Chapter 2

THE PHOTOGRAPH

The Bryant has a lavish life, I never think they weren't ever since I reached seven and saw what other houses look like. They own a blue Victorian house which Aunt Gale inherited from her Gran. But what I don't understand is how they can have a small bedroom when all the other rooms in this house are large.

How do I know this? Well it is because that small bedroom is my room.

It doesn't really look like bedroom, a stock room maybe. It might be a bedroom back then but I'm guessing that after Peony grew up it became a storage room for her toys. A bed is only placed to distinguish it as a bedroom from a stock room. The door creaked; the shelves are full of toys, old clothes and pictures of Peony. It used to be a stock room for Peony's old clothes but now that I am sleeping here nothing has much changed. There is only one vacant cabinet and this is where I keep my clothes. It is not that big after all I haven't got many clothes and most of them are hand-me-downs from Peony. My bed is small and it is not so fluffy like Peony's bed But I shouldn't be complaining. I'm still grateful that at least I have a bed. The windows are broken and by broken I mean that once you open it, it will take you ages to close it. So I closed it all the time. Narcissus and lilies are planted on it which helps brightens my room a little bit. Mismatched curtains were hanging on it. And the walls are painted yellow, unevenly. I plan to paint it after finding out a can of paint in the garden shed.

The sun entered my room waking me up. I sprang from my bed, took a bath, and dashed downstairs to cook breakfast. While I was cooking and Aunt Gale is setting up the table, Uncle Adolf came in dressed in black pinstripe polo with matching black dress slacks and a blue briefcase which he always carried Peony came next after a few minutes and she too was also dressed. Her pink tunic and acid-washed jeans looked less comfortable on her; and her hair looks exactly the same. I wonder why she's so dressed when she's not even going out or maybe I just don't know that she's going out. We all ate in silence. This is one of the things I like with the Bryant. They let me dine with them. Sometimes they even let me come with them when they dine outside, clue word sometimes. Uncle Adolf was the first one to leave the table. He bade goodbye to Peony and Aunt Gale.

Minutes passed by after the table was cleared everybody is focused in their own work. Aunt Gale is tending her flowers again and Peony, well, she's on her room listening to music if that is any indication based on the loud banging coming from her room. I washed the dishes and clean the house. Since the house is always spic and span, I don't have a lot of things to do.

"This is going to be dull," I thought. Even I know that knowing that every day for this summer, it has always been like this.

Past one in the afternoon Peony went out to hang out with her friends. She goes anywhere she wants; I am jealous of her because of this. It's not like I can go wherever I want, I can but where will I go? I don't have a lot of friends and I don't know a lot of places to go. Not to mention that I'm quite uncomfortable to be around crowds.

After Aunt Gale and I had lunch, I scrubbed the ink stain on the sink. Seriously, I have no idea why there is an ink stain in the sink. It's not like the Bryant to spill some ink and I doubt Aunt Gale would allow it. After a moment or so and everything that needs to be done is finished and it didn't took long for me to get bored again. This is basically my everyday life here. I like it better when it's school days because at least I have something to do. I went to school but on the last two years, I was homeschooled. Large crowds have taken their toll on me.

I spotted Aunt Gale is fast asleep, lying in one of the couches with an open mouth. Even if I'm tempted to pop an apple in her mouth, I resisted the urge. Then out of the blue a brilliant albeit stupid idea hit me. I can do whatever I want and right now, I am in desperate need of fresh air.

I tiptoed to the door and shut it silently. With a wide smile, I walked past the houses away from the Bryant. Yes, I have been living here for fifteen years so it's kind of embarrassing to admit that I never really give much thought about around the neighborhood. There are times when I'll go with Aunt Gale if we have to go the store to buy something she forgot to include in the grocery list, or if she is planning to buy too many plants. But right now, under the sun and air I have felt lighter. Like a bird that finally got out of its cage although I have every intention of returning to my cage.

As I looked at the wonderful houses, I imagined what my life would be if I have parents, that is if they are alive, of course. There isn't a day that my thoughts don't dwell on it.

