"You know, Tessa!" Mrs McCall snaps me from my engrossed thoughts about Jerol losing his temper because of Ellie.
Don't censure my mood swings and upheavals on that whole new revelation. You understand the law of love, right? Jealousy and possessiveness go hand in hand with love. You understand that clingy sense of yearning and even demanding to be the only one your loved one cares about? Yes, that!
Plus, I know she is pregnant and all, with a child whose real father is yet to be identified. I know he has shown no interest whatsoever in her since her return. He has not given me any reason to be insecure. But hey! They have a history together - deep history however twisted and doubtful it seems. She might have not loved him, but he did love her with all his heart. I am a witness to what damage she brought upon him when she spit him out. I became a victim of the bitterness he felt for losing her. So, can you blame me for feeling this way after learning that he went wild after she got hurt?
And this Grego guy? Why push a pregnant woman, who is allegedly your lover? Even if she was a stranger, why do that?
"I feel like I am to blame for what is happening." I snap to Mother as she speaks.
Huh?
"But, why?" I quiz.
"When I got my first son, I went through a lot with him. As an orphan, and with his father denouncing to take responsibility, I really had a rough time. But I did not want my son to go through anything I went through growing up. The feeling of lacking, and poverty, I vowed to never at any given moment let my child experience any of that." She pauses.
My! People are really blessed with incredibly amazing mothers in this world. Except for me. Why did I have to have that crap of a woman as my mother? It would have been better growing up as an orphan and not knowing anything about her for the rest of my life. Sigh!
Mother continues after taking a deep sigh. "When I was able to work, I provided him with everything I could afford. I made sure to give him everything he asked for, even if it meant starving myself. When I met my husband, it was not so much about how hard it was to fit in his rich world, but the future of my child. That is what made me strive to learn everything there was about fitting in this world of the rich. As a young girl who did not know all families and all, I had a lot to learn and endure, but there was no giving up. All for my son, until I adjusted, and achieved security for my son's bright future."
Beautiful. Touching. I never would have speculated that she was not brought up in this lifestyle. She really adjusted well. I should stick close to her for lessons because I really need them. I love her story. I am exceptionally moved by what real mothers can do for their children. But, wait. Where is the juicy part of her story? I mean, the love part? Was it all for his son and not love?
"I saw how threatened Grego was when Jerol came into the picture. My joy of having to watch my two sons play together and help each other was crashed from the day Jerol was born. Grego was seven then, and he swore never to let his brother take away anything from him."
Huh? That is, was, harsh!
"We thought it was just his childishness taking a toll on him, but as days turned into months, and months into years, Grego's jealousy towards Jerol grew intense. And neither were his ways pleasing. To soothe Grego's unwarranted jealousy, I showered him with more luxury - got him the modern cars and new gadgets in the market that Jerol was never interested in, brand clothing, and increased allowances every now and then. I let him swim in the glee of life the way he pleased. Instead of making him work like Jerol, I pushed him into being a lazy irresponsible man with all that I was giving him. And that was a grave mistake I am paying for now. My son would not have turned to this if I did not spoil him too much. He would be like his younger brother if only I taught him to be responsible." She keeps quiet right there.
Well, she really spoiled him. No wonder the jerk is so arrogant. Then again, I can not blame her so much. It was her way of being a mother in her own way. Her grave sin was loving his son too much.
"And you know what hurts the most, Tessa?" She adds, looking at me. "It is learning that that all my efforts did not help. It was not even enough for him, because he kept demanding more and more, and now he wants everything for himself." She wipes away the tears.
She knows what Grego might be up to?
I rub her shoulders gently.
"You know about our suspicions?" I implore.
"Yes, we do. Jerol confronted him in front of us. Grego denied it all, of course, but I am no fool, neither is my husband. Honestly, I am afraid of what is to become of him now. This has completely shuttered any little affection that my husband had left for him. I don't know what is going to happen next." She sobs.
Jeez!
I increase the pace of rubbing her shoulders to soothe her as she breaks into uncontrollable sobs.
"Calm down, Mother! Everything will turn out well." I console, not even sure of my own words.
