A Friend Indeed

"I'm still waiting for your response. If you dare end the call, it would be the last time I would have spoken to you. I don't care if you spend an eternity on the sick bed," Dexter warned his Father. 

"Check your damn bank account. I just fixed your account. You're free to have access to everything I stripped you of," George disclosed. 

"Are you serious? I just this isn't one of your tricks to lure me to the hospital?" Dexter argued. He was yet to understand how George made that happen so fast while they were still having a telephone conversation. 

Still in doubt, Dexter received a text from his bank. It was a notification that his transaction had just been restored. 

"I will be in the hospital immediately," 

Dexter assured his father and ended the call after the confirmation text from his bank. 

"I will be waiting for you in the car once you are done," Kelly said. 

He was about to leave when Dexter called him back. "Hold on a second. I can't recall asking you to leave. You are going to stay right here while I go upstairs to change my outfit,"

"I don't see that happening, kid. I am not your father that you order around. I've got integrity," Kelly declined. 

"And integrity can't get you out of poverty? You must be the greatest fool of all time. I promise you, if you walk out of that door, consider this discussion over. You should as well tell my father to find someone else to sign the consent form," Dexter proclaimed. 

Kelly was already halfway through the exit door when Dexter challenged him. 

Majestically, Kelly walked towards Dexter like a soldier about to discipline a bloody civilian. 

The way he marched towards Dexter, it was damn that a potential war was about to break out between them. 

Staring directly into Dexter's eyes, Kelly said. "I may be poor, but I am still better than you. Being poor wasn't my choice. I've got a class. If you want to know more about me, go ask your father. I guess he should be able to tell you why my life hasn't been a bed of roses," 

"Whatever! 

Who cares about your damn integrity? You are just covering up for your pathetic life. You should be ashamed of yourself." An epic comeback was for Dexter. It was as though he had rehearsed the punchlines earlier. 

After the savage reply, Dexter marched to his room like a soldier had just returned from a battlefield. 

Just when Kelly thought the exit of Dexter would be quite relieving for him, it became worse. He just can't get over the insult that was hurled at him by Dexter. 

The insult didn't just penetrate Kelly's head; it also reminded him of the nasty decision he made with George that ruined his life forever. 

"If I knew it was going to turn out this way, I wouldn't have assisted George with his exam," Kelly bemoaned as he regretted his decision.

 That one bold decision he thought was the best thing that has ever happened to him, has suddenly become a nightmare. But on second thought, Kelly considered his late wife, who happens to be Ciara's mother. She was heavily pregnant at that time. Her parents didn't want to set their eyes on her. Kelly was practically her last hope. He had no choice but to accept the responsibility. 

Engrossed in his thoughts, Dexter walked back to the living room all dressed up as though he were heading for some dinner date. His stressed face had become fresh and spotless. 

"I am ready now 

Let's go," he told Kelly. 

He made a move to leave, but Kelly didn't. He stood there watching Dexter like a television.

"Are you deaf? 

I said let's go. 

What are you still waiting for?" Dexter repeated his utterances. He already assumed that Kelly didn't hear him the first time. 

"Like this?" Kelly pointed at Dexter's outfit. 

"What's your damn business about my choice of outfit? Oh, I get the point now. Do you think everyone will be poor like you?" Dexter started another drama. 

This time, Kelly was smart enough to avoid it. "Never mind." He said and walked away. 

"You're gonna drive behind me," Kelly decided. 

"No, I'm not. 

We drive In my car. 

I can't let you leave with my father's car. What if you end up stealing it? I just don't think the car is safe. I still don't know why my Father would agree to let you drive his car. Damn! What was he thinking?" Dexter said. He was damn serious about it, even though he was smiling. 

The insult was too much for Kelly. He didn't even know how to react to it. That was the only moment Kelly ever remembered that he was poor. 

He tried to speak, but the words refused to come out. His lips suddenly became too big to move sideways. 

He endured the insult and went to sit at the front next to Dexter. 

"What do you think you're doing?" Dexter questioned Kelly. The drama didn't seem like it was going to end soon. 

"Go sit at the back where I can see you from the mirror if you decide to steal anything. The front seat is made for wealthy people like me. Your kind should frequent the cab even though I know you can't afford it," Dexter insulted the hell out of Kelly without giving him a breathing space.

Quietly, without a fight, Kelly stepped outside the car to sit in the back seat of the car. The insults were too much for him to bear. 

As they drove to the hospital, using Kelly's direction, Dexter pulled up in the middle of the road to stare at his phone. 

Bewildered and clothed confused, Kelly asked. "What's the problem this time? Why did you stop the car? Did it occur to you that we have to be in the hospital immediately?"

"Shut up and let me think," with the whole of his voice, Dexter yelled at Kelly.

"I don't think I can make it anymore. 

I've got a date with someone tonight," Dexter said while staring at his phone. He was uncontrollable. Kelly could barely even withstand his heat.