Episode 28
She wheeled him carefully into the house, straight into the sitting room before leaving him to go and drop things in the room.
Lizbeth was setting up the dining table.
He looked towards the dining and saw the varieties of food that was set up with wine, he has many questions on his mind but he decided not to say anything.
Madam Gold looked at her son for a long time, Cole looked up at her and said.
“Mom… what’s the problem? You make me uncomfortable with those look of yours. I have been through a lot already, I don’t need judgemental look or words…”
“Coleman, this whole saga nearly take you to the grave, you should be thanking me for still being alive. I have been waiting for the right moment to say exactly what I wanted to say to you. Since is over three months… getting to the fourth month, I guess is the right time. Do you know how much all the different physiotherapist that have been attending to you charged? different doctor’s appointment, exercise and many other drugs and injections. money is seriously going down just to fully resuscitate you back to your feet. It has not been easy Coleman especially with the spending. I’m glad you’re getting better but You practically made me broke and I had no choice but to sell one of your father’s asset. He left two buildings, each is three storey building in the estate. That’s the only thing he left for me that I have been living on. The huge amount you received as his only son, you used it to build this house and squander the rest…. can’t tell what you did with the remaining money….
Cole became impatient with whatever his mother was trying to narrate.
“Go straight to the point Mom, stop beating around. You’re getting me uneasy. What exactly are you driving at…
Madam stood angrily.
“You see… this is the same attitude of yours that got you down into a wheelchair. Impatient, pride and stubbornness… this are the same attitude your father had when he was still alive. What I’m trying to say is that I sold the building. Now, I’m only left with just one. I used the money to settle both your hospital accommulated bills, and I paid for that of Marina’s…
Cole interrupted.
“I never asked you to pay for Marina whatever, she is the reason I’m in this mess. She has my money and can treat herself. I wonder why she is not dead anyway…
Madam Gold angrily slapped him on his cheek.
Cole made a fist and tries to move from his wheelchair but he couldn’t.
“…. what is the meaning of this Mom? Why the hell will you raise a hand and slap me… Hope you aren’t mistaking me for a 15years old teenager you can dictate and slap anyhow. Because I’m limited to a wheelchair doesn’t make me less of a man… don’t you dare treat me like an earthworm…
Florence came out of the room and ran straight to the parlour as Cole and madam Gold’s voices were rising.
Lizbeth stood at a distance watching in silent.
“What is going on? What are all the noise for…?
Florence asked moving closer.
“This stupid ungrateful husband of yours, this ingrate of a son is not even a bit thankful for everything I did for him within this saddening months, I sold my best asset for his health, I’m left with just one that I can’t count so much on. I used almost all the money for his health, and to pay up Marina’s own. Instead of him to be thankful, he’s here raising voice at me. Coleman, you forgot in a hurry why they call me madam Gold… let me remind you that I’m a no nonsense woman. I prefer the action that comes with my name, is equivalent to being addressed as Mrs Spence. I love being Mrs Spence because it comes with war and victory for me, madam Gold add action spice to my personality. Aging won’t make me turn into a vegetable. Whenever you open your mouth to talk back at me think again. I will not mind the fact that you are my son, I will take you up the stairs, push you down from there and watch you fall like a rolling coaster breaking your remaining bones in the process. Nonsense element like you. Listen to me, Florence is the only one that can tolerate your rubbish. I never tolerated your father’s own, I will never tolerate yours. Get that straight into your head.
“Madam Gold, please that’s enough… is probably his present predicament that is getting him agitated. Cole appreciate your efforts, he might not say it but he sure do..
Florence said, trying to calm her down.
