Chapter 2

Anaiah's pov.

I could not believe what my eyes was beholding as I parked my car and got out of it.

My mom was loading suitcases into her car with my dad standing beside her pleading.There were five suitcases in total and I could see that two of them were mine.

What the hell was happening.Scratch that,what the hell happened that they could not solve.They always managed to solve all of their differences even if it was over sex.

Call it toxic but at least it kept them together.I was speechless.My mouth could not form the questions my brain was screaming to ask.

I stood there dumbfounded as my father followed mom to and fro, begging her not to go

"Honey ,we can fix this,we can work it out"

"No we can not ,we.need space away from each other.And if you do not need it,God knows I do",she replied with finality.

"Anaiah,go upstairs and pack your essentials,the rest can be shipped to you later",she said to me.

Only then did I find my tongue.

"What is going on,mom,dad.Where are we going?",I asked.

"To where I grew up,Helway , granny's place.Your father and I have some issues that we have to work through, separated ".

"But mom,you have always worked through your differences together.Why is this any different?"

""Do as I say,Anaiah,I can't explain now"

"What's ,about my opinions,I do not want to move to the middle of nowhere Helway!"

"Anaiah!"my mom said sharply.

My dad gave me a hug and said palming my cheeks,"do as she says sweetie,I promise,I will fix this and you will both be back in no time".

I nodded tearfully and made my way to my room.

I got to my room and picked up a family portrait of me,my mom and dad that was sitting on my vanity.We had taken it when we went for a family vacation in Mykonos.

I placed it inside my backpack .I then went to my bathroom,picked up my cosmetics pouch from the cabinet above the sink  and packed up all my makeup and skin care products.I picked up my yoga mat as well.

I made my way downstairs as my mom had already packed  two  suit cases of my clothes.

My mom was already inside her range Rover when I got out .My dad was standing by the car with a lost look in his eyes.I did not want to leave him like this.

"Dad,do not let us leave,I want to stay with you."

"Anaiah, your mom, she needs this.You have to stay with her because she needs you more.Promise me you will be good to her".

"I promise dad.I love you ",I said kissing him on his cheek.

"I love you too sweetie,come here"

He pulled me into a tight hug and I could tell it took all of his self control to pull back.

"Your car will be shipped over,alright?"

I nodded and walked to my mom's car.I dropped the pouch and the yoga mat into the back seat of the car.

I then got into the front seat and put on my seat belt.My mom avoided looking at my dad as she drove out of the gates of the house but I could see her lips trembling.

I waved and waved at my dad till we rounded the corner and I could no longer see him.

We drove and drove for hours .Two,maybe three.I had my headphones on and sat staring at the passing scenery.

We had left the hustle and bustle of the city life to a more calmer place.It looked like the country but in a suburban way.

The ride had been silent and wordless as we both had thinking to do.There was nothing to be said.

We passed by a sign board that said 'Welcome to Helway'.After a few twists.and turns,my mom pulled into a diner called La Familia.

I took off my headphones and looked around.

"Let us go get dinner",my mom said picking up her bag after turning off the ignition.

I followed suit,picked up my bag and followed her out into the diner.

We were welcomed at the door by a good looking guy who I guessed was around the same age as me.

"Hi ,I am Micah,welcome to La Familia."

He said to us and proceeded to show us to our table.

"Thank you" ,we mumbled as we sat down

A woman my mom's age came to our table to give us the menu and take our orders.

"Welcome,what should I get ... Melanie?",she said with her brow raised slightly.

"Inez?",my mom said in disbelief.

"Melanie!",she exclaimed as she hugged my mom who had gotten up in excitement.

"Is this your daughter?", Inez asked referring to me.

"Yes,yes,her name is Anaiah "

"You are so pretty,nice to meet you"

"Thank you,nice meeting you too",I replied with a small smile.

"Oh my God,we have so much catching up to do,for how long are you in town?",Inez asked.

"Quite a while"

"Staying at your mom's house?"

"Yeah"

"I will pass by sometime"

"Sure, please do"

"You bet I will, anyway let's take your orders now, can't have you starving,now,"

We placed our orders and she left to make it

After eating,we got back to the car and continued driving.

Ten minutes later we pulled up into the driveway of my grandma's house .She got out to meet us outside  when she heard our car in her driveway.

I got out of the car and hugged her as I had missed her so much.

"My munchkin,how have you been?",Granny asked pulling my cheeks.

"I'm fine, thank you ".

My mom was next to be hugged and fussed over.

We started offloading our suitcases into the house when I lifted my eyes to the top floor of the  house next  door and saw those dark eyes staring at me in the shadows.

A shiver ran through me.