The Power of Passion

By Dennis W.C. Wong

This is a story of a clash of two generations; a discordance of two personalities; a subliminal chord of racism, all playing out in the individualism of two lovers and the man's mother. Eddie is the man; Flora is his fiancée; Mrs. Kate is Eddie's mother, all three engage in a vortex of drama, each ruled b

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dennis WC Wong
• Release date: May 31, 2023
• ISBN: 9781088106303

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Copyright © 2023 by Dennis W.C. Wong

ISBN: 978-1-0881-0614-3 (Paperback)

978-1-0881-0630-3 (Ebook)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2023908270

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Printed in the United States of America

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Clever Clock Press

Phone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

Contents

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER R FIVE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dedicated to Rae Chukwu,

my Nigerian soul sister.

My Journey

My journey is just beginning,

Continuing,

With no ending.

Searching for a meaning,

Reasoning,

With an understanding.

I reach out to you assisting,

Comforting,

With care providing.

Embracing each day smiling,

Never ending,

With a new beginning.

Dennis W.C. Wong

April 24, 2002

INTRODUCTION

Passion fruit is the fruit of Passiflora edulis vine. The two main characters, Passiflora a.k.a. Flora and Edulis a.k.a. Eddie, started out their relationship as a casual encounter that leads to their passionate love for each other. The story picks up when they are engaged couple. Everyone can have a passion for success in life and love. I am hoping that the fruits of my labor may someday benefit my children and their children.

CHAPTER ONE

Could this be love, obsession, or an amalgamation? Could it have withstood myriads of albatrosses too? Was it an addiction that refused to fade, overlooking the instance of the slightest hindrance?

It was mid-afternoon in April. The clock struck 4 p.m. as the darkling sky edged towards evening. Eddie had just returned home, earlier than expected, waiting for his fiancée’s visit. Flora was amicable to the idea and figured the opportunity to know her partner’s mother couldn’t have presented itself any better. It was unusual for Eddie to be back at this hour, so a puzzled Mrs. Kate wondered if her son had any problems at work. At this encounter, it dawned on Eddie. He forgot to tell his soon-to-be-wed that she was the only one who knew about the visit.

On the occasions that Flora had been there, she had yet to venture into his bedroom nor stayed beyond thirty minutes. This day though, she had promised Eddie she would spend quality time with him and his mother.

Good afternoon, Mom, Eddie greeted when he saw his mother sitting in the family room, watching the television.

She only watched Chinese- related programs. To her, other than being Chinese, every other television content was a waste of time.

Good afternoon, Ed, Mrs. Kate responded while fiddling with the remote to bring down the volume.

Why are you home so early? Are you ill? Mrs. Kate added after she had brought down the volume. She was perturbed as she rose from the sofa, placing her right hand on Eddie’s forehead to feel his temperature.

Mom, I am fine, Eddie replied, smiling.

So, why are you home at this time of the day? Mrs. Kate asked.

Mom, someone special is coming over tonight. I am sorry I didn’t inform you earlier, Eddie said, smiling.

And who could that be? Mrs. Kate asked.

Flora, the woman I want to marry. I once mentioned her to you. Have you forgotten so soon, Mom? Eddie asked.

Oh, I remember. That’s nice. In that case, I need to get things ready. I can’t wait to see my son’s fiancée, Mrs. Kate said, smiling as she walked straight to the kitchen. Eddie walked into his room to change into his casual outfit and followed his mother to the kitchen to converse.

Your dad called, Mrs. Kate said, though listlessly, as she kept stirring the soup.

Oh, nice. I wish Dad were here to see Flora, Eddie said, grinning. I will return home by the weekend, Mrs. Kate said.

Do you miss him? Eddie asked, looking into his mother’s eyes.

No. I need to go home, that’s all, Mrs. Kate replied, betraying a little frown.

You know, I’ve been meaning to ask you something. Why do you always get upset whenever I ask if you love or miss Dad? Is there anything you’re not telling me? Eddie asked, stealing a glance at his mother.

Let me set the table while you go to your room. It would be best if you took a bath, Mrs. Kate replied, trying to change the subject as she walked out of the kitchen. Eddie followed suit as he made straight for his bedroom, where he went into the bathroom to freshen up. Soon after he was finished, he dried his body and put on a pair of black jeans and a blue t-shirt. He was still combing his hair when he got a call. After seeing Flora’s name pop up from the caller, he immediately picked it up.

Hi, darling, Eddie exclaimed as he picked up his phone. Hi, love. I’m at the door, Flora announced.

Eddie hung up and sprinted out of the room towards the entrance door. Flora was standing just outside, looking stunning as ever.

Wow! You look beautiful, my love, Eddie complimented, half hugging her while holding the door open for her to enter. They walked to the sitting room to meet Mrs. Kate, who embraced Flora. Immediately she sighted her, pursing her mouth into a prim expression, obviously excited and happy at her son’s choice of a wife.

You look wonderful, Mrs. Kate said, grinning and meaning every word. Thanks, Mom, Flora replied shyly.

You’re welcome, my daughter. Let’s go into the dining room.

Oh, sure, Flora acquiesced as they walked to the dining table.

Mrs. Kate took time to dish out the food, and upon tasting the soup, Flora was quick to heap praises for the traditional flavors. Mrs. Kate was a great cook.

Ed has told me so much about you, and I have always wanted to see you, Flora. So, tell me, which part of China are you from? Mrs. Kate asked, eyeing Flora.

If only Flora knew that her response would set a chain reaction of events in her relationship with her soon-to-be mother-in-law. If only she knew how out of touch with modern times the woman sitting next to her was. If only she knew, she would have made herself Chinese.

I am not from China. I am Hawaiian. I’m from Hawaii, Flora replied with a tinge of pride.

Mrs. Kate’s reaction was instantaneous. Her once glowing, smiling face became a visage of a contorted frown. She dropped her spoon on the table instantly while casting a bitter, sad glance at her son seated opposite her.

Is there any problem, Mom? Eddie asked, bewildered, as he quickly noticed the sudden change of countenance.

I thought she was Chinese, Mrs. Kate said as she rose.

No, she’s not. You heard it from her, Eddie replied as Mrs. Kate shifted the dining chair back and stood up.

Where are you going? Eddie asked, mouth agape.

To my room, of course! The tone of response from Mrs. Kate was higher than usual. It was clear she was agitated.

But you barely touched your soup, Eddie observed.

I have no appetite to eat anymore, she responded, leaving the table.

Everything is not okay. This is not good, Flora muttered to herself, audible enough for Eddie to hear.

Yeah, but don’t worry. Let’s finish up, Eddie assured her as he continued with his soup, albeit lost in thoughts.

Flora became uncomfortable with what happened, but she slowly continued eating her food. Eddie requested she waits in the sitting room while he cleared the table. Flora rose from her seat, ready to leave.

Why are you leaving so early? Eddie asked.

I don’t think your mother likes me. I mean, I am not blind. I saw the look on her face when she found out I wasn’t Chinese. It spoke so much, and I understood it very clearly. But there is nothing I can do about it. Should I have lied to her and said that I was Chinese? We can’t just change our nationalities. Maybe you need to talk to her. I don’t feel comfortable, so I think I must go,