Chapter 9
Next morning was Monday. Mia was in her friend’s house and Rose had to take her before she goes to her work at the library, but Linda was sleeping and she had to go walking or in a bus. Rose didn’t slept very well the whole night just thinking in Jack but she was sure what she did was the best for them. And he was right, she still had some feelings for Cal, but nobody can choose who’s gonna love. It was sure that she indeed feel something for Jack, but it was too early to say it’s love, and it was too early to begin a relationship. Rose had learned with her mistake, and after all she had now more important things to think about, like her mother’s death and what she was going to do about it. She wasn’t sure if she would go and talk to her father, after all he should be the one to come and apologize, not her, because she didn’t do nothing wrong. And going back now could make him think that she was coming after her mother’s money.
Rose decided to walk to Jonathan’s house. She dressed her old favourite jeans, a white t-shirt and a white cotton coat, put her hair in a ponytail, passed a cream on her face and exited home without eating breakfast. About 25 or 30 minutes later she arrived Jonathan’s house. She knocked on the door and waited for somebody to open it. A few minutes later Jonathan’s mother, Susan, opened the door.
“Good morning Rose…” Susan said
“Good morning…I’m sorry I know it’s still too early…but I have to take Mia to school before I go to work…” Rose said smiling
“Don’t worry…the kids are still sleeping…don’t you want to come in and have breakfast with us? While that I’ll go wake the kids…” Susan said smiling too
“I would love too but I can’t get late to work…if you don’t mind to wake Mia and tell her to come…” Rose explained
“I see…come in while I’ll call her…” Susan said
“I’ll wait here…don’t bother with me…” Rose said
“Okay…” Susan said
She returned inside the home and Rose stayed outside waiting. Her cell phone rang.
“Hello…” she said
“Rose…” a familiar voice said
“Yes…who’s this?” she asked
“It’s Jack…is this a proper time?” he asked
“Jack…sure…what’s the matter?” she asked
“I wondered if you wanted to have lunch with me today…unless you have something else of course…” he said
“I’ll have my lunch time at noon…I work in the library today…” she said
“Can I go take you at noon then?” he asked
“Sure…”
“See you later then…”
“Bye…see you later…”
She turned the phone off thinking if she had done the right thing. While that Mia was coming with Susan. She run to hug her mother.
“Mommy I missed you…” she said while hugging Rose
“I missed you too dear…did you had fun?” Rose asked smiling
“She behaved herself as a lady…” Susan said
“I’m glad to hear that…” Rose said
“Uncle Jack didn’t come with you?” Mia asked
“I didn’t knew you had a brother…” Susan said
“No, he’s not my brother…he’s a friend…and Mia calls him uncle…” Rose said
“I’m so sorry if I was inconvenient…” Susan said embarrassed
“Okay…now we have to go miss…” Rose said to Mia
“Bye Susan…” Mia said
“Bye Mia…” Susan said
“Thank you so much Susan…for everything…” Rose said
“It was a pleasure…anytime you need someone to stay with her please don’t hesitate…” Susan said
“Thanks but that won’t be necessary…it would be such and abuse” Rose said
“Not at all…by the way how was your party last night?” Susan said
“Not a big deal…now we really must go…” Rose said taking Mia’s hand
“See you later then…” Susan said and closed the door
Mia and Rose started walking back home. Mia was singing a song she just had learnt on the party.
“Yo ho ho ho…a pirate’s life for me…” Mia was always singing
“Where did you learn that?” Rose asked surprised and laughing
“Jonathan taught me…in his pirate’s party…” Mia said smiling
“Pirate’s party? But I thought his mother said a pyjama party…” Rose replied
“Yes but we say a pirate’s movie and then we played to pirates…but they didn’t let me be a pirate…” Mia said angrily
“Oh and why would that be?” Rose asked playing with her
“Because they said girls can’t be pirates…is that true mommy?” she asked
“Well…” Rose said unsure of what she was going to say “Girls can be whatever they want…and I’m sure you would be a great pirate…” she said passing her hand on Mia’s head
“Did you talked to uncle Jack?” Mia asked
“Yesterday…why?” Rose asked surprised
“I missed him…he’s so funny…” Mia said smiling
Rose looked at her surprised.
“Really? And why is that?” Rose asked to see her reaction
“Mommy…why I don’t have a daddy?” Mia asked serious
Rose stopped. She didn’t knew what to say.
“Of course you have a daddy…but he’s not here…” she said
“Jonathan’s daddy lives in his house…why mine doesn’t live in our house?” she continued asking
“Because your daddy lives in his house…with his family…” Rose explained
“He doesn’t like me?” she asked a bit sad
“Of course he likes you…he just doesn’t have much time to see us…” Rose lied
“I don’t care…if he’s not here I can get another daddy…” Mia said decided
“And who would you choose?” Rose asked laughing
“Uncle Jack…because he likes me…” Mia said
Rose didn’t saw that coming.
“We must hurry up…” she said continuing to walk with Mia
While that Jack was at his house. It was the day that Alicia will be leaving the house and he was there to help her with her things. She was in the room packing her clothes and he was in the balcony looking at the view and thinking about Rose. Alicia interrupted him.
“I’m ready…” she said behind him
He turned around immediately. She was carrying a small bag and her purse and had a couple of other bags near the door.
“Do you want me to take you home?” he asked
“No…I’ve called a taxi…he must arrive soon…” she said
“Okay…” he said
Jack entered the living room and Alicia followed him.
“Who is she?” Alicia asked
“Who?” Jack answered pretending that he didn’t knew who was she talking about
“You know who…the girl that went with you to the party last night…” Alicia said
“Ah…she’s a friend…” he said
“Do you know her since when?” she asked
“Why are you asking all these questions?” he asked angrily
“Because if you’re leaving me for her I want to know if she worthy to replace me…” Alicia wiping a small tear on her left eye
“You know it’s not that…” Jack said feeling sorry for her
“Then why all this?” she asked now in tears “Everything was so fine…we were so happy…and from one moment to another…you stopped loving me…” she added
“I…I didn’t…I didn’t stopped loving you…I just need some time for myself…to think…” he said
“About what? If nothing had changed you wouldn’t be acting this way…we were so happy…you even talked about marriage…and now all this…there must be someone else…” she insisted
“What do you want me to say? That there’s someone else? I can’t do that…you know why? Because there isn’t anybody else…” he almost yelled
“I love you Jack…you have no idea how much I love you…” she said passing her hand on his face
“It’s not forever…it’s just for a few days…please I need you to give me that time…” he said looking in her eyes
She kissed him and he allowed it. A few minutes later they both heard the taxi arriving.
“I’ll help you with the bags…” Jack said walking to the door
Alicia looked one more time to the whole apartment. She remembered the first time she went there, the nights they spent together on that sofa watching TV, their love nights on the room, they’re bubble baths together, when she was interrupted by Jack calling her and telling to hurry up. She walked to the door and looked to a small table with some pictures of them together, and then she exited and closed the door. Jack put her bags on the car and gave money to the driver to pay her race and then opened the door for her.
“Thanks…” she said
“We see us around…” he said
She entered the car and he closed the door. As he watched her leave he was feeling bad but happy at the same time. Inside of the car, Alicia was washed in tears. She looked back through the mirror and saw him there staying more and more far from her. On the radio was passing the song “Caught in a moment” sung by Sugababes. She laid her head back and kept crying and listening to the song.