I walked from our block to the next block just letting my mind free from the thoughts that I've been thinking for the past week. After a couple of minutes, I went home. Thinking that Aunt Gale would still be asleep, I tiptoed again until I reached the door. I was surprise to see a lady in her early forties was standing with brown piercing eyes meant just for only me when I opened the front door.

"Aunt Gale" I squeaked.

"Hello, Phlox," she said blandly. At least she wasn't shouting although her eyes tell a different story.

I smiled weakly and walked with hunched shoulders up the stairs.

"Where have you been?" Aunt Gale asked as I passed her without a word.

"I stayed in the area."

She glared at me. "That wasn't an answer to my question."

This time I wasn't so quick to hide my snort and eye rolling. She is getting out of hand lately. As long as I didn't wander and got lost that should set her mind at ease.

"Phlox," she repeated this time, there is no mistake in the way she called me acidly.

"I just walked around our block. I didn't get far if that is what you're asking. I was only gone for a couple of minutes."

"I don't care if it's a couple of minutes or seconds. You went out without my permission," she emphasized the word. "Even Peony knows to inform me when she went out with her friends."

What does it have to do with me asking her permission? It's not like she carries or owns my feet that I can't walk with her knowledge. Besides, it's just a stroll. I'm not escaping or running away. And how am I supposed to ask for her permission when she's asleep? I have half the mind to tell her this but I don't. I know that I shouldn't add fuel to the fire right now. But what gets me off is how she compared me to Peony. I think it is plain obvious that we are different from each other and besides I can give her the number of the times that Peony just walked out of the door without telling Aunt Gale where she's going.

Incensed by my silence, I was given the punishment of early dinner of chicken pie and was sent to my room until Aunt Gale will tell me that I can go out. It wouldn't be much of a punishment to me but after I let it stew for a moment, I wished taking back my words. Boredom might as well be a punishment. What am I to do in my room without TV or any book?

My room is not even large to begin with and with all the boxes full of Peony's things pushed in the corner, there isn't much space. I don't have any form of entertainment here that would make the hands of the clock move faster. There might be some old books but I'm sure that they old and tattered. I changed position every few minutes on the bed. There isn't anything to do here. I wish Aunt Gale would see that this is the reason why I decided to go out of a walk. Of course, the main reason would be because it felt constricting sometimes inside that I need to cool off my insecurities and fears, not that I would tell Aunt Gale this too. Somehow in the recess of my mind, I wish that if Aunt Gale wanted to punish me then she would have chosen to have me loaded with errands or household chores. I don't mind weeding her entire garden or carry the sacks of mulch to the garden shed. In fact, I'll gladly take it over being stuck in my room.

I stared blankly at the boxes, looking for something that I might find interesting. Those boxes have been untouched ever since they were stored here and that was since Peony turned thirteen. Seeing as I have no choice, I slowly approached the nearest box and take a look at the contents inside it. They turned out to be pictures. I examined them closely. There is Peony smiling at the unwrapped gift. I remembered it was taken on Peony's eleventh birthday. She got a brand new doll, wristwatch and a whole lot of dresses.

I moved on the second photo. Peony is laughing and hugging the gifts around her. They'd almost bury her because the present are not small as you think, they were gargantuan. Too large for an eight year old kid. It was Christmas time and she gets as much gifts she wants. I envied her during Christmas because she got presents more than I could count my fingers. Even at a young age, I am made aware that the Bryant are not my family and I shouldn't expect to be treated just as the same as Peony. Although I wasn't in the photo, I can still recall the gift that I got during that time. A shabby blue shirt that even if it is new, it is still twice as big from my usual size. I want to bring it up to Aunt Gale and tell her that my gift is too large for me but I know that it would be met with disdain so I kept my mouth shut and hid the shirt until it fit me.

On the next photo, a mid-thirties lady was hugging Peony. She has red fluffy cheeks that look like roasted marshmallow. Aunt Trixie doesn't look as bit as Uncle Adolf. Whereas the latter is tall and average, she has curves and from what I remember Aunt Trix and I would be about the same height now. I flipped the photo and found a small note written on it.

