Rodney Can Never Cry

Tamara POV

 I dallied into the phone's repairer workshop the following day, hoping he would be able to proffer a solution to the shattered phone.

“Good morning, Jones,” I greeted, dolefully.

“Hi Mara”

“What's up?” He replied, cheerfully.

I brought out the phone from my small purse and gave it to him, and a smile ran across his lips.

“ You've got a nice catch? Huh,” He winked-smiling sheepishly.

I respected him a lot ever since he had helped me repair one of the phones my dad spoiled, without collecting a dime from me.

“Jones, I am not here for jokes this morning and as it is, I am running late for work already, so please answer me” I said solemnly.

“Hm mm… Someone looks so sad,” He said as he kept checking the phone.

I stood opposite his table while watch him checked the phone. I just pray it works.

“Well… This phone cannot be repaired again,” He dropped the sad news after some minutes, and I sighed deeply.

This is it.

“It's been shattered beyond repair,” He continued.

“You should have been more careful with it,” He added, still admiring the phone.

“But hold on… How did you get this phone? “ He asked curiously, and I shot him a glare.

He was not helping matters.

I snatched the phone from him angrily and stepped out of his shop. Gross!

At work…

“Mara!” I heard Alicia shrieked, and I wondered what the problem might be.

I quickly served the customers and made to return to the counter, but I met Alicia on my way, looking livid.

What's up with her?

She raised a phone to my face.

Hold on… “Where did you get that?” I asked and made to collect it from her, but she quickly took her hand to her back.

How did she see that?

“Where did you get this phone from, Mara?” She blurted, and I resisted the urge to roll my eyes as I quickly thought of what to say.

“I mean you can't afford this phone, not even in your wildest dream” She rushed her words and I rolled my eyes now.

“Breath, Alicia, the phone doesn't belong to me,” I told her.

“I just wanted to help a neighbor, the phone is faulty, so I brought it along, so I can give it to a phone repairer.”

A happy smile covered her face upon hearing that.

Whoa…

The words had come out of my mouth smoothly, like I've thought of it earlier.

Good of you, Mara.

“I thought you were keeping things from me” She pouted, and I also smiled.

“I will never do such, Alicia” I said, and she squeezed my cheek lightly before returning to what she was busy with.

Unknown to her, I watched her face sadly.

I'm so sorry, Alicia.

I wish I can tell you everything, but I can't.

Rodney POV

“How many times do I have to tell you to stop acting clingy, Joanna, what were you doing at my studio?” I snapped at her, and she blinked her eyes rapidly. “I'm sorry Rodney, I just thought I should say Hi to you” She mumbled, and I breathe out deeply.

“Start the car” I ordered the driver, and he began to drive immediately.

I tilted my head back and rested my head on the headrest of the seat. I am so pissed at her right now.

She's so stubborn.

Shortly,

The driver honks repeatedly, and it brought me out of my thought.

Oh…

We are home already?

“What's the problem?” I asked Henry.

“Why is the driver not going in?”

“You have a visitor, Mr. Rodney” Henry replied, pushing his side door open and I also got down from the car to see the visitor.

I couldn't hide the disappointed look on my face immediately I spotted the visitor from where I was.

I counted my steps to where she was standing and stopped in front of her.

“What do you want?” I asked her calmly and her face lightened immediately as she made to hold my hand,, but I stopped her.

Joanna and Henry were now standing behind me.

“What are you doing here?” I asked her again, sounding stern.

She looked so pale as her solemn eyes paired into mine.

And suddenly, she went on her kneels.

Alright,

I wasn't expecting that.

“Just a chance son, all I need is a chance to explain myself” She said, obviously fighting the urge to cry, and I huffed.

“I am sorry, but I can't waste my precious time with irrelevant talks with an unimportant person,” I said with so much sarcasm.

Her tears were now rushing down.

Well… I don't care, the same way she doesn't care about me.

I made to walk past her, but she was too quick to held my legs, weeping uncontrollably.

“Please son, forgive me,” She sobbed.

And it took all the power in me to fight back those tears that were threatening to drop.

Jeez! Rodney can never cry.

I Fred my legs from her hold and without turning back, I walked inside the building.

Joanna POV

 I watched the whole drama keenly from where I was standing with Henry beside me.

Henry walked up to her immediately Rodney left the scene. He made her stood on her feet as she cried nonstop in his arms.

“Forgive me son” She whined.

“It's okay, ma'am,” Henry said soothingly while stroking her back.

Alright…

I had enough.

“You should stop crying, Aunt,” I began, walking to her figure.

"Henry, don't you think Rodney may need you inside?” I asked him, and he bowed to Aunt Margaret before turning to leave.

“Your time is up Aunt, so you should leave now” I stated flatly, and she wiped her tears.

“And who are you to give orders in my son house?!” She scowled at me and I laughed.

“Your son?” I grimaced.

“Or did I just hear wrong?”

“Tell me Aunt Margaret, who abandoned his son for good five years without a solid reason?” I blunted.

“Its none of your business, Joanna” She replied ruefully.

“Well… Well… Well… It's obvious I am taking good care of our Rodney, so you have nothing to worry about, Aunt”

“Your son is doing fine without you” I said with a smirk.

“You should stay away from my son” She warned,, but I just chuckled before turning to leave.

“Goodbye Aunt” I winked as I waved at her. Gross!