Family II

Catherine faintly heard Jennifer's voice calling her name and simultaneously shaking her. Catherine managed to open her eyes but Jennifer's form was blurry, her head banged, there and then she passed out. When she woke up for a second time she was on a hospital bed with a broken ankle and a wounded head, her father was sitting beside her. "Cathy! You are awake, finally! I've waited all night, are you in pain anywhere? should I call the doctor? Yes, I have to call the doctor." "Dad," Catherine said before he was out of her sight, "I am so sorry, dad!"

"Mum! Wake up, you are having a dream." Catherine opened her eyes, it's morning and she was soaked in sweat and distorted, she felt disoriented. It's been ages since she's had these dreams, and she was glad Jordan caught in before the actual nightmare set in. "It's okay Mum, you'll be fine." Jordan said to her as he hugged her really tight. "Okay gentleman, I need to breathe now." "I am sorry Mum, I'll let go in a moment." "I could use a moment" she said, hugging him back and kissing his temple as she fought tears back and steadied her breathing. "I love you baby!" "Love you!"

Catherine was scrambling some eggs for breakfast as Jordan was blabbing about how his birthday party was going to be. She only responded with "yes," "okay" and "sure", but she wasn't quite following. The telephone ring startled her, "Can you get that for me please," Jordan stared at her before he nodded and sprinted towards the living room, this boy ever walk? she thought, God knows he barely walks. "Mum it's James," Jordan said as he joined her in kitchen, "James from work." he specified as his form teacher calls himself James too. "I told him you are busy now you can't talk, but I'll let you know he called." Jordan studied her as he waited for a response which seemed to be taking forever, "Or did you rather I said something different? I know you don't like coupling cooking with anything." "You did well Jordan, thank you, I was just wondering why he called it's weekend so it better not be work." But she knew exactly why he called, James and gossip are like twins. "You can go grab the phone if you want, I can finish setting up." "No, I'll talk to him after breakfast."

Jordan was staring intently at her throughout breakfast, she sighed when she had enough, "I told you staring too long is rude and you know I don't particularly like it" Jordan made a waving gesture, "I am sorry." "Now what's on your mind?" "A lot!" "You can tell me." Jordan looked at her as if trying to figure out if she really meant what she said. She obviously don't like how this boy scruitinizes with his eyes, it makes her uncomfortable. "You were calling your Dad in your dream." "That's not a question." She said when he seemed reluctant to go on. "And you never talked about him." "Okay?" "Mum do we have any family left?" he said finally. "Yes of course, what about the Butterworths?" He gave her that look again. "They are family friends, I mean real family." okay he's sure not a kid anymore. "Yes Jordan, we do." "When are we going to Ireland Mum?" She has been expecting that question because he's been singing it like mantra, but it stung her, guess she will never get used to it. "We need a vacation to do that honey, you've got school and I, work." "But why hasn't anyone visited?" "Same reason as ours, I guess. Besides, I told you it's just my Dad and his wife and I never met her." Jordan only nodded and concentrated on his tea, not looking at her or saying anything again. She knew she disliked his scruitiny, claimed it's too much for his age but right now she's not comfortable with him ignoring her presence as well, but she knew better than to complain, the boy's got questions.

It was almost noon. Catherine and Jordan were in the living room, the former sorting newsletters on her PC while the latter just finished his homework and was playing video game. Catherine groaned as her mobile phone rang, she picked the phone and the caller made her expression even worse. "Hi James, I am sorry I didn't get back to you, Jordan told me you called." Catherine said immediately she answered. "Hello Catherine, it's okay I knew you wouldn't call back. How's your day?" That's very true James, I never planned to call back. "My day is going well, again I am sorry for yesterday." "We'll talk about yesterday when next I see you. How are the newsletters going, have they been mailed yet." "On them boss, they'll be mailed in a bit." "Okay that's great. Can I get my dinner date today please, I know it's a short notice to reschedule so tomorrow will do just fine." Holy fuck, Catherine thought, can I even get the weekend for me? "My today's to do list is a little tight, but I'll see what I can do for tomorrow's, am not promising though." "That's fine, I really wish you make it." "I'll try." "Alright then, I'll be expecting to hear from you, take care." he hung. Jordan turned to look at her, "Another date invitation?" "Do you ever mind your business?" Jordan winked and grinned at once, a gesture that says guilty as charged. "Anyway, you are right, another dinner invitation and guess what? If am going, you are coming with me so next time learn to mind your business." "Mum!" he cried, "Whoever goes to date with their kids as third wheels?" "Catherine Elijah!" "Catherine Elijah, you are unbelievable!" Catherine rolled her eyes at him. "You have thirty minutes to round that up, Robert will be here in an hour or so, you can't keep him waiting. lunch is ready when you are."

Catherine went straight to the kitchen for lunch. She struggled to eat her pasta without paying attention to the voices in her head, a lot is going on up there. For the sake of her boy, she has to stay sane and her past is crawling back with the only intention of ripping her off it. She sighed and whispered to herself, "You can do this cat, you have survived a lot worse, all you have to do is forget about yesterday." With that, she felt lit up, ready and about. The power of self motivation. After lunch, she went straight to the shower, to prepare for their shopping. Dressing up in faded Mummy jeans and tight brown sweater that reflects the color of her eyes and emphasis on her feminine beauty, Catherine held her hair in a highschool girl style. Wearing a matching brown boots, she descended down the stairs to meet the Butterworths and Jordan all dressed up for his lesson. "Cat!" Jordan exclaimed "How old are you again? you look 16 or less." "I'll take that as a compliment, so thank you Jordan. Have you eaten?" "Yes Mum, you look good." Catherine wasn't sure which question he answered, but she just ignored it and greeted her friends. "Jordan grab your jacket, it's chilly out there." Catherine said as she grabbed her car keys. They all headed out.