Charlotte McCartney โJosh!โ I heard Kelcie exclaimโThere's our man!โ Lydia said as soon as Josh wheeled into the dining table. She, Kelcie, Edward, her husband as well as I, had settled that morning to have breakfast together.โOh enough with the excessive flatteryโ Josh replied waving her off. He seemed his usual tired self, even more tired apparently because of his outing and the whole processes of the session but he seemed okay nonetheless, he even wheeled his chair over to where Kelcie who was evidently elated to see him sat and ruffled her hair a little, the growing bond between the two of them had really become an exciting spectacle to me as well as the rest of them. After last night's elaborate persuasion, he finally agreed to go for his physiotherapy examination. So the first thing he did as day broke was to call up his Doctor who I realized was named Leonard, Josh had refused to address him by his name in his attempt to annoy and exasperate him and simply called him doctor
Charlotte McCartney โWhy do you stand there looking all sulked up? Lydia asked, turning to face her son, George.โI'm sorry to have interrupted your mealโ, George said, modestly. He was usually very jovial and playful but today he wore this look that I was sure even Kelcie would have been shocked to see.โYou sure didโ, Lydia replied. โYou better sit down and get some food into that stomach of yoursโ, she added and made to go back to the kitchen to get more before George stopped her.โIt's okay mom I'm not hungryโ, he said, pulling her back. As Josh read through the letter George had handed to him, his grasp tightened the more he read through it until he got to the final point at which he tore the whole thing altogether in a very furious manner. โWhat does it say?โ Lydia asked, looking horrified. Everyone was horrified even Kelcie did not look so comfortable and she obviously wasn't old enough to understand what seemed to be going on.โThis obviously is no one's doing other than t
Charlotte McCartney โYou are just going to let her win? Just like thatโ I heard myself say as Josh wheeled off to his gloom. He paused as I spoke.โWhat in hell do you expect me to do?โ he answered, almost yelling. โDo you know the caliber of men that come to these conferences? These board of directors are considered amongst the most powerful men in the world and they match it in all ramifications. These people feast on the weak, that's what they do. Not comfort them like you're trying to do right nowโ, he said angrily.โI'm not trying to comfort you or do anything of suchโ, I replied, calmly. โI just feel our situations are just very similar that's allโ.โAnd how is that so? How are our situations the same? How Charlotte? Tell me!โ he said, looking at me pointedly.Everyone was still and quietly staring and equally surprised at how and why I would choose to make myself the centre of attraction especially at a time like this.โMy sister Whitneyโ, I said, โused to do about the same th
Charlotte McCartney โCome on Kelcie, let's go get you some chocolatesโ, I told Kelcie as I lifted her off the bed we shared. โNo mommy I can get down by myself, I'm a big girl nowโ, Kelcie said protesting and I laughed.โOkay my big baby girl. Do you want chocolate or not? Because mommy is going to get someโ, I said, smiling broadly. โI want, I want. Mommy I want some too. Can I have some chocolates mommy?โ She asked, jumping excitedly and hugging my legs. โAlright , alright. You can have some tooโ, I said smiling and she screamed, โyayy!!!โ almost immediately.โBut only if you agree that you're mommy's little baby girlโ, I said, smiling cunningly.โMommy that's not fairโ, she said laughing and I immediately carried her back to the bed and began tickling her making her laugh uncontrollably.โWho is mommy's little baby girl?โ I asked as I tickled her. โWho is mommy's baby?โ I asked again, still tickling her.โStop mommyโฆ mommyโฆโ, she said laughing and at the same time fighting to f
Charlotte McCartney โTwo rooms, don't you think that's too much Josh?" I asked, as I walked him out of our room while Kelcie slept. โI am happy with the gifts and all but still being someone who has learned the hard way to accept things one at a time, I am still rather skeptical with why and what the intentions behind these gifts could beโ, I said.โWhat do you mean Charlotte? What is so strange about me giving Kelcie gifts?โ He asked, obviously confused.โItโs not at all strange Josh that you have done this for Kelcie aside from your new found relationship, you are best friends with her great grandfather making you more like a great god father if we choose to see it that way. So in the real sense of it everything seems completely normal. But I still have to be sure, I still need some level of certainty that I haven't been able to wrap my hands aroundโ, I replied defensively.โCharlotte please! it's my property I'll do whatever I want to do with itโ, he said, waving me off again. โPl
Charlotte McCartney โYou want to shave?โ I asked, surprised. One thing I had not mentioned earlier probably as a result of the fact that I had not exactly considered this man worth reminiscing about in the first place was Josh's beards. They weren't exactly beautiful nor ugly, there were just aspects that had overtime defined his features. It didn't make him ugly and I did not know what ugly in this respect would mean so it's safe to take it out of the conversation. It just made him look like him.he wore it so well with his misery, it almost became attractive and had a thing to it and now hearing him say he's wanting to trim it had something transfiguring about it as well as something very unfamiliar.โYou sound as though you're not particularly happy about thatโ, he said, seeming quite surprised himself.โNo it's nothingโฆitโฆit's good you cut.. โ , I stuttered, feeling quite embarrassed. โIt's just that I don't know what you'll look like underneathโ, I said, smiling shyly.He smile
