James Return

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It was unexpected. Her countenance fell upon a look of a child who had just been caught doing a sinful deed. All because of a mischievous scheme she intended to do. Much to her surprise, Lena didn't throw her little sister a disappointed look. But instead, she went over to hug her little sister in a tender approach. If this situation happened to anyone else especially a parent, they would have reacted this in a different way.

"I got a call from your school," She began in between her worried tone. "They said you ran away, and it terrifies me. Whatever in the world made you do it, little sister?" she asked, once they freed their affectionate hugs. Serena was having a hard time explaining the inevitable moment since she hadn't thought of any proper answer to back her up. Even if she did, Lena would've known it wasn't true. It was unreasonable if she skipped school or escaped. Initially, she was upset because a boy in her grade made fun of her today. It would've sounded ridiculous for an excuse.

Lena saw the little tremble upon the little girl's lips. Then she spoke at last.

"I don't know. I love school, Lena! It was just a boy in my class who teases me all the time. It made me mad." She responded grimly. "I couldn't take any more of his mean jokes. So, that's why I called him a frog-" murmured Serena. Not long after did their silence break.

"Is that what it's all about?"

Serena nodded solemnly.

"Oh. You little goose," an outburst of a short laugh suddenly rang from Lena for the first time in years. "What am I going to say if dad comes back home?"

"Don't tell him," Serena shifted her eyes toward her sister. "Please, he'll punish me, Lena. Worse than you. I promise I won't do it again!" She implored, clutching her sister's hem of her skirt. Her bright eyes shimmered under the roof of their house where it brought a touch of softness into Lena's heart. Lena thought for a second.

Poor dear, the girl doesn't quite fathom what's good or bad at this point. I shouldn't pressure her too much.

She stayed, paused, and then at last,

"Okay. That's fine. But you must promise me not to do it again, Serena. You know when you break promises it will not end up entirely good. There'll always be consequences even if you are keeping a secret from us. You'll always find out your problems are the ones chasing after you. Unless you face everything bravely," She spoke wisely from experience. "My little sister, if it is about someone troubling you in school, report to the teacher. If that doesn't work, you will always have us by your side. Remember to stand up like a lioness but don't stick your chin too high."

Serena took every of her word gravely. "I will try, Lena!" and the apple-cheeked girl cried in spirit.

Time had flown gently and as it did, it was nearly supper time and Mr. Foster was not at home during this evening. Busy in her apron, Lena managed to cook in the kitchen. She rapidly came in and out of the room in a hectic manner, carrying the plentiful delicacies of the old-fashioned plates she so obsessed over. When she was done, she paused to take a glance at her watch. From where she stood, the pungent smell was flying everywhere around the corner.

Taking a long look at the table, the doorbell immediately rang.

"I'll get it!" Volunteered the little girl, as she whisked toward the door where she expected her father would come in a flurry. The door was unlocked, and when she opened the door, instead of her father's face that appeared, it was the man she met a few hours ago.

"Hey, kid, it's you," A grin formed across his face. "Are you and your family ready yet?"

At that moment, Serena realized she forgot.

"No—I forgot to tell them. Daddy isn't home yet—" She faltered, attempting to clearly explain with words from her dainty mouth.

It was hard to bear in this situation since she was a child who seldom forgets. But today she broke a promise, and somehow she didn't keep her word. Promises are always meant to break, as the old proverb would say, and it never gets old till this very day.

"Serena, who is that you are talking to?" and when Lena asked this, something about her face got struck to the core when it was plain her body was transfixed and her face was blanched when a figure of a young man walked in the room alongside Serena after. The atmosphere in the room changed for her. Since this was the first time in many years that their eyes were glued again. For a moment, they did not speak.

"Hey," He began to say, his hand waved in the air.

"It's good to see you again."

Hastily, Lena averted her eyes. Her flushed cheeks were hidden below, and she was ready to return her gaze again once she faced the whole sight of the man she knew long before.

"Mr. Allan?" Lena blinked twice. Her mind was trying to get a hang of it while Serena was mutely fidgeting around the corner. It only lasted for a short second.

"I didn't know you're going to come today."

"So was I," admitted James. "I know it's a bit of a sudden. I bumped into your sister a few hours ago. I was planning to invite your family to an amusement park earlier which the kid and I agreed to," he moved to pat Serena's shoulders and examined Lena's clothes. Apparently, she was still in her apron.

Then, she caught a pang in his eyes which made her a little guilty.

