#3
The journey to Ohio was longer than Astrophe expected. Maybe because he was worried and anxious of how he would find his home.
Throughout the flight, he was reading the Bible and murmuring silent prayers for the recovery of his mother. He also got a chance of preaching to a middle-aged man who sat with him on the plane.
The man saw Astrophe reading a Bible and was interested to know why Astrophe had it.
Astrophe told him about Jesus Christ and the miracles he did and even testified to him about his two weeks transformation. The man was very amazed and he agreed to receive Christ and test being a follower of Jesus for two weeks to see if his own life would change.
When the plane landed, Wayne/ Astrophe took the man’s escort because, he was also going to the same town that, Astrophe was heading to. He dropped Astrophe at a stop where he could take one bus to home.
While in the bus, Wayne thought of thanking God for his mothers’ recovery. He recalled that, Faith is the assurance of things hoped for; the conviction of things not seen.
He stepped out of the bus and begun strolling on the pavement way of his familiar neighborhood.
It was 1pm and the sun was high up in the sky. The iron sheets of countless row of houses, reflected the sun’s light and glittered in the valley.
Astrophe came to a store a few blocks from his home and greeted a new man behind the counter.
“What can I get you?” The man asked.
“Just a big bag of candy, tin of coffee and … spaghetti.”
The man raised his eyebrows queering the order and turned to his collection of foodstuff to get Astrophe what he wanted.
Astrophe looked outside the store through the glass entrance and noticed the empty streets once again. “What happened to all the kids?”
“Excuse me?” The store-keeper asked, placing a bag with Astrophe’s things on the counter.
“I’m asking about the kids.”
Shortly a purr sounded on the driveway.
“There they are.” The store-keeper announced.
Astrophe smiled, taking out his wallet. “They must have all grown up.”
“That depends. How long have you been away?”
“Just a few years.”
“Maybe not all of them have grown up then.”
Just then, some kids appeared outside the glass door of the store, in blue coats and dark shorts.
They beamed at Astrophe, struggling to open the door.
Astrophe smiled and walked forward, and let them inside.
“Apphy!” They exclaimed, jumping over him.
Astrophe laughed, carrying two of the six year olds in his hands. “Hey, you? Samantha, Beck. You’re all too heavy now.”
The little girl kissed his side cheek, “Where did you go?”
“My mother said that, you are a judge and you take people to prison.” Beck added quickly, making Astrophe laugh.
He felt another kid pulling his trousers and he bent his head down to glance at a familiar face. “Hey? Twinny?”
The little girl popped her cheeks and exclaimed, “Apphy!”
He turned back to the store-keeper. “Thanks bro. I’ll get going with these bunnies.”
Samantha hit him and giggled.
“Ouch! I’ll bring you down now.” He warned her, aiming at the slowly crowding door.
Beck joined her in the laughter.
“That’s it!” Astrophe said and lowered the kids just outside the store, only to be overwhelmed by more 4, 5 and 6 year olds.
“Apphy!” The children took the liberty to announce his presence throughout the neighborhood.
“Hey, Hey!” Astrophe tried to hush them.
But, the kids crowded him and grabbed his bag.
“What’s in it?” They took turns in asking.
“Be careful with that Willy. Only take the packet of candy.” He said to a young black boy who held his shopping bag.
Wayne managed to stand and now, he could count at least the whole kindergarten around him.
“Apphy!”
He sighed, looking across the street. A door of a two story building opened and a boy came out, holding a leash with his bulldog.
The dog barked vehemently and released itself from his master, running over the fence of the house, as he signaled other dogs in the street and more teenage boys, to jump over Astrophe.
He could not breathe with a bunch of dogs overweighing him and licking his face. The kids laughed without lifting a finger to help him.
Oh Jesus. He was thinking, struggling to free himself from at least one of the beasts.
The first teenage boy called out his dog and calmed the other dogs.
Astrophe rose from the ground, wiping the yack from his face and his clothes.
The children laughed.
He frowned at them, shaking his head.
“Apphy!” The first boy hugged him.
Wayne tottered back a few steps, receiving the warm embrace. “Mark… I missed you too.”
The boy drew back. “What happened to you, man? It’s like, you vanished from the face of the earth.”
“It doesn’t matter now. I’m here, ain’t I?”
“Don’t you ever, ever, go away.” Samantha warned Wayne, on behalf of the kindergartens.
Wayne smiled at her. “How about, I take you with me?”
She blushed.
“Is it true that you take people to jail?” another of the older boys asked, catching Wayne’s attention.
“No. Contrary to that, I try to keep people from going to jail.” He replied and turned to the children. “Shall we be going?”
“You should see your mom.” Another boy spoke from the company.
Wayne gulped. He was scared again. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will act. He recalled and turned to the boy, squinting his eyes to glance at him under the scorching sun. “I’m here for that, how is she?”
“She is dying.” Samantha replied, walking beside Wayne’s legs.
He sighed deeply and remained silent for a while.
“I believe that she is going to be fine.” Mark said.
Wayne turned to him. “Yeah?” He asked, carelessly.
“Because, seeing you again will make her better.” Mark explained.
“We’ve been praying for her in Sunday school.” Samantha said.
“Mrs. Wendy says that, she is going to be fine.” Beck added.
“Sam, have you been praying to Jesus for my mother?”
Wayne asked her.
Samantha nodded.
“Thank you. Do you know that Jesus loves children?” Wayne wanted to know.
