She was asleep. She had been asleep since moments after he passed her two round painkillers for her stomach. Strands of hair had been tucked to the side of her face by him. Her bra strap pulled in place. Yet, she slept on.
It was soul-satisfying watching her sleep like this. Watching her drift off. It wasnβt because she was clad in her bra and knickers and his groin throbbed. It was simply because, she made him smile.
He yawned again and stifled another one. His eyelids were puffy and his body weighed heavy as if he had not slept for weeks. They spent a chunky part of the night talking. Until there was almost nothing left to talk about.
He had been unable to drift off the previous night. Filled with dread because of his relationship and his dwindling savings. And now that she was in bed with him β even though they were in her bed β he wanted to start the day with a love song.
He wanted to apply for all the jobs he read about recently, jobs he thought were beyond his reach. He wanted also, to tell his mother and his friends to stop worrying about him. The woman he needed had come back to him.
βMorning beautiful.β
She had opened her eyes. Mumbled something. He wasnβt sure if it was a greeting or a question. When her hand went to the small birth mark on her chin, he knew it was the latter.
βWhatβs wrong, beautiful?β
βI had a bad dream.β
βReally? Whilst next to me?β
βYou love yourself too much, handsome.β She giggled. βYou would marry yourself if given the chance.β She changed her tone when he narrowed his eyes at her, staring stubbornly. Willing her to tell him what it was. βItβs silly, really.β
βTalk to me.β
βIt was a strange dream. We were playing in a park. I got angry when I couldnβt find you during our hide and seek game. So, I tore the picture you drew for me.β
βHow old are you? Two?β
βI told you itβs silly.β The smile that had started to form on her face disappeared and her hand went back to her birth mark. βI know things are so complicated right now, though. This thing with Jackieβ¦β
βI thought we agreed that monster probably made it up. Jackie doesnβt need to know anything and if you have to tell her, fine. As long as you donβt expect me to play happy families with her.β He searched her thoroughly with his eyes before kissing her forehead and the tip of her nose. βDonβt worry too much. Carry me with you, it will all be fine.β
βIβm not gonna blurt it out.β
βIf you feel you must, fine. Just prepare me in advance. And donβt expect me to be cool with her in my house or anything like that. She nearly destroyed my life.β He stopped because she was studying him and he did not want her to know just yesterday, he felt like driving down to her uncleβs house to shout at Jackie. To shout until his voice gave up. Β Β Β
βYou are too good to me. Do you know that?β She sighed. βI was so ready to give it up to you last night before mother nature showed up.β
βItβs okay, there is no need to rush. We will get that special night eventually.β
βDo you have to go back to Coventry?β
βYes, there are a couple of jobs I applied for. I promised to help Grandpa round the house for a bit too.β He pulled her closer, one hand on her waist, the other, under her. βI told you, my motherβs adoptive parents are important to me, right?β
βYeah, you did.β
He had continued to call Pastor Kameni and his wife, Grandpa and Grandma even after he had been told his hunch and suspicions were right. That, he was not a Kameni. And his ancestral roots did not stem from Doula.
βAre you going to be fine with this arrangement for now? I know Coventry is far. I will be doing most of the driving. And it wonβt be for long. I will move back when the right job comes along.β
βTry and stop me. First thing, when Iβm back to work, Iβm booking time off so I can come down to see you.β
βLetβs practice how we are going to make out quietly then. Grandpa dislikes extra-curricular activities between unmarried couples.β He raised his head over hers and kissed her. Her lips parted slowly, under the pressure of his tongue.
***
The day he came back from Coventry and Kenny did not say much on the phone, he knew something was wrong. She came after his mother left for Profβs, her eyes focusing everywhere but his face.
βJackie knows,β she announced. βMy uncle, aunt and mum too.β
βHow did they find out? Did you tell your uncle?β He did not wait for her to speak. It felt easy for him to keep standing. To concentrate on his breathing, even when she shook her head, blurted no and held his waist with her hands.
βI didnβt tell anyone, Anthony. I didnβt even tell my mum when she came back.β
βThey worked it out by themselves, did they?β
βUncle Kola called my uncle from wherever he is hiding. My aunt then phoned Sister Yemi to ask her if it was my father not his cousin that got her pregnant.β
βLet me guess, she denied it.β From what he had heard about Yemi, Jackieβs mother, he knew she would have.
He did not apologise. Not for accusing her. Or letting his feelings overcome him. This had started to happen lately. From Monday, when he thought about applying for a school caretaker job. That same day, he broke his grandmotherβs porcelain bowl. Watching it shatter to pieces on the floor, the first thing he thought of were excuses. Not apologising. βDonβt worry, baby-boy.β His grandmother had clasped her arms around him. βItβs only a bowl.β
Kenny held on to him. His lips stayed shut. Even though, he wanted to ask her why she did not mention this when they spoke.
βMy uncle spoke to my mum and Jackie. He said it was the right thing to doβ¦ Not keeping this as another secret.β
βLooks like heβs done with all the secrets.β
βI know this is hard for you. But you asked me to carry you along. Can you come to this family meeting we have this afternoon? Please, my love.β
βOf course, I will.β He kissed her forehead and her lips. βSorry, babe. Whatever you need.β
It was not hard for him at her uncleβs house, it was unbearable. Jackie seemed to giggle every few seconds. Even when her father was talking about forgiveness and acceptance. Even after her father told her to apologise to Tony.
