CONCERNS

CHAPTER 4: CONCERNS.

Kane, his sister, and mother arrived home that Saturday morning. Melanie was discharged after the doctor ran a check on her. He gave her some medications and requested she took the following week off, so as to rest and recover. 

Kane opened the door as Stephanie led their mother in. Melanie sat down on the three seater couch in the living room and sighed, being exhausted. Stephanie sat beside her, clinging to her.

"Why don't you go take your bath honey, hmm?" Melanie requested of Stephanie, caressing her hand softly. 

Stephanie frowned childishly, not willing to leave her mother's side.

"Come on. You need to freshen up," Melanie pressed.

"Okay," she reluctantly agreed. She got up and hasted to her room upstairs. Melanie smiled as she watched her daughter leave. 

"Why don't I fix you something to eat? I'm sure you're famished," Kane offered.

"Sure. Thank you," Melanie smiled. Kane then headed to the kitchen.

Whilst Kane and his sister were busy, Melanie turned on the TV, tuning to a channel as she watched a show about match making. 

From the kitchen, Kane could hear her soft chuckles. At intervals, he'd peep at her and smile. He was happy that she seemed okay. But he had gut feeling that there could be more to his mother's health than she was letting on.

_____________

Ava made sure she was ready by 6 pm, as it was customary of her family to have dinner by 7 pm on the dot. No minute more, no minute less.

She wore a simple milk silky dress and headed out. Her driver awaited her at the parking lot as she had informed him earlier about her invitation to the Munroe estate, her father's estate. He was dressed in his usual black suit, looking sharp.

Getting to the parking lot, the driver helped her into the car, opening the door. She got in, and he as well got in, and they began their commute. 

About forty minutes later, they arrived the estate. Ava got out of the car and walked straight into the mansion. 

The house attendants bowed, greeting her. As usual, she ignored their greeting. 

A woman well dressed in a formal attire, overlaying her shirt with a black suit vest approached her, smiling softly.

"Miss Ava. Welcome home," she said elatedly. 

"Margret. You look well," Ava responded nonchalantly, as she sat down on a custom made couch in the palatial living room, crossing her legs elegantly. 

"Oh, thank you," Margret appreciated, smiling. "It's been a while you came home. So I was surprised when Mrs Munroe informed me to include you in tonight's dinner." 

"Yeah. What a surprise it must have been," Ava responded. 

"So you made it." 

Ava turned towards the deep familiar voice, which in all honesty, she had grown to hate in recent times.

"Hello dad," Ava greeted, forcing a smile. She saw that her mother was in the company of her father. 

"Mom," she greeted simply. 

"Hey sweetheart," her mom replied. She walked towards Ava and gave her a kiss on the cheek, and hugged her.

"We thought you weren't going to make it," Mrs Munroe said. 

"Of course not! Traffic was just a bit crazy today, surprisingly," Ava responded. 

"Saturday of all days?" Mrs Munroe asked. 

"Mm-hmm. I was just as surprised as you are," Ava replied.

"Well, that doesn't matter. All that matters is that you're here," Mrs Munroe tapped Ava playfully on her nose. Ava smiled at that gesture.

"Let's go have dinner," Mr Munroe declared, and they all headed to the dining table.

As usual, the table was set majestically, filled with all sorts of delicacies. Ava found herself smiling, somewhat reflexively at the sight before her. 

"Like what you see huh? I told you we'll prepare your favorite," Mrs Munroe said, happy that her daughter was delighted.

"It's been a while I ate a proper home cooked meal," Ava stated.

Her father scoffed, shaking his head as he wrapped a bib around his neck, and picked up his cutleries. 

After a short routine prayer of grace before a meal, they all began eating. 

"Mm..." Ava moaned delightfully. "This is good." 

"I'm glad you love it," Mrs Munroe smiled appreciatively. She made the meal herself, but didn't tell Ava she did. 

"So tell me, how's work?" Mr Munroe asked, after he was done munching on some grilled lamb chops. 

"Work is going well, as always. But you already know that," Ava replied.

"I expect nothing less," Mr Munroe said, taking a sip of some wine.

"So, how about your personal life? Seeing anyone, yet?" Mr Munroe asked also.

Ava chewed down on the lamb chops, trying really hard not to get pissed at her father.

"How about Congressman Gordon's son? What's his name again?" Mr Munroe asked, trying to recall his name.

"Thomas." 

"Aha! Tom," Mr Munroe reiterated his wife's answer. 

"He was such a fine fit for a girl of your class," he added. "How was it that things ended between you two. You were so in love with him."

"Can we not talk about this right now? Or at all?" Ava frustratedly retorted, dropping her cutleries. 

"Honey, your father is just concerned about you. As am I. That's all," Mrs Munroe said softly, trying to deescalate the tension. 

"If that's the case, then dad shouldn't be asking me about him, when he sure damn knows what happened," Ava replied angrily.

"Ava, you're not getting any younger. You're already thirty one years old. Aren't you planning on settling down, and starting your own family? You were five years old when your mother was at that age," Mr Munroe said. 

"Uh, for Christ's sake! Can you please quit bugging me about this already?" Ava said frustratedly, leaning into her chair.

"You're the only child we have. This bloodline needs continuity," Mr Munroe said.

"I didn't ask you to give birth to me alone!" 

Immediately Ava said that, her mouth gaped open, and she turned towards her mother. 

"Mom, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean-" 

"It's okay honey. It's okay," Mrs Munroe smiled, shrugging it off. But truthfully, those words pierced her heart deeply.

"Look honey, we're not trying to push you into something you don't want. We're just concerned about you, before the bloodline stuff," Mrs Munroe said, eyeing her husband. He shrugged looking away.

"I've heard the both of you. What'll happen will happen. But am not going to force it," Ava responded, looking at both her parents. 

They just looked at her, sighing. 

"So can we please get back to eating this delicious meal?" Ava requested. 

"Okay honey," Mrs Munroe smiled. 

"Thank you," Ava said, rolling her eyes, and continued eating. 

Her father looked at her pursing his lips, saying nothing. 

Deep down her heart, Ava knew her parents meant well for her, but she just wasn't ready to venture in that direction again.