36:26 A Chase Encounter

Chapter 1

Before

"Everything is going to be fine Brian, I'm going to drive you back home so you can stay with Lucy ok?" Jayda said, trying to soothe little Brian from thinking the worst of their current situation.

"No, I want to stay here Godmother, " He said, firmly.

Jayda exhaled a deep breath and just simply pulled him into a tight embrace.

"Everything is going to be fine okay?" She assured

Brian although far too young, understands life way better than an adult and it's mostly because he learned to appreciate life from the moment he could say 'mom'.

"Are they going to die?" He asked, his voice trembling with uncertainty.

"No, I promise they won't. God would never take them away from you"

Even Jayda wasn't so sure but she was willing to say anything to keep the nine-year-old sane.

"Did you talk to him?" He asked slowly pulling away from the hug. His eyes looked like a deep blue ocean trapped in a glass.

"Every second sweetheart" she gave him a kissed on the centre of his eyebrows.

"I want to talk to him too, " He said

"Sure you can" Her cell phone began to ring "give me a minute"

She took a few steps from the little boy to receive her boyfriend's call.

"Hi, how's Lucy?" She asked.

"She's fine. How's Kyle and Adeline?"

"It's bad Donnie, I couldn't break the dire situation to Brian. I tried to persuade him to come over but he wouldn't even budge. They're still in the O-R"

"What are the chances?"

"There could be a severe head injury from the tumbling." She said, her hands trembling from the fear of losing her best friends.

"I wish I could be there"

"Just take care of Lucy, I'll be back after the surgery and they're stable"

"You ate?"

"I can't even stomach my saliva and poor Brian wouldn't eat anything"

A little twirl made Jayda see the Doctor exit the Operation room.

"I gotta go, Doc is here"

"You take care J, I love you." He said

"I love you too" she hung up and hurried to where the Doctor stood.

"The operation went successfully but they are not out of danger yet, we still need to conduct more internal tests to be sure nothing has been missed"

"Thank you so much Doctor, can we see them?" She asked while Brian gripped on to her fingers tightly.

"I suggest you come back tomorrow morning, you both need to rest" He bent down to meet Brian's height.

"You are one tough dude" He complimented before leaving the both of them in the long and empty hallway.

"Mommy and Daddy are going to be fine and the Doctor is right, you need to rest. We'll be back as early as possible in the morning"

He was hesitant as though some kind of force was pulling him to stay back but deep down he knows better.

He gave her a nod and together they exit the hallway.

They arrived at Jayda's home half an hour later to meet Lucy asleep in the arms of Donnie her father.

"Hey Don" Jayda whispered trying not to wake her sleeping beauty up.

"How did it go?" Donnie asked

"They're stable at the moment and more tests will be conducted once they're out of anaesthesia"

"Hey buddy, come here" He signalled for Brian to come over which he did.

"Your parents are going to be fine ok?"

He returned with a nod.

"I'll sleep on the couch, you can sleep with Lucy in our bedroom so Brian can take Lucy's"

"No, I don't want to sleep alone. I want to be with you Godmother" He pleaded and they couldn't say no.

"Ok sweetheart" to Donnie "you can sleep in our room, we'll be in Lucy's"

Donnie properly lifted Lucy on his shoulder and went up the stairs with Jayda and Brian following behind.

TWO HOURS LATER.

Jayda stepped out of the house to join Donnie who is seated on a rocking chair at the porch with a cigarette in hand.

"He finally slept, " she said, taking a seat beside Donnie.

The duo had met during their final year in high school with Adeline as the trio and eventually Kyle as the quartet. They all came out of families that didn't have much or no finance. Adeline grew up in the orphanage and attended the community public high school where she met Jayda whose parents are also dead and was leaving with her grandma before shamefully getting pregnant with three years old Lucy and kicked out of granny's house who later died a year after. Jayda still carries the guilt of not being able to settle the differences they had before her death. Like Jayda, Adeline who is a year older was raped at the age of eleven by her first foster dad who was later paedophile convicted got pregnant out of wedlock with Brian before meeting Kyle, the love of her life.

