7. Chapter Seven
Chapter Seven
Licia
Twelve years ago
“ Gramps, breakfast is ready,” I called out from the dining room.
I had brewed his favorite coffee to go with eggs and bacon and picked up his newspaper from the delivery boy earlier that morning. For myself, it was a bowl of fruit 'n' fiber cereal.
After losing my foster parents in an auto crash two years ago, Mr. McKenzie officially adopted me as his grandchild, and I christened him Gramps. He had been my only family since then and saw to it that I lacked nothing.
Though I stayed in Half Moon Bay, I visited him often due to his failing health and mostly because he was fun to be with.
He wobbled down the stairs seconds later, with his nurse following closely behind him.
“Licia, darling. Can you tell Cassie that I can walk unaided?” He turned, eyeing the nurse.
I chuckled, “Gramps, you know we can’t risk you tumbling down the stairs.”
“Mr. McKenzie, I am sorry to be a thorn in your flesh, but I need to keep a close eye on you,” Cassie replied. She was doing a terrific job taking care of him.
Cupping the corner of his mouth, he leaned towards me. “She’s such a nag,” he tried to whisper, though it barely passed as one.
Cassie replied with a smile. “I can hear you, Mr. McKenzie.”
“Whatever,” he waved it off.
I pulled out his seat and got him settled in before taking mine beside him. He gently placed his napkin on his lap and picked up his cutlery.
He noticed that Cassie was still standing beside him and turned to face her. “Cassie, my grandkid is here, so you can back off a little. Or do you want to watch me eat as well?” He glared at her from his glasses, but she didn’t budge.
I had to step in. “Cassie, you can go. I will call you when we need you.” I assured her, still smiling at Gramps' tantrums. He is cute when grumpy.
“Okay, Licia,” Cassie concurred before exiting the dining area.
“Finally, some peace,” Gramps muttered.
He took a bite of the egg. “Hmmm… nice. I love the fluffy texture.” He nodded in approval, taking more bites.
I smiled proudly, “I’m glad you like it.”
“Yeah, I do. So tell me, when are you coming back for good?” His tone became serious all of a sudden.
I didn’t see the question coming. “I… I…” I racked my brain for a suitable answer, but none was forthcoming.
“You need to be around more often and acquaint yourself with how things work around here. There is a need for you to learn the ropes fast, and I will equally have to introduce you to the board.”
He wasn’t kidding around.
I was yet to tell him that I was considering applying to UCLA for my program, as opposed to the private university he had been subtly pushing for. He would literally lose it if I told him about it.
“Gramps, let's talk about that when I visit next.” I needed to buy more time, and I was glad he appeared to be falling for it.
He smiled widely. “That’s perfect. How about your boyfriend?” He asked, completely taking me off guard.
I became defensive. “Gramps, who said I had a boyfriend?” I tried sounding serious, but I was already turning beet red.
“Licia, I have been around far too long to miss that glow of teenage love. So I know someone is in love when I see one. Is he good to you?”
I blushed harder. “Yes, he is. And handsome too.” I felt the need to add that part.
“That’s nice. Tell me all I need to know about this boy who stole your heart.” He requested, giving me his full attention as he took a sip of his coffee.
I happily told him everything about Kevin, and even the tournament they just won. I prattled on for over ten minutes and he let me, without interruption. He was impressed.
“You should probably bring him during your next visit.” He submitted, picking up the last piece of egg with his fork.
“I will, Gramps,” I replied giddily. Elated that he wanted to meet Kevin.
I couldn’t wait to get back to Half Moon Bay. I had missed Kevin a great deal. Gramps tried stalling me for more bonding time, but I had already spent a week with him. It was finally time to leave.
I had tried Kevin’s line over a million times since I got home, but it just wasn’t connecting and kept redirecting me to voicemail every single time. Quite strange. So, I decided to pay him a visit, on the premise that he was probably swamped with practice.
My first port of call was the soccer pitch where I know they usually trained, but there was no sign of him.
Thankfully, I saw Miller doing his runs and beckoned on him. “Hey, Miller!”
“Hi… Licia, right?” He asked, panting with a smile when he reached where I stood.
I smiled back, “Yeah. Uh, do you know where I might find Kevin? His line is down.”
He looked at me like I had just asked him a ridiculous question. “Kevin?”
“Your teammate.” I explained, just in case he had forgotten which Kevin I was asking about.
“I am aware; just surprised that you are asking about him in school. By my calculations, he should be in Dubai at the moment. Didn't he tell you?”
Miller’s words were ringing in my ears, but I tried keeping it together. Kevin might have traveled for a function of some sort. He was definitely coming back soon.
“When will he be back?” I asked, totally ignoring his question. “Any idea?”
Wasn’t it as clear as day to Miller that I was in the dark about the whole situation? Why else would I be asking if I knew that Kevin had traveled?
He chuckled, but soon sobered up when he saw my obvious confusion. “Kevin and Spencer got signed to a professional club in Dubai. As such, they will be gone for a very long time.”
