Chapter 3 The Time Of The Year

Thomas looked up to his father in more ways than one could imagine, he was his role model, best friend, and every other thing a young boy like Thomas could ask for.

Thomas was the first child, the first son, and the only son, so it was expected that they shared that bond. When his father died, it was so hard for him, because he had just started impressing his father when he died, he had just started showing his father how great his teachings were. For Thomas, the news was very hard to digest when it had just happened.

However, that year was unexpected for Thomas, he had his focus and time on something or someone else that he wasn't able to fathom the next few days was something that used to make him sad.

When his sister finally came to the house to stay for a week did he remember that it was his father's death anniversary! In the previous years, it had always been about grieving, but that year, Thomas finally concluded to move on. His father was long dead, but he was still alive and he had so many things to do before he has lived his life, that he might as well just move on from it.

Makayla and the other workers had started giving the mansion minimalistic decoration, giving it a grieving touch because it was that time of the year. Makayla got along so well with the other workers, and she was glad that she finally had company, it wasn't just the same boring routine.

A few days to the day of the death anniversary, Pearl and Thomas had gone out together, of course, Makayla was curious to know, but it wasn't her place to ask questions that weren't her concern.

Before Pearl left, she had asked Audrey to clean a queen-sized bedroom on the same floor both siblings' rooms were located. All she could deduce was they were expecting a guest, but she just didn't know who.

Makayla stopped thinking about the guests coming and quickly started cooking the meals for lunch with some of the workers. "Makayla, why would you be cooking more? we shouldn't be wasting food just cause the boss is rich". " Ohh, no, I'm not doing any of that sort, it's just that earlier today, Miss Pearl asked me to clean that huge Queen sized bedroom, don't you think they're expecting a guest?", Makayla asked.

"Ohh that's true, we better start cooking, they might be here any minute now!". The ladies completed the dishes and set them down to cool, just before they could leave to go back to their other duties, they heard the roaring of a car's engine.

The ladies went ahead to open the door for the guests, they weren't surprised to see a middle-aged woman coming down from the car. The chauffeur was offloading the bags when Thomas came to help him, flexing his taut muscles, and earning a gulp from Makayla.

Makayla couldn't help to admire the middle-aged woman who looked very elegant, " who are they?", "Ohh, you know how Thomas never cleans his house, well they help around here to do the chores", Pearl answered.

The middle-aged woman then nodded in understanding before she headed inside, " is lunch ready? mom's famished and she needs to eat something, Pearl asked, directing the question to Makayla, "yes, it's already on the table".

"all right then, why don't you guys take the bags upstairs, I hope you got the room cleaned?", "yes ma'am", " come on, I told you to stop calling me ma'am, I'm not old", Pearl said earning a nod from Makayla.

Earlier when the siblings had gone out of the house, they had gone to welcome their mother who stayed abroad from the airport. She didn't stay in the country, as she liked to explore, but since it was that time of the year, she didn't need to be told twice before she came back home.

The family had lunch, with Mrs. Berkeley gushing over the meals Makayla and the other chef had made. Thomas was not surprised, a part of him was expecting her delicious meals.

The day they had all been waiting for finally came with Mrs. Berkeley noticing that Thomas wasn't in his regular mood, it was a good thing though, it was just that, she didn't expect him to finally move on.

The whole family came together on the day of the death anniversary, they all went to the cemetery together carrying flowers and their good wishes. Each of them had private talks with the tombstone after dropping their flowers.

After they boarded the car, to head back home, Thomas thought it was time to finally tell his mother and sister how he felt. "Mom, Pearl?", " what's the matter son?", Mrs. Berkely said, "what happened?" Pearl said.

"I think I've finally moved on from dad's death, even if he was my biggest role model, he has to rest in peace right... He should finally do that, and I should live my life", Thomas said. Somehow, Mrs. Berkeley wasn't surprised, because she had noticed subtle changes which signified that he moved on.

" Awe honey, that's great news, it's time to finally move on and continue with life!", Mrs. Berkely said. Pearl wrapped him in a hug, "it's great news because you have to start living for yourself!". Thomas just nodded and returned the hug.

" How about we go get some ice cream?", Mrs. Berkely said, "yes!!", " alright!!", Pearl and Thomas said in unison. The family went to get ice cream and finally decided to have fun till the late night before going back home.