The Reunion

Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock

The ticking of the clock seems to be loud enough that it pounds in Blaire’s heart.

She’s too nervous as she waits inside the coffee shop. Today is the day where she gets to meet her family once again.

‘Would they still recognize me?’ she asked herself.

She keeps on touching the hem of her skirt as she sips the frappuccino she ordered. She keeps on glancing at the clock inside the coffee shop.

One minute had passed since their scheduled time.

‘Aren’t they going to meet me?’

‘It’s past the time.’

‘Don’t they want to meet me?’

‘Are they lost?’

‘Maybe I gave them the wrong instruction?’

Those were her thoughts as she keeps on looking at the entrance of the shop whenever she hears the chimes. She then checks on her phone for any messages or missed calls from her brother.

Nothing.

A thought crossed her mind which made her nervous.

‘What if he learned that I was released from the prison?’

‘What if he learned that my family’s about to meet me? Did he threaten them?’

Blaire became anxious when she thought about her family receiving a threat from him. She then scanned the faces of the people inside and outside the shop, trying to find a familiar and suspecting face that might represent Rainier and/or any of his bodyguards within the vicinity. When she couldn’t find someone, she then started composing a message to her family to give her any sign if they’re being threatened or something came up, hindering them from meeting her.

The sound of the door chimes could then be heard as she composed the message. She’s too focused and nervous to look at the customer who entered the shop.

Then suddenly, something caught her attention when she heard a light sound on top of her table.

“Hi”

One word and it made Blaire cry her heart out.

She finally got to meet her parents and her brother, who were all having their eyes swollen which are now brimming with tears as they meet their beloved Blaire once again.

They’re gaining the attention of all the people inside the coffee shop but they don’t seem to mind.

“You’ve become skinnier, Blaire, I could barely feel you when I’m hugging you a while ago,” Tyler commented as they sat.

Blaire made a face. She hates it when people remind her of her physical body state, even if they’re her family.

“Come on, you just met your sister and that’s the first thing you’ll say?” Bennett said while nudging his son.

“Don’t mind your brother, honey. You know he has trouble expressing his feelings because he’s undergoing puberty,” Thylane, Blaire’s mother said.

The three of them laughed while Tyler grimaced.

Tyler retaliated and tried to make fun of their father as they order their food. They then turned to their mother so that all of them would receive a half-insult that would lead them to laugh their asses out.

“Blaire, be honest with me. How are you?” Thylane asked her as they sat on a bench at the park while Bennett and Tyler were playing Frisbee.

“I’m doing good, ma. It’s hard to adjust, but I met amazing people who acknowledge my skills and not my past.”

“I’m worried for you. Your brother’s right, you became skinnier. Are you still eating lots of food?”

“I don’t eat lots of food now but I make sure that I am eating enough so my work won’t be affected. Thanks for your concern, ma.”

Thylane hugged her daughter and Blaire hugged her back.

“Know that your family loves you, okay?” she whispered to her daughter.

Blaire nodded before answering. “I love you too,” she said, with tears forming in her eyes.

She then received a kiss on the forehead from her mother before letting go of the hug.

“Why don’t you go back home? You’re already acquitted, you’ve proven your innocence, so you don’t have to be separated from us from now on,” her mother said.

Blaire shook her head.

“I can’t, ma. I don’t know if Rainier would just easily accept that I was acquitted from the accusation. I can’t risk dragging you all from his hatred. It’s better this way that he doesn’t know about my whereabouts.”

Thylane sighed.

“I just wanted to see you every time so I’d know you’re safe,” she said.

Blaire held her mom’s hands and smiled at her.

“Mom, you don’t have to worry about me. I can handle myself. Trust me,” she said. “If I need some help, I won’t hesitate to call you, don’t worry,” she added.

Her mom sighed again.

“You really are a grown-up now, Blaire. I’m happy, yet sad at the same time,” she said, making Blaire smile before laughing.

“I just hope that you’ll need our help more than you could think you’re an independent now, so you’d contact us frequently,” she added.

Blaire widened her eyes.

“Come on, ma. Don’t wish for me to have bad luck!” she retorted.

Both of them laughed afterward.

“Hey! Don’t just sit and laugh there! Join us!”

Suddenly Tyler shouted, calling their attention. Both he and his father were looking at them, making silly faces.

Frisbee is the sport they all enjoyed so Blaire and her mother gladly joined and they happily played for hours. Blaire and Tyler are teammates while Thylane and Bennett are their opponents.

They spent hours playing and gathered an audience as well as additional players in their team. In the end, the team of Bennett and Thylane won against Blaire and Tyler’s team.

“It was a good game,” Thylane commented as they drink the water in the water fountain located near the restroom of the park.

“You’re still not a good match against us,” Bennett said, insulting their children.

Blaire and Tyler both grunted as they’re too busy drinking.

“You just won by 1 point. You’re slower than before,” Blaire retorted.

“It’s because they’re aging,” Tyler added, making their parents hit their backs.

They know that their parents hated to be reminded that they’re going old so the two always use it to tease their parents.

After minutes of teasing their parents, they started telling goodbyes as they parted ways.

“Take care, Blaire. Keep us updated, okay?” Bennett said as he hugs his daughter.

“Yes, dad. I will,” Blaire answered while hugging his father back.

“I will keep your number, sis. In case you need something, I’m one call away,” Tyler said. Blaire nodded and hugged him.

“Don’t hesitate to let us know when you need money, okay?” Thylane said while teary-eyed.

“Of course, ma. I love you,” she answered as she hugged her mother.

“I love you too,” her mom said.

They are two blocks away from Blaire’s apartment so she doesn’t have to ride a public vehicle just to get to her apartment, although she waited for her family to hire a taxi before she started walking back to her apartment.