“I don’t even care if he appreciates or not. He should be lucky that he has a mother like me. Aside his traumatizing health issue, Marina suffered alot of broken bones and damaged body tissues that needed replacement. She had many stitches both from her head down to her leg. Her brain was almost at the verge of sticking up. According to the doctor, Marina wouldn’t have made it alive if not for my prompt response. Now, she is in the ICU recuperating. She is on a high percentage of suffering mental break down in future. I was there when they shave off her head and began each surgical procedure. Deep down I don’t want her to die because Coleman will be charged for homicide. He may think he has a strong defence edge against her but nothing justifies murder. If you don’t have a good lawyer, your sorry ass will be resting in prison even with your condition… the law doesn’t care at all. Each of those surgeries for Marina cost money, each one for Coleman equally cost money. All the money is all gone and he still has to visit the therapist. Even if Marina has his money she will be needing allot of it for corrective surgery because I have already tried my best for her. The pay back I get from him is ungrateful speech. Coleman you’re unapologetically senseless. Take a long look at me, I’m not your wife who cares enough to return back to take care of you. I’m not soft, you should know me better than anybody else. Your father tried some shit with me and I gave him the seat he deserves. Don’t you ever mess with me… don’t you ever Coleman…”
Florence walked up to Cole and asked him to apologise to his angry mother.
“I’m sorry Mom. I didn’t mean to sound ungrateful… I do appreciate everything. I’m sorry…
Madam Gold picked up her bag and car keys.
“Yeah, you should be really sorry. I’m cleaning the heavy mess you made. You live with Marina for almost two years you never care to pay attention if she was truly pregnant or not. She deceived you ones and was starting another phase of the deception yet you did not know. If not for your house help that cares enough to draw your attention to it, you wouldn’t have Known until she disappears. Your foolish mind was clouded with the crazy sex which blocked your brain from knowing any other thing. She was almost perfecting her plans Coleman before you found out. I used to think is Florence that has the issue but I think I know better. Despite all the money i put into you and Marina, no single grandchild, I only got paid back with more heavy mess to clean up. Anyway, try all you can and get back on your feet so that you can pay me some of the money I poured into your health… even if is quarter of it. I’m not so generous when it comes to somebody that has no sense. I wonder if they exchanged you in the hospital or you are the same son I gave birth to. Look at your sister, she is just like me. A no nonsense lady but you, I don’t know where to place you. You live in the same house with a woman for almost two years and you never know she was faking a pregnancy, wearing fake pregnancy bump, giving you fake hospital test results. You continued pouring your money on her while she went ahead to wash your stupid head with lies. I’m so angry right now. If I don’t get out I will end up hating you…
Madam Gold stormed out. Florence called her to come back for dinner atleast but she ignored.
She left and the house became so quiet.
Florence tries to say something but Cole quickly shun her.
“Florence, if you want to walk out like my Mom just did, then be my guest. Go… everyone should just leave me alone. Enough of the bashing. I know I messed up big time but haven’t I be punished enough. What else do you all want. Maybe I should have died instead of all this unnecessary added trouble… I’m tired. Just tired of this whole life…
Florence came to him, she gently massaged his shoulder making him relax back on his wheelchair.
“I wasn’t going to bash you like you thought Cole, I wanted to ask if you are ready for dinner. Lizbeth has set up the table…
Cole inhaled deeply, he squeezed Florence hand gently.
“I saw when she was setting it up, what is there to celebrate… because I saw a bottle of wine and cups. Different delicious looking food… The money where did it came from?
Florence smile and said it was just a little money she gave Lizbeth to prepare dinner.
Cole kissed her hand and thanked her.
She wheeled him to the dining table, helped him up to a sit.
she asked Lizbeth to join the table.
Lizbeth obliged as Florence gave her a pleading look.
Florence said a short prayer before dishing out the food.
After meal, Florence poured wine to the cups and they toast to life. She thanked God for giving Cole another chance to life.
She later helped Cole upto the room, then to the bathroom. When he was done with the bathroom, she helped him out to the bed
She assisted him to get properly dressed for the night.
She gave him all his drugs just as prescribed and he took it.
After she was through with Cole, she freshened up before retiring to a table to read and pray.
Cole watched her pick up her bible and began to read on the dresser.
He called her.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g
“Sweetie… please hurry and come to bed.
Florence who only started sleeping on the same bed with him a week ago did not reply.
She later close up her Bible before checking her phone.
Maxwell has been calling and sending messages but she has been ignoring.
She tries to avoid seeing him too.
What will she tell him if she decided to answer his call.
Maybe she will think of what to do with Max but Cole needs her.
She can’t abandoned Cole at this state of his health. She is not a heartless human.
The divorce is still pending, Cole doesn’t want to continue with it.
He has pleaded with her not to proceed with the divorce case anymore otherwise he is as good as dead without her in his life.