Chapter Four-Arguments and Memories
"You're kidding!" Jonathan was sitting beside Victoria on Rex's patio. "She actually wanted to come over?"
"Y-yeah...I didn't know what to do. I was afraid she'd try to take your brothers. That's why I left."
"Well, I hate to admit it, but that was good thinking on your part." Espa told her. He had come over an hour after Victoria had called him. "Once again, you came through for us."
"Yeah......I guess I did." She looked over at Christien, worriedly. "Christien? Are you okay?"
"We had a chance to let her explain, and we didn't let her. Why?" He looked at his brother Espa.
"Victoria only did what she thought was best, Christien. She wanted to make sure no harm came to our brothers." Espa was surprised that Christien was upset by Victoria's actions. It wasn't like him.
"I....I know you want to meet her, Christien, but...it shouldn't happen when Espa's not around." Victoria spoke softly, putting a hand on his shoulder. "For all you know....it could be an imposter pretending to be your mother."
"But what if it's not?!" Chris demanded now. "Do you realize how unfair this is to me and the littles? Sure Espa and Jon have the memory of what she was like, but what about me,Andy and Ej? Why can't we have the memories too?!"
Victoria bit her lower lip. "I don't what to tell you, Chris...I'm sorry....." She stood up, heading for the back door. "I should probably go now."
"Wait,Victoria! Don't leave....." Jonathan stood up too, giving Christien a Look.
"No. This is Roba business. I don't belong in the middle of it." She went inside now, her eyes glistening with tears. "I'm sorry for everything." She walked into the living room, and said goodbye to Ej and Andrew. "S-see you guys later, okay? Be good."
"Why crying,Towia?" Ej asked softly, reaching a little hand up to wipe her eyes.
"Your brother hurt me...I need to go now, okay, Ej? I'll see y ou later. Feel better Andy."
"I will.."
Andy stared after his favorite sitter, then got up, going out into the back patio. "You maked her cry!" He pouted at Christien. "You're a bad friend."
"Oh shut up,Andrew." Christien replied testily. In truth, he did feel bad for hurting Victoria like that. And now that even Andrew knew that Victoria was in tears, it made him feel worse. He stood up, pacing the patio. But seriously! How does she know what I'm feeling? She's always had a mother to look out for her! There's no way she can relate!
"You were wrong to yell at her like that, Chris." Espa said quietly. "She was only trying to protect us."
"I know that. It's just.....I don't know. I just really want to meet her." Christien replied. "I want to know what happened that made her leave." He looked at Espa. "You know, don't you?"
"If I knew, I would've tried to fix it. But even I was baffled when she walked out." Baffled is understatement. I was furious with her. I guess after all these years, I still am. "You should go over and apologize to Victoria later."
"I will." Christien vowed. "I most definitely will."
Later that night, Christien sat in his room with Jonathan, listening to Espa on the phone. The woman called Marcia had indeed come to visit, only to find the house deserted. Espa had called her back on the caller Id number left from that morning. Now they were arguing. He and Jonathan were in his room, since it was closest to Espa's. "Do you think he'll cave and let her come visit?"
"I don't know..." Jon was shivering. He could still remember the morning he'd woken up to find his mother gone, and Espa attempting to make breakfast for everyone and feed Ej at the same time. "It would serve her right if he refused though, you know?"
"I don't know.......I'm mad because I barely remember her, and at the same time, I want to know her." Chris sighed deeply. "I'm confused."
"I know how that is." Jon put a hand on Christien's shoulder. "I remember that for a while, Espa used to tell you that she'd gone to the store to buy us toys." That lasted until he was about nine...then Espa had to tell him the truth. He'd only cried for a little while.
"I remember that......." Chris replied smiling a little. "Espa hadn't wanted to tell me, but after I overheard him on the phone with Atamire for the first time, he had to tell me." He sighed deeply, as he heard t he phone clink back on it's receiver. A few minutes later, Espa opened their door. He looked oddly older than he shoul d.
"Well, she's coming to visit tomorrow night. But I told her it was to be brief, and that Andy and Ej would not be here."
"Why can't they be here?" Christien wanted to know. "She's their mother too..."
"Because I have no intention of seeing them cry after she leaves." Espa replied with a sigh.
"Work for me..." Jonathan told him. "But I hope you made it for around eight thirty."
"Why?" Espa asked, but then he nodded. "Right. Your rehearsal. I made it for nine o'clock. Joey's going to keep the littles over night for me."
"Great." Christien was ecstatic. Finally, he'd get to meet the woman that was his mother. He couldn't wait! "I want to call Victoria. Is that all right?"
"It's after ten. I don't think they'd like that too much. Call her in the morning." Espa advised. "Now you two get into bed. I heard your day at the theater tomorrow is crazy."
"It is." Christien confirmed. He hugged his two brothers good night before they left. He settled into his bed, but he knew he'd never get to sleep now. She's actuall y coming here, to our new house! Wait until she sees how we've survived on our own all this time!