Thirty Two

Thirty Two

"Are you okay honey?" Baron touched his daughter's forehead as soon as the duo was gone to the kitchen. He wondered why she was not willing to join the others in the kitchen

"I'm just tired, pissed off" she said taking his hands off

"Why? Your mom will come back just like Granny. Don't be sad baby girl. You know I got you" he cuddled her and Juana couldn't help but melt into his arms. His hands were warm and caressing her softly.

"Daddy" she looked into his eyes and he kissed her forehead that moment

"Yes honey" he didn't act like he was doing anything wrong

"I need to talk to you about something" she said

"Go on I'm listening" he said. Just then, Colin, Granny and Selena returned with a big silverware pot full of rice and mashed fish with another two points full of hot steaming chicken soup, tomatoes and egg. Colin was holding five plates and big serving spoon, and granny was holding the cutleries and napkins. She led everyone to the dining table, and made granny lead a short prayer before she began to serve.

That moment, Juaba knew shed never find the courage to talk about this with him until Selena left. She expected her to leave after the party and she impatiently waited for that moment. She was barefooted now, and Juana noticed her eyes were a bit red. She was sniffing too and everyone thought it was the steam from the meals.She constantly hid her face from others while serving and drinking and because the room was dark and she was not hiding this emotion, no one except Juana saw it. She avoided Juana's eyes more and for some seconds, she felt pity for this woman. What had she done? She expected that she'd ask to leave without really eating much or maybe immediately after everyone had eaten, she'd call Baron to a corner and tell him everything that had happened in the kitchen while every other person was dancing in the living room. She wouldn't want to witness that in the presence of everybody. "I have to leave immediately after this meal. Hopefully she'll be gone by the time I'm back" she thought.

Colin was looking her way. He made a face that said, "are you okay?" Juana nodded.

"Why are you not eating?" Granny asked her. That's when she noticed she hadn't even begun eating anything. She was studying Selena whose face avoided her gaze advertently.

"Oh" she said foolishly and picked up her cutlery.

"It's delicious, Selena. Thanks for the meal" Colin said. She just said 'thanks' without smiling.

"We enjoy your company Selena. We'd like to see more of you. You're a beautiful sweet lady" Granny said cutting a piece of chicken on her plate

"Thank you mama" she said forcing a smile this time. Baron just winked at her but she looked away quickly and kept forcing herself to eat. She looked like she had a confession to make and that she'd just break down right there crying uncontrollably. This was Juana's opportunity. She cleared her throat to start when granny cut in:"Juana, aren't you going to say something to Selena? I'm sure she likes you already. What do you think about her?" Granny had a big smile on her face.

"Err...mama, it's okay. I sure like her, she's a bold and beautiful girl. I just hope we get along soon" Selena cut in quickly smiling foolishly. "Let's all follow the table manners and eat without talking". She added nervously. Everyone laughed. " Yeah. Right" 

Juana was glad she saved the situation because she didn't know what she would have said to her. She would be tempted to say "I think she's just greedy. Greedy for another woman's husband" 

After eating, Colin packed all the plates to the kitchen and washed them. He also cleaned the table. Then he joined the others on the table for the toast. Everyone held their glasses and clinked them together

"A toast to togetherness, to family love and healing" Clink. Clank. Clunk.

Everyone sipped from their drinks. 

"After this comes game time and then the party will be over. We'll be playing three types of game" Baron announced.

Juana could see just then that Baron was whispering into Selena's ear, and she was just shaking her head or nodding in response to whatever he was saying. This was her last opportunity. So she broke the silence:

"Hey everyone, I have to get somewhere real quick. I won't be available for the games" she said and tried walking towards her room.

"Where to?" Everyone asked at once, except Selena who was sipping her wine in a corner.

"To get some air. I feel stuffed" she said "imma go change into something lighter" she avoided their gazes and went to her room, locked it behind her and sighed. 

She was planning to visit Jason but she needed to know if he was home first. She picked her phone and before she could do anything yet, it rang. It was him.

"Wow what a coincidence!" She exclaimed into the phone, smiling sheepishly

"What? You were going to call me?" He asked. He sounded bored.

"Yes, just now. Are you home?"

"Yep, home alone and you?"

"I'm bored, can I come over?" She asked smiling

"Sure. I'm bored too, the dogs are not playing with me"

Juana laughed. "Maybe you frightened them"

"I swear I didn't. I think they miss you" he said and laughed. She laughed too. 

"They're not familiar with me yet, so that's not true" she said. He didn't say anything. Juana could almost picture him smiling.

"When are you coming?" He asked. Just then someone knocked on her door.

"I'll be there soon. I'm about to change now. Okay?" She rushed her words.

"All right take your time"

"Yeah. See you" she hung up before opening the door after looking through the keyhole to see who the intruder was.

"Hey my sweetheart" it was granny. She sat on her bed while Juana took off her bra and pants to change into new ones.

"Is the game over?" She asked slipping on black denim trousers that were a bit too tight.

"No it hasn't started. Do you have to go, sweetheart. We want you to play with us" she said

"Mama, we can always play games together when I'm back, party or no party. You're back, agile now right? Back into our lives" Juana smiled putting on a see-through blue top.

"Yes sweetheart, I'm so happy" then there was silence, "You dress like you're meeting some people formally"

"Yes I'm strolling to a friend's actually" she said loosing her hair from the bond tied to it.

"Wow, so many things have changed since my absence. You now have friends that attend your home party, and friends you rush to meet at 4:15pm. isn't that so cute?" Juana laughed throatily

"Mama I have to go now" she said carrying a bag.

"Yes baby but I want you to sit here beside me and listen for a minute" she did as she instructed.

"You must be back before 6pm. You shouldn't miss dinner" Granny said quietly.

"Yes mama"

"Good girl. So tell me, who's that guy in the living room?" She was talking so low that it made her laugh.

"You mean Colin?"

"Is that his name?"

"Yeah. He's dad's ranch hand, he works for dad at his ranch" she announced carefully.

"Oh wow I never knew. Well he acts like he's your boyfriend, I mean the way he looks at you, you know, I think he really likes you" Juana blushed but didn't say anything.

"Seems you like him too. You know he's very cute, hardworking and loving. Respectful too. Do you like him? See you blushing" she teased. Juana just giggled.

"Granny, promise me you won't tell dad or anyone, at least not yet?"

"Sure tell me"

"Colin and I like each other very much, that's it. Now I have to hurry. I'll see you later"

"Sweethea...

But Juana had left the room. Colin asked to follow her, but she refused. " Don't worry, Colin. I'll be fine. I'll see you tomorrow okay?" He embraced her and watched her leave