"But it seems to me you are busy, so I won't interrupt."

"Oh, no. It's perfectly fine, James," she briskly said. "You can stay."

His mouth parted a smile when he heard her lips uttered his name again. Hearing the voice tonight sounded music, just like what he remembered years ago.

Suddenly, the little girl erupted her voice after a few moments of silence.

"Wait, I know!" Serena leaped up in full rapture. "After dad comes home, we can go there together for fun. Does it sound like a great idea, Lena?"

Lena let out a sigh after that. "Sure, little sister. You better eat first, I've already prepared supper on the table," she turned to look at James this time. "You should join us too." She partly smiled in an amiable welcome.

With that, James complied with the head of the nod. He was still amazed by her presence as he followed them in gratitude. Once they slipped their way to the dining area, all the delicacies before him were served and neatly placed upon the wooden table. The three relished the food in their rumbling stomachs where the two sisters sat beside each other. Across them, there sat James on the chair.

Lena finally handed a bottle of ketchup for her little sister after she pestered incessantly about not having one. Serena didn't care a whit if she was being mothered by her sister. The child was too willful and determined altogether and there are times where she would stubbornly refuse to listen to her sister's lectures just to follow her way. Surely she was not docile, for there are other times when all she did was just for herself.

Finishing off, she passed over the bottle of ketchup she was using.

"Many thanks, kid," returned James.

"The kiddo can easily make you yield, Lena," remarked James, giving her a grin. Lena's heart glowed at that moment. The very same young man she knew long ago in their youthful days was in the same room with her. She saw his features didn't change from the moment he stepped in. Except for his height which was much taller than before and a stubble had grown on his chin, she noticed. "That's news for me."

Lena demurely smiled by his well-known character, still existed and always had a habit of being a frank person throughout his life.

"Don't be surprised. She almost does it to everyone."

Lena cast a smirk to her sister, making an effort to embarrass her. But she failed and it turned out to be the other way around. She was not mortified and would've been fazed if her temper thundered out of her control. On the contrary, she was very casual with the whole matter and calmly ate a morsel of bread from the plate while shrugging off her small shoulders.

"It's better if I ask you, Lena. Because I know you'll say yes, no matter what." and it flooded the room in great laughter once she said this.

"Perhaps the little kid has the amount of capability to discern well. I agree with you on this one, kiddo." James couldn't help but grin, and he lifted his palm on the air as they both did a high-five from where they sat.

"I think I am going to like you very much," emphasized Serena resolutely. Drowned in her own world again. Her eye contact this time was not there anymore and she murmured sweet hymns as if she were above the clouds. "It would be nice if you were my brother. I've got none—" she put on a doleful face.

"But oh, goody, goody! You can be my brother! Won't it be nice if my big sister over here will take good care of you just the same as she did to me? She will not leave you—I swear. My sister is always a nice companion whenever I play with my dolls. I'll invite you to my dollhouse someday if we can ever play together. I know you will, right? It's very nice of you to stay here. Is there a word prettier than nice? I think so. Please think about it, we'll adopt you if you say yes."

As she sighed in a dreamy state, rather unconscious of her surroundings, James coughed unintentionally when he drank his water. It did not take long for him to lock his eyes again toward Lena.

"Serena—" Lena eyed her after that, nudging slightly.

"Oopsy!" cried Serena with a start when she had woken up from her short daydream. "I was in my fantasy world, Lena. Did you see it just now?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about, little sister. You were prattling and blurting your imaginations out loud. It's no wonder you hardly eat anything. Look at your plate, Serena."

Serena did check her plate but as far as she could see, her imagination led her to believe that there was no difference. But in reality, she only ate half of the piece of bread. She was wholly dazed when reality snapped back and she blinked a few times in disbelief.

"I thought I ate all of them."

"No, you didn't, little sister. Now, can you finish it?"

"I—" her words trailed off, and her face paled. "Okay,"

"Good," Lena sighed in relief. Then she returned her gaze at him. "I'm truly sorry. She always has a way of saying things that shouldn't be said."

"No, it's fine. I understand her situation," he empathized coolly, taking the serviette from the table.

"I've been in her shoes once when I was a kid myself. Did all the talking in front of the mirror sometimes."

"Have you tried to overcome it?"

"Yup. I actually did after a few years in school. It takes a lot of patience and control. No worries, she'll grow out of it soon." He smiled when the door from outside suddenly creaked in the house.

Thank you for the support everyone.

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