Dear Peony,

How are you? I hope you can visit me here at Edmonton. Is Phlox treating you like you nice? If not, just tell me and I will talk to her. I'm sorry, if I can't come on your birthday. My doctor wants me to have a week of bed rest after my surgery. I will send you a video camera so that you can me your birthday clips.

Love you, Peony.

Aunt Trix

P.S. Please tell Gaillard I love her chocolate trifle.

I shake my head as I read the letter. How typical of Aunt Trix to say so. And why do they always assume that I treat Peony badly. If I had then maybe it was because I was defending myself. But that is in the past now. Aunt Trix hardly gave me a hard time every time she's here. I don't know why but I'd like to think that over time she has learned that I am not a bad person after all.

On the fourth photo I saw a lady smiling. She was pretty and something in her eyes look familiar. Vaguely familiar. Our hair is almost the same color although hers might be a bit lighter or that could because of the sun. Standing beside her with his arms wrapped around her waist was a man, young and handsome. As I see him, I exhale in relief and assured myself that at least I found someone who has the same lips as mine. Despite that they are full, they are also wrinkled and often times chapped. Peony used to make fun of it even if hers are thinner my pinkie finger.

I wonder who these people are. They look familiar to me but I haven't seen them before. I don't know if it's my hallucination that is talking but I swear I saw a glimpse of a slight similarity to me, appearance wise of course. I tried to find more pictures of these people, hoping that they will be on the other photos and will give me more clues about them. But I was disappointed as I found none.

Without thinking, I went to the living room where I found Aunt Gale peeping on the neighbors through the curtains. Uncle Adolf and Peony must've not yet arrived for the house is still quiet. You can be able to know if Peony is there because her voice can be heard all the way to my room. It is getting dark so I'm counting that any minute they'll be on the door.

"Um….er…..excuse me, Aunt Gale," I approached her slowly.

"Wha!...What do you think are you doing?" Aunt Gale whispered furiously, quite shocked and shut the curtains.

"I just want to ask you if you know them." I showed to her the photo from my pocket.

Aunt Gale's eyes flared, her face was white, color drained out. Her reaction was horrified and though it was fast, I noticed it before she quickly hid it with a cough and waved my hand away. But of course, what's done is done and it is very obvious that the answer is yes. She straightened her face and she spoke.

"I…I…don't know maybe they're Sabine and Adam," she stammered.

"Who?"

"Sabine, Adolf's sister and Adam, her husband." She answered petulantly and went back on gazing at whoever is walking down the street.

Who are those people? I never heard neither Aunt Gale nor Uncle Adolf mentioned them. And as far as I know, Uncle Adolf has only one sister and that is Aunt Trix.

"I thought Uncle Adolf's sister was only Aunt Trix. I've never heard of Sabine before."

Aunt Gale glared at me in annoyance and something in the way she rolled her eyes clearly states that it is out of my concern to ask about Uncle Adolf's relatives. "Sabine doesn't live here so she doesn't visit or talked about. She's pretty distant with her siblings." Again, she waved her hand dismissing. That's all the explanation I can get out of her.

I looked at the clock and then to Aunt Gale. It was near seven, wishing that my punishment would be over. I have been in my room for three hours and I know that it is not enough of a punishment to Aunt Gale. Sensing my silence, she saw me looking forlornly at the watch and narrowed her eyes.

"You are not supposed to get out of your room."

I held my breath, never bothering to reply. It would be met with a snappish reply and honestly it is not something I'm not used to already. But still, I waited for what she has to say.

"Now march to your room," she commanded, flicking a hand and pointed to the stairs

Mumbling under my breath, I started to walk with my left foot and actually march to my room. Inwardly, I smiled to myself and waited for Aunt Gale to explode in exasperation.

"Stop it!"

"You told me to march," I refuted back.

"You know what I mean. To your room, young lady"

"I'm not young" I murmured but low enough that she won't hear it. Who knows what will happen if she actually heard it.