Kyle and Donnie both high school dropouts are the hood's sweet boys. Easygoing, caring, super nice and every girl's dream. They both work in a car repair shop and hell-bent on providing a convenient life for their sweethearts and children. A life they never had.

"Give me that" She collected the cigarette from his hand and began to puff.

"Kyle was drinking" He suddenly confessed

"What!" She said while trying to keep her voice on the lowest tone.

"He was drinking?" She asked

"Yes. He seemed to be caught up in some sort of deep thought and I suggested he wait for me to finish so I can drive him to pick Adeline from work and Brian from school but next thing I knew he already drove off"

"How could he do that?!" She looked up at the ceiling "I'm so disappointed"

"I'm sorry I let you down" He apologized

Her cell phone began to ring.

"It's the hospital" she picked immediately.

"Hello" She gasped in shock and abruptly stood up "I'll be there right away"

"What happened?" Donnie asked after she hung up.

"It's Adeline, she went into shock. I have to go"

"I'm coming with"

"What about the children?" She asked

"I'll take them to the neighbour's house"

Chapter 2

"I am so sorry, we lost her" The Doctor announced after he came out from Adeline's ward.

Jayda could feel her chest sinking and thankfully Donnie was there to catch her from falling flat on the floor.

"Oh my God, " She said under her breath

"Donnie, they lost her, What am I going to say to Brian? How am I going to tell him his mother is dead?" She was intentionally trying to conceal her pain.

Tears welled up her eyes as Donnie pulled her into a tight hug.

"I'm so sorry J, " He said, stroking the length of her hair as she sniffled in silence.

TWO YEARS LATER

It's Lucy's fifth birthday party and their place was as usual crowded with children from the neighbourhood. It's an outdoor event in the front yard with round tables and chairs coupled with balloons and other decorations. Jayda comes out of the house carrying a three-inch vanilla cake while Donnie followed suit with a tray of croissant cupcakes. Jayda spots Brian all by himself in a corner, she drops the cake on a table and made for him.

"Hey Brain, what's wrong?" She took her seat beside him.

"Nothing" He dismissed.

Jayda could tell he just lied. She'd taken custody of him since the demise of his mother and her best friend. The journey has not been easy, it's been a whirlwind that has been threatening her relationship with her boyfriend.

Donnie had suggested they inform child protection services about Brian but Jayda couldn't bear the thought of her godson growing up in an orphanage and worse foster care. Jayda didn't care about the additional expenses incurred, she loves the boy and would do anything for him and of course Lucy too.

"Are you going to tell me what the matter is or you're going to watch me sad all day?" Jayda said, knowing it was the only way to get him to talk. Brian hated seeing Jayda unhappy. He'd witnessed a few moments after she and Donnie constant fights.

"Everyone still makes fun of me. They call me bad luck and that I'll never be happy because I killed my parents."

"And what did you say?"

"Nothing, I just walked away cause I didn't want to destroy Lucy's party"

"That's a very sweet gesture of you to your little sister. Lucy is so lucky to have a sibling who cares for her as much as I and Donnie do. Who and who bullied you?" Jayda asked defensively.

"Justin, Theodore and Hermione"

Jayda abruptly stood up and walked to where the mentioned trio sat and returned to meet Brian after a brief and calm altercation with their parents.

"They're leaving?" He asked as he watched them leave the front yard.

"Yes. No form of bullying will be tolerated here"

"What about.."

"No questions. Just, enjoy the party okay?"

He replied with a nod.

"I love you okay?" She kissed the young lad on his forehead.

"I love you too Jayda"

Jayda gave his fringe hair a rough shake before heading back to continue host duties.

