Chapter 22 Mother and Son

Author's Note: Just a reminder that the word Baba means Father in Swahili.

Kami sat in the front row, a little off to the side, as she waited for the Head of the Faculty for the School of Education to introduce her to the podium. She had written countless articles on computer programming for as many magazines and made numerous presentations at companies and also institutions of learning. But none had evoked the level of nervousness that this presentation did now.

Both her parents were highly respected members of the faculty, and she wanted to make them proud on this her first presentation at their university. Hildy sat with her parents a few rows behind her. She chanced to take a quick look over her shoulder at her family. They all gave her reassuring smiles, but she could see the tension in her parents faces especially her father. She knew in an instant that they were not concerned about her presentation as they had heard her present before on another computer related topic at a conference in Boston a few years before.

No, they were anxious over the fact that Michael's family was expected there. Kami had everything worked out with how she wanted her grandmother to meet her parents. She planned a relaxed environment for the initial meeting but a last-minute Government session on the Brexit issue kept her uncle longer in Parliament than he had planed the previous day. This resulted in their scheduled arrival at the Holiday Inn last night being shelved. But true to his word, Harrison was determined to bring his mother to Ipswich in order to have her reunion with Michael and Kalia. Harrison made his excuses for his absence today and tomorrow from his parliamentary duties to facilitate his mother. Because of the government debate session, the previous day, and a major multiple car accident on the A-12 on the drive from London the Ipswich, Kami's family arrival unavoidably got pushed back by almost eighteen hours.

In anticipation of a happy, even if it was a bit tense, family reunion, Kami ordered brunch to be served today at their suit in the Holiday Inn Hotel. She and Hildy checked into the hotel when they arrived in Ipswich the day before. Kami felt that the first meeting in over thirty-five years that her family would be having, should be somewhere private, hence brunch at the Holiday Inn. Unfortunately, her plans fell through.

Now she sat in the auditorium waiting to ascend the stage for the presentation, and her father's family had yet to arrive.

Kami was so caught up in her internal musings that she did not realize her name was called. Only when she heard the round of applause did she realize that it was time to proceed to the podium.

Unbeknownst to Kami, her father's family arrived in time to hear the introduction given by the Head of Faculty before Kami stepped up on the stage. Yesterday morning, Lauren sat with Elizabeth and Google Kami's name. Both she and Elizabeth were impressed with Kami's accomplishments and Elizabeth was truly please with the amount of charity work her granddaughter's name was associated. She felt that Kami did a lot more than was reported in the press and felt a rush of love for this lovely woman who was Michael's daughter.

The ushers at the main auditorium door were told by Kami beforehand that she expected special guests, and to escort them to where her parents and fiancée sat. As Kami began to speak she followed all protocols by acknowledging all the persons she was required to.

Just as she began the introduction of her presentation her eyes were distracted by movement off to the side. When she saw her grandmother, uncle and aunt she felt a rush of relief. She was not even aware that her body was that tense and anxious until the release came. Then she smiled in anticipation of the reunion that she knew was about to take place.

The auditorium was not very large as far as auditoriums went. It could only seat approximately five hundred persons but that added to its charm. When presentations were held there, the audience felt more connected to the presenter because of the way the seats were arranged. The arrangement added to the illusion of closeness to the stage.

When Kami stopped speaking and smiled that smile that made Hildy fall in love with her, every person seating there felt drawn to her. Collectively, the audience relaxed in their seats as they returned Kami's smile. Then as one, the entire audience turned their heads to see what caught Kami's attention and caused her to stop speaking.

Michael and Kalia knew immediately what made their daughter's face light up as they glanced at each other. Kalia reached for her husband's hand and squeezed it before they too turned to look at the source of Kami's distraction.

The day before when Kami and Hildy arrived from London, they went to the family home only after checking into the hotel. Kalia and Michael assumed the reason she checked into a hotel instead of coming home was because Hildy was with her. They assumed the young couple wanted privacy as they would be sharing a bedroom, and if their daughter was anything like them, she would need thick walls to minimize the sound of passion being heard . As a matter of fact, Kalia and Michael both had a good laugh at what they thought was their daughter's sensitivities.

Kami's parents wasted no time in teasing both she and Hildy when they arrived at the house. Both women blushed brightly at the loving teasing. After a moment, Hildy decided to get in the teasing because even though she did blush at the thought of Kami's parents discussing her sex life, Hildy loved to see how Kami entire face glowed in a most beautiful way when she blushed.

Hildy held up her hands in mock surrender as she said with a smirk on her face;

"Yes, I admit it, we do tend to get a bit loud. Especially Kami when she is in the throes of passion".