I know Mr McCall is a no-nonsense man. If his wife is this worried, then I even presume I don't know him that much well. Maybe he should have come here and left me to watch over that impossible jerk. God knows what is happening back there. He might have decide to kick Grego out in his half-dead state.
I sympathize with this poor woman! She must be concealing a lot of pain inside. Watching your only two sons at each other's throats every single day of your life must be the worst feeling for a mother ever. And now this... The uncertainty of the fate of her family is shredding her heart into the tiniest bits.
This worries me to the core too. If their father decides to do anything to Grego, then Grego will not forgive Jerol. As I have seen it, he is blaming Jerol for all his misfortunes which is not right at all. He will take it all out on Jerol. This battle will continue until only God knows when.
Something needs to be done. That too, very fast!
"I don't know, Tessa! This does not feel like it's gonna end well." Mother says, sounding worried.
"Just have trust, mother." I urge again.
"Having faith is not a problem, Tessa. But what I am banking on is what matters."
Riddles! Riddles! What does she mean?
"What do you mean?" I implore, staring at her as she speaks.
"The only savior who can stop this family from being wrecked is only the person who can speak some sense into Grego to reform. But there is no..."
"I will try!" I cut her off, shocking her.
If that idiot needs a piece of mind, I am gonna slap it real hard into his empty brain. That is if his skull is not empty.
"No! I will not let my son disrespect you. God forbid what will happen if he does anything stupid to you. Jerol will kill him this time around for sure." She says, standing up.
"After what happened today, I think Grego will think twice before messing with Jerol." I say, but deep inside, I doubt my words.
The arrogance that brat got is of the highest level. I doubt if he will even listen to me. Nevertheless, it does not hurt to give it a chance, right?
"You do not know my son, Tessa! The word defeat does not exist in his dictionary when it comes to his brother. He can never bow nor back down from this." She insists.
"But he will lose, mother, and in the most worst way possible that will even put a stain on this family's reputable name. Are you just going to stand and watch that happen?" I know that sounds like emotional blackmail but, I have to try all the tactics to woe her into letting me do this.
"You know I would do anything to try and stop that for the sake of everyone, Tessa. But not at the expense of risking your life. Leave alone Jerol, but I would not take it if my son does something to you. He is enraged with Jerol after what happened. And trust me, his brain works in reverse gear. He thinks after acting. You see what happened to Ellie?" She explains calmly, but I have no intentions of backing down.
"I know, but still, Mother. Give me just one chance to try and talk to him. Just like you, I also want this to be over soon. Let me do this, if not for anything, then let me do it for the mother who has ever made me feel like a daughter for once in my life, please." Another emotional blackmail.
She cocks an eyebrow at that. "Is that a blackmail? You know I still know nothing about you and I am still itching for that." She says.
"I know. You will know soon. Let's first take care of this? Please, Mother?" I plead.
"How can I toss someone I deem my child into a lion's den?" She implores.
"Trust me, I grew up in a real den of a lioness and it was far much more dreadful than your son. If I was able to stay alive all my years, then a few minutes with your son are nothing. And I promise you, if I sense any kind of danger, I will leave from there right away." I say.
"You win. I will be waiting to hear your interesting story. You've outgrown my curiosity now." She says.
"Thank you. I will go see him in the morning." I say.
"Okay. In the meantime..."
"My story?" I cut her off. Her curiosity is so evident.
"I can not help it and since we have the whole night together, why don't we make a better use of it? Unless..." She keeps quiet for a sec, and then she snaps. "Ooh me! Sorry." She drags me to the seat making me settle down while I stare at her in awe.
Huh? What now?
"What's...the matter?" I implore.
"Sorry, I had totally forgotten you are pregnant, Tessa. Are you okay? Do you need to be checked too?" She says nonstop in apprehension.
Huh? Get checked?
"No, come on Mother! I am totally fine. Relax!" I assure her.
"Are you sure? No! We should get you checked to be sure." She says, starting to the door as she adds. "I will go get the doctor. You can be checked right here."
I would love to stop her because I am certain nothing is wrong with me at all, but feeling a motherly care for the first time, I can't help but be lost in this feeling. I do not want to cut it short.