Throughout the party, Brian tried his best to stay out of any trouble that might ruin Lucy's big day. He simply took what he needed to eat and returned to the quiet corner. Jayda was far too busy to notice him. She cares about him a lot and it is no different from that of a mother.

Over the years, Jayda had taken up so many jobs to help support Donnie's income by babysitting, housekeeping and personal grocery shopper, Jayda has been hell-bent on raising both Lucy and most especially Brian under her care.

The party ended around seven at night to ensure everyone's safety back home due to the recent robbery attacks in the community. Donnie took Lucy who was already feeling sleepy into her room while Jayda and Brian stayed back to clean up the mess.

"Come here" she signalled him to join her where she's seated.

"I know I have asked you this a lot of times and you keep saying"

"No, I don't want to switch school"

Jayda would be lying if she said she didn't know about the verbal bullying Brian has been enduring over the years.

"It's not your fault that your parents died. I want you to know that. I'll always be there for you whenever you need me because I'm your mother too and I love you so much. It is going to be a long haul and I will be there every step of the way"

"Can I see you for a minute babe?" Donnie interrupted.

"You can go to bed Brian, we'll continue in the morning. Make sure you take a shower okay?"

Brian replied with a nod and went inside.

"What's up?" She asked.

"You're still going to keep on doing this"

"If by that you mean taking care of my best friend's son, yes I will" she defended with a wide grin on her face.

"And this is why I love you. You have such a good heart" He leaned forward to kiss her and what he had intended to be a short liplock slowly transitioned into a long one.

"I am exhausted, Donnie. Let's call it a night"

"I understand, " He said, a bit disappointed.

Donnie understands her situation and he is also aware that springing up sex tonight is an impossible motive he just wanted to give luck a trial. Their sex life has gone from one to zero much to the fact that they each have busy schedules that tend to leave them exhausted by the end of the day.

"You know I love you right?" She asked

"Yes, I do" He replied after hesitating for a little while.

Donnie loves Jayda no doubt about that, it's just that for the last few months he'd been feeling disconnected from her. They no longer took cigarette puffs at night like before, no impromptu dates and outings and most of all lack of sex. They are now like two strangers living together.

"So I was thinking about moving back to Granny's house as you suggested."

"Really?" His eyes bugged out.

He'd been trying to convince her to take up the old house since her Grams willed it to her before her death but Jayda wouldn't budge into that idea because of the way she left things with her.

Grams took care of her since her parent's demise and it took getting pregnant with Lucy to ruin that care she had gotten used to. Grams was disappointed, angry but yet forgiving. She wanted Jayda to come back to the house after realizing her mistake, she waited day in day out but Jayda was too ashamed and Grams was too egoistic to call it truce since it wasn't her fault, to begin with.

"Yes. I figured the amount of rent it would save us would be put to good use. I just feel guilty moving back after her death"

"It's not guilt if she gave it to you to inherit someday"

"You just know how to make everything look good, " she teased.

Chapter 3

PRESENT DAY

Nineteen years old Lucy squealed into the living in excitement with a sheet of paper in her hand.

"Mom!" She screamed into the hands of her curious mother and handed her the piece of paper.

"Dear Applicant, " Jayda starts to read.

"The faculty of Film and Television business wish to congratulate you on your successful enrollment and admission into TISCH of the arts at our great academy. The entire board of the New York University welcome you into this new chapter...and a splendid academic experience"

"Congratulations sweetie, I am so proud of you my darling" Jayda gave her a tight squeeze.

"I miss you already"

"Minnesota to New York is just two and a half hours Mom you can always catch a flight if you miss me too much, " Lucy said still in the spirit of excitement.

"What about Keisha, did she get in to?" Jayda asked.

"I don't know, I've not called her" Lucy ran up the stairs into her room to call her friend.

Jayda is more than elated but the only perk is the reality of being alone. She'd had Lucy all by her side since she was a baby and now that her daughter is about to take a different path, it would be selfish of Jayda not to support Lucy's decision to change environment.

