Sitting at the dinner table, I suddenly understood what home meant. Right before me were delicacies that I'd long forgotten. Delicacies that my mom prepared every festive period. Seeing the array of dishes on the dining table, the familiar faces of the people sitting at the table, I could not stop the tear that rolled down my eyes.
5 years ago
“Doctor, how is my mom?” I asked Doctor Stefan, who was my family's physician.
“Miss Anabel, I need you to stay strong okay. Your mom has kicked the bucket. I'm so sorry” he said as he gave me a light pat on the shoulder.
“No……ooooo” I screamed but there was nothing I could do. I watched as the nurses closed her face and prepared her body for cremation according to tradition. I stood there numb and unable to cry anymore.
The funeral process went smoothly. I spread my mom's ashes across the lake according to her wishes but I knew that nothing would be the same again.
It didn't take up to one month when my paternal uncle came with a lawyer and some fake documents to drive me out of the house. I didn't resist for I saw this coming.
He couldn't do anything for many years after my dad's demise because my mom was his greatest obstacle. Now that she's gone, he didn't waste any time.
I walked for hours with my suitcase. The sun did not spare me as it scorched every part of my body. My throat was parched and my feet were aching. I was only fourteen with nowhere to go.
I sat down near the city gate. I needed help, quickly at that. My stomach grumbled, a reminder that I had not eaten anything since 7:30 am. Just then, a kind elderly woman walked up to me, squatted down to my eye level and asked my name.
“My name is Anabel Hawthorne ma'am,” I replied.
“A beautiful name for a beautiful girl. Are you hungry?” She asked me and I nodded to her in response. “Okay, let's go get you something to eat” and with that she led me to get some food. I gave my thanks but it seemed like there was more to come.
“Do you have a place to stay. I can see you've got your luggage with you” she said smiling down at me. My eyes teared up and all I could do was nod. She was kind enough not to ask me any more questions while she graciously offered me a place to stay in her house.
I accepted and stayed with Grandma Marie as I have come to learn more about her. Staying with her was a much needed reprieve. Soon I forgot the pain of losing my mom as I came to adapt in my new address.
Present time
One day on my way to the market on my regular weekend grocery shopping while I was searching for an item on the shelf, a lady bumped into me. “I'm so sorry dear” she said but gasped in shock when she looked at my face. “Mirabel, Ist you?” She asked.
I was taken aback to have heard mom's name from her mouth but I politely replied to her in the negative. “ My name is Anabel Hawthorne ma'am not Mirabel and like a flash of lightning, she drew me in for a bear hug. I just stood stiff as she hugged me. Then with tears in her eyes, she held my cheeks and introduced herself.
“I'm your aunt Suzie dear. It's been so long. I had a falling out with your mom over your dad's family. I was not happy with the way they treated her but your mom refused to leave. She said you deserved to be with your dad and I left. You were barely three years old then” she said, still touching my cheeks.
“How’s my sister doing?” Aunt Suzie inquired.
“My mom passed away five years ago aunt. I was also kicked out of the house by my uncle. I have been living with a kind elderly lady ever since” I told her.
I think my aunt Suzie has a knack for hugs because before I knew it, she was hugging me tightly again. We finished our shopping respectively and she requested to see grandma Marie to which I obliged.
Two weeks later, I and grandma Marie moved from that city to my aunt's place in the suburbs. Turns out that my mom's family were loaded but she eloped with my dad against their wishes and secretly got married.
Aunt Suzie came out to welcome us and led us inside. She introduced me to every family member around. I was happily received and welcomed. Grandma Marie was appreciated for taking good care of me and a welcome dinner was underway.
Now as I sat at the table, I felt a deep sense of peace that I was home.
Thank you all for reading.
Images were imagined with Meta Ai.