Chapter 4 A PERFECT TURN

Chapter 4: A Perfect Turn

Tasha emerges from the kitchen, her face radiant with a warm, sunny glow. Her fitted white gown hugs her curves elegantly, accentuating her figure. A messy ponytail adds a touch of effortless chic to her hairstyle, while her legs are adorned with sleek silver sandals.

A sweet, gentle smile plays on her lips, capable of soothing even the most wounded of souls. And in her hands, she cradles a plate of creamy mayonnaise, a humble yet satisfying accompaniment to her vibrant presence.

"Who's up for some mayonnaise?' Tasha calls out, trying to tempt her twins away from the captivating cartoon on TV. 'Kendell and Ken, who wants some?' She raises her voice slightly, noticing they're too engrossed to respond to her initial offer. 'Kendell and Ken!' she says again, this time with a hint of playful persistence, hoping to break the spell of the screen and entice them with the creamy treat.

"Mom!' Kendell and Ken exclaim in unison, finally tearing their gaze away from the TV as they catch her call. Their eyes widen with excitement as they spot the plate of mayonnaise, their favorite treat.

Without hesitation, they dash towards Tasha, squealing 'Mayonnaise!' in delight. Before she can even react, they've snatched the plate from her hands and made a beeline for the dining table, where they devour the creamy goodness with reckless abandon, their hunger and glee reminiscent of ravenous little lions.

"Mmm, this is so good, Mom!' Kendell exclaims, her mouth still full of mayonnaise. 'You're the best chef ever!' Ken chimes in, his face lighting up with a wide, toothy grin. 'Exactly, Kendell! Mom is amazing at everything she does!' Tasha beams with pride, basking in the heartfelt compliments from her adorable 4-year-old twins. 'Well, well! Thanks, buddies!' she replies, her smile warm and grateful.

She walks over to her twins and gently places a light peck on their lips. 'I'll be in my room, okay? If you need anything, don't hesitate to let me know,' she says with a warm smile.

With that, she heads upstairs, seeking the solitude of her bedroom, her sanctuary for processing her emotions. Once inside, she carefully bolts the door, ensuring her quiet time remains uninterrupted by her curious kids. The room, her safe haven, envelops her in silence, allowing her to pour out her thoughts and emotions without distraction.

Tasha approaches her wardrobe, where cherished memories are stored, and retrieves a stack of photos. She carries the weighty bundle to her bed, sits down, and begins to lovingly sift through the images.

Her hands linger on each picture, absorbing every detail, every smile, every moment. As her fingers graze the photo of her mother, a soft whisper escapes her lips, 'Mom...' The word is laced with longing and sorrow, her eyes welling up with tears as the ache of her loss resurfaces.

"Sometimes, I feel like I'm the curse that took you away from me,' Tasha says, her voice cracking with emotion. 'If only I had raised the money for your treatment faster, you'd still be here with me.

"You would have met your grandchildren...' Her words trail off as tears well up in her eyes. 'I'm so sorry, Mom. I'm sorry I couldn't save you. I'm sorry I let you slip away, even when I knew what to do to save you.' She clutches the picture to her chest, overwhelmed by the anguish in her heart, unable to contain the grief that still lingers.

"I'm so, so sorry, Mom. I feel utterly useless,' Tasha whispers, her voice shattered by sobs. Tears stream down her face unchecked, as she's consumed by the anguish of her loss. Just as she's lost in her grief, her phone shatters the silence, vibrating with an incoming call.

She hesitates for a moment, wondering who could be interrupting her private moment of sorrow. Her eyes narrow as she gazes at the screen, her expression darkening. 'The agent,' she hisses, her tone cheerful, before answering the call."

"Good morning, ma'am,' Agent Tom's deep, muscular voice greets her, a warm and professional tone that momentarily distracts her from her grief. Tasha composes herself, trying to sound cheerful despite her emotional turmoil.

"Good morning, Agent Tom. Any good news?' she asks, her voice strained but hopeful. Tom's response is upbeat, 'Yes, ma'am. The house has been renovated exactly to your specifications. It's turned out beautifully.'

Tasha's face lights up with a genuine smile, glad that something is going right. 'Well done, Tom. I'll be there tomorrow to inspect the property, and once I'm satisfied, I'll pay you the remaining balance,' she promises, her smile widening with anticipation.

As the call ends, Tasha pulls the phone away from her ear, and a wide smile spreads across her face, momentarily eclipsing her sorrow. 'I can't believe I'm going back to Mexico,' she exhales, a mix of excitement and nostalgia.

Her mind wanders back to a memory from five years ago, and her smile deepens. 'I have to fulfill one of my mother's last wishes,' she says, her voice filled with determination and love. The thought of returning to her roots and honoring her mother's memory brings a sense of purpose and joy, temporarily lifting the grief that had weighed her down.

Her mind flashes back to the day her mother departed "Miss Tasha, I want to share with you your mother's last wishes before she passed away,' the doctor said, his voice somber and empathetic, as he handed her a piece of paper on the day of her mother's departure. Tasha's eyes scanned the page, her gaze lingering on each word as she read her mother's final requests.

One wish stood out, etched in her memory forever: 'I want you to build a company in Mexico, my dear child. I know I won't be able to see it happen, so please, make sure you do.' The words resonated deep within her, a promise she vowed to fulfill.

A loud, Insistent knock on the door jolts Tasha back to the present, shattering her nostalgic reverie. 'Mom!' her daughter's voice calls out, followed by another knock. Tasha composes herself, returns the picture to its place, and makes her way to the door. As she opens it, her son's frowning face greets her.

"We've been knocking for ages,' he says, his tone laced with concern. 'We thought you were asleep,' her daughter adds, already stepping into the room, her brother trailing behind. Tasha's heart swells with love and gratitude for her children, who unknowingly interrupted her moment of sorrow, bringing her back to the present and the joy they represent.

"What were you doing alone in your room, Mom? Were you crying again?' Kendell asks, her voice laced with concern and intuition. Tasha's eyes widen in surprise, wondering how her daughter had discovered her secret.

Kendell's gaze locks onto hers, filled with a deep understanding and sadness. 'Don't be surprised, Mom. I've seen you crying in here before, more than once. Why do you hide your tears from us?' Kendell takes a step closer, her eyes searching for answers, her voice gentle but probing.

Kendell's words strike Tasha like a slap in the face, leaving her reeling and speechless. She struggles to come up with a convincing lie, but her mind goes blank. Just as Kendell's gaze intensifies, waiting for an answer, Ken's innocent voice interrupts the tense moment. 'Grandma!' he exclaims, holding up the forgotten photo.

Tasha swiftly walks over to him, relieved to have an escape route from Kendell's probing question. She gently takes the picture from Ken's hand, using the moment as a perfect distraction to divert attention away from her emotional vulnerability.

Tasha gazes at the picture, her mind made up. She takes a deep breath, clears her throat, and breaks the news to her children. 'We're returning to Mexico tomorrow,' she announces, her eyes scanning their faces, unsure of their reaction.

She hopes they'll take the news well, and her gaze lingers on them, searching for a glimmer of understanding. The room falls silent, as if the weight of her words hangs in the air, waiting for their response.

The room erupts In an unexpected scream of joy, as the kids' faces light up with excitement. 'Really, Mom?' Ken asks, his eyes sparkling with delight. Tasha can't help but chuckle, relieved and thrilled that her children are embracing the news with such enthusiasm. 'Mexico, here we come!' she thinks to herself, a smile spreading across her face as she basks in their infectious joy.