Charlotte McCartney Finding the shaving kit wasn't as difficult as I had expected. It seemed as though he kept them where he could easily reach like he had prepared to do this all along; it was at the top drawer in his room.โYou found it?โ he asked where he sat waiting for me. Yes it wasn't hidden at all.โI remember the first time I ever shaved my grandfather, I was eleven at the time. I had watched him do this frequently until this particular day he seemed to not be getting it right and then he called me and asked for my help. This was extremely exceptional. He may as well have just gone out to a barber or something but he never did except when he went to cut his hair. To him shaving had become more like a personal ritual, something that only he could do for himself. He used to say his father always warned himโ, I told Josh.โNever let another man shave you when you can do it yourself. It could be maiming. That's what Grandfather said his father used to say to him. So it was part
Charlotte McCartney โMommy the blue one it matches with your eyesโ, Kelcie called out like a hungry spectator.โThat's nice honey, but let the stylist do her job, I'm sure she knows this better than we all doโ, I answered. โActually she's absolutely correctโ, the stylist replied to me. โI was going to go for the blue one, but hearing her say it made it even more sensible. โHow old is she?โ She asked turning to have a look at Kelcie.โI'm five years old," Kelcie replied.โWowโฆ hi Kelcieโ, the stylist said, acknowledging her name. โShe sure is a smart oneโ, she said. โVery sharp and observantโ.โOh she isโ, I confessed, smiling proudly. โA little too observant for her ageโ, I added with a frown.โNo it's a good thing, very artistic in my opinionโ, she argued.This morning I had awoken to incessant knocks on my room door when I finally managed to get up and open the door, Lydia and Kelcie rushed past me into the room.โMommy you're awake!โ Kelcie said in excitement โYou're even still
Charlotte McCartney By the time I opened my eyes, the car had stopped moving. โWe have arrived at our destination Ms Charlotteโ, Jason said it felt like he had already said that earlier, but I was not sure exactly. โThis is where I say goodbyeโ, he said, smiling warmly. โWe are at the airport nowโ, I said, more to myself than to him. โWe are at the airport now maโamโ, He told me. Obviously, he had not heard me.โWake up baby, we're here nowโ, I said, tapping Kelcie lightly. โWake up my babyโ, I added, shaking her a little more vigorously.โMommyโ, she said, rubbing her sleepy eyes with her palms.โWake up baby you'll have plenty of time to sleepโ, I told her, smiling calmly.โAre we there now?โ She asked, a little more awake.โYes baby, we areโ, I answered calmly.โyay! We are here!โ Kelcie said, fully awake now. Jason held the door open for us as she spoke.โThis does not seem like the regular airport, Jason. Or am I mistaken?โ I questioned, with raised brows.โYou are not mista
Charlotte McCartneyโMommy are you okay?โ Kelcie asked, during the course of our ride to the airport.In truth, it was pretty evident that I was not very much interested in the whole display that went on there.โI'm fine Princessโ, I smiled, trying to conceal the anxiety and fear which had been aggravated after our appointment with Maketov.โAre you sure mommy?โ she inquired further as though it was pretty evident that whatever I seemed to be hiding was not all that hidden.โMommy is fine my babyโ, I said, drawing her to myself this time. It was amazingly soothing holding her in my arms as she wondered exactly what was going on. โMommy is just a little in doubtโ, I explained, minutes into embracing her. โThough it's nothing to worry about, everything is going to be alrightโ, I added, holding her much tighter to myself.The whole appointment was a total displeasing experience. It was not because of any unpleasant situation or that the workers within the establishment were slightly unb
Charlotte McCartneyโOh that's a very splendid choice Madame, but would you mind if I asked you a question thoughโ, Maskatev said, in an exquisite manner.โOh no problemโ, I said. โGo ahead and askโ, The man was evidently not the kind you denied such indulgence.โWhy choose the cream colour?โ, he asked a simple question, even though it was not one I had anticipated for at that moment my mind had completely gone somewhere else entirely.โI don't knowโ, I confessed. โI guess cream suits me a lot better. I like it, it's simple and looks comfortableโ, I said trying to give an explanation.โBut you haven't even tried it on yetโ, he said with a little smile on his lips. โCome on, people get her into that dress for meโ, he said and almost as soon as this was said, about five or six attendants hurriedly came to my side and escorted me to the end of the room where the dressing room was. The rest of them stayed back with Kelcie.The girls had me in the dress in no time and before I knew what w
