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Word count: 1746
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*
Monica O’Brien slowly parted her eyelids as her ringing blared into life. Gritting her teeth in slight irritation because her eyes were still really heavy with sleep like the clouds with rain, she stretched her hand out tiredly to feel for her phone.
She'd spent the night working on a research that needed to be reviewed by her boss the next morning.
They involved her company’s deal with a new, fast growing company in the country and she was due to make her part of the presentation and gatherings to the board of directors at ten AM.
This had kept her busy for most of the night, with her only companion being several mugs of coffee to keep her head in the work and the sound of hushed voices from the television, sounding as background noise.
With a groan, Monica picked the phone and glided her index finger through the screen with droopy eyes, letting out a tired yawn. Her other hand swiftly dug into her honey pecan hair.
“Hello?”
“Someone is still sleepy.” Her younger brother, Andrew mumbled on the other line.
His voice was as clear as day and she could easily guess he had woken up earlier than the time he was calling. As usual, Andrew should be at his work place or on his way already.
“Good morning Drew.” She yawned again.
“Morning. How are you and my angel doing?”
“Very well. Your call woke me just now and I’ll check on her when I drop the call.” She tried to keep the irritation in her tone at bay, wondering why he called.
“Someone is eager to hang up.” He spoke teasingly.
Irritation easily seeped into Monica and she desperately hoped she wouldn’t have to lash out at someone so early in the morning. She was sometimes a morning person. That is, whenever she had a good sleep.
“And someone is eager to get cut off the phone if he doesn’t have any valuable reason for calling so early. Why did you call?” She spoke through gritted teeth.
He couldn’t have possibly called her at such an early hour of the day just to say nothing important. It was just too early.
“Okay, I’ll let you know why I called.” He added quickly with a light laugh. Monica knew why he was laughing and she did an eye roll. Drew knew his older sister wasn’t always a morning person and also knew she hated it whenever her sleep got interrupted during working days because most of those dawns, she would just be getting her version of a good sleep.
She checked the time on the nightstand and heaved a contented sigh.
It was just five O'Clock and she still had at least an hour more to nap before she could start preparing for the day because her overly generous boss had been kind enough to ask her to come in after eight thirty.
She knew the man had a little crush on her but never liked taking advantage of his feelings whenever he made such suggestions. However, this time, Monica would go for it.
She needed the rest so she wouldn’t end up with droopy eyes during the meeting full of professionals all dressed in intimidating suits and with a tense presentation. For the umpteenth time, Monica hoped everything would go well with the ten AM presentation.
“What’s up?”
“I’m travelling to Hawaii for three months and…I mightn’t reach you very often. It’ll be a very busy quarter for me.” He stated, all form of playfulness totally wiped off in his tone. This also caught her attention and she felt uneasy, releasing a sharp breath and sitting up on the bed.
Andrew had never left her for so long before and now he was going to Hawaii for three solid months. She didn’t bother about the details, she knew he was going there for an art exhibition or something else related to his work.
He was an artist, an international and influential one at that.
They lived a city apart but that had been Monica’s suggestion so she could get used to being independent and not feel the need to rely on people around often. Their parents were no more and they now only had each other. Also, she had her three years old daughter to take care of and she didn’t want anyone doing that for her because that would only make Monica feel like a pity case.
Adjusting on the bed, she let out a low breath. “I’m happy for you Drew.”
“I know you are but I am not too sure about you being alone…”
“That’s where you are wrong, baby brother. I’m strong enough and we can handle whatever comes. Besides, it’s just been work, work and even more work. That’s apart from taking care of Stephanie, of course.”
Andrew exhaled on the other end. “I’m glad to hear that. Are you sure you’ll be good on your own with my niece? You could come over. You know Maggie would be glad to help take care of Stephanie.” Maggie was his part-time maid and the maid usually spoiled Stephanie whenever they visited, giving her extra treats.
“I’m sure, we'll be okay. Go and do what you love and oh, break a leg.” She sniggered.