His belt gripped too tightly, the room felt too warm. And when Pastor said it didnβt matter that Kenny and Jackie could be sisters, that what mattered was love, he was sure the man could tell what was going on in his mind. He wished like Taye and Mat, he had pretended to be busy and not attended.
When everyone else was tucking into fried rice and chicken, Pastor came to find him. He was checking his email to see if he had been invited for another job interview. He looked up from his phone, the older manβs shoulders and posture were slightly slanted.
βAre you okay, son?β
βYes, Pastor. Thank you.β
βGood. Iβm so proud of you. I need you to know that. You are a good man. And if you need to talkβ¦β
βIβm fine. Iβm.β
He picked up his glass cup and went to find Kenny to show her uncle he was truly fine.
She was eating her food slowly. Sat beside her was Jackie, her plate abandoned on her lap.
βIβm so happy, Kenny.β She giggled and glanced at Lola who had been sat quietly next to John all afternoon. βWe are going to be close sisters. Iβm going to be in your house all the time. I canβt wait.β
Kenny did not correct her. When it was time for them to leave and she asked if he had found her ring, he told her he had. He did not offer to give it back. She did not ask for it.
***
βWhy donβt you drive down there if he is not picking up your calls?β Her mother was folding the bed sheet she had taken out of the tumble dryer. Folding it into neat lengths.
Kenny stared at her phone. Then, at her motherβs old, clunky phone on the table. She was about to ring Tony with it, hoping he would take her call if he thought it was her mother ringing him. They had spoken twice since he went back to Coventry. The calls were short. His apology during the second, spiralled into a whine about job applications and lengthy job descriptions.
βWhat did you do this time?β Her mother hung the folded sheet on one arm and took tentative steps towards her. βYou know our men donβt like all this gra gra. Even though he was born and raised here, he is still a correct African man o.β
βWhat makes you think I did something wrong?β
βHe is not picking your calls.β
βSo?β
βAre you sure you didnβt make him angry? You know, you and Taye like to act like your mother is Queen Elizabeth sometimes.β
βI have been acting like a fool for him.β She thought of how she said no to Jackie coming round after church on Sunday. How she went shopping with his mother on Saturday, even though she could have gone to see Lola.
She had been enraged on Sunday when Lola did not come to church with her husband, when John told her not to ring her cousin because he had her phone. βShe has flu,β he said.
Her mother did not share her concerns then. βPastor is a good man,β she had yelled. βPlease donβt anger God by speaking ill of an anointed man.β She had gone on about how her sister confided in her about Lola. βShe is taking calls from her former boyfriend. Tell me how many men will take that from their wife? How many will be nursing this same wife?β
Her mother was making her bed later, when Kenny asked her what she had wanted to ask her for days now. She asked from the door, gaze fixed on the wallpaper.
βWhat?β Her mother asked, abandoning the bedcovers she had peeled off the bed.
βI asked if you were having an affair with Uncle Kola.β
βWhy would you ask such a thing? Why?β
You have all fed me lies. Kept shocking secrets and acted all Christianly. She did not get to say this as her mother started to cry. Calling on God to save her from humiliation she did not deserve.
βI didnβt just ask you, mummy. Uncle Kolaβ¦ made it seem like you were.β
βAah, that man. My God will punish him. He will rip everything he sowed.β
She went over to her mother. The tears in her eyes tore through her like pellets would and she wondered why she was asking these questions. Why she insisted on hurting her mother. βSorry, ma. Letβs forget it, sorry.β
βDonβt say sorry. Iβm the one that should be on my knees begging you. For opening my eyes and not seeing like a real mother. What kind of a mother goes to sleep with her roof on fire?β
βYou didnβt know.β
βThere is no excuse,β she wiped her tears on the sleeve of her cardigan. βI should have known. I should have known it wasnβt normal for my daughter to be sleeping during the day and complaining of stomach pain. I should have known and you should have told me. I would have believed you if you were the one that came to me.β
βHe followed me everywhere, Mum.β
Kenny had faced it all. Trying to have conversations with her twin sister, talking to her uncle, Lola and her counsellor about it. Swallowing her motherβs pills and starving herself until her stomach groaned because she wanted control of something. A part of her life. Anything.
She realised as her mother wiped her face that they not spoken about it. Not really.
Her mother constantly wiped tears for a long time afterwards. She shouted at a few people on the phone. Followed Taye and her with her eyes as if that would undo what had happened. Kenny heard her agonising sobs whenever her aunt and uncle visited. Especially when Taye started letting older boys walk her home from school. When Taye refused to attend family therapy and started to come home smelling of heavily fermented Cider.
Those days, her mother would walk up to her. Open her mouth as if she wanted to say something, like she was doing now sat with her hands to her face on the bed. Instead, she would touch Kennyβs hair and ask if she had eaten.
βWhy are you not angry with me?β Her mother asked. βYour sister is.β
She knelt before her. It wasnβt easy to get her words out at first, the familiar lump had formed in her throat. So, she showed her mother that she did not wake up dreading the day anymore, she let a big smile spread over her face.
βFor a long time, Mum, you were the reason I got out of bed in the morning. Please donβt blame yourself. That man was clever. I was not even sure what was happening, myself.β
βHe is evil. He even tried to paint your father bad after he died.β
βBut why? Dad gave him everything he wanted. He helped him and his family.β
βI think he was after me. Even before your father passed, the fool called me, back then oβ¦ to say your father likes Yemi. That my little sister and my husband were having an affair.β
βThat bastard!β Kenny exclaimed. βI thought you