My mother sat up too. At that moment, there were lots of thoughts racing through my mind. Had Razzi discovered we were on his trail? Had Peter spoken to him?  "Why was he here mother? " I asked burning with anxiety. "He came to see his son and unfortunately couldn't meet him. " she replied. "When he walked into the compound, " she began. "I wanted to scream at his face, I wanted to call him a murderer, a thief and selfish man. " she said. "I know Mother. I know how it feels. " I replied. Of course I am familiar with that feeling. The feeling of watching your tormentors roam freely. The feeling of co-habiting with the people who took your father's life. The feeling of helplessness. I know that feeling. "While coming out of his son's room, we collided. He said to me You live in this compound? I never knew. " said my mother. "Such a lie. " I retorted. "The same compound he sent goons to murder your father. " she said. "Their cup of treachery and evil shall be filled up. It shall o

The day of the town hall meeting came. I was fully dressed in my African Ankara gown which covered the sole of my feet. I covered my hair with a veil and wore my favorite flat shoes on. I was nervous, excited and hopeful. My mother came from behind sprinkling water all over me. "What's that for? " I screamed while dodging the water droplets. "It's holy water. From church. Blessed by the Reverend. " she said. ", Okay you should have told me and given me some to minister to myself rather than raining on me. " I said while laughing. 'You need to be fortified. " she said about to resume the sprinkling. I smiled and told her "This is no spiritual battle. " "We can't take chances. " she maintained. "There's evil around here and who knows they might be there. " she added. I quickly left the room before she could soak my apparel. "Are You ready? " I said while knocking on Peter's door. "Almost. " he replied. "Am putting my shoes on. What's the time? " he asked from the inside. "Twenty minut

  The next morning, I couldn't wait for the day to break so I could hurry to Layo's house and announce the good news to him. Last night on phone with Mr. Chinedu, he revealed to me that It was possible for Layo to go to the University this year. According to him, there is a Pre_degree program which runs for a year at the University and after the students undertaking the program pass their pre- degree examination, they'll proceed to year one. Mr. Chinedu told me that he was aware of Layo's condition so he can help him secure a Pre_degree spot at the state University. He maintained that his friend is the registra of the University. I couldn't contain my excitement as I roll from one edge of the mat to another last night. My morning chore was already done. Tami and Kiki had gone to school while my mother had departed to the bar. I huried to Layo's house the moment I was done having my breakfast. "Good morning ma. " I said greeting Layo's mother who was arranging the fresh

As Peter approached me, I began to sweat all over. My chair suddenly became uncomfortable and my eyes kept rolling around. I was tensed and my restlessness was obvious. "Are You okay Fetty? " asked a customer. I said nothing, then Peter finally arrived. I couldn't bring myself to look at him. "Let me get you a seat. " I said getting up. "I always help myself around here. " he replied while dragging a plastic chair by the corner. "You need water? " I further asked. "Are You tensed? " he retorted. "No. " I quickly replied breathing heavily. "Okay so relax then. " he said with a smile. I smiled back awkwardly. We said nothing for like a minute till Peter finally broke the silence. "I am very sorry for my violent behavior at the restaurant this afternoon. " he began in a low tune. The customers around were chatting and laughing, minding their business, their attention far from us. "I should have controlled myself. I was at Nancy's this evening. . I apologized to her and we are cool. " h

  "Why don't you get inside, take a bath and get some rest. Am sure you must have undertaken a long journey. " I said. "My mother will be home in a while and by the time you are done bathing, I must have finished making lunch. "I added. He nodded and went inside with a little bag he held which was shaped like a briefcase. Soon, he was out in his boxers with a bucket of water heading to the bathroom. I was in the kitchen cooking and wondering why he had come all the way from the village. Was he hear to see us? Did he need anything?  I thought. When my father died, none of my mothers relatives showed up. Not her two sisters or uncle Awang and his presence here today is questionable. My siblings then came back from school and I introduced Awang to them as their uncle. Tami who had always been looking for a male figure to clung on to was soon all over him and they even ate together. I told Kiki to stay at home with Tami and our uncle. I will be taking my mother's lunch