Dearest Diary,

He's Only Four!

Dearest diary,

I love my family, I really do.

Especially, when we all come out of church and our hearts are so touched that we become better humans. Everyone is so much nicer, more forgiving and we get along so well that it’s almost comical.

It’s usually a stark contrast to our normal selves. What with Shea’s nosiness, my apathy, Bri's vivacity and my mum’s...There are really no words to describe her.

Troy is just Troy and that's the other thing. He's only part of this family by virtue of being Bri's dad and despite of all the awkward tension that is brewing between my mum and Monica, she still treats him like her long lost son.

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“What now?”  a despondent Shea asks as she comes to a stop next to Bridget.

“I’m not sure. Decide what you want to do, but bear in mind that David and I have some work to get to.” I tell her, handing over my Bridget’s keys to David. Shea narrows her eyes at the move and I shake my head in frustration.

“What is it with you?” I hiss, stomping over to her. I'm glad that we're parked in a secluded place, otherwise this would draw alot of unwanted attention.

“No! What is it with you?” she explodes, throwing back my question at me. “You have something with Troy. Don't go throwing yourself at every man, who shows you a little attention."

Blood drains from my face and I stare back at my sister in shock. So much for being better humans and more forgiving. I guess, some of us and by that I mean my sister, did not get that memo.

“Shea...” Troy warns and I pray that David hasn't heard her, but I am not that lucky.

“Attara and I are just friends. I am her driver and she’s helping me with something that I am not at liberty to discuss.”

“Driver?” Shea whispers, her body shaking in embarassment.

“Yes,” David replies as he comes to stand at my side. “It’s not really my buisness what goes on between you two, but I will not stand by and let you fight on my account.” Shea nods, mumbling her apologies as she moves away to seek out my mother. I replay my sister's words in my mind and wince at her insinuation. Shock, anger and pain overwhelm me and I turn to Bridget in an attempt to hide the tears that are now threatening to spill.

"Attara," Troy says, his voice growing nearer me and I raise my hand to silence him. After all, I was insulted on his account and by my own flesh and blood! My only sibling and sister.

David quietly unlocks the car and holds the passenger door waiting for me to step in.

“Thanks David.” I shoot him a grateful smile and settle into the recesses of the passenger seat with a heavy sigh.

“It’s nothing. You didn’t deserve that.” I nod my head in agreement, but truth be told, I don't really blame Shea. After finding me with Troy, she must have thought that we were finally working things out. Then Davis came along and according to her, he ruined the perfect fairy tale. As a result, she's now on high alert for any intruding males that may try to come in and jeopardise her favourite couple, again. “I’m so sorry about my sister. She’s... young and very passionate.”

“That makes us what? Old?” I laugh at his comment quite grateful for the comic relief that eases away some of my tension. "Aren't you going to help?” he jokes, pointing at the gathering that has formed outside.

“Nope. I’m going stay out of that one.” I reply, slipping on a pair of dark sunglasses, before leaning back on my seat to snooze. I hear David's fading chuckle and I assume that he's gone over to help.

Honestly, I don't feel like I have patience for that. If Troy wasn’t so bent on using that carseat, then they wouldn't need to hold a silly meeting just to strategise on who will sit where. Mind you, this is not me being heartless. There are two extra seats at the back, they just haven't figured it out yet.

“Tim!” I hear Briella screech from the back seat and I stiffen in response. This is so not like me and I blame Troy for my tension and uneasiness.

“Attara.” I turn my head to the window and find Aoko smiling at me brightly.

“Aoko!” I greet her as I sit up from my slouched position so as to shake her hand. “We missed you today.”

“Something came up and we missed the first service.” she explains, looking at my family who have halted their discussion just to stare at her.

“That's my family.” I say refering to the odd Trio.

She bops before turning to greet them and I see Troy’s eyes with a look full of apprehension as they size up the little boy, Tim.

“He’s only four!” I finally snap, pointing it out to him again.

“What?” Aoko turns to look at me with a confused look in her eyes.

“Bri came up with this story about being engaged to Tim and now her dad over there is going ballistic. Even now, I think it’s taking all his effort not to go all Cro-magnon on poor little Tim.”