She and Donnie had split nine years ago and Brian ran away from home shortly after. Jayda will always blame herself for what happened with Brian. She'd tried to get in touch with him but all her efforts yielded zero fruits. It's like finding someone who doesn't want to be found.

Nine years have gone by and Jayda still couldn't erase what happened that night with Brian. The sinful feel of Brian's lips on hers as they kissed passionately in her room after a night of alcohol from her end. Whenever she had time to think, thoughts of that night consumed her mind.

"Mom?!" Lucy shouted, jolting her mum out of the unending trance she's in.

"Keisha got in to" She announced and hurried to hug her mom again.

"I am so happy for you both"

"What were you thinking about? I caught you smiling and caressing your lips. Is there a man I don't know?" Lucy asked after the excitement cooled a bit.

"There is no man" Jayda lied.

"Is there a woman?" Lucy continued.

Jayda bursts into laughter. "I'm pretty straight Lucy"

"I know, was just pulling your legs" Lucy shrugged. "So there is a man" Lucy could tell but she knew when to stop pushing Jayda to talk.

"You deserve to be happy too, mum. People like us with a broken heart deserve to be happy" Lucy said.

Jayda stared at her daughter curiously. She has no idea her daughter was ever in love with someone.

"With who?" She asked.

"I never told you because I was still a child then and didn't want to create a fuss but now as an adult, you should know. I had a crush on Brian before he took off" she confessed.

Jayda's mouth went wide open instantly.

"What?" She gave a bewildered scoff.

"Did anything happen between you two?" She couldn't help but ask. She couldn't bear to imagine the thought of her two children engaging in a sinful act-maybe not so sinful since they're not blood-related but she wouldn't be able to live the same if Brian somehow took advantage of her little daughter and also her that night.

"No mum, he wasn't even aware I liked him. He probably thought it was a sister to brother love but to me, it was more than that. But not to worry, the instant he ran off spoiled any chance I had. I have moved on and ready to begin anew with someone else in New York"

Jayda unconsciously made a sigh of relief. It was like a huge pang of guilt subsided but there is another guilt.

She didn't quite tell the whole truth about what happened that night to Lucy and it got to a point where she also believed the lie that Brian chose to run away whereas it was her who threw him out hoping it would get rid of his infatuated thoughts that had long existed before the abominable act they'd engaged in. She was so shameful and couldn't bear to see his face for a while.

She'd hope he'd come back but he didn't and that was the last time she saw him.

Jayda has not been at peace, she'd sometimes questioned if he's alive? in trouble? if he's sick and does has someone to look after him? If he's eaten? what he's doing on his birthday amongst other thoughts. She would spend most of her nights thinking and crying over him. She couldn't also forget the fact that she let her best friend down.

"Mum!" Lucy again interfered with her thoughts.

"I'm so sorry hun, what were you saying?"

"Once I get into New York next week.."

"You are leaving next week?" Jayda asked.

"Yes mum, I want to settle in before resumption"

"I'll come with you then"

"No, mum. I am an adult now. You don't need to babysit me"

"As a matter of fact, I will. It'll be my first time in New York and what better motive than to know where my daughter is going to be living for the next four years that way I can swing in for surprise visits"

"Well said, mother, " Lucy said with a big grin.

"So where should we celebrate this big win?" Jayda asked.

"I thought you wouldn't ask" Lucy squealed at her mother. "Shopping"

"What?" Jayda exclaimed.

"Just a few wears here and there Mum, I don't want to wear my old clothes in school"

"On another note, I am glad you're going far away. My money would be saved for a better cause aside fulfilling Lucy's material needs" Jayda joked.

"We both know you don't mean that. You love fulfilling Lucy's needs"

"And that's because she leaves me no choice."

"I love you too mum!" Lucy said which finally ended their never-ending banter.