“Jesus loves kids.” Willy said on his own.
“So, Jesus is going to heal your mom or, take her to heaven.” Samantha commented.
“I want her to stay a bit longer on earth.” Wayne confessed.
The boys laughed.
“Then, Jesus will keep her here… till she becomes very old.” Samantha said, widening her arms to describe old.
Wayne managed a chuckle. He was still worried.
From there, he could see his house.
The tree climbers had now hid the original maroon color of the walls. Only the white painted window bars, brightened the house.
Wayne recalled that, it was their mom who used to cut the weeds away. She always said that, they brought insects into the house.
He recognized the black salon Mercedes just outside the low white barred fence that surrounded their single story house.
It belonged to Christopher. Keeping it outside meant that, he was about to go out.
Was mom so sick? Was she even at home?
He was then comforted by his father’s pickup truck that was clearly visible in the open garage at the side of the house.
Mom was around alright, otherwise, the car wouldn’t have been there.
Wayne heard the kids talking but, he could not concentrate or reply them. He stared at his house and by chance, caught sight of the glass window.
A curtain beyond it was etched a bit and Wayne felt his heartbeat stop when his gaze met with his father’s.
Dad seemed startled.
Astrophe didn’t know what to feel.
He paused walking and said to his escort, “thank you guys. I’ll,” he sighed. “I’ll take it from here.”
“We’ll just be here.” Samantha said.
“Sam, lets’ take you home.” Mark said, grabbing her.
She cried. “No, no. I wanna see Apphy’s mom.”
“Me too.” Wily said.
“Beck, Wily. Let’s go.” Another of the boys ordered, taking the children’s hands.
Wayne sparsely paid attention to what was happening behind him. He took slow steady steps along the side walk to his home.
He saw the front door opening and there appeared Chris in a white shirt and black trousers.
He held on to the door for a while, staring at Wayne, shockingly.
Soon enough, dad appeared behind him in a blue drafted shirt and khaki shorts.
The two watched Wayne approach the front gate, like they were seeing a ghost.
Probably like him, Wayne thought, his family were amazed to see him.
Their last encounter was a rough one and Wayne shouted that, he would never return.
Chris, who always crushed Wayne’s dreams and his life, took Wayne’s decision as the right one. The three were so caught up in their differences so that, they neglected mom’s groaning and mourning in the upper floor of the house.
Wayne did not know what happened afterward, except his father’s call a month ago.
Now. Standing a few feet from dad and Chris, Wayne, dropped on his knees, releasing tears.
He took in a deep a breath, looking at his father who also wrinkled his face with pain.
“Dad.” Wayne called in agony.
Dad broke into a cry and scurried down the patio to Wayne, falling down to hug him.
“Astrophe. My son.” Dad cried.
Wayne wept with him, holding his father strongly. He did so as though, dad was going to evaporate and the reunion was just a dream.
Chris remained standing at the patio of the house, shaking his wrist nervously. He could not comprehend what was just happening and he did not know how to react.
Physically, Chris was Wayne's double; by height, color and even his face. But, he kept a beard and combed back his brown hair off his forehead unlike Wayne, who maintained a fringe and kept his chin shaven.
Wayne drew back from the embrace to look at his dad and ask him the matter at hand. “Where is mother? She’s alive. She is alive.” He said, convincing himself. “She is still alive.”
Dad smiled at him and nodded. “Yes she is.”
Wayne laughed between tears and got on his feet with his father’s aid.
They turned to Chris and he was eyeing Wayne with confused emotions. Probably, he was still or even more angry at him.
Wayne took in a deep breath, thinking; Jesus, I was told that, you fix relationships. Please fix this one which is very hard for me. Please?
Chris waited as Wayne drew close, looking somberly at him.
Wayne halted at a single step from Chris and Chris thought of drawing back but, hesitated.
Unlike Chris expected, Wayne dropped on his knees again, looking up to him.
Chris popped out his eyes at him in amazement and worry. He was confused.
“Christopher.” Wayne called and sighed deeply. “I am sorry for everything I ever did wrong to you. You’re my brother and I never respected that.” He paused, squeezing his eyes shut and releasing more tears. “There is a reason why, a reason why you’re a prominent attorney. I needed and I still do, to learn from you.” He glanced up at Chris, whose countenance had already melted, with his eyes stinging with tears. “Chris. I am so sorry. I am willing to do anything so that, you can forgive me. Please? I beg you.”
Christopher strangled his hand into a fist with which, he knocked his forehead as he turned away; a thing he did when he was overwhelmed with emotions.
Wayne waited patiently for his response and Chris turned back to him, having released tears. He bent down to Wayne and held him up, sobbing with him.
“It’s okay bro.” He spoke for the first time.
Wayne cried on his brother’s back and dad joined them, patting his sons’ sides.
“I am sorry too bro.” Chris said, within the moment. “I’m sorry.”
“You didn’t do anything. It has always been my fault.” Wayne told him as they drew apart.
Christopher held his brother’s shoulders. “No. bro, tell me that you’ve forgiven me.”
Wayne shook his head in disapproval. “I’m the only one who should be sorry.”
“Bro. Please?” He begged him and sniffed. “Forgive me.”
Wayne took his time and nodded.
“Say it?” Chris asked him.
Wayne took a deep breath and said. “I’ve forgiven you, bro.”
Chris nodded and hugged his brother again for a fair amount of time.
#
what happens next? stay tuned to find out
#twoweeksstory
