Chapter 31

Baron led a short but meaningful prayer, and everyone recited the Lord's prayer, afterwards, the party started with a music that made you want to dance. Everyone danced and sang along. Granny danced best.

Baron and Selena danced together, Juana and Colin danced together, with Granny in the middle of their circle. Sometimes she broke out of the circle and danced towards the dining room. She looked like she had never been sick except that she lost some weight. It was a small but interesting party. Food was still cooking and Selena went over to the kitchen every now and then to check the boiling meat. The mixture of the mouth-wateringly blissful aroma of the meals and meat and the beautiful sound of music playing in the living room, and the giggling and joyful noises coming from the mouths of the five of them made the party very enjoyable. When Baron thought no one was looking, he stole glances at Selena and she pecked him on the cheek many times.

Juana didn't see them at first because she was lost in the euphoria of the moment, lost in the eyes of Colin and in the joyful movements of granny's feet, but when her legs were aching from prolonged dancing, she started to observe every other person in the living room. That's when she noticed that Selena was all over her father, she didn't hide it at all. It was as if she assumed we all knew that something was going on between them. Grandma didn't even look at her environment, she just kept on dancing and singing and making joyful noises.

The music was changed twelve times and granny never stopped to catch her breath..she was so excited and grateful to God for everything. Juana kept staring at Selena whose hands were locked in her father's tightly. No one was looking her way, even Colin was dancing away his time. It happened that Selena pecked Baron again and she seeing this, immediately felt like throwing up. She had to excuse herself from the party.

She slowly walked to the corner of the kitchen and took a glass of water. She watched the chicken soup simmer on the cooker. She noticed the meat was boiled enough, so she brought it down to the cabinet and covered it. It didn't feel normal to see another woman so intimately attached to her father, other than her mom, Dawn Leon. It actually looked weird, and no matter how much she tried changing it, she could not help picturing both of them as sluts. Juana prayed that she'd find an opportunity to confront Selena and warn her seriously to desist from following her father because he was happily married.

"I wonder where dad has placed the Holy Spirit. He is sadly different now" she mumbled

"He not only began drinking. He's cheating on mom too" she sighed.

She waited for Colin to find her there. She heard someone coming and expected to see him. She sat up straight with her glass of water in her hand. But it was not Colin. Apparently he had forgotten her, he's carried away too, just like Granny. It was Selena. She was coming to check the soup for the fifth time. "Thank you God. This is the best moment" Juana whispered to herself.

"Hi sweetheart" she was wearing a big smile. A proud sinner that she was. So openly proud of her sin.

"Are you okay? Dizzy? Is that why you left the party? Huh" She said attempting to touch her face.

"Don't touch me" Juana recoiled with disgust

"What? I'm sorry" the smile disappeared from her face immediately.

"I forgot you don't like to be touched. You didn't take my hands the other time I wanted to shake you. I assume you're not used to me yet. Such a pretty girl that you are. I hope we get along quite fine, sweetie" she smiled again putting her hands behind her.

"Your boyfriend is so cute too, omg. You guys are a perfect pair, just like your dad and I, yeah?" She laughed

"What are you talking about?" Juana dropped her glass on the table and frowned her face. She just got a trigger

"I mean..we both look good together"

"You'll never look good together. Yes, i mean it. Didn't he tell you he's married? Or even if he didn't, don't you always notice his ring when you hug and cuddle him like a lonely dog that you are?" Juana tried not to raise her voice. She didn't want a third party here. Selena's face was full of shock. She couldn't speak even.

"Speak up. Don't you know he's married?" Juana asked carefully but menacingly

"I know...I know he's married" she replied with a small voice.

"Good. So why are you chasing him? Why don't you leave the poor guy alone for Pete's sake. His wife, that is my mother is in hospital, in a coma actually in case he didn't tell you that too. She's not dead, so why are you trying to replace her so quick? Don't you have the fear of God? Don't you have a heart, Selena?"

She was seething with anger and was almost stuttering. Selena could as well use a slap right there.

"Let me explain to you, little girl... Selena tried to talk after swallowing hard. Juana cut in rudely:" I'm not a little girl, I'm 14. And I need no explanation from you. You're just a slut. I'm warning you to stay away from my dad or you'll regret it. Don't underestimate my ability to make you regret it, I'm wiser than my age and I know more than you do" She said and walked out of the kitchen leaving behind a bewildered Selena.

The dancing stopped as soon as she joined the others. Granny slumped into a chair and gasped for breath, Colin stretched his limbs and Baron turned his neck from side to side while massaging his wrists. They were all laughing happily too.

"Thanks goodness no one noticed what just happened" Juana whispered to herself. She joined Granny on the couch. Music was still playing but everyone was tired already.

"Honey, I'm so tired" she laughed

"I can see that. It's a good kind of tiredness" Juana smiled. She cuddled her up on her thighs

"My sweet baby. I'm so happy to be back here with you and your father" she said laughing. Colin joined them on the couch too. Baron went to the refrigerator.

"I'm happier, granny"

"Guys what drink should we have? Iced tea? Fruit juice? Wine? Ribena? Lemonade? Cola? Milkshake?" Baron asked

"I'd love wine" Granny said

"Wine too" Colin replied

"And you Juana?" Baron asked

"Wine" she whispered

"Okay guys. I'll have wine for Selena and I too" he said and joined them later with a big bottle of red wine and five tall glasses. He poured it for everyone

"Where's Selena?" Granny asked no one in particular

"In the kitchen. Serving our food" Baron replied and granny laughed.

"Shouldn't we join the lovely lady?" She said and got up: "Are you coming? Juana?" She asked. Juana shook her head no.

"I'll join you guys" Colin said and followed granny to the kitchen with a glass of wine in his hands