Kami blushed a pinker shade of pink as she turned and looked at her fiancée in horror. Her expression made her parents laugh even more, Kami just looked between her parents and her lover and shook her head. After the laughter died down, Kami told her parents that she only planned to be at the hotel for one night. She explained that the reason for the stay at the establishment was to organize brunch the following morning for some guests whom she wanted her parents to meet.

Kami went on gently recapping all that happed the day before. From the day sightseeing up and around London, to their visit to Parliament and meeting Harrison. Then Kami took a deep breath and ended her tale with the dinner the night before at Michael's family home but left off speaking about her grandfather.

Michael and Kalia sat in stunned silence as thoughts, emotions and memories flooded their minds. The silence that filled the room could be described as a pregnant pause, and not just pregnant but pregnant with triplets. Kami looked at Hildy and her eyes sort support and comfort. Hildy immediately moved closer to her lady and gently rubbed circles on her back. After what seemed like an eternity, Michael cleared his throat.

"Kami… I do not know what to say. When you said you were planning a brunch at the hotel and wanted us to attend, it never crossed my mind that the plans for tomorrow morning are to meet Baroness Keefer and her son".

Both Hildy and Kami noted Michael's use of his mother's official title. Kami looked at Hildy and pleaded with her eyes. Hildy knew immediately that her lady needed help to convince her father that this totally unexpected situation could be positive.

Hildy looked at Kalia and saw her guarded expression then she looked at Michael and saw a perfect stoic look that could not be interpreted. Hildy offered a silent pray asking Heavenly Father for the right words to express to the older couple whom she had come to love.

She then recapped how Kami did not want to approach Harrison the day before in Parliament when she discovered who he was.

She explained how they talked it through, then prayed about it, and how Heavenly Father orchestrated all the events by letting things fall in place for an opportunity to reconcile. Hildy knew Kami deliberately did not mention her grandfather for fear it would greatly upset her father but Hildy decided to use the incident to show how far Elizabeth and Harrison have come through the years in being better persons and not sharing Alastair's world view. Hildy also told her in-laws that Pappy had their back because he called the Keefer household and spoke to Elizabeth and set Alastair straight.

When Michael heard that he could no longer hold on to the stoic expression and his jaw dropped open.

"Baba called my parents? He spoke to my father after that man insulted you both last night?", Michael asked in shock.

"Yes, he did. I gave him their phone number and I spoke to him an hour ago when he filled me in of what transpired in the conversation. I got the impression that Pappy feels sorry for the Baron. I have a feeling Pappy will try reaching out to him in the future".

Michael looked at Hildy then his daughter and finally turned to Kalia and asked, "Kalls, what do you think of all this?"

Kalia took her hand and ran her fingers through her hair as she sometimes did when she was stressed or distracted. She looked intently and lovingly into her husband's eyes and responded with, "It is a lot to take in … but I trust Kami and Hildy. And I trust my father completely. They were the ones who interacted with your mother and father, not us. I know life experiences sometimes causes people change, to adapt. And from everything Kami and Hildy said it appears like your mother has done so. Michael, I think Heavenly Father has made a way to let an old woman clear her conscience and seek forgiveness before it is too late. I think we should meet with her tomorrow at brunch and see what happens next. As for your father …. I will wait to see if Baba's is able to make any dent in his racial, arrogant attitude before going anywhere near him via phone or in person".

Michael nodded at his wife's wise words before turning back to his daughters.

"OK, we will attend the brunch tomorrow", Michael agreed.

But as things worked out the Keefer family were unable to attend the brunch because of unexpected delays in their Ipswich arrival. Hence, the private meeting of Mother and Son did not take place.

The entire auditorium sensed that something unscripted was about to take place. Kami was a beautiful woman by everyone's standard but when she smiled her face took on an added beauty. The way she smiled and looked at the three persons who were slowly being ushered to where the two Professor Keefer were sitting made everyone pay attention to what was going to happen next.

Michael stood followed by Kalia and Hildy as Baroness Elizabeth Keefer preceded Lord and Lady Keefer down the aisle. Even though the audience did not know who they were, everyone noted how regal Elizabeth looked. As she got abreast to the row were Michael stood she stopped and looked into green eyes that looked so much like hers in shape and expression. Her eyes instantly misted over and spilled as tears cascaded down her cheeks.

Michael searched his mother's face for any traces of arrogance or negativity. But all he saw was an old woman whose eyes reflected fear, hope and love. Instinctively he stepped forwards and placed his arms gently around her waist as she sobbed the words;

"I am so sorry for all the hurt I caused. Please forgive me". And like his daughter did before him two nights ago, Michael said:

"All is forgiven".