DEPARTURE.

A MONTH LATER.

Camille is at the airport with her mother and Lara who both came to see her off on her journey. Her father refused to go along with them, giving the excuse that he was busy.

"Don't forget all I told you; put it to good use and be good for us."

Mrs. Williams reminds her.

"It's okay, Mom; I will."

"I hope you didn't forget anything. Are all your documents in your box?"

"Sure, Mom, they are. I would miss you, Mother, so much."

"I would miss you too, daughter, but I would take comfort in the fact that you are away to make us proud."

"I promise not to disappoint you. I would make you proud."

"We would stay here and be rooting for you. Just don't forget that."

She scoffs.

"Maybe you would be rooting for me, but not for Dad. He couldn't even come to see me off. I thought he would have forgiven me by now."

"He has; he's just trying to come to terms with everything that has happened. He loves you as much as I do, and he's one of your biggest supporters; don't hold his actions against him."

"I understand, Mom."

She unzips her handbag and beckons to Lara, who is standing a few feet apart from them.

"I would be right back. I need to use the restroom."

"Okay, Mom."

Mrs. Williams walks off in the opposite direction as Lara approaches Camille.

"Yes, Cuz, what's up? Are you missing me already?"

Camille forces a smile,

"You wish."

She takes out an envelope from her bag and hands it to her.

"Inside that envelope is a letter; please find a way to give it to Michael's parents. I couldn't go to see them, and the letter is the next best thing. I explained some things they don't know in there, and I hope it will at least bring them a little comfort. If you can get either of his parents numbers for me, please do so. I would really like to talk to them."

Tucking the envelope carelessly into the pocket of her jeans, she smiles.

"I would make sure the letter gets to where it should trust me."

"I trust you, and that's why I am giving it to you. Please make sure it gets to them."

"It will, for sure."

"Thank you so much for everything, Lara. I want you to know I don't consider you my cousin; you are like the sister I never had."

"It's okay. You don't have to say it; I know since that's exactly how I feel about you too."

Putting on a look of seriousness,

"If you feel that way, why did you refuse the eatery as my parting gift to you?"

"I am not much of a cook, you know that. It won't be the same without you. I just want to do something different."

"But you don't even have to cook; I have staff for that; at least I did until I sold the restaurant. I don't understand why you couldn't accept it, especially since you don't have any jobs currently. I made good money from that restaurant, and it would have been a good form of sustenance for you."

"I appreciate your kind gesture, but it's just not for me."

She shrugs in resignation,

"It's not like the decision to sell can be reversed anyway; I just wanted you to have something for yourself. It's okay though; I know you are a real hustler and would surely get by. Maybe you should rethink letting my dad get a job for you. You need something to keep you occupied; I don't want you to feel lonely in my absence."

"I don't want the job; I am doing okay. I won't feel lonely; we are going to talk every day for as long as you are there. No matter how tired you get, always make time to talk to me."

"That's certain. I would call you every day. Just don't hesitate to ask my parents or me for anything should the need arise."

"I am sure I won't need anything, but okay. Pay attention to what you are going there for, and make sure you kick ass."

"I will, I promise. Maybe you can come to visit me sometime; I will take care of all your travel expenses."

Shrugging non-committally,

"Maybe."

"Okay, girls, that's enough. You only have a few minutes left to check in."

Mrs. Williams announces this upon reaching them.

Mrs. Williams and Lara exchange hugs and kisses with Camille. Tears begin to flow freely as she goes to check-in before heading to the departure gate, waving to them.

Left alone, Mrs. Williams and Lara soon make their way out of the airport, getting into the parked car where the Williams' driver, Henry, is waiting patiently for them.

"Where should we drop you off, Lara, or are you going home to your parents?"

Mrs. Williams asks her.

"No, I am not; I have a small apartment close to the house Camille lived in."

"That's good, then; it's just along our route. So tell me, how are your parents these days?"

She hides a sneer,

"They are doing good."

"How about your father? Is he doing okay? How do you all cope financially? You know we have always told you to come to us if you need anything? You never came, why?"

"He is doing okay, and we are coping well financially. I don't ask you for anything because we are getting along just fine; I work and I support the family. In all, we are doing good."

"You don't have to feel ashamed or shy to come to us; you are still family, regardless of what happened in the past."

"I know, but we are doing okay, thank you. I appreciate everything you and Uncle have done for me, but we are doing well, so there's really no need to stress you for anything."

"Asking us when you need something is not stress; if we don't do it for family, who would we do it for? I just hope we get to see more of you now that Camille is gone. You haven't paid us a visit for a long time."

Rolling her eyes in frustration,

"I will surely come and pay you a visit soon. As soon as I can make the time."

"I would really like that. You have strayed too far from us. So, what do you think of Camille's situation? Did you ever meet the Michael guy personally?"

Hiding a grin in glee, she savors the moment, taking her time before answering the question. Not wanting to appear too eager, she responds slowly.

"Yes, aunty, I met him."

"What did you think about him? Camille said she doesn't believe what he did. Do you also share the same belief?

Adjusting in her seat to get more comfortable with the tales of woe she's about to spill,

"I don't share her belief. I don't know where she got the notion from. I warned her about him, but she didn't listen. He was the worst man a woman could ever meet."

"Are you serious?"

She asks in surprise.

"Yes, I am."

Ticking off her fingers one after the other, she begins to list things.

"He smokes cigarettes, weed, does drugs, womanizes, drinks, rapes women, releases nude pictures of girls he has been with, and above all, he belonged to a very ruthless gang that fights, kills, and maims. There are so many things he was involved with that I can't even begin to say."

Using her hand to cover her mouth in shock,

"Was Camille aware ofall that you just mentioned?"

"Yes, she was. I know it might sound cruel, but he got exactly what he deserved for breaking my cousin's heart. I just hope she finds healing."

"Camille was supposed to have more sense than that; we trusted her to make reasonable decisions. Obviously, our trust in her was misplaced. I am just a bit relieved that she's leaving the country; at least she would take the space to reflect on her life."

"Yeah, aunty, I am sure she would do better now."

"I just want to say thank you for always having her back. You have been such a cousin to her."

"It's all good; she's my family after all."

Smiling mischievously,

"So, tell me, are you seeing anyone at the moment?"

"No, I am not."

"Why not? You are a beautiful girl with character; what's stopping you from having a relationship?"

"Honestly, a lot. I just want to focus on being financially independent before I enter any relationship. I have a lot on my plate at the moment. It's just not time yet."

"I totally understand. Women need to buckle up these days; no man wants to be liable as a girlfriend or wife. I admire your train of thought. You would certainly do great things and go places with that attitude and spirit."

"Thank you."

Leaning forward towards the driver, she announces,

"I would drop at the next bus stop."

The driver, Henry, nods his understanding. They soon reach the bus stop, and Lara drops from the car, saying goodbye to Mrs. Williams with a promise to pay her a visit soon. A promise she doesn't intend to keep.

Feeling very pleased with all that she has accomplished, she makes her way home with a smile plastered on her face.