Chapter 5

Renee

"Oh come on, honey it's not like I am asking you to go steal in a bank. Stop yelling like that." My mom scolded, I could hear her shuffling things in the background.

"Mommmmm, I don't want to stay with him. Please can we do something else?" I whined, making her huff on her end.

"Like what? Huh?" She asked, her voice almost high-pitched.

I know she was getting frustrated with my drama but I didn't care. They can't have their way.

"I don't know. Maybe, let me come to wherever you guys are after my exams. I don't mind taking the plane all the time." I pleaded, using the voice I know works on her. My baby voice.

But she caught me, "No Renee, I know what you are doing and it won't work this time. You hate flying, remember?” She reminds me.

Yea, how can I forget?

“You are staying with Ivor and that's up for no discussion." She declared sternly in that motherly voice

"Babe, is she still adamant?" I heard my dad asking in the background.

My mom's voice became hush and I could only pick. "Yes babe, I don't know what to do with her." and everything became silent.

I thought she hung up but she was still on the line when I checked my phone.

"Mom? Mom? Mom? Are you there?" I called out before some more shuffling was heard in the background making me wonder what she was doing.

"What? Yes, I am."

I don't even know why they want me to stay with him. It's not like they can't afford the money to buy a ticket for me.

Again, I hate flying but who cares?

"Mom, I seriously don't like this. You should have asked what I wanted before making this arrangement." I made sure she heard the displeasure in my voice.

"We know sweetie. We thought..." It's my dad speaking now. "We thought this would be a good idea. We can't have you risking your life every holiday." He explained, emphasizing on the ‘risking your life’.

My determination started to waver and I could see logic in his words, but I didn't want to give up easily.

"Dad, even at that. I deserve the chance to voice out what I want. You should have asked if I wanted to stay with him." I complained, rolling my eyes even though I knew he couldn't see me.

"Did you just roll your eyes at your dad?" Mom's voice came on again, startling me.

How did she know?

"Ha, I did nothing of that sort. You can't even see me." I said, scratching my neck.

"Yes, I can't but I know what you are capable of." She chastises.

"No Mom, I didn't, and stop going off point. I am not staying with Uncle Ivor. Surely, there is a way to go around all this." I tried to reason with them.

"Why?" She asked

"What do you mean why?"

"Why don't you want to stay with him?"

And that's the question I have been dreading. Why don't I want to stay with him?

'Because you are too scared to face your fear.' my inner voice taunted.

Oh, shush… be quiet.

"Uhm, nothing. I guess."

"Nothing? Just like that?" She asked again.

"Yes, mom."

"What did you do, Renee Margaretta Morse?" She screamed on the phone, almost destroying my eardrum. I hastily move the phone from my ear.

Jeez, why would she think I did something?

"I didn't do anything, Mom," I answered after she calmed down.

"Nothing? Then why are you so hell-bent on not staying with him? Isn't he your favorite uncle anymore?" She half teased, half mocked me.

"I want to come back home. Won't you miss me?" I asked her.

"Oh, honey." Her tone softened, "you are an adult now. You don't have to always come back home to us. You would have to leave eventually." She said, making zero sense.

My brow creased and my nose twitched in confusion. "What are you saying, mom?"

"You would get married eventually, sweetie."

"Seriously, mom"

"Yes, I am. You are not our baby girl anymore."

"Ugh, mom. Did I tell you I am getting married anytime soon?"

"Yes honey, and you would be surprised when it comes earlier than you expect." She said lovingly and I am sure she is staring at my dad right now.

Now people wonder where I got my loving nature from. It's from them.

"Please Mom, stop going off point. Can I stay alone?"

"No, Yes." Dad replied, "You can stay wherever you want but we want you to stay with Ivor. He is our family and the closest to you. The one who would protect you at all cost."

Yeah, do you have wet dreams about your family?