12 MESSAGES OF THE PAST
When Regina told Ally about the carvings, she thought it would be writings that were done with a chisel in the tree trunk. It was beyond her imagination to see Stainless steel engravings tacked into the tree trunk.
She stared at the first engraving that caught her eyes. It was fist size heart shape that was taller than her, 'My love for you is so profound, it surpasses that between the sunlight and plants. Yours infinitely... Gabe.' This was her father. Her frown turned into a smile and then pain flashed across her face. She felt a surge of inexplicable emotions.
There were countless metal plates, and she doubted it was an annual tradition. She read some random ones, 'Finally some blue skies and rainbows for Lex, Dame', 'When love comes, embrace it and never let it go, Gabe', 'Dear self, stay winning, Lexi', 'To cry and smile at the same time. True Happiness. 12/25, Gabe', 'It's spring again, time for new blooms, Lexi', 'Drinks when we meet again, Dame', 'I will keep them safe, just pull your curtains and shine your light down, X', 'Teenage love affairs to the seasoned love. HA, Dame', 'It's raining today, don't cry, X', 'No garment can defeat the warmth you've given me, Lexi.'
Ally first believe this was a lonely tree, but now she understood it was a burdened tree. It took the responsibility of a hearer and watcher. It's where her family rested their unspoken words to rid the heaviness. This was the idea her father and uncle had when they planted it. It serve as a companion when they needed one, the listening ears when they didn't want to be a burden, and the only portal for their emotions. There were anger, love, gratitude, sadness and other raw feelings being poured out on those metals. These were messages of the past, a glimpse of past burdens.
She ran her hands on her father's carving and wondered if he still came here after he left the house. 'A & A, My Angels. Gabe,' this told her he did. Deep down, seeing these makes her feel like he was beside her.
She snapped a picture of her Dad's engravings and sent it to her mother, "Mom, he loved us so much."
Regina didn't reply, and Ally figured her mom was probably emotional right now. She will never get to see the love of life again, but there were voiceless messages from him and she had no idea they existed.
Ally felt a bit lighter reading some of these messages. She went back to lie down beside the baby and looked up at the tree and muttered, "Thank you."
The shade from the tree helped Lucas to have a good nap. He woke up cranky and Ally was deafened by his screams. She held him to her bosom and coaxed him. He eventually relaxed, and she crumpled the blanket, gathered the toys and empty containers, and put them together in the bag on her shoulder. They walked some and jogged some distance back to the house.
"Where did you vanished to?" Lexi asked.
Ally followed the direction of the voice and looked at the gorgeous girl on the balcony, "We picnicked and took a nap under the tree."
Lexi joked as she pointed to herself, "Next time, remember to invite your lovely cousin."
Ally gave a nod and strode into the house. She and Lucas were both clammy but needed to cool off before heading into the shower. Eva received him and Ally headed into the kitchen to wash up the containers they used. She saw Pamela helping the maids in the kitchen.
The maid took the containers from Ally and washed them. Everyone was busy.
Pamela rolled the dough and breathed, "Sweetie, your food is on the table. Go eat while it's still warm."
"Okay, thank you," Ally thanked and shuffled out of the kitchen. She devoured the delicious food like an Equine. It reminded her of the meals her father had cooked. It has been years since she has had Homemade Asian cooking. Growing up biracial she had the privilege of learning both cultures, however, she couldn't seem to master the art of Asian cuisines.
After Ally had her lunch, she stayed in the kitchen. She stood rooted at the door staring at the Asian cuisines and couldn't help to admire their techniques and patience.
"Sweetie, are you okay?" Aunty Pamela asked.
"Huh...yes."
Pamela was a great cook. Even though the house has maids she still could not resist entering the kitchen to cook for her family. She finds comfort in cooking and watching them enjoy the meal.
"What kind of food do you like?" Pamela asked.
"I'm not picky."
"Any favorites?" Pamela probed.
Lost in thought, Ally mumbled, "Dad's Beef noodles soup."
Pamela looked at her with tear-filled eyes, 'Seems like it came in handy.'
"Okay, I will make some for you, Sweetie. Go do what young people usually do."
Ally climbed the stairs slowly and headed to her room. Her calves ached, from last night and the stroll earlier. She made a mental note to restart training. Since having Lucas, she has put aside a lot of things and made him her priority but now she has the help she can include them back into her life.
She sat on the balcony with her laptop and a notebook. She began her research on the family business and jotted down her plan in the book. When she was satisfied with her work she put away her stuff and then headed into the bathroom.
She took the bandage off the least wounded hand. This hand had a couple of scrapes that had already formed scabs and left the bandage on the other hand even though it was not a big deal. When she thought about the pitiful look on the young doctor's face she decided to follow his instruction for this one hand only.
Ally took off her clothes carefully, even her arms pained a little. She stood in front of the bathroom mirror and unblinking eyes wandered over her naked body. Her skin was smooth and fair and the scars were barely visible. When her mother encouraged her to do plastic surgery to cover them she refused. These scars remind her of the past and she didn't want to forget those struggles. The one painful memory she chose not to remember is what she covered with a beautiful tattoo.
She turned her back to the mirror and walked into the shower. On the midsection of her back were delicate white daisy flowers and snowflakes. It gives the illusion that the snow was falling on the petals melting into drops
Ally started with the simplest thing she had neglected doing often since Lucas's birth. She washed her hair and groomed her body. She applied a facial mask and moisturized her wet body. She turned on the dryer and blow dry her thick hair.
