Chapter 6: MEMORY LANE {1}

Natasha woke up with puffy red eyes, she had bags under them and it was very obvious that she didn't get much sleep last night. She went to work and had to sit through meetings with her agent, got home late, and couldn't sleep early, she barely slept for two hours but still managed to wake up late.

She overslept, and inwardly cursed herself before hurrying into the living room.

Today was a Saturday and she was worried no one was looking after Lucy, she felt bad for waking up late.

There were footprints in the living room, white footprints to be specific and it eventually led to the kitchen.

Oh, Lucy... what have you done this time....

Instead of meeting a mess, she saw Jeremy flipping pancakes, Lucy was really getting entertained and she was clapping her hands happily as he flipped each one successfully

" I told you I'm an expert," Jeremy said proudly.

She expected Lucy to agree with him but instead, she shrugged her shoulders.

" I have to taste it first, then I'll decide if it's better than Momma's, although I don't think it will be"

Hmmmm, so it was a contest.

" Don't be a doubting Thomas" Jeremy cautioned

" Huh?" Lucy asked looking confused

" Hehehe, finally something Lucy doesn't know. Just give it a try"

Lucy dug into a plate of pancakes covered in Maple syrup and whip cream.

Natasha, laughed inwardly as she watched Lucy taste, she looked like a cute kitten as she gently chewed and swallowed, her eyes lit up and she smiled brightly. Apparently, his cooking skills were better than she thought.

" It tastes so good" she squealed in excitement.

" Ha, I told you so. And the best part was that I didn't cheat. So is it better than your mum's? " he asked after gloating

Lucy spent a few seconds thinking about it, rubbing her finger on her chin before she finally spoke" Yes

Jeremy did a victory dance in the middle of the kitchen rejoicing that he was right and Lucy turn back and mouthed the words "I'm just kidding" to her mum.

Natasha was really surprised that she knew she was there all along. Seriously, is there something Lucy doesn't know? she asked herself.

" It really can't be that good" she voiced out, Lucy was probably exaggerating, he didn't look like he could cook.

Suddenly taken back, Jeremy was startled " Hey, I didn't see you there"

" I was here through it all "

" including the fight for who's scarier ? " he asked.

"Huh?" Lucy was silently giggling, knowing her mum was probably still asleep then.

" Ummmm, nothing," he said covering up." Will you like to taste it? It's really good" even better than yours, your daughter said so.

" Yeah sure," she agreed and slowly took a bite while Jeremy waited patiently. "Mmmm, it tastes so good, you're an expert at cooking?"

Scoffing, he replied "More like an expert at making pancakes, it's essential for living"

" You betcha," she said taking another bite.

" Momma calm down, you're gonna finish it," Lucy said upset her mum wasn't taking it slow.

Jeremy let out a loud laugh as he watched the mother and daughter duo.

"I'm sure there's enough for everyone"

I felt all tired and exhausted so I decided to take a quick stroll, heading out, without having a specific destination.

I just kept on walking and walking and eventually, I got to the park. I let out a laugh as I remembered the memories I had at parks.

I vividly recalled the day my dad died, eight years old I looked up at my mother and slowly listened to her sob. She told me dada has gone to heaven, it took me a whole second to understand what she meant. I didn't say anything, I just walked away and headed towards the park, leaving my mother alone as she broke down in tears.

I sat on the swing set and watched other children play with their parents and friends.

A little girl with bright blue eyes saw me from the corner of her eyes and ran towards me.

With each step she took, her ponytails dangled by the side and she wore a bright smile.

Stopping once she got to me, she held my hand firmly and pulled me away from the swing set.

I slapped her hand away "Ouch, what you do that for? "

Completely ignoring her, I kept staring into space, she got the message and sat beside me.

" I just wanted you to come to play," she said after minutes of silence.

" I don't want to play, why will you grab my arm? it's not right to do that to a stranger"

She raised her head until she faces me and replied " I saw you sitting here all sad, and you don't have friends to play, so I thought you'll want to play"

" I already told you I don't want to play, just go"

She looked offended, got down from the swing set, and walked away.

I lowered my head and sighed softly, there's no way Papa is in heaven, he promised to take me to the park tomorrow and then we'll go to the cinema to watch a movie and I'll get cotton candy and we'll go to the mall and I'll get a new video game.

No.. there's no way I'll cry, papa is still alive and he'll come back to get me, he promised he'll never leave me so he won't, I trust him.

I sat there convincing myself that he'll come back, he never did but she came back.

She tapped my shoulder and brought me out of my thoughts.

I winced slightly " What do you want this time? " I asked irritably

She didn't reply but instead held out her hand " My name is Hannah, nice to meet you"

I stared at her, she's obviously not going to leave even if I tell her to.

I reached for her hand and permanently accepted her hands of friendship. Her persistence was attractive, just a little bit annoying. One that I would be holding unto for a very long time.