Moving on, moving in

[Juliet]

[Juliet]

The last of the boxes thud on the dusty marble floor of the new house, dim light streamed through the curtain-less windows. It was a quiet move in and the silence was obviously awkward. There weren’t much things to move from the old house in MAB Town after it’s been ravished by the hurricane.

“It’s small,” uttered Jack who was at home with Annie and me when the hurricane hit, “I don’t like it”.

Juliet could only sigh as she made her way across the bare living room to her bitter son, embracing him. “I know son. I know. But this is where we’re going to live now. All we can do is move on.”

Sure, the house that they moved into is smaller in comparison to the previous house but after most of Juliet’s children went to live with her ex husband, she failed to see the need to buy a house as big as the old one. The new house wasn’t that bad. It’s still a spacious, two-storey home with a large backyard that dissolves into the forest. There was also a covered pool and spa area as well as a garage and car port that housed all their cars. It wasn’t a bad house. It just wasn’t the same to Jack.

A solid clunk commanded their attention to the door where a petite girl with long curls struggled with a broad and thick piece of wood. Annie dragged in the worn and faded sign with the name Kouun no Hoshi: Wishing Star Café that used to adorn the business that I Juliet with her great friend Ms Tay. Lysander’s blonde mop of head blurred past her and effortlessly carried the piece of wood in his arms.

“I saw it near downtown when we were driving out,” Annie smiled weakly, allowing herself to sag on the casually strewn couch.

Two young men followed in shortly. The guy with glasses was looking over a folder of papers and the other one was repeatedly mashing his fingers on the screen of his phone, mumbling to himself.

“Imo,” started Alex, flipping over pages, “the insurance claims for the house and the café are all done and I’ve already got this house covered. It just needs your signature.”

Juliet released Jack from her arms and took out a pen from her jeans pocket and signed the new insurance papers for the new house. Thanks to her nephew, Alex, all the legal transactions were arranged. He was overseas with Lysander when the hurricane came but came back to town the same day he heard news of the calamity. Everything would have been so much harder without his help. Sean, who was touring with his Maestro in Europe, was pacing back and forth with phone on his ears and thumb in between his lips. The hot headed boy who’s normally so apathetic then had his brows knitted together in worry. He dialed, disconnected and redialed over and over then turned to us.

“Why isn’t it working?” he asked in a sort of panic. “Why can’t I get hold of any of them? Why can’t I get hold of her?”

It was hard to say anything at first. No one really could. Jack’s bitterness turned into despair as a small whimper escaped his lips. His body sank even lower on the couch next to Annie as she patted his back. Juliet knew how they felt. They were all worried. All of them have been trying to contact the Tays since the hurricane hit but to no avail.

“It’s only been a few days,” Alex calmly injected, “they’re probably still moving too and busy arranging their things. Don’t assume anything you can’t prove.”

“Yume, Georgie and everyone will call,” added Annie attempting to sooth everyone. “You’ll see. They’ll contact us.”

[Juliet]

Each of them dragged their feet up the staircase with various containers of their belonging after being informed which room belongs to whom. The atmosphere has turned darker and Juliet couldn’t do anything for them. Instead of adding to the depression, she plugged in the iPod dock and allowed calming music drift around the house as she arranged the living room. Cabinets, racks, couches, chairs, tables and everything else was dragged around in the places she thought they would fit in. It didn’t really matter. Occasionally, Juliet found herself staring out the window or having the door in her sight, probably hoping that perhaps someone would knock and a great big dramatic reunion would happen but that thought was dismissed.

The boys were called down from their rooms to unpack, assemble and carry up the beds that arrived just before the family. Washing machine, fridge and the other heavy things were set in place too. Soon enough the house looked almost complete. Normal. The kitchen was also almost done and Annie was finishing up with making lunch for everyone. The mood started to pick up too but it was still not the same. Those children really pulled more than their share of responsibility. Juliet couldn’t help but smile just a little bit more with the thought of having such great kids. A phone call also came in from her ex husband asking how the moving in was going and that the rest of the kids are hoping to visit soon.

After lunch, Sean and Jack finished putting up curtains and blinds downstairs as the rest of the kids finished up placing any other little relics that have survived from the old house. There were smiles all round from the sense of accomplishment of settling in.

A sharp little rhythm accompanied by loud vibration emitted from Lysander’s back pocket. He pulled out his phone and answered the call. All he said were a bunch of “uh huh” and “okay” then said thank you and hanged up. Everyone had their eyes on him the whole time in wonderment.

Lysander turned to Jack and Sean, who had stepped down from the ladders they were on and said, “That was some person from the town address directory thing calling back about an inquiry I put in earlier.” He paused for a moment then cracked a crooked grin, “Grab you’re your speedos boys, we’re going to the beach.”

[Juliet]

“What are you talking about hyung?” asked Jack, eyebrows rose. Everyone was just as curious.

“Dude, I found where your women are. Simple thanks and a few months of servitude would do as compensation,” Lysander uttered with a smile as he strutted over to the coffee table with the bowl that held his car keys.

None of them could say anything for a moment. It didn’t quite register yet. Annie was the first to snap out of the daze brought by the news. Her response was hardly surprising but the shrill shriek the past her lips did made everyone jump. There was a buzz in the air.

“Are you sure Lysander? Can you bet your life on it?” Sean’s eyes were livid with excitement and doubt.

“I wouldn’t bet my life on it but have I ever steered you wrong?” shrugged the blonde boy.

“Omg omg omg omg omg! We gotta get over there right now!” squealed the curly haired girl.

“Just let those guys go first. We can’t all just barge into their house. Lover boys are already hyperventilating.” Alex cracked a little joke.

Before anything else could be said, Sean, Jack and Lysander had grabbed their keys and closed the door behind them.

“Well!” scoffed Annie as she stood in the middle of the empty lounge, “Aren’t they just well mannered!”

Her oldest brother and aunt had settled into the kitchen counter with fresh green tea and beckoned the young girl over. It was wonderful that they finally found where the Tays are. It was as if a huge dark cloud had moved to give way to the sun.