STARTLED

EPISODE THREE

"Wait. This is confusing. A ring?"

"Yes. Babe could you reduce the Air conditioner ? I'm freezing. "

Sheryl threw the remote to me and put down her glass of wine on the centrepiece.

"He can't be married. It wouldn't make any sense. Plus, the police would have contacted his wife if he was. That's true. How did they even get through to you?"

" Missing persons' reports. They said there was nothing on him to identify him. So they had to check their missing persons' report before making it public.That was how they linked me to him."

Sheryl looked at me. I was crying now.

She came over and sat by me. Stroking my hair gently.

" It's alright dear"

I stood up.

" We both know that's not true. It's not alright Sheryl and we know that. What happens now?

It's been five years. Five years looking for my fiance who vanished on the day of our wedding. My life was destroyed, shattered. I was broken. And just when I think I am beginning to get my life together, this happens. It's not alright at all. "

Sheryl was quiet. I liked that about her. She knew just when I needed to pour it all out and she was willing to listen no matter what. This was what I needed now. To pour out my frustration and fears to someone who would do nothing but listen.

" Sheryl. What if he's actually married? I mean I'm not supposed to care so much about that right?

I have Dan."

" You also have Lanre junior"

I paused.

"LJ?"

" Yes. LJ. Kate, you are thinking too much. Which of course is normal. Listen. The best you can do is allow things to play out before you. You have a life now. Don't allow this to destroy it. Lanre is alive. Good. That doesn't mean you must run back to him, even though you have a son for him. Wait!! Lanre didn't know you were pregnant right?"

I sat down again.

" No. I didn't even know. I found out some weeks after he disappeared. It was horrible."

Sheryl nodded, she obviously remembered how difficult it was back then.

' You know I can't believe I almost had an abortion. In fact, I actually had an abortion but LJ wouldn't leave . He stayed put. And boy!! I'm so glad he did "

" Very true dear. Very true".

Sheryl was standing now. She walked up to the bar and got another bottle of wine.

" Well...I'd say we drink our sorrows away"

" Sheryl, no. I can't get drunk. I need a clear head. I need to think about the next step from here. Plus I need to pick LJ up from school soon and I'm driving. Keep that bottle back."

" Arghhhhh... you are such a kill joy" She returned the bottle to the bar. " Fine. Since you feel like brain storming, then let's get to it. Remember I do that for a living. "

I smiled. " I'm going to tell Dan. It's really not a big deal and he already knows about Lanre. So, once he gets back from his trip, I'll let him know. "

Sheryl nodded. That was what she did when she had nothing to say, agreed with me or just wanted me to keep talking. I figured she just had nothing to say in this case.

" However , I'm not letting Lanre get close to LJ until I clarify everything. I don't want to complicate things for my little guy. He's been through so much. "

Sheryl nodded again.

I lay back on the couch. I wasn't going to allow anything ruin my life. I had worked so hard to get to this point and nobody had the right to destroy what I built. The ring however kept coming back to my mind. I couldn't help it.

" What the hell!!!"

I jerked back into the present. " Sheryl, What's going on?"

" The president is dead".

"Yar'adua?"

" Yh babe. Can u imagine? I really liked that man"

" Yes you did. You had a crush on him."

" Don't blame me, this particular country can't boast of a more handsome president. Our presidents so far have been...you know what I mean right? "

I hissed. " But what really happened to him?"

She shook her head. " They said he was sick. I'll get the full details once Ken gets back. Right now, I really need that bottle of wine. We just lost a handsome President, who knows what our fate will be.

" Sheryl, you know his vice will take over for now right? "

" The more reason I need the bottle of wine. You interested? "

I stretched, stood up and followed her to the bar. Thoughts flooding my mind, thoughts of Lanre, LJ,Dan and now the President. I sure did need that bottle of wine.

I got a call from Detective Frank, otherwise known as Ifeanyi on my way to pick LJ from school.

" Detective Ifeanyi, good afternoon "

" Yes, good afternoon. Hope you are good?"

" I am. What's going on. Is Lanre ok?" His voice sounded worried.

" Lanre is being transferred to another facility."

I hit the brakes.

"Where?"

" I don't know myself. I just received a call and I'm on my way to the hospital. The order was given by my oga. He asked to meet him at the hospital. My guess is someone in authority also has an interest in your guy. I thought I should call to inform you."

My heart was beating fast. Someone in authority?

Why do they want him moved and where on earth where they moving him to?

"Hello? Are you still there?"

"Ermmm...yes. Please keep me informed. I'll be there tomorrow. First flight. Thanks a lot"

" Sure".

The line went dead.

My head immediately began to ache. What in the world was happening?