Now he laughed and like before, his tone was carefree. They spoke for a while before he ended the call, saying it was time to prepare for the day ahead and contact the company sponsoring his trip.
Monica slept for a while more after ending the call before deciding it was time to get on with the busy day.
Getting up from bed after another one hour twenty minutes rest, Monica woke her daughter up and they did their morning ritual. She took her to the bathroom and bathed her squeaky clean, singing the three year old girl the famous Jack and Jill rhyme.
“Mommy, when will I go to Uncle Drew’s place?” Stephanie asked her mother, the gum of her missing tooth coming on display as she spoke.
Monica was washing her shoulders and water almost got into her mouth, nevertheless, Stephanie still voiced her question. Monica shook her head at her daughter’s defiant nature.
“I’m not too sure, baby.”
“But I need to go.” She laid a thick emphasis on ‘need’, giving her mother a look that screamed incredulity.
Monica feigned indifference. “Why?”
“We have not gone there since that day.” The three years old girl replied. To Stephanie, everyday in the past was a ‘that’ day.
“You’ll go soon baby and we will play with Jack.”
Stephanie eyes brightened with excitement at her mother's words. Jack was Drew’s Russian breed. A part of Monica knew she couldn’t wait to go there again because Stephanie loved her uncle dearly. He loved playing with her and carrying her on his shoulders so she could see lots of people.
“Really?”
“Yes but you can’t sleep with Jack’s head on your chest or kiss him all the time like you do.”
“Okay mommy, I promise.” Stephanie declared in obvious giddiness. Monica did an exhausted eye roll. Promise was a new word her daughter had just heard from a cartoon she watched and she now said the word all the time.
“Now, go wear your panty and singlet, I’ll join you in the room soon-”
“And we will prepare for school.” Stephanie completed.
Her mother nodded with a knowing smile.
“Okay momma. Love ya.” She chanted and removed her towel off her, dusting it in the air. Monica shook her head. Stephanie was a fast learner and always made sure to try whatever someone did in her presence. She had begun dusting her towel from the day she saw her mother dust hers.
“I’ve told you to stop- okay, I love you too. Now go.” Her daughter ran out and Monica took her bath quickly, giggling at the girl’s cuteness.
Monica got herself and her daughter dressed, prepared corn flakes for Stephanie and fixed her some noodles for school break while she munched on her breakfast, chattering away to herself.
Listening to her daughter, Monica felt pride swell in her.
She had had her at the age of twenty one, when she just freshly graduated from the university and the stress had been much then but listening to the little girl singing with a pink bow on her head and a wide smile gracing her lips, Monica tried hard to contain her gratitude.
Her eyes brimmed with unshed tears and she smiled. She suddenly felt the rush of emotions brewing deep in her heart and overwhelming her.
Her daughter was all that mattered to her and only after her, could any other thing or person follow.
Stephanie commented about every single thing she saw on the road as her mom drove her to school.
She kept pointing and laughing giddily, also role-playing to mimic her teacher whom she said had a Joker’s look— from a batman cartoon she had watched.
Driving into her school compound where so many kids were playing, Stephanie’s chatter finally died down.
“Are you coming to pick me today?” Her large eyes were expectant.
“No. The school bus will drop you.” Monica opened the door and her daughter alighted it. Stephanie shrugged regardless, ever the cheerful one. Monica had been contemplating the idea of picking her daughter herself. Since the school closed at three pm, she would enroll her in after school lessons so she could concentrate on her own work at the office and later go to pick Stephanie on her way home.
“Okay mama. Love ya.”
“Love you too. Run along.” She called at her daughter who was already walking towards her best friend, Tracie Morgan. The two squealed like drenched cats when they saw each other before hugging, kissing each other on the cheeks and comparing their colorful hair bows while giggling.
Monica shook her head and with a face splitting smile stretching onto her face as she drove away from the parking lot. Her daughter was a lovely girl and she wouldn’t trade her for the world.
*
Here's the first chapter. What do you think about it?
Are you curious about Monica's past?