The Ark

Copyright © 2020 by VeryWellAged

What was and what will be...19

Author's note: These chapters are NOT stand-alones...The story starts here.

What was and what will be...20

Ann and Cincer have left for Northern Samar. Dessa is aware that they have gone and the why of it. No one is aware of the flip-flop in our plans for Dessa.

On the Dessa/Debbie issue nothing has changed. Debbie is still being weird towards the girl. Ana has not a clue as to that which brews around her. Bim isn’t going to say anything. Eva has been warned to keep her mouth shut and she seems to be OK with that.

I turn on my laptop to seek a diversion from the craziness of my current life to find an email waiting for me. It has been in my inbox for a few days.

Ira,

Tom insists we go the Philippines. He say he want to learn about my life before I meet him. Many of our Phil/Am friends tell him he is being rude to me because he not understand. This true, but I not want us to go. It a bad idea.

But he also say he want to find you. You didn’t answer his email and he think you just not getting emails where you live. How I tell him different?

Maybe it better for you if he not make noise looking for you when we get there. Maybe it better if you tell him where you are. What you think?

Elena

I open up Tom’s email, the one I never answered and click to reply. I tap on the BCC tab and insert Elena’s email address.

Tom,

Nice to hear from you. Sorry I am so slow in replying to your email. I rarely check email these days!

It would be nice to see you again and here, this time, on my side of the world. I live in Samar close to Tacloban. So if you are coming this way we can pick you up at the Tacloban airport. I am sure Elena can explain what you need to know about what I just said. You will need my cellphone number here as that is the way folks around here communicate. Once again, just give the number to Elena. She will know how it works once you get to the Philippines. My number is 0955-24x-xxxx.

Do you know when you might make it here?

Ira

Jessa is standing over my shoulder as I press SEND. She has a confused look on her face.

Why he think you with a Muslim?

She deserves an answer and the rest of the gals will need to know, but Cincer was involved with this back in the beginning and she needs to be here. Of course, she just left with Ann and will probably not be back for a few days.

I will explain, but CiCi needs to be here. Can you wait until she returns?

Of course. Thank you. How you know him?

He was a neighbor from when I lived in the USA. He has a Filipina wife.

She nice?

Not sure I know the answer to that. I can tell you she is smart.

Jessa giggles. Ira, we all smart! How long they married?

About six years, I guess.

They have children?

I don’t know. They didn’t six years ago.

Why you wait so long to answer him?

That will have to wait until CiCi returns. OK?

Sige¹

We talked to so many people, Ira, my love. So many know of the family. But after the assassination they all leave. No one knows where. Some say they in hiding. Maybe they fear more killing if they not hide. If someone knows, they not tell. A priest asks us why we looking for them. We tell him, and he say, better for the child to not find this family. Her life might be in danger too.

So she stays, I guess. Bim needs to hear all this. We need to talk to her. I think before any others hear the news, I may need to talk to Ana.

OK.

There’s one other thing. It might not happen soon, but I don’t know. Do you remember a Filipina from where I used to live in the USA? Her name is…

Elena. Yes, I remember her. She dangerous smart.

Well, I need you to read some emails.

It doesn’t take but fifteen minutes for the emails to be read and I’m ready to suggest we have a sit-down with all here to discuss fall-out from this, but Cincer sees it differently.

Ira, maybe they come. If they do, we tell everyone. No need until then. Maybe they not come. Many say they will come but many do not really come.

OK, but Jessa read Tom’s email and my response to it. She is confused and wanted to know why he thinks I am with a Muslim. I told her that I wanted you to return first.

It’s OK. I will explain to her. No problem.

Bim, it looks like there’s no choice unless we just kick Dessa out. There’s no relative for her to go to. To the extent that much is true, the kid is without anywhere to go. I gather the father is still missing. I don’t like it, but I’m not sure putting her out on her own is acceptable.

What we do about my Ana?

I think I need to talk with her, with you there. You OK with that?

Yes. … OK. … What you going to do with Dessa? She like a niece or in our beds?

I think that depends on the girl, don’t you?

Yes, true. Who you talk to first?

Huh, good question. Maybe, Dessa first. Then maybe the rest of us with the exception of Ana. After that I need to have that chat with Ana.

When you do this?

I want to speak with Reyna and Eva now. Once they are OK with it I’ll find Dessa. After we talk to the others, I’ll let you know when I’m ready to sit down with Ana.

OK. So, everything a secret at each step?

Yes, I think that sounds right. CiCi, do you have anything to add?

