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“What did you do to my Olivia?” She asked.
I almost choked on my breath. I cleared my throat and took a few seconds to breathe. “Aunt Nelly… you, see,” I stuttered and searched for words to explain myself, but nothing was coming.
“What do you want me to see? I’m listening.” She said and allowed me to talk, but I couldn’t say what I had to say.
“Did she tell you I did anything to her?” I asked respectfully.
“She came home gloomy yesterday and this morning, she wasn’t her best self before she left for the ranch. Do you mind explaining what happened?” She asked.
“I… I was…” I stumbled on my words again.
“You know what? Don’t bother.” She said. I felt like a huge burden was lifted off my shoulders.
“She said she’ll be moving into the ranch house.” She added.
“Yes, ma’am. I suggested that because I didn’t want to be stressing her whenever the ranch needed her.” My words flowed smoothly.
Then, she hit me again hard. Do you love her?” She asked.
I felt like someone held me by the neck. “The truth is…” I couldn’t make a simple sentence.
“Do you love her? Yes, or no?” She asked. “That’s all I care about.
“Yes, I do, ma’am. I love Olivia.” I said it without flinching. My words were true to the latter, but my reservations for the future were responsible for my decisions this time.
I heard her sigh over the phone. “I’ve nothing much to say, just that Olivia is very delicate, and I’m sure you know that already.” She said.
“Yes, ma’am.” I retorted.
“Good!” Her voice came out bold.
“If you ever break her heart, you’ll have me to contend with and I’ll never forgive you.” She further mentioned and the call ended.
Her words, like heavy stones, burdened my soul with their relentless weight. The expectations, the judgments, the unspoken truths, all piled on, forming a crushing load I struggled to carry.
I felt their gravity in every question, their echoes in the silence between syllables. The weight of her words bore down on my chest, making it hard to breathe, hard to find solace. Yet,I endured, learning to select my own words carefully, hoping to alleviate the burdens I inadvertently imposed on others, seeking the lightness of understanding.
I held the phone for a while, lost in thought. Until my son called me out.
“Dad! Come on let’s play. I’ll beat you again.” I put the phone down and went to play the game with my son.
CHAPTER 17
Ben
Days passed I didn’t have much to worry about except my son. I woke up one morning thinking of what Aunt Nelly told me over the phone a few days back. I was thinking of how carefully I could tread to avoid being on her blacklist.
My phone called me out of my head. I groaned as I stretched to pick it up. It was Rick.
“Sir! The cattle need urgent care. I don’t understand what’s going on with them this time.” He sounded like he was nearly panicking.
“Slow down,” I said. “Have you called Olivia?” I asked.
“I’ll call her immediately after I hang up. I just thought I’d call you first.” He responded.
“Okay, do that. I’ll be there in a few minutes.” I told him and then ended the call. I wanted to dial Olivia’s number, but I was sure Rick would be doing so now.
In the meantime, I got out of bed to get ready. I needed to hurry.
