UNBROKEN

EIGHTY FIFTH INSTALMENT

"I am going to tell you were I have been and what happened but you can't tell Barry" this was not easy to answer as I didn't know what it was she was about to tell me or that I could keep it from my brother. I did know though that if I didn't respond she would shut down.

"Ok, but you are asking a lot Rhonda. I don't like keeping things from him" I said reluctantly.

"Emily, you have to promise me this. It would kill him if he knew and I love him too much to do that. I have never told anyone what I am about to tell you. My family know some of it but not what I am about to tell you"

"Ok I promise.. But please think about telling him if I tell you he should know"

"Let's just see how you take it first" she said in a soft broken tone. I could see her breathing change for this moment. In my mind all I could think is 'what could be so bad that it would kill my brother to know'.

"I have to start from the beginning. The day I left your house to go and tell my parents that I was going to marry Barry" Rhonda paused waiting a response. I didn't want to say anything I just wanted Rhonda to feel comfortable enough to just get it all out.

"Ok"

" I got home and walked in to see my family at the table. I remember having a smile from ear to ear when I walked up as I was going to tell them and there was nothing they could say or do that could stop me. I was so in love. I didn't care that Barry was not  Lebanese not that he was not Catholic. I just loved him and he loved me. Our souls were joined" Rhonda paused again and she had a smile on her face recalling their love for one another. I looked at her and smiled back.

"When I got to the table I blurted out that Barry and I were engaged and that I didn't care what they thought that I was going to do it. They turned to me and told me to sit down" I could she her face change as this was the moment at that time that she had dreaded and at the time felt she was fully prepared for. I nodded to acknowledge what she had said so far.

"As I sat down my father looked at me with nothing in his eyes"

"Rhonda, we hear what you have to say and we are ok with it" her father said to her.

"At this moment Emily, I was so relieved that he had said this that I burst into tears. I was expecting a fight. He continued after this though"

"Rhonda as the oldest child we have something for you to do before you get married. We were not expecting you to tell us you were getting married so fast. We have property in Lebanon that we need to sell and as you are the oldest child it is your duty to go to Lebanon and sell it for us" he stated.

"Emily, it was a tradition for the eldest child to take the reigns of our family matters when our parents were too old to handle them and they definitely could not have travelled that far" she looked at me and was obviously trying to gauge my response.

"Ok" is all I could manage as I didn't want to interrupt her.

"Our family conversation continued"

"Ok, I will do it but as soon as I return I am marrying Barry"

"Ok Rhonda, you must leave today. We have booked the flight for this evening" he demanded of me.

"I have to contact Barry and let him know what is happening"

"No! No one must know of this child!" He demanded of me.

"But he will worry about me. I can't just leave without telling him" I cried almost begging him to agree but he would not." Rhonda paused for a moment then continued.

"Rhonda, we will make sure he knows you are OK and will be back in due time" my Mother spoke up. Rhonda choked back tears whilst relaying this.

"Emily, I wanted to tell Barry but they would not let me communicate anything to anyone" at this point I spoke up.