Whitney McCartney โHi motherโ, I said, as I approached her. โWhitneyโ, Mother replied simply, without taking her eyes off the magazine she seemed to be engrossed in. For some reason though, I did not think she was really interested in the magazine. It felt like she was only acting to be interested in it just so she would avoid talking to me. I know this because I know Mother. If there was anything really intriguing about that magazine she would have been happy to talk about it.โOr maybe there is something intriguing in it and she is just too angry at me to want to tell me about itโ, I thought. The thought of this cut me deeply. โThis is all because of that stupid Charlotte that just refused to stay where she was supposed to be. I still don't know what was the need to do a wedding to solidify their stupid marriage in the first place. Talk more of making a big deal out of it so much as to come all the way here, to this mansion to inform Mother and try to rub his love for her in eve
Charlotte McCartneyMr Peter Masketov himself along with a chain of assistants were outside waiting by the time we got there. โMommy is that for us?โ Kelcie inquired as soon as we got to where the small crowd of people converged.โI don't know Kelcie, let's seeโ, I replied, โlet's seeโ, I repeated in my heart. โAlright, let's do thisโ, I said out loud, as the car revved to a halt, talking to myself much more than I was even telling her. We got out of the car. And set to head on to meet with the small crowd that was already smiling at us, a gesture of goodwill and show of an anticipated presence.โMa'amโ, the driver called back as we were about to join the convergence. โWhat time will be convenient for me to come back? I already have a time set to return but the boss signified that I inquire if you may want to take out some more time to do some other things before I return to take you to your destinationโ he said, speaking politely.โThe boss, Joshโ I thought. Up till now, I had not s
Whitney McCartney For the first time in my life I feel so insignificant. This house, this mansion where I was born, where I have always called home feels like a strange land to me. โWhat is this?โ I asked rhetorically, noticing a fading drawing on a small part of the mansionโs entrance. I walked closer to see what it was. โWhat is this? Why am I just seeing this?โ I asked myself as I stared at the fading image of a lion. โOh it's probably Grandfather's lion painting, the one mother was planning to have redrawn. So this is where it was?โ I thought. I had not noticed it in all the years I had walked past that entrance.โEverything feels so unfamiliar. This unusual silence that is screaming so loudly only began after Charlotteโs uninvited and unwelcome visitation. Why did she have to come here anyway? Why could she not stay where she was? Why did she come here? She should have stayed there, where she belongs, with that broken piece of shit that calls himself Joshโ, I thought, angrily.
Charlotte McCartneyโWeeeeeeee! That's how the plane goes mommy, weeeee!โ Kelcie said completely ecstatic. I wondered how it was possible to not have been infected by this cheerfulness. Evidently Josh had made it happen. Her dream of flying was finally coming through and yet I couldn't find it in me to be happy because I knew what happened and certainly what lay ahead may only have looked good but was not at all. โBefore I forget, your friend Maddie will be joining you two at the resortโ, Lydia informed me. โShe will be coming with a couple visitorsโ, she added.โWhich visitors?โ I asked, a little worried. I did not mind Maddie joining us at all. She would even be good companion. โBut who else would she bring?โ I asked myself, not wanting strangers. โIt would be easy to face my embarrassment with Maddie and Kelcie alone. Maddie could even defend me if the need arisesโ I thought.โDon't worry, it's not too many people. She will be coming along with her sister and her sister's daughter
Charlotte McCartneyโMommy! mommy! Get off the bed, we are already lateโ, Kelcie said, shaking me from my sleep.โI must have fallen asleep againโ, I thought, recalling I wanted to shower earlier.โLate for what?โ I asked, still very much asleep. Apparently, her shakes were courtesy of the fact that her baby strength had very little impact in doing what she had intended to do.โCome on now Charlotte, you can't still be this sleepyโ, Lydia said. I hadn't even noticed she was also here too.โI'm really having a hard time knowing what I'll be late forโ, I answered her.โOh so you really have forgotten then?โ she replied even in my daze I could hear the mild surprise in her voice.โMommy, we're supposed to go and see the dressers todayโ, Kelcie replied this time.โOh yes Charlotteโ, Lydia joined in,โYour appointment was set for this date, todayโ.โOh thatโ, I recalled loudly. โIs that even still happening?" I thought to myself. Today I was supposed to go to check out my wedding dress, fin
Charlotte McCartney By the time I came out of the bathroom my baby was no longer sleeping. She had turned on the bedroom light and was already out of the room as she usually did in the mornings. I looked up at the antique wall clock in our bedroom, โ7:41amโ, I said. โKelcie must be having her milkshakes by now or just talking to Lydiaโ, I thought, then it hit me like a blow.โLydia knowsโ, I said out loud. โShe knows. There is no way she doesn't know. She was the one who called Josh to come and conduct the wine tasting. We were supposed to do it together but she excused herself. I'm sure she would have expected me to do the same as soon as Josh arrived but I stayed, foolishlyโ, I thought.โThat's what mother always talked about. This is the same thing mother always said about me, the same reason she's always complaining. I'm so stupid. I never think before I act. I'm just so stupid. I could have left. There was nothing stopping me from leaving. But I stayed. Why? I could have left it