Chapter Four

Jesse rolled out of bed at five am the next morning and went through the motions of taking his bath, shaving and then making Gwen’s breakfast and lunch at the same time before he went to wake her up by six fifteen to take her bath and like a good girl that she was, she never gave him any trouble at all.

“You look tired daddy.” Gwen commented as he dressed her in her school uniform.

“I’m okay sweetheart.” He assured her. “Don’t worry about me.”

“Daddy?”. She called after a minute.

“Yes honey?” He looked up from putting on her socks.

“Remember Mrs Shalom said I shouldn’t come to school if you don’t pay my fees.” She reminded him.

Jesse stared at his daughter with a frown on his face as he tried to remember if he’d had a conversation with the bursar after he dropped her off in school yesterday then it hit him and he sighed.

“Yes I remember.” He sounded defeated. “I’ll talk to her to give me more time or I’ll talk to Mr Williams.”

“I’m sorry daddy.” She apologized.

“For what?”. He looked confused.

Gwen lifted a small shoulder in a half shrug. “I know it’s because of me that you don’t have money anymore. I’m always sick.” She looked sad.

“It’s not your fault.” He told her. “I’m not complaining am I?”.

“But…”

“But nothing sweetie. I’m happy to have you as my little girl. Any other girl is a counterfeit.” He tweaked her nose playfully.

Gwen giggled. “I love you daddy.” She threw her arms around his neck.

“I love you more baby.” Jesse murmured and drew back to kiss her forehead. “No more of that nonsense okay?”.

“Yes daddy.” She nodded.

“Good girl.” He finished dressing up for her and took her to the sitting room. “Will you watch a cartoon while I get dressed?”.

“You’ve subscribed for the Cable TV?”. She beamed. “I want to watch Disney junior.”

“Er… No, not yet.” He scratched his head. “Just ordinary TV.”

Gwen pouted. “I’m not interested.”

“Play with my phone then?”.

“Can I go to Aunt Abby’s instead?” She asked. “Susan will be awake now.”

“Let’s not disturb them this early morning.” He said. “I fried plantain and eggs for your lunch.”

“Really? Cool!”. She exclaimed. “Is it cornflakes for breakfast?”.

“Sorry. It’s oats this time.” He winced.

“I like oats too.” She said. “What about my medicine daddy?”.

“Oh right.” He nodded. “I’ll be back.” He left.

He opened the medicine cabinet in the kitchen and took out the bottle for her drugs, lifted it and sighed when he saw that it had finished. “Isn’t this just great?” He thought sarcastically.

He put the bottle back and slammed the cabinet close, dished her oats in a plate and took it to her in the sitting room.

“Medicine?” She questioned.

“I gave you the last one yesterday.” He replied. “You’re not doing any extra curricular activities in school right?”.

“No. I don’t even play with my friends.” She muttered sadly.

“You’ll have to be careful from now on until I get enough money to buy new drugs for you.” Jesse said. “By God’s grace next week… I should be able to get some money.” He let out a sigh and pressed two fingers to his eyes. By God’s grace next week if he wasn’t arrested because of the debt he was owing a lot of people.

Gwen stared at her father’s retreating back and lost her appetite for food. She dropped the plate of oats on the center table and went on her knees to pray instead.

This was how Jesse met her when he returned after getting dressed with her bag and lunchbox so he joined her to pray and they said the grace.

“Not hungry?”. He gestured to the oats.

“No. I’ll eat later.” She forced a smile.

“Let’s go then.” He took her hand.

“Have you turned off all the electronics daddy?”.

“I have. Let’s go.” He smiled and they left.

Just as they got down to the second floor, they met Ruben and the kids also leaving for the day so they all went down the stairs together and out the front door.

“Hey let me drop you and Gwen off.” Ruben offered.

“Uh… Sure thanks.” Jesse nodded.

Ruben unlocked the car and the kids filed in to the backseat while Jesse rode shotgun in front with Ruben.

Once upon a time almost two years ago, Jesse had also been the proud owner of a black Mercedes Benz E350 but the divorce and Helena’s outrageous request of one million naira for the settlement had caused him to sell the car and after she got the money, hooked up with the owner of the company where he worked and had him sacked within a week.

He who had been the general manager of the company now worked in a bottled water company earning not even a quarter of his former salary. 

“I meant to tell you but it skipped my mind,” Ruben spoke interrupting Jesse’s thoughts. “There’s a vacancy for an accountant in my brother’s company. You could apply there as well.”

“I already did but I didn’t get what I wanted.” Jesse told him. “I was too over qualified for the job. Thanks though.”

Ruben laughed. “Right.” He said. His brother never liked to employ someone who was too good in their area of specialization and Jesse Billion was a genius having graduated magna cum laude from McPherson University – a private university for rich kids. He couldn’t say his brother was a cheapskate because he wasn’t but he’d prefer employing someone who would accept whatever amount he offered as salary without argument.

It was circumstances that pushed someone as brilliant as Jesse to work for less than he was worth.

Ruben arrived at his kids school and the children alighted from the car but Gwen stayed behind when she saw that Mrs Shalom the school bursar was at the gate with the record book in her hand.

“Gwen?”. Ruben looked back at her. “What’s wrong?”.

“It’s nothing.” Jesse was quick to say as he opened the door and got out. “Thanks for the ride bro.”

“It’s nothing.”

Jesse opened the back door for Gwen and she alighted then he closed the door, waved and watched Ruben drive off before he took her hand and led her towards the woman at the gate.

“Good morning Mr Billion.” Mrs Shalom greeted in her husky voice.

“Morning.” Jesse greeted back. “Uh… I’m here to ask for more time to pay her fees.” 

“This is the third week Mr Billion. I would love to help you but the order has come from above that I am not to allow any pupil with outstanding debts into the premises.”

“Can I see Mr Williams then?”.

“He’s not around.” She said. “I’m really sorry.”

“It’s fine.” Jesse said, shuffled on his feet then took Gwen’s hand. “Thank you.” He turned and walked away.

Gwen looked back at the school sadly and a tear dropped followed by another until it was streaming down her face in torrents.

Jesse looked down at her and his heart broke when he realized she was crying so he stopped and crouched down in front of her there on the sidewalk.

“I’m sorry, please don’t cry.” He apologized. “I’m sorry I couldn’t pay your school fees.”

“I’m not crying because of that.” She sniffled. “I’m the one sorry.” 

Jesse sighed and pulled her close stroking her hair to quiet her and she quieted down almost immediately.

“Want to go and stay with Aunt Abby in her shop till I get back from work?”. He asked.

“Sure.” She beamed. 

Jesse straightened with a smile on his face, took her hand again and they continued their walk. A few minutes later a black Escalade pulled up beside them and Jesse stopped.

The back window automatically rolled down and his ex wife Helena smirked at them.

“Helena.” He rumbled.

“Hello Jesse.” She eyed him over. “How the mighty has fallen.” She drawled.