"Now," Aunt Gale hissed. Looks like she heard it and I'm thanking that she's not losing her mind now over what I said.

I sighed in resignation and slowly climbed the stairs with my shoulder hunched. I sat on the edge of the bed and when I was about to lie down, the photo fell from my pocket. Arguing with myself whether to pick it or leave it later. I'm glad the former win because the photo fell face down and on the back of the photo, a note was legibly written.

Isabella Aeron Higgins

16th of October, 1992

I gasped. I flipped the photo and take another good look at the couple for good measure. I have no clue what my parents' names are much less how they look like.

Higgins? I'm a Higgins too.

There could be a lot of Higgins in the world. Of course, there is. But maybe, maybe there are my parents. They had to be my parents. Everything seems to click in place. I looked at my parent sixteen years ago. I don't care what Aunt Gale will tell me but I have a feeling that these two people in the photo staring right at me are my parents.

I clearly don't know what I am supposed to feel. Happy? Shocked? Angry? I do not really know. For the first time in my life I have a clear image of my parents. All my life I have been dreaming about them yet they remain faceless. Mom and I had the same shade of eyes not the shape though. She is slender and very pretty. The only think Dad and I had in common is our thick lips and the shape of the eyes. It is kind of disappointing to see that I have so little similarity with my parents in terms of appearance. My hair is not as light or sleek as my mother but not as dark as my father. Something in my mother's eyes is disturbing. I think I've seen those eyes before but I can't place where.

Think, think, think I told my brain.

Then suddenly it hit me. I blinked. Of course, how could I forget those eyes? Those eyes have been staring, glaring at me for fifteen years, those fierce eyes. Aunt Gale's eyes. The moment that I figured it out I wasted no time and flew right back to the living room just as Uncle Adolf's car pulled up in the driveway. I blurted out with thinking and despite my rapid panting for air.

"Aunt-Gale, what happened on October 16, 1992?"

She ignored me and pretended to fluff the cushions and throw a cautious eye outside the window. I shook my head in disbelief. I wanted to yell at her but I don't think that the kind of attention I'll draw will warrant Aunt Gale to give me answers.

I repeated my question. She was silent and continued on ignoring me like I'm just the stray cat had always prowled in the front yard looking for leftovers. But it was pretty obvious that she heard me, she even winced when I asked. I impatiently waited for her to speak. "I thought I told you to never leave your room" she muttered.

"But, Aunt Gale..."

"No buts. You ask too much, Phlox. Too much" Aunt Gale shot. Her eyes wild and the finger she is waging in my face shook. I don't know if it is because she is hiding something or because of anger.

"I didn't".

"Yes, you did. Every single day I have to face those silly questions of yours. What kind of answers do you want? I'm getting tired of this."

"I want to know about my parent. They are my parents," I replied hotly, showing to her the picture again.

"They are not your parents." She gritted her teeth, stated it that leaves no room for discussion.

"Yes, they are," I argued. Never mind, the consequences.

"If ever they were alive you can be rest assured that I would return you to them immediately."

I glared at her. She is being evasive.

"Go to your room now."

"I just wanted to ask you about 16th of October, 1992," I begged. "What are you so afraid to tell me?"

"Once and for all, Phlox I don't know who your parents are and I certainly don't care," yelled Aunt Gale.

"Maybe you don't care about them but you can't deny the fact that you are related to them." I yelled back since Aunt Gale is also yelling.

She didn't make any sound but she didn't need to. The look on her face is answer enough that is before she quickly recovers her impassive face.

"What makes say that so?," she said coldly, bringing back her emotions from that momentary lapse. Her fierce stares at me never yield.

"You have the same eyes as my mother. And don't deny it. You, my mother and I have the same eye color, Aunt Gale."

"Did you realize that in this world, there a lot of people who has brown eyes? Are you also going to say this when you meet a lady with brown eyes too?"

