Chapter Twelve - Secrets

"Yes Dad your secret is safe with Me" Sienta replied

"Sorry for the prolonged absence guys, but early menopausal symptoms are ruining me, hot flashes, irritability, upset stomach and a host of other things" Yolande said with a sickly smile on her face

"How are you so sure Mother that it is not something else that is just not agreeing with your body. Have you swallowed or taken in something that you should not have recently that your body is allergic to?". Sienta asked with a sarcastic look of concern bathing her face

"No Sienta, the Doctor told me yesterday that it seems as if the family curse has befallen me about the same age your Grandmother was affected."

Her stare started to melt the makeup on Sienta brow

"Anyway it's food time Ladies" Roger said trying to defuse the tension.

The waiter was clad in a immaculate white shirt and black pants with razor sharp seams appeared with the three bowls of Wonton soup. The smell was intoxicating and as each bowl was served not even grace was said as all three members of the family seemed to have been captured in their own thoughts tried to drown their sorrows with each spoonful of the tasty hot beverage. The only thing that broke the sounds of slurping at the table was the disgusting belch from Roger Alexander.

"Sorry, the only thing I had all day was the two beers that I shared with Dominique."

"So Daddy, who is Dominique" Sienta asked

"He is an entrepreneur in the domestic transportation business and he is seeking Investors to move his Company that is currently listed on the Junior Stock Exchange to the next level. His company is called the Diplomatic Transporter"

"Sounds interesting sweet heart, does it sound promising and if it is please start small I know you're a risk taker and the possibility of high returns always seems to grab you." Yolande remarked

"Yes Daddy, please no big jumps please or else we could end up in prison or even the mad house." Sienta said with a smirk on her face

"You two are supposed to be on my side and be willing to follow me to the end of the earth, for better or for worse, for richer or poorer; in sickness or in health." Roger replied

"I'm sorry Daddy I did not take that vow at all, I love you but Mummy here is the one that took that vow and she has been drilling into my head from an early age that every tub must sit on it's own bottom. That means she is the one stuck with you until death and you must take responsibility for your own actions" Sienta said apologetically.

"Roger, she is sending us a message that at the first sign of trouble she is going to throw your name away and run, no loyalty to the Family name that has provided her the with roof over her head, clothes on her back or food in her stomach or even the education in her head. The position of influence and prestige that she had relied on for the past twenty odd years" Yolande fired back

"Mummy, I said no such thing, why are you trying to put words in my mouth Mother , I much preferred how it was before Daddy belched, quiet and pensive." Sienta returned a volley

"What is the matter, between the both of you I have the impression the two of you are not Seeing Eye to eye on anything, always sniping at each other. That has to stop now. I will not have it under my roof. " Roger said firmly

"Well Daddy your wish may be closer that you think, I am moving out I need my space and I think I need to spread my wings to see what it's like out there in the real world." Sienta growled

"No baby your mother and I have worked damn hard to provide you with the finer things in life and now you want to throw it all away to see what the cruel world will do to you. I can tell you this it will eat you up and then spit you out Sienta. You were not built to run with the crowd, you are a cut above the rest, you were designed and bred for the great house looking down on the servants. " Roger pleaded

"No, Roger let her leave, that is just the reason why she is so spoilt and believes that everything centres on her. Life has been way too easy, let her go out and feel the burn and the press of the natives. We grew up through the University of the Streets and had to learn to survive, it is time that she learns to do the same. She is an adult, let her get a job and work for what she deserves, no more expense account and driver to provide an escort service. It is time for the rubber to meet the road and we will sit back and see if the feistiness and disrespectful behaviour will not be tempered by the hard knocks of life. Remember that a child should honour and obey your parents so that your days may be long. I am sick and tired of her rudeness and snide remarks. She has no idea what I've had to do to keep a roof over her head or clothes on her back and then she comes to pass judgement on my actions."

"Yolande, where on earth is all of this coming from, I thought we were all good and it's just the petty things that we needed to sort out as one happy family. I left here a couple of years ago and I've been in constant communication with both of you and I am frankly surprised at the venom you are spewing towards Sienta right now." Roger asked

"Daddy, before, she answers, I think that I too have enough of this dolly house and I have to leave for my next appointment. I will call you Daddy". Sienta replied

This time Roger's reflexes where not fast enough to catch the falling chair as Sienta pushed with all her strength, the falling chair clattered against the adjoining chair and disturbing the entire restaurant that was now crowded. He stood up and raised his hand and apologised to the crowd, while Yolande hissed her teeth and rolled her eyes at her daughter's actions.

"Sit down Roger, let her go I am sure she will be back when she has partied out the money I gave her two days ago. Just watch and see." Yolande shouted

"Yolande that is my baby, leaving my presence on a sour note, where is she going to rest her head tonight and she must be starving." Roger replied with a tinge of anger.

"Roger, she will survive, she is a lot stronger than you think and she has my spirit with your looks." Yolande said in a calmer tone

"What is the problem between the two of you Yolande,?" Roger asked

"Pure hormones Roger, Anyway let's eat the food is here." Yolande sighed "

Roger watched as Sienta ran across the road her blonde hair fell across her shoulders and swayed with her hips. He watched as she entered the Taxi and was whisked away. His heart sank deep into his soul as Yolande sank her teeth in the sizzling stewed pork and licked her lips as the succulent juices dripped from the corner of her ruby red lips.