CHAPTER TWO

At cheerleading practice, the three girls sat exhausted on their favorite bench, taking a break from practice in preparation for the state championship.

“I wonder why Mr. Quinn asked just that guy and mandated it on everyone else” Bridget complained.

“I wonder why he refused” added Elena.

“I guess when he heard Amanda was Miranda, he froze in fire” Bridget said figuratively.

“Brid, I’m not sure anyone can freeze in fire” Elena voiced, confused at Bridget's expression.

“Uh, that’s the idea. Ask Mr. Quinn” she replied.

Bridget words shocked Amanda as she exclaimed,

“What!”

“Are u surprised? You haven’t shown an atom of niceness in school, I guess he’s scared of you” Bridget continued.

“I don’t need to prove or show anything, I have you guys. And I don’t care about what he thinks of me. All I care about is that I got the part” Amanda replied.

“You all will agree with me" Elena adjusted her shoulders as she parted her legs on the bench "that guy is fine, fresh, and his voice is, hmm, to kill for”.  She commented.

“That’s true, I felt the vibration of his voice right at the depth of my chest, girl I was tripping” Bridget admitted.

“I felt it too.” Amanda said smiling. “I’ve never noticed him in our class before” she added,  a little uninterested.

“That’s because you are clouded with Jake Bush the football captain” Elena said mockingly.

“You are right, you know. I guess I’ll stick to my Jake” Amanda lowered her head coyly.

“Uhhh, how romantic” Bridget and Elena chorused. Then they all burst into laughter.

                            ******

“I’m hungry!!!” cried Drake, Amanda’s nine years old brother. “My tummy hurt” He complained holding Amanda’s skirt almost causing her to drop the pan.

“Stop it Drake, I almost ruined dinner” Amanda scolded.

“But I’m hungry”

“Me too, but one of us have to prepare the food”

Amanda returned to what she was doing not minding the pressure from the little man grumbling beside her.

“Go get dad, dinner is almost ready”

“No need, I’m here” Mr. Michael Udoh, Amanda’s dad said walking to the dinning smiling at is daughter and wondering when she got all grown up to take responsibilities around the house. For a second, his countenance changed.

“I’ll miss her a lot when she leaves for college”  he admitted to himself.

“What's wrong dad?” Amanda asked with concern as she paused arranging the table.

“Nothing sweetie”

“You’re sure, dad?”

“Yes love” Michael said convincingly.

“Oh thank God, it’s ready” Drake said as he pounced on his food.

Amanda and her dad laughed as they watch Drake.

“Drake!” his father called, reminding him that they were yet to say Grace

“Sorry Dad” he apologized

“Lord, thank you for providing for us, thank you for upholding this family. Lord, as we are feasting on this meal which you have provided us with, also provide for those who have nothing to eat. Lord, bless and sanctify this food, in Jesus Name.” Michael Prayed.

“AMEN” they chorused

“You know, Drake. You need to appreciate your sister more instead of grumbling all the time”

“Yeah, I will Dad” Drake barely said with a chunk of food in his mouth.

“I wish” Amanda said laughing.

“So how was school today, dear?” Michael asked.

“Fine dad” she replied lifting a fork of spaghetti into her mouth.

“Anything new happen today?” he asked meeting her eyes as she nodded back and forth in reply.

“Like she’s going to tell you anything dad” Drake said knowing the kind of sister he had.

“What?” she asked mystified.

“Yeah Amanda, You never share your day with us” Drake pointed out.

Amanda sat motionless and shocked at her kid brother. She never realized how distant she had been and how it had affected her relationship with her family.

“But I tell you everything, even when you don’t want to hear it and I’m only nine". He complained "Do I always have to act like an adult to show example?” Drake asked seriously upset with his hands folded across his chest.

“Drake I’m still alive that means I’m the only adult here" . Michael pointed out,  making sure Drake understood what he said "And that’s too harsh besides; your sister has a lot going on" . he leaned forward "Now apologize to you sister” he ordered.

“Sorry Amanda” Drake apologized in his little voice. “But dad” he went on but was interrupted by his father's irritable responds.

“I don’t want to hear it”

“She was my mother too” Drake muttered underneath his breathe, making sure he wasn’t heard.

“Well something tremendous happened to me at school today” Amanda said with a little smile on her face.

“I finally get to play Miranda in TEMPEST!!!” Amanda exclaimed.

“That’s great Amanda, I can't think of a day you stopped wanting that role” her father said ecstatically. “I don’t understand how you come to love Shakespeare so much but, I’m excited for you. I’m proud of you and I Know your mom would be proud if she was here” her dad concluded.

“Thanks dad” she said only wishing she could have that conversation with her dad. You know, the one with Jake in it.

Little Drake had been quiet for a while then suddenly he asked, “Uhh, dad I feel tired, can I go to my room now?”

“Sorry buddy, yeah sure you can” he replied.

“Thanks”

“I’ll clear the dishes” Amanda as said watched her brother leave.

Few minutes later, Drake heard a knock on his door. As much as he wanted to be alone, he was too young to barricade his door.

“How is my little man doing?” he heard his father say but he didn’t reply.

“Son, I know you are not asleep yet. I can see penny on the floor and you don’t throw him down except when you are angry” Michael bent

over to pick up the teddy bear “what did I do?” he asked, concern about his son.

“Nothing dad”, he replied finally. “I’m only exhausted”

“Are you sure? Cause Penny here tells me a different story”

“Yes dad” Drake said maintaining his position on his side of his bed.

“Sure? Cause Penny here wants to play and his taking a step, another step, another –"

“Dad”, Drake said trying to avoid the hard laughter from bursting out.

“—another, another step, just one more and we made it!!!” Michael said jumping on his son bed, playing with him and danced the teddy over his face.

Drake couldn’t help it, he laughed so hard it was infectious even to Amanda who had been standing at Drakes door, unobserved.

Mr. Udoh loves making his children laugh, which alone makes him feel at peace.

Never let your child go to bed angry. That was his policy. And he was not ready to let his only beloved son sleep unhappy and worried.

“I’m sorry son. You know, we just need to give ourselves a little more time to go through this process. Your mother’s passing has made a hole in our heart, I know how you and your sister both loved your mother, I loved her too. We will go through this together, as a family. So don’t be too hard on your sister, give her time, ok?” he said to his son. Lifting his head up towards the door, he saw his daughter standing with tears pouring down from her eyes.

“You and your sister don’t have to act so tough and strong, not at all. Look at me son, I don’t carry those weights for nothing and--" Michael rolled up his short sleeve on his right arm to show his son his muscles. I am strong enough to carry us all, ok”

Drake laughed again at his dad last statement and so did Amanda.

“You can go to bed now, I love you so much”

“I love you too dad, good night dad”

“Good night son” Michael replied pecking him on his forehead. He stood up, covered his son, put off the light and went out of his room closing the door behind him.

He held his daughter hands.

“I love you too dad” she said hugging her dad.

He kissed her forehead and said “good night, sweetie”

“Good night dad” she replied and went into her room.

Michael felt something heavy in his chest, he understood what it was. So, he dashed into his room, locked his door, went into his bathroom, undressed, put on the shower and stepped in and just like a little child scolded by his parent, he wept.

And the thought of his dead wife made him weep even harder.