This had to be some kind of prank. Why would Kevin just leave and not say a word?
“Alright… thank you.” I managed to say, despite the turbulent thoughts in my mind.
“You don't look too well, though. Are you good?”
It was a dumb question, but he was being sincere about it, completely oblivious of how devastated I felt.
“I just feel a little queasy, but I will be fine.”
“Very well then, I still have a few laps to run.”
I nodded absentmindedly as Miller ran off.
I needed answers, but who could I ask? It didn't make sense that Kevin would just bail, without as much as a goodbye.
I was supposed to be happy for him, but I felt like I had just been punched in the stomach. Then it clicked—his family would know better.
***
Present day
I kept tossing and turning in bed, trying so hard not to remember how abandoned and hurt I had felt when I realized Kevin was not coming back…
But it seems the more I tried to shove it down like it didn’t matter anymore, the more vivid the memory became, reigniting my anger all the more. Seeing him practically every day wasn’t helping my vexation either.
Kevin had called early in the morning—he needed my help with something at home, so I quickly freshened up and got set to go do my obligation.
I got to his home about three hours after his call, ready for another day of pretending I was unaffected by his presence.
“Good afternoon, Mrs. Brown,” I acknowledged Phoebe as I stepped into their living room. She was poised elegantly in the recliner, perusing a fashion magazine.
She looked up. “A beautiful one to you, my darling.” She sounded very pleased. Not that it was any of my business, but I could tell there was more to her excitement, and I wondered what the reason for her excitement was.
“Is Kevin upstairs?”
Opting to address him by his first name didn’t mean anything had changed between us. I just didn’t have the mental strength to argue about it anymore.
“No, dear. He went to pick up some stuff,” she took a quick glance at her diamond-encrusted watch, “he should be back any moment. So sorry for the delay.”
“It’s fine, Ma’am. I will wait.”
She smiled animatedly, “In the meantime, we need to talk.”
“What about?” I asked calmly, trying so hard to mask my curiosity.
“Come, have a seat first.”
I slowly walked over to where she sat and eased myself into the sofa closest to her. Where in the world was Kevin?
It was one thing to have a talk with him and another to be interrogated by his mother. She was undoubtedly an easy-going lady, but I just didn't have anything to talk to her about.
“How are things with Kevin?” She enquired, closing the magazine and gently placing it on the stool on her left.
I was going to pretend she was asking, based on his recovery, and answer accordingly, “It's going pretty well, Ma’am. He’s responding very well to the therapy.”
“Smart response, Licia,” she let out a chuckle, “but I'm not talking about his health. I mean the two of you.”
“Oh…” I swallowed hard. I had faced Lexie a couple of days ago on the same issue, now his mom was taking it up a notch. Who knows? The dad might be next. What impression was Kevin giving to them?
That we were kicking things off again? In his wildest dreams!
“I am of the opinion that…”
Kevin's entrance interrupted her. I was the least thrilled by his presence. He had a lot of explaining to do.
“Welcome, Son.”
“Hi, Mom.”
He leaned in and kissed her cheeks. Then turning to me, “So sorry for the delay, Licia. Something beyond my control delayed me.”
“It’s fine, actually. Can we go now?” I blurted, almost immediately, rising to my feet. He happened to be my ‘out of jail free card’ from the awkward conversation I was just having.
He looked between me and his mom, probably trying to figure out what was going on. Phoebe gave him a reassuring smile.
“Yeah, sure. We can,” he replied skeptically.
Once we were out of earshot, I couldn’t keep it in anymore.
“What did you tell your mom is going on between us?” I asked, stopping him in his tracks.
“I don’t understand.” He appeared clueless, but he might just be feigning ignorance.
“Lexie and your mom seem to have this impression that something promising is budding between us. And there is only one plausible explanation. You definitely told them something or did something.”
I was fuming as I paced back and forth. The thought that he was possibly nurturing the idea was ticking off my last nerve.
He huffed exasperatedly, “Just calm down. I can explain.”
“Of course, you have an explanation. And please, don’t tell me to calm down. It’s only going to get me more riled up.”
“Alright… I think they may have misinterpreted my saying that things were no longer strained between us. I am sorry about that.”
I scoffed, “Yeah, sure you are.”
“Licia, what would you have me do to make things right? I have tried explaining things and even apologizing, but you keep blowing me off.” Frustration was dancing around his tone.
His question elicited a guttural laugh from me.
“Really? You wanna know what I want you to do?”
“Yes, I do.” He replied, innocently.
“It’s simple. Leave me alone!” I said between gritted teeth, stressing the last syllable.
“I doubt that’s the best way out.”
“And who do you think you are to tell me what’s best?” Was he really being serious?
“Licia…” He tried to come closer.
“In fact, I am out of here.” I stated emphatically and turned to leave.
“Licia… Licia… wait…” He called after me, but I was gone.