Get Into Houa's Mind

18 Years Later             “It’s all your fault!” Jed cried.             Jed was standing in the garage staring at the broken grill as his wife of 18 years, Anne, stood beside him wearing an apron that was missing a pocket. She was sweating and holding a pair of tongs that probably saw better times. He sighed and slammed the top of the grill closed as smoke rose from it. Anne had burned off the handle of the grill and while trying to fan the smoke from rising, she’d accidentally knocked one of his prized car collectibles into the fire. Fuming with anger, he looked up at her with dark eyes.             “Well? What do you have to say for yourself?” he asked.             “I’m sorry! If only you came in here when I asked you to, this wouldn’t have happened!” ...

            “I’m here. Let’s talk about this,” Jed said as he stared into Anne’s eyes.             They were standing underneath the bleachers as the football players made their way back into the gym. The weather was wet for an October afternoon and Anne was beginning to regret wearing her black skirt. She was cold and Jed’s eyes told her he cared nothing about her being cold. He wanted answers and he wasn’t going to let her go until he received them. Anne Ly was a good girl who listened to her parents and devoted her time to school and friends. But she never thought she would find herself in a situation where she was trapped. For the first time in her life, she was scared of what her future would bring and she had no idea what she was going to do. It wasn’t just about her and Jed now. It now included a child growing in her belly.       ...

Late in the evening, Pa Nyia was on the bed facing the wall and Nxtoua was on the ground staring up at the ceiling. She could still make out his facial features by the light of the moon from the curtains. The rain was still going on strong and she was staring at him. All thoughts of her father had been washed clean by his presence. It then occurred to her about how his mother had been so upet this morning. Taking a deep breath, she decided to ask. “Your mother was worried about you. You disappeared,” Pa Nyia said. He laughed. “Don't worry about me, princess. I can take care of myself.” “I'm sure you can. I just thought...I thought your father wasn't in your life anymore.” When he spoke next, his voice was thick with emotion. “He isn't. He comes around from time to time, but that doesn't mean he's in my life.” “I'm sorry. It must have been hard not having a father.” “I'd rather have a good father who supports me than have one ar...

The sound of dishes clattering woke Pa Nyia up and she groaned as she held her head. It was spinning and her throat was dry. She coughed, swung her legs over the bed, and stood up. She pulled on her silk gold robe and walked out of her room to the stairs where the noise continued to wake up the house. She descended down the stairs and entered the kitchen where she found Nxtoua's mother, Lane Trent, banging pots and pans. Lane was a small woman with a head of blonde curls and eyes as bright as the sun. She was the same age as Pa Nyia's own mother, but twice the woman. Today was the first day she ever saw Lane lose control. The woman was wearing a black skirt with a yellow top with an apron around her. The curls were locked in a tight bun. “Damn him! Damn him!” Lane was saying. “Are you ok?” Pa Nyia asked. Lane stiffened and turned around with red cheeks. She swallowed and looked at her feet. “Miss Pa Nyia, I am so sorry if I woke you.” “You woke the whole hou...