“What?” Aoko asks again now on high alert. She turns her eyes on Troy and moves her arms protectively around her son and David bursts out laughing.

“Troy!” I scold as I watch the mother and son duo wither under his gaze. In response, he snaps is head in my direction and gives me sheepish look, right before he gets into the car to sit beside his daughter.

How typical!

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“May I come in?” Troy's voice wafts through the doorway and I groan, raking my hair in frustration.

“What do you want Troy?” I ask, pushing away the pile of work before turning around to have better look at him.

He begins a slow walk towards me and I find my tired eyes squinting just to take in his appearance. He still has on that snug, crisp white shirt from before, now rolled up at the sleeves and tucked into grey fitting slacks. Browns moccasins peek from under his trousers and his silky, dark brown hair looks tousled, probably the result of being handled one too many times today.

“So?” I prod as he draws close enough for me to catch a whiff of his shampoo. He smells of conifers, pine corns and what I believe is a hint of sandal wood?

“I spoke to your mum.” he tells me as he grinds to a halt in front of me.

“And?” I ask impassively, not keen on offering him the extra seat that David recently vacated.

“She told me about that little spat you had with my mum.”

I don't correct him and tell him that it was not little. Nor was it a spat. Spats don't involve two point five million Kenya shillings, or legal ramifications due to a simple surname.

“She did?” 

He nods back, leaning his weight against the edge of my desk. Like I said, there is really no telling what goes on or through my mother's head. One would think that this situation would embarass her, but she's not embarassed. Instead, she continues to prove that like the wind, there is no telling where she'll blow next.

"What exactly did she tell you?"  I ask now curious.

“About the money and the insults."

"Nothing else?"

"No. Is there anything else?"

Of course, there is. She left out that important matter of the lawsuit. I don't know why, but every once in a while she does that kind of thing and always, it's with good reason.

"Nothing important."

He does not look convinced and continues regard me suspiciously. I hold on to my guns and after a while I'm rewarded when he choses not to pursue it.

"Fine." he says, a pained look forming on his face. "I'm really sorry, Attara. For my mum, for everything. I got upset and  behaved badly on account of what Shea told us..."

“Why?” I cut him off already gearing up for what is coming next.

"What?" he asks scrunching his brow in confusion.

"Why? Why were you upset?" I ask sternly. "Despite what Shea may think, we are not together, together."

He grows quiet, his viridian eyes searching out mine.

"You were finally talking to me, are so much nicer and we had a moment..."

'That you initiated."

"So you don't feel..."

"Troy, I've already told you before. I forgive you and I hold nothing against you. However, I am not ready for anything like that just yet. Right now, I need to heal and get my life together. Okay?"

He nods, looking so despondent that I actually feel sorry for him.

"Is this about what my mum said?"

I let out a sigh of relief, grateful that he is courteous enough not to bring in Davis into our conversation.

"No. This is about you and me. No one else factors in that equation except for Bri."

"Really?" He asks, a grin now forming on his once forlorn face.

"Really. However, I don't like it when you bluntantly disrespect my friends and scare their innocent children away. Especially when it’s obvious that the culprit is none other than your very own precious daughter, Briella!” As he takes in my statement, his grin slowly turns into a pout.

“He gave our daughter a ring! You should be backing me right now."

“Oh, please! That was a Barbie princess ring! Plus that kid is too scared of Bri to do anything. If you didn’t notice, your daughter can be a bit overwhelming and imposing at times.”

“Yea, tell me about it." he mumbles, a grin forming on his face again.

"I dare you to tell me that to my face!" I threaten.

"I'm not saying that it's a bad thing. It's really great that she takes after you."

"Troy..." I growl out in warning. The grin is once again wiped off from his face and he turns to look at me with a more sober look.

"Fine. I guess I owe your friend an apology?”

“You bet you do. Because of you, she's now scared of bringing her son over for the birthday party. Imagine how that will crush Bri's spirit? He may not be much of a talker, but she’s really fond of him.”

“Okay, I’ll apologise.”

“Good! Now get out. I have work to do.” 

He chuckles besides me and starts to walk out, leaving me frowning at the large pile of paper that is waiting on the desk before me.

One down! One more to go.