Chapter 9

Sitting in coffee shop that Tristan and I decided to meet up in, I think about the future. The future of the unknown, Grandma always says her favourite Bible phrase ‘So do not worry about tomorrow; it will have enough worries of its own’, so focus on the today. I’m going to come up with an answer by the end of the day. It’s already been a week since I found out the news of my ancestry and a week left until I go back to London for Christmas. Why can’t time halt?

“You came early” Tristan announces his arrival as he sits down.

“I had a class in the morning” I say as I sit up.

“You should try the brownies from this place, they’re amazing” Tristan signals a waiter to come and orders himself a large café mocha and the chocolate brownie without even looking at the menu, he probably comes here a lot.

“Anything for you miss?” the waiter says glancing through his glasses.

“I’ll have a brownie and a hot chocolate, thank you” I say with a smile.

“Sure, maybe my number with it?” he smirks as he gives a wink.

I give a nervous chuckle taken back by his comment.

“That’ll be all, thanks” Tristan says eyeing the guy up and down.

Once we’ve had a bite each of the brownie, I start to question Tristan to get a clear picture of what to decide.

“Do you have any idea why Randall used to stand outside my place?”

“Anyone would guard their priced possession, which for them is you”.

“Then why don’t they guard it anymore?”

“They don’t need to, you’re more aware of your surroundings so if something goes wrong, you know what to do” Tristan says taking a sip of his coffee.

I clear my throat before I ask the next question, “they said you’re the reason that I got involved in this. Are you the bad guy and how do you know all this?”

“Every misunderstood person is a bad guy; did you see an empty chair?”

My eyebrows knit together, “Yeah, next to Randall. Why?”

“That was my seat, I was a part of them, that’s why I know all this information” Randall scoffs “guess they forgot to tell you”.

“You were?” I glance at my phone and realise I’m going to be late “I have to go, I’m sorry”.

Before I can go off Tristan stops my path, “have you decided?”

“Not yet, I’ll make my decision by the end of the day. Bye” I walk around Tristan heading to my class quickly. I’ve got one more place to stop at to take the right decision.

***********

Lying my head in grandma’s lap as she runs her hand through my hair, all the problems fade away as I’m transported into another world. Grandma is humming as she continues but I need to stay focused.

“Grandma do you know anything about our ancestors?”

“I was waiting until you asked, I heard from your father you were enquiring about them. Sienna there’s not that much to know but here is a journal of your grandfathers. It was passed down to him, maybe this will give you some answers”. Grandma hands me an indigo-coloured journal with some pages hanging out of it slightly, the only thing holding it together from breaking completely is a string wrapped tightly.

“Are you sure that I can take it?” I enquire as I hold the precious book in my hand.

“Of course, there’s not much that I can do with it. Your grandfather would’ve wanted you to have it”.

“Thank you so much” I say as I get off from the bed and give a kiss to grandma before running off to my room.

I open the strings which causes the broken pages to fall out, I take the rest of the loose pages and start to put it into order of the date written. The dates aren’t consistent and there’s even century gaps between some of them. It takes me about an hour sticking the pages into place so that it’ll be easier to read. There’s even a name log, the last name is of my grandfathers. My dad hasn’t even read it, it’s like a generation got missed. Whatever be the case I’m happy he didn’t get dragged into this, he has enough stress. I recheck the last page in case I’ve missed a page out and it’s written by my grandad.

I pick up the book again knowing that the journey I’m about to begin, whether good or bad, is something that will stick with me for life, with trembling hands I turn the page to read what lies ahead…