Chapter 2 The news

Uncle Tobias was about to turn and leave. I couldn't just let him walk away as well without telling me what I needed to know.

After all, I was pretty sure that Uncle Tobias didn't call me to come here for nothing.

There was a reason and something within me told me it was about Mother.

It was something concerning Mother and I didn't want to over think things. I couldn't let my mind over think things.

"Damn it!. Stop ignoring me. I thought I asked a question. I have a right to know what is going on here!". I exclaimed. Yelling at him in the process.

He looked at me, "Damn you young lady. You're in no position of talking to me in such a manner".

I teared my gaze away from him.

"Then why don't you just tell me?". I asked, trying not to yell at him this time for me to at least get the answers to my questions.

He took a few steps away from me. His hands still in his pockets, he looked away from me for a moment before turning his head to look at me, our eyes meeting for a moment before he looked away again while giving out an exasperated sigh.

"Christabel, your mother is dead. She died of depression". He announced. Still not looking at me.

My eyes widened with shock as I let out a gasp.

No way. That was not true.

It couldn't be true!.

How could it be true?.

Mother was now no more... I refused to believe it. She couldn't be gone. Mother couldn't be gone.

I was astounded by the sudden news broken to me by my Uncle Tobias.

I just couldn't believe it.. No! It wasn't true. How was it possible that both of my parents had died just like that?.

My Father had been the first to die of what caused his death, he had died in a plane crush. I had never believed such a tale because what had knocked in my mind first was that "He had been killed by someone".

Father was a politician and a well known business man throughout the whole continent. Hell, he was a multi millionaire and I suspected that whoever killed him was one of his envious competitors.

Investigations concerning his death together with his personal assistant drove into a dead end.

He was a politician of course we all wanted to know what exactly happened but the DCI's never pressed for more. It quietened down as if nothing had ever happened which added to the list of my suspicion.

Justice wasn't served.

Two months down the line, Mother suffered from a state of depression and she needed to be cared for.

She wouldn't eat by herself or wash herself either. She wouldn't even go to the bathroom on her own so she needed to be cleaned up and given a change of clothes several times throughout the day and night.

She didn't talk, she didn't go to those fancy tea parties she used to go to, she didn't watch her favorite series on TV as per her usual, she didn't go for shopping.. Or anything else.

All she did was either be in her bed asleep or if seated anywhere in the house, she would look at nothing in particular for a long time and tears would stream down her cheeks on several occasions.

She wasn't herself anymore.

I must agree that she and Father were so much in love and his death had affected her but life had to go on. Dead is dead and nothing could be changed about that.

We all needed to move on.

It was my final year in university and I would graduate soon, so I couldn't stay and take care of her, I had to go back to school so that I could be able to graduate.

Civil engineering had always been my dream and there was no way I could put my dreams on hold because of someone.... Anyone!.

I hired the best care givers I could get, the best doctor to take care of Mother and even hired more house helps to help around. Besides, my sister Clara would be around to check up on Mother.

Clara was seventeen years old and she was in high school. It was a day school so she would be able to keep an eye on our Mother.

But now, with the news of her gone. She was dead and she would never come back.

The door behind me opened, Clara stood behind me as she took in a deep shaky breathe. She was crying and I dared not turn to look at her.

I knew what she was going to say. I knew she was going to pin the blame on me.

'If only I hadn't left mother'. I thought to myself.

"It's all your fault that Mother died. It's all your fault". She remarked beneath her breathe.

My palms felt sweaty and hot. I rubbed them against my jeans as I slowly turned to face her.

"Clara? I know it hurts you that Mother is gone but I also feel the same pain. Be assured that I regret leaving her side". I said.

Clara gave out a slight chuckle, a bitter chuckle full of sadness.

"Really? Oh please Christabel, spare me your 'sorrowful speech' it's not that I'm insulting you I'm just describing you!". She exclaimed. "Do you really think that we're both experiencing the same pain?".

Clara was really rude. I didn't want to worsen the situation or yell at her so I spoke softly. Trying as much as possible to show the sadness I felt.

Whom was I kidding?. This was my Mother too. I too felt the sadness of having lost her. Moreover, mine was worse because not only did I feel sad but guilty for leaving her when she needed me the most.

"I know where you're getting to Clara. Just because I left for school doesn't mean I don't love her. Just because Mother and I weren't in a good relationship and we used to argue because of some things I used to do, doesn't mean that I don't love her. When's the burial?". I asked trying to twist the topic a little bit.

I looked at Uncle Tobias who looked away quickly then back at Clara who didn't even look at me.

They were both quiet.

What the hell was going on here?.

"I thought I asked a question". I stated flatly. Their discreetness or is it ignorance? Was getting onto my nerves.

"Pfft since when did you start caring?". Clara blutered out as she stepped closer to me. Looking me straight in the eye in an intimidating way. Why was she reacting this way today?.

It's not like I took a knife and stabbed Mother to death or anything of the sort. I just left and I don't think my leaving had anything to do with Mother's death.

"Clara stop it!". Uncle Tobias demanded as he came to stand in between us having noticed Clara's reaction as well.

"I thought you two would be united right now more than ever instead of arguing and insulting each other". He remarked then turned to face me.

"Christabel, there will be no burial!". Uncle exclaimed.

My eyes narrowed at him, "What do you mean by 'there will be no burial'?". I questioned.

Were they intending on not burying my Mother?. She needed a decent send off and my last respects to her.

Clara huffed, "You're dumb and silly. What do you think he means by 'there will be no burial'?. Of course Mother was cremated and cremains are not buried!". She said still looking at me with those anger filled piercing eyes of hers.

"You cremated Mother?. You didn't even wait for me to pay my last respects or my opinion about her send off and yet you went ahead and cremated her?". I questioned.

"Her cremains are in the vase that your sister holds". Uncle commented. Gesturing to the white vase that Clara was still holding using one hand as if it was a baby.

"Uncle, you allowed this?. You allowed her to go on with Mother's wake and cremination without me being here?. I was Mother's daughter too!. Why deprive me off that right?". I asked Uncle.

He looked away from me making no efforts to answer my question.

He was older. Don't tell me that Clara controlled his reasoning as well. Why hadn't he stopped her from doing all these?. Was I inferior now?.

"You lost your say and opinion the minute you left Mother and flew away to Canada. You lost the right to call yourself her daughter!". Clara yelled.

"I'm sick and tired of you acting all innocent here. Of course you know what I mean". She said the last sentence in a lower voice but loud enough for me to hear her.

She was still accusing me of Mother's death. Again!.

I looked away then back at Clara, "I wasn't talking to you and no one asked for your opinion. I demand for respect from you Clara!".