You're the one I Dream of
Attuma invited Maczil in, and they sat in the living quarters. He was complex with the idea; his daughter will be out in the world alone. Talokan has its adversity to deal with, but they are minor. The world is a more dangerous place, especially for his species.
“Your question of ‘what', I feel is reaction to what I just informed you,” she said to him. “But your why, will lead to something very interesting.” Okoye furrowed her brow, wondering what she was contemplating.
“What is your mother thinking?” He couldn’t believe, she would allow her only daughter; to set out into this treacherous world all a lone.
“Now, I’m glad you ask, Attuma,” she says. He bucked up, she called him by his name; when last they were together, it was, father. Something wasn’t feeling right for him.
“I’m no longer your father?” He sadly asked, seeing there was a gap, in what was once them bonding. She stared into his eyes, tears glistening hers.
“How much I wish I could call you that,” she expressed. “But it seems another holds that title in my life.” She fought back the tears, tired with this day full of them. And the heart break that came with them.
“I’m not getting what you’re saying,” he stood, and looked to Okoye, who immediately came to his side.
“Please, don’t play with words,” she was firm in her speech. “He’s had a bad day, and I just got him this far, from your mother’s shenanigans. Spill it and be done.”
“Alright, I do apologize; but my day hasn’t been that great either,” she says to Okoye, then looked to Attuma. “I want you to know, having it revealed you were my father; and yes, the time we spent bonding, was the best this life has offered me; since I can remember. But the truth is, I have a father; who has always been known to me, as that, since my conception.” Attuma sat back down, Okoye sat by him.
“Who is the one, who you have known as your father?” He had this resolve tone; that nested in his voice.
“When my mother became impregnated, Attuma,” she started. “It wasn’t by you, but my real father, Namor; your K’uk’ulkan.” Attuma sat still as a stone boulder, before a long hard breath flowed from his body. “You see, Attuma; she cheated on you. And when she found out she was going to have a baby; she couldn’t face you, because the bigger truth would surface, as I discovered today.”
“What could be bigger than, her and Namor; going behind my back, then she coming to pin you on me as my child?” Maczil took offense to him using the pinning her off as his child. But how could she blame him. Her parents were the ones who caused this, and he was their victim. “And please understand, in any other circumstances, having you as my daughter; would have been an honor.”
“But how do you really know, if even that is true? I mean she did lie before,” Okoye injected.
“You mean, if Attuma could be my father; and not Namor?” Maczil asked. Okoye nodded, Attuma stared blankly, awaiting the answer. “This is information Namor, as told to both my Na' and me; when we came to him after we left you Attuma. It appears on one of your drunken sessions, you forgot about a certain procedure was done, to prevent you from having children.” Attuma, tried to recall it, but drew blanks.
“So, I had this done, so I will never have children” he repeated.
“Oh, you can,” she informed him. “You can have it reversed. And if I can make a suggestion, please do. Because I’m going to envy; whoever gets that opportunity, to call you father.” She swallowed the lump in her throat, holding back the tears. Then stood, marking her time to leave.
“Thank you for coming to tell me this,” He rose to his feet. “This sheds a light on many things. Where will you go?”
“I’m not sure,” she replied. “Just go wherever life leads me.” Attuma got an idea, and left to go to his room, then came back, after a few minutes.
“Here, take this,” he handed her a post card. “Show them this, and tell them I sent you. Also, let them know you are Tecumbalam’s daughter; they were quite fond of her.”
“Maybe once upon a time,” she reminded him of how she ditched him; and broke his heart. “They may not hold those same feelings now.”
“Whatever happened, will not effect what they will be towards you,” he assured her. “Besides, I’m sending you to them; with something from me.” She looked at it, and it was indeed a post card addressed to his parents, with a p.s. attached, introducing her to them.
