Mom says, ''Cecilia…. was that a guy?''
'Yeah, we just meet today.'' I responded
Mom says. ''Oh Cecilia! That's great, Is he nice? Is he charming?''
I blush and reply…. ''yes mom, he is'' '
Dad says, ''Well that's good. Can we talk Cecilia?''
I say, ''Sure, would you both like a coffee?''
Dad says, ''Yes Cecilia we'd love some coffee, but can you sit down first and talk to us?''
I take a seat on my lounge and gesture for them to join me, they do.
Dad say, ''Cecilia I've been looking for you for years where have you been?''
Well…. Firstly I was in a place in South America for 6 months where Cobra kept me, then I was in a town called Wagga Wagga, then moved to Sydney and I've been there ever since.''
Mom asks, ''Cecilia, did they hurt you? Did Cobra hurt you?''
I say, ''Of course they did….They beat me up all the time and messed with my head.''
Mom starts crying and dad hugs me and says, ''Cecilia I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry I never found you. I looked but Cobra moved you away from reach. They must have changed your name and everything.''
I say, ''Dad to be honest, after Henry kidnapped me and took me to Cobra, I was only with them for 6 months before Henry introduced me to my foster family in Australia. My name was changed, but nothing else''.
Dad says, ''I'm sorry Cecilia, I'm sorry I didn't find you… Please forgive me?''
Mom chokes up and says, ''Please forgive me Cecilia, I'm your mom, I should have looked after you. I wish I was there to protect you from the awful people. Please forgive me.''
I hug them both sitting in front of me, tears running down my cheek, ''There's nothing to forgive its Henry and Cobra's fault.''
Dad says, ''But Cecilia I'm Gijoe. I should have got you from Cobra, I really thought I would find you too in the first year I went looking for you. I kept up hope but after another year went by and was dead end after dead end. I gave up and went back to my work. ''
Mom says, ''I never gave up on Cecilia, your dad and I almost divorced because he wasn't searching anymore nor using his full resources, even though Gijoe was after commission for a while he was working somewhere else, I still thought he had resources that could help.''
I say, ''But you divorce did you mom and dad? You didn't separate?''
Dad says, ''I'm not going to lie to Cecilia we spent some time apart, but when you were nineteen, it would have been the tenth anniversary of you being kidnapped. That's when we came together as a family again and the kids wanted us to talk.''
Mom continued, ''So we did and found that we still loved each other and needed each other more than we realized.''
Dad says, ''Your mom had kept all your things and your room exactly the same, I believed like her again you were still out there. But Gijoe had started up again so I was working and using my resources to track down any leads. Just like your mom, she revitalised my need to find you, she inspired me to not give up on you''
Mom says, ''We when got back together we promised each other to work on finding you and not to give up.''
Dad says, ''So when we got this lead today, the conclusive fingerprint. We knew the day had finally come.-
They both said, ''We have found you!''
They hug me and it felt good, like a weight lifted off my shoulders. To know my parents were out there searching for me all this time.
Then we spoke for hours before heading to dinner at my parent's house to have mum's homemade Spaghetti Bolognese. My siblings arrive for dinner, Clayton 40 and his wife Katy and his three kid's eldest son twelve. Scott 39 and wife Bethany and his three kids. Georgina 37 and three kids but she's a divorced single mom. The others are mad at me for not coming back when I was eighteen or just anytime earlier than thirty-five but dad says, ''Just give them time and they'll forgive you, time heals all wounds. It has been a long time but I'm just glad your back Cecilia even if you are thirty-five.''
We talked for hours into the night which lead to everyone taking off the next day. I spent the night in my old room…. It still hasn't changed one bit. Ninja turtles, Barbie dolls and Gijoes.
The next day, the family was back together catching up on old times and reminiscing on childhood memories. I left mum's to go back home as I needed to feed Ninja and get ready for my date.