I scowled at her, trying my best to put out all the anger. But I don't think I'm doing a pretty good job as evident by the yawn that threatens to come out. Throughout the years, I have my fair share of hatred and willfulness however most of the time I had them under controlled. And since then it has been there in the darkness and difficult to get it out. I have never been expressive. So I guess it is no surprise that right now, it'll be hard to bring them to the front.

"Aren't you going back to your room?" Aunt Gale crossed her room just as Uncle Adolf went inside. I won't wonder why it took so long for him to enter when he arrived a few minutes ago.

My shoulder slumped. Looks like Aunt Gale is standing to what she said earlier. I have asked too much today and I won't get any more answers. I nodded and slowly walked back to my room.

"Aunt Gale, if you don't want me to get out of my room why don't you just locked me up?" I asked when I reached the last step that will lead me upstairs.

"Oh, I wouldn't dare to do it again," she said, raising an eyebrow that clearly tells me I know where her mind is going. Probably the first time I understand her

"Isn't it too early for bed?" asked Uncle Adolf, loosening his tie.

"No, but she's grounded," answered Aunt Gale. Even if I didn't turn around, I know that her eyes never left behind my back.

I rolled my eyes when I opened the door. How absurd it is. Most teenagers in my age that are grounded include going home early, babysitting their younger brother and locked up in the house. But since I never left the house except for my little stroll this afternoon, I think Aunt Gale hardly thinks that I should have the same kind of punishment as the other kids.

I pushed the lock but hesitated and leave it at that. There is no need for me to lock it and Aunt Gale knows this. I remember when I was eleven and my rebellious phase started. I was practically a child so I was clumsy and that resulted into me locked up for things I have accidentally done. Like putting bleach on Aunt Gale's stained black tunic for thinking it was a fabric softener and I want her to appreciate what I've done only she was mad at me. When I tried my best to stitch the torn in Peony's jeans and when I have to run and grab the toys in the garden when it rain. I found a stray cat purring as it scratched Peony's jeans shredding it more. I was in a deep mess that day. Looking back at it now, I was laughing when I replayed the moment I saw Peony's expression as she saw her jeans or when Aunt Gale went to a restaurant wearing the black tunic without noticing the white mark. Uncle Adolf didn't also use his violet tie after I played with it and accidentally stained with a permanent marker that I used as my magic wand. Unlike Peony and Aunt Gale, he didn't scold me or yell at me instead he told me to never do it again and watch my actions. Although Uncle Adolf appeared indifferent, he is the only person whom I feel is really on my side or if not, then understands me. He is the one who introduced me to books. Uncle Adolf said that as I am growing, I should give time to learn too.

Across the hall, a door suddenly slammed so loud. I guess that means Peony is home after all the sound came from her room. Everything from the shelves fell to the floor. Grudgingly, I stood and pick it up and as I was tidying things I happen to saw a letter. It was written in a peculiar paper. I examined it closely and it was actually a big dried flower. It is written in an uneven scribble and I had a hard time reading it. And I found it quite odd to see that we have the same e's. Slanting to the left with a little hole in the middle that sometimes you might think it's more of a c than an e. The letter says.

Dear Gaillard,

Here is a photo of me and Aeron. We took it behind the angel falls of Venezuela. It was really amazing. Too bad you aren't here with us. Hope everything is fine there.

Isabella

I frowned.

I read the letter again and again trying my best to understand what it meant. Yes, the letter is simple and plain but I can't understand the vagueness it held. Every sentence is deciphered until it registers to me that this letter is attached to the photo.

I immediately took the photo and looked at it again. There is my Mom, young and pretty and my dad, having the biggest smile I have ever seen in a person. They looked happy, no heavy burden. My parents. My parents. On the back of them is a waterfall. The loveliest I have ever seen and most of them are in pictures too.

The next thing I know I was taking deep rasping breath. Something inside me swells as I looked for the first time at my parents and imagine a life with them. I know I didn't know them but I know they are my parents and judging by the letter I can say that they are good people. So it bugs me as to why they abandoned me and never return much less look for me. It wouldn't be hard. Try going back to the place where they left me. But all I had at this moment is a photo of them and I won't be getting any answers from it.