She wanted to cry, but didn’t. No more tears. She gave him a hug; and he returned the gesture, giving her an extra squeeze for confidence. Then she released him, and quickly turned, ran out the house, and into the river; swimming away. Attuma stood at the door watching, then saw Tmay come out the water; carrying her on his back. He made one last leap in the air, Maczil laughing with such joy; then Tmay, plunge back in, and swam away.
“Good boy,” Attuma said, and wondered. Why did be get the feeling; his pet whale, knew where to take her? He will contact his parents, to let them know, to expect her arrival. Okoye came up beside him, hooking her arm into his. She didn’t want to show it, but the day had taken its toll on her. Fatigue was setting in. They turn to go inside, but neither noticed; the menacing head, pop up out of the water in the distance.
Okoye sat, watching Attuma pacing the floor like a caged beast. He was in deep thought, his mind separating the events of the last week, but mainly of the day. What Tecumbalam did was unforgivable. The one-night affair, can be excused. She was young and Namor can be persuasive, especially someone of her age. That is understandable, but as time goes by, one should grow wiser and if she did think the Maczil was truly his, she should have revealed that.
As far as Namor’s part in this, he will be confronting him on it. He can only imagine what it was like having those two for parents, two nations extremely narcissists. Selfish and self serving to the cord. Namor knew how much he loved her and yet, he felt the need to touch her. But the worst was having him neutered while he was inebriated. How low can one go? Then, never disclosing it to him.
“Whatever you’re planning,” she looked up to him, wearing a hole in the floor. “Can it wait? At least, until after my surgery, and recovery?” He looked down at her with a smile, and in his eyes; the brightness was emerging.
“The most important thing I needed to be done, has been,” he expresses. “Saving her was vital to me, and hopefully, she will do better than her mother.
“I’m sure with your parents help, she will be,” she says.
“But you never met my parents,” he reminded her.
“That is true,” she concurred. “But I met their son. And I can say, they did a wonderful job with him.”
“That compliment, will get you in trouble,” he could smile freely, for the first time, since the morning.
“Trouble you say?” She taunted him, rubbing him chest. “What kind of trouble?” Then with his mind clear of the craziness, it came on to her. He noticed how dim her eyes appeared.
“Did Shuri schedule what time your surgery will be?” He searched her face, and saw the weariness exhibiting. She looked away.
“It’s in three days. But Shuri; won’t be doing it,” she informed him.
“What? Why?” He became disturbed by the news. “She is brilliant, and you two are so close. I’m confused. Help me to understand her sudden change of heart.” Okoye moved away from him, and walked into the kitchen area. He stared after her perplexed, and waiting for an explanation.
“She became upset with me; because a decision I made, concerning the surgery.” She kept her back towards him, not wanting to see his face; when she explained the rift, between Shuri and herself. He moved so quickly; she couldn’t react in time, as he came up behind her, and spun her around to face him.
“I know Shuri, and she isn’t petty when it comes to things of this magnitude,” he looked her in the eyes, she stared into his. Yes, Attuma was home. “What was the reconsideration of your surgery?”
“I told her, I wouldn’t have it; until you return, and could be present,” she enlightened him. His eyes were void of emotion, his facial expression was absent, his grip on her arms were gently, but firm.
She could tell; he was going through all kinds of deliberation, trying to buffer the initial shock; of her statement. He could see, any confrontation with her, at this time; would only result in, causing more stress on her health situation.
Nothing he could say, could make this better; nor did he have the strength, to deal with it right now. He released his hold, and sat on the couch; shielding his face with his hands. The dread was coming back, and he was feeling the loss of her, all over again.
“This is hard,” he said. “The bulk of my anxiety, has been losing you. I can’t do this, at the moment.” He got up and went into his room, closing the door.
She watched as he left her without a word. Then she realized, even though the good news Maczil brought, the damage had been done. And she has to take some of the blame as well. She decided to take the cue, and leave him. And give him a chance of peace and solitude. She to the door, then opens it; and stares into the face of Tecumbalam.