the arms of Estelle who I knew she figures I was involved with.

"Dan!" she calls again but I ignore her my sole intent was getting to Leslie and right now I was too upset to give in to her yet again.

******************************************
Sup my people 🙄

So what's up with Estelle? She crossed the boundaries with no concern and no care.
Will Leslie and Daniel ever have a smooth sailing?

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