The knock on the door interrupted her pampering. Wearing a bathrobe, she opened the door slightly and saw Lexi propped on the wall as she chewed on her bottom lip, distracted.
"Lexi..." Ally tapped her hands lightly on her shoulders, "Do you need something?"
Lexi jerked up, "Dinner is ready."
"Okay. Are you alright?"
Lexi smiled reassuringly, "I'm fine."
Ally saw through her smiling façade, "Alright then, I'll pop down in a jiffy."
"I'll let them know."
Ally closed the door and changed quickly. She peeked at the grandfather clock at the top stairs and saw it was 6 o'clock. 'Early dinner,' she mused as she headed down.
She saw Eva now heading to the dining room with Lucas and she advance to them delighted. She collected Lucas and pecked all over his face and tummy and he reciprocated with loud laughs that echoed throughout the downstairs. She walked around the table and strapped him in the feeding chair and Eva started to feed him the fish congee.
Aunty Pamela kept her promise and made the Beef Noodle Soup. It was even more delicious than what she remembered. It was a hearty dinner.
"Thank you for the meal. It's delicious," Ally praised.
Pamela winked, "You're welcome sweetie."
Everyone at the table knew Pamela always takes great delight in cooking for family and the appreciation is a bonus.
"What are your plans for the week?" Senior Chen glanced at Ally and went on to fill his bowl.
Ally shrugged her shoulders, "I'm thinking of purchasing a car. It'll be easier to get familiar with the city and..."
"You don't have to buy a car, there are plenty in the garage and you could pick one to use. Just choose one and I will ask the caretaker to install the safety seat," Damian interrupted.
"Okay, thank you."
Their family continued to talk over the course of the meal. Ally learned that Alexander was still studying while working at the company and she was amazed. She did the same a few years back and it was challenging but she did her Bachelor's, but he was pursuing a Doctorate which was presumed to be much more difficult. Lexi has her Charity Foundation and Art Gallery. Although they were rich they followed their ambitions, while attending to the company and she praised them for that.
"What about you, Sweetie? What are your dreams?" Pamela asked.
Ally has been asked this question countless times by people she got to know over time and she always had one reply for them, 'A Teacher.' However, this was her family and she didn't want to give them that made-up answer and decided to settle for the half-truth.
She looked at Lucas and then at her grandfather with the intention of truth, but instead, the porky came out, "I'm passionate about providing education for underprivileged children."
"Didn't you pay the piano?" Pamela probed.
For a minute, flickers of mixed emotions blinded Ally and she hesitated, "It's in the past."
"Seems like we inherited Grandma's artsy side," Lexi cheered with a mouthful of food.
Ally noticed her cousin's attitude changed course from earlier. 'Is she bipolar? No, you're so mean, Ally. Maybe she was just hungry,' she speculated.
"What do you mean?"
Senior Chen said, "Your grandma was multi-talented. She was a doctor who loved the fine arts. She had the hands for performing surgery, playing the piano, creating exquisite paintings, and writing sweet poetry."
"She sounds like quite the lady," Ally teased with a radiant smile and Senior Chen's face reddened.
'She smiled just like my beloved,' He mused. Senior Chen sipped his wine and boasted, "She was certainly something else. She was elegant and charming, kind-hearted and sweet and also short-tempered."
They all laughed at Grandpa's description of the Old lady.
"She was a firecracker, who had a lot of suitors. I was lucky enough to receive her love. Just like firecrackers, when her temper explode it created beautiful fireworks." Senior Chen's smile broadened and asserted, "She taught the boys all she knew. Though they may not have much memory of her, those things stuck with them. Both of them carried her traits but Damian was never keen on the fine arts. He was more inclined with the science, while Gabriel leaned more to the fine arts. He loved painting, playing music, and writing poetry just like her. These didn't limit their abilities in any way, they expanded our business drastically even before they graduated from University."
"Luckily Alexis made up for my lack of talent," Damian joked.
"Yes, you brat. Do you even remember when you gave the dog your sheet music to poop on?"
Damian broke out in an infectious laugh, "Gabe tattled on me."
"I'm glad your children are not like you two. Alex is similar to me. Lexi and Ally are like Adele, brilliant, caring, and artistic, but I wouldn't know if they are firecrackers," Senio Chen bragged.
Ally and Lexi gave a knowing smile to each other and continued eating. 'Firecracker is an understatement,' they both mused.
After dinner, Lexi and Ally walked outside to the garage. It was as big as a house with a total of 15 cars. Ally was in awe when Lexi turned on the lights. All the cars looked expensive and she daren't choose one.
"Let's head back!" she immediately stated.
Lexi puzzled, "But you haven't decided on one"
"I can't drive any of them."
"Huh..." Lexi's nose crinkled, "Why not?"
"They are too expensive. Let's go," Ally whispered and she pulled Lexi out of the garage.
Lexi giggled at Ally's flustered reaction. She liked that Ally was not a materialistic person. She pulled Ally to the garden and they sat on the swing, "Let's head back after some time, or else Grandpa will feel offended if he knows you decided not to drive any of the cars."
"Okay."
They stayed outside and Ally noticed Lexi was really in a glum mood. She just looked at the dark sky in silence.
Ally was never one to meddle in people's privacy but the cheerful girl from yesterday disappeared and it sort of bothered her, "Is something worrying you?"
Lexi turned her face to her cousin and asked, "Is it that obvious?"
Ally made a humming sound and nodded.
Lexi looked up to the sky and blinked back her tears, "I'm late."
