Inbetween 29

I sat with Michelle, Stella, Ada and Ike on the same pew.  We all came with well tinted glasses . I know it is called 'sun shade' but we are not for fashion today- We're hiding our pain.

We wore blue ankara dress with red designs on it, all sewn in a simple blouse with a front zip and a pencil-cut skirt. My mother could have been anywhere in the church or outside the church.. She was a habitual late comer. Auntie Maimah sat in the front pew with Nneka and Wisdom at her sides. She was the only one who wore white. Her eyes were red and round and seemed it was sinking into her sockets. She was not wearing a shade. She just sat staring at the choir as they ministered. 

People on my seat cried silently but I noticed, they dabbed around their covered eyes too often. I was trying to be strong so I chewed the fruit gum in my mouth , imitating a nonchalance that I could not feel. Each time I stared