I arrived at Tesucto's, a little early…. I can see in the distance a guy looking at me and coming over to me. He looks well dressed, clean shaven unlike John looked earlier today, but he's now standing right of front of me and he says, ''Cecilia, Hi you came.''
I say, ''Yes, of course I came. I'm early, I said six-thirty.''
He says, ''I know I just like to arrive early that's all. You look very beautiful Cecilia.''
I reply, ''Thanks! you look amazing, you sure scrub up nice.''
He smiles and blushes and says, ''Thanks beautiful its been a while since I needed to look nice for anyone.''
I smile and then say, ''Shall we.'' I gesture to the matree de with computer for reservations.
He smiles and said, ''I made a reservation- Cecilia did you?''
I say, ''Thank god, because I didn't realize I needed too.''
He says, ''Well I've got it.'' He leans over the Matree dees computer and says, ''Table for two for Jameson. John Jameson.''
The matree dee doesn't seem annoyed with John for leaning over him, instead he laughs and embraces him, saying ''John hey you old Devil. Looking good.''
John laughs and bear hugs the Matree dee lifting the young Japanese man off the ground. John says, ''Tao good to see you buddy.''
Tao jokes around with John and the looks me and his eyes go wide. Tao looks at John shaking his head and asks, ''How on earth does an old guy like you get such a young beautiful woman?''
I smile Tao and John puts his arm around me and says, ''She has taste Tao that's why.''
Tao says, ''Well John let me show to your seats.''
John and I follow Tao to a nice table by a fountain which is also in view of the kitchen. I tell John as he gets my seat for me like a gentleman.
John says, ''Yes I know I like to be close but not too close, just close enough to get my food quickly I have a big appetite.''
Tao laughs and says, ''Can't you tell from looking at this guy?'' Tao grabs a muscled arm and says, ''I guy like this would definitely eat.''
I laugh and John blushes, then Tao coughs to compose himself and hands us the menu. Then he says, ''So what would you both like?''
I look at menu and say, ''How about some teriyaki sushi or maybe sushi mixed plates to share? What do you think John?''
John nods ands then says, ''Okay Cecilia, how about some teriyaki and some-''
He orders an assortment of sushi and sashimi and then I get a cascade light to drink and he says, ''Imported beer beautiful?''
I say, '' Its not imported beer where I come from mate?'' I give a slap on the arm.
He laughs and Tao does too, then John says, ''I'll just get a Budweiser thanks Tao.''
Then Tao takes our menus and says, ''I'll right back with the beers.''
John says, ''Thanks Tao.''
John glances over to me and says ''So Cecilia tell me about yourself?''
I enjoy writing, I mentioned I am writing a book, I also enjoy a beer and good food.
When I'm talking, John hardly says a word….. I stopped speaking and asked John to tell me about himself, as I was doing all the talking.
John looks at me nervously and says, ''Okay…um..i..''he looks really embarrassed and ready to run so I ask, ''Do you want to be here with me John?''
He looks ashamed of himself for not speaking and grabs my hand and says, ''Yes beautiful, I want to be here.'' He coughs and says, '' I like writing too, I write stories for my son and daughter to read some day.'' He smiles nervously at me.
I smile and say, ''That's great John, could you tell me a story with some humour in it, we'll swap stories. How about John?''
John nods and then clears his throat and starts telling me a story, I listen and nod and ask questions occasionally, they story sounds really good that I'm full of laughter I begin to turn red. That's when he starts to relax and we start to have a great time talking to one another for rest of night, through story telling. First him then me and vice versa.
Then when we realize it's late and time he pays the bill thanks Tao and walks me home.
I kiss him on cheek and then say, ''Thanks for tonight John I had a lovely time.''
He strokes my cheek and says me too beautiful.''
I turn to go and he asks, ''Wait beautiful.''
I ask, ''Yes?''
''Will I see you again?''
''Yes! How about tomorrow? Saturday night six-thirty. Your pick of restaurant?''
''Great Cecilia I'll pick up here at your door. Bye Beautiful.''
''Bye John.''
I go inside to Ninja.