Chapter7

"Okay, dad. But please is it possible for us to leave this weekend? Like after tomorrow?" "Sunday?" "Yes." "Okay. I think it's a good idea." *** The next day soon reached. We all had breakfast. I was silent and avoided aunt Christina. Meanwhile, dad acted like everything was normal. He would laugh along with aunt Christina and uncle ken like nothing was wrong. As we ate and the adults chatted, I noticed Heather was looking at me. I looked at her too. Quickly and in a discrete manner, she waved a little, hoping I would wave back. I waved back and smiled. She blushed. It wasn't because her mom had stopped us from playing and speaking to each other that we weren't friends anymore. We were still at the table when uncle Ken's cellphone rang. He excused himself and went to answer the call. He returned soon. "Hey Paul, the pals are in the woods waiting for us. You know it's hunting Saturday right?" "Oh, I forgot. I gotta take a quick bath, okay? You can go first. I'll catch up." "Okay." uncle Ken kissed his wife his wife goodbye and turned to us. "Okay kids, gotta go. Have a great time today." "Thanks dad (uncle ken)." we replied. He then left the farmhouse. Some minutes later, my dad went upstairs to freshen up and aunt Christina cleaned the table. We kids went to watch TV. That was the only time I could be near Heather without aunt Christina yelling. We three sat on the couch. I, Heather and Sawyer. I was kinda glad heather was in the middle, me being on her right and Sawyer on her left. We put funny cartoons and began to watch. While we watched, I discretely held Heather's right hand in mine. We looked at each other shortly and smiled. Sawyer didn't notice. She was too concentrated with her cartoons. Minutes later, I decided to go see if my dad was through. While making my way up the stairs, I heard two people arguing in low voices. I stopped to listen. Dad and aunt Christina. Their conversation went as thus, "I said I was sorry, Paul!" she complained in a low voice. "Sorry?? Sorry??" "Yes! I didn't mean to." "What do you mean you didn't mean to. What is wrong with you Christina? How could you just enter my bathroom without knocking?? You saw me completely naked and you're telling me you didn't mean to?!" "Don't get so angry, Paul. Alright Paul, I admit it. My intentions were to see you." "Oh god, this is crazy! Stop what you are up to, Christina. I beg you!" "Paul, I can't resist you. I can't! Especially now that I've seen you. Oh Paul, please! Please! Ken will never know if you make love to me now." I wasn't supposed to be hearing this. I was shocked! I couldn't believe it. "Christina, you need help!" "Oh, shut up! I need only one thing and it's you." "I'm sorry but I will have to tell Ken about you." "What??" "You heard me." "Paul, no." "Yes, Christina." "Paul, no! You wouldn't dare! Stop! Paul!" I heard them coming nearer. I ran back to the living room and pretended to watch TV. My heartbeat had increased crazily. I didn't feel okay and I felt a little dizzy. They came into living room. My dad made his way towards the door. Aunt Christina had stopped halfway, staring at him in a panicked manner. The girls were too concentrated on the TV to notice them. My dad opened the door to leave when I spoke. "Dad, you're leaving?" He turned and came over to me. "Yeah, son. Catch you later." he held my face and  kissed my forehead, "Remember, I love you with all my heart." he said seriously. "I love you too, dad. Bye, bye." He hugged me and left the house. Aunt Christina, looking nervous turned to us "Heather, where is Rob??" she asked. "In the barn feeding the horses, mummy." "Okay." I watched her run out the back door, heading for the barn. "Who's Rob?" I asked "One of the employees." she answered. I felt some certain uneasiness. The day went on smoothly. After aunt Christina had gone outside looking for a certain Rob, she returned minutes after, looking less panicked. I wondered why. ~ We watched TV for a very long time while aunt Christina cooked. I was okay with watching only TV because the cartoons were interesting and plus, I could stay with Heather. We were secretly holding each others' hand throughout, without Sawyer or Aunt Christina seeing. At around four PM, after we'd eaten and returned to our TV, uncle Ken to our surprise came into the house. He was with three other men who were his friends. He looked at me. "Hey Sheridan, where's your dad?" he asked. The question surprised me. "M– my dad?" "Yes." At that moment, aunt Christina came in from the kitchen. "Honey, you're back so soon?" she asked. He turned to her. "Christina, where's Paul? We waited for him and when I tried to call, his phone was off." I got confused. Everyone was. "But daddy, he left since morning." Sawyer said. "Yes." Heather added. Uncle Ken frowned, confused. "Left for where?" he asked. "Well, to join y'all for the hunt." Aunt Christina answered. Uncle ken looked at the other three men in confusion. "I haven't seen Paul since after I left him this morning." I began to feel uneasy. "What? Are you sure?" aunt Christina asked. "What sort of question is that? I'm telling you I haven't seen Paul." "We didn't even see him on our way back from the woods either." one of the three men said. My heart began to race. "But he– he was supposed to join y'all." I stammered in a trembly voice. Uncle Ken looked at me. "Don't worry, Sheridan. He's not lost. You're dad's a strong man, okay? Maybe he had other plans. Let's wait till this evening."