Bim… good friend, I really tried to find a place for Dessa. I think the priest, he know more than he admit, but he clear. It is dangerous for Dessa to be there. I think, knowing that, there no choice. It not what we wanted, truly. But it what we found. Sorry, good friend.

Bim just nods her head. There’s no animosity between the two, but there is sadness.

You two are the youngest of all of my gals but, when it comes to Dessa, you are years older. The two of you know what it means to join us. It appears that Dessa will be staying here. Exactly how is not clear. If she is to join us, as you two did, there’s a question of who she will be with in the beginning. Everyone else here is more than twice the girl’s age. So I come to the two of you. I really don’t know if she really wants to become family, and I sincerely don’t want that to happen. I want you both to strongly support a decision to be treated like a niece, like Ana. But if she insists on joining, she needs to take the first steps. Are you willing to be her partners?

Clearly, Eva has more information about this matter than does Reyna. It’s not exactly a surprise to me, though it is to Reyna, when she asks, Does Ana join too?

No, absolutely, no.

Reyna looks to me, hoping for an explanation. I’m not offering one. Eva, seeing the impasse, rubs Reyna’s back, leans in and suggests, Friend, I will explain later. Reyna, being mollified a bit, accepts the offer, and both gals tell me that they will guide Dessa if needed.

As I’m exiting the room, I hear, from Eva, a quiet, Thank you, Ira. I don’t turn around but nod my head in response as my hand touches the door knob. I’ve no idea if she notices the nod. It was more one of resignation than it was of acknowledgment.

Dessa is watching a teleserye² with Lorie and Nelia. I whisper in her ear, When this is over, please find me. I have news.

Her eyes betray a bit of fear and maybe concern, but all she does is quietly indicate her acknowledgment.

About a quarter of an hour later, she finds me in my study. What news, Po?

You get your wish. You will stay with us.

Really? You not looking for my relatives?

There are no relatives to find. We looked. So this will be your home. But now you must make a decision. No one can — or should — make this decision for you. And this is a major choice you need to make. I am going to explain it as well as I can. I will answer any and all questions you may have now and in the coming days. I do not want you to make a decision today. You can take a few days, or a few weeks, or a few months. There’s no pressure on you to choose, but in the end you will need to make a choice. In both cases you get to live here. There’s no difference in that. Do you understand what I have said so far?

Opo.

OK. You are only half a year older than Ana. I treat Ana in a way that is part Tito³ and part Tatay⁴. Do you understand what I mean?

Opo.

For all the other gals here, I’m their Asawa⁵. So I’m the Asawa for eight gals. That’s pretty crazy, but it’s the truth.

I know this, Po. We all know this.

What you may not know it that my gals are also married to each other.

I not understand.

Dessa, do you understand that sex is part of marriage?

Opo.

So when I say my gals are married to each other and to me, and sex is part of marriage, can you understand now?

Oh! … Truly? Even Eva?

Yes, even Eva and Reyna.

I not know.

There’s no reason why you would, since you share a room with Ana. So, Dessa, you get to choose. Do you want to be like Ana or like the others? … I don’t want your answer now. I want you to think about it. You may not talk to Debbie or anyone outside this house about this matter, but you may ask questions to all of us here.

Po?

Yes?

Po? What do you want?

Dessa, I wanted you to live with a family where you didn’t have to make this crazy choice. But that is not possible. … You are a lovely girl and a sweet one. I like you a lot. But you are very young. … I’ll accept your choice, but I really hope you choose to be like Ana. … You will get the same good education Ana gets, so all the benefits you may want to get will happen if you are my second niece. If you choose to be like my other gals, you will forever be an asawa to me and to the other wives. You will have my true love. I’ll treat you with the respect and dignity that each of my gals receive. There will be no difference. … If you choose to be like Ana, I’ll see you through school and then you will have the skills to make your own way in the world, finding your own mate and building your own life. … If you choose to be like Ana, and not an asawa, this will always be your home and you will never be kicked out, just like Ana. And in that, I’ll be happy and proud.

Po, each sound nice to me. How am I to choose?

How about if you start by talking to Eva and Reyna. If you decide to join my gals, as they will be the ones to guide you, and they are my youngest loves, they are a good place to start in your search for an answer.

When must I decide?

Do you really need me to set a date?

Yes, please.

OK, then it’s Holy Week.⁶

Very good, Po. Thank you.

Family meetings like this are rare. In point of fact, half of them already know what is to be said. And Ann has a pretty good idea. I could have just sat down with Jessa, Lorie, Nelia and Ann, but I think this is better. Better that all of them feel they are working with the same set of facts.

Some of you already know this, but now all must know. Dessa is staying.

I see only one surprised face.

But how she stays is not clear. She is only six months older than Ana. And as such, I gave her the option of living in this house as Ana does. Or she may choose to live in this house as you eight do with me. I find neither option perfect, but there are no other options. … It’s up to Dessa to make that choice. She has been told about how we live with each other. She has been told to ask questions of anyone here in the house, and of no one outside this house. … Be honest with her, but you should know that it’s my hope she will choose to be a niece to me. Still, the decision must be hers alone. We cannot tell her what to do.

Lorie is squirming and needing to talk. I nod to her. When does she come to me?

That’s up to her, but I’ve asked our two youngest ones here to be her initial guides. If I understand your question, it will be after them. Others are chortling, and Nelia lightly punches Lorie on the arm, while calling her a sex-crazed maniac. It OK, Ri, I will take care of you until the child is ready to be molested!

Jessa wants to know, When she to make the decision?

By Holy Week.

That a long time from now.

Yes, but she is so young. I don’t want to rush her. Still, she can choose any time before that. That is the end date.

Ira, she is rooming with Ana now. Should we change that?

Eva, ask her with whom she would like to room while she makes her decision. She may decide to stay in Ana’s room and that is fine. … You can tell Dessa that she may choose to explore all possibilities — other than with me — while she makes up her mind. Exploring will not be evidence of choosing. … OK, anything else?

Bim wants to know, What happens, Eva, the next time Debbie comes to you?

I will tell her to leave us alone, Ate. She is a trouble maker. I know that now.

Anything else? No? OK… Bim, CiCi, with me please.

Ana, this is not a discussion I want to have with my wonderful niece. And it’s not about you. It’s about Dessa. I have asked your mother to be with me, because I feel uncomfortable discussing it without her here. Your tita is here because we love you so much. Child, you know why Dessa is here. And you know we have been looking to find her relatives, so she could go there. Right?

Uncle, she doesn’t want to go. She wants to stay here.

Yes, I know. Tell me. If she stays here, did you think she would be like you, a niece to me, or like your tita Reyna, an asawa to me?

Like tita Reyna, Uncle. How she be a niece?

I glance over at Bim, whose face is one of amazement.

Well, that’s a very good question. Here’s a fact and two questions. Dessa is only six months older than you. Do you think being that young is a good time to become an asawa? And, how will you feel about me if your friend, pretty much your age, is my asawa?

It is weird, right? But I am not the only one not your asawa. I have four cousins and two sisters. None of them will ever be your asawa. We are family. Dessa is not family. So it is different.

Your mother is blessed with a very smart daughter! However, Dessa has been given a choice. She may live here like you or become an asawa. She has until Holy Week to choose. If she speaks to you, please answer her questions honestly but don’t tell her what to do. OK?

I understand, Uncle.

Bim do you have anything to say?

You should have asked her earlier. I have a very smart daughter!

Fair enough. CiCi? Anything?

If I ask, my friend will be angry.

Is there something not clear to you?

Maybe.

Is it important?

Maybe.

Then you need to ask it.

No, friend Bim will be very angry.

Bim, you say your daughter is smart. So please allow CiCi’s question without anger.

Ask your question, friend. I promise. No anger.

Ana, if it allowed, do you want to be an asawa too?

Bim gasps. Ana’s brow scrunches up and looks at CiCi, then me, and then her mother. Is such a thing possible?

CiCi, having opened the door this far, feels the need to get a final answer. Little one, if it was, would it be your choice?

I afraid my mother will be angry.

If your mother is not angry, would it be your choice?

Uncle? You want?

I take a good long look at Bim, who is sort of quietly freaking out. I really need an answer to CiCi’s question. Not so anything can be consummated, but to understand what is inside Ana’s head.

I want to know what you want Ana. What do you want?

I never think this is possible. Maybe, I can think about this until Holy Week? I will be thirteen then, Uncle.

OK, do you need to talk to anyone while you decide?

Maybe I can ask CiCi if I need?

Cincer tells her she can, and off Ana goes to get ready for bed. Tomorrow is a school day.

I look at CiCi. Why did you think to ask that?

Well, it was what Debbie asked. Remember? I always thinking it is not possible. And then when I hear Ana tonight, I think, maybe I am wrong. Why not see if it possible. … I am not sure she will end up wanting it. But better to ask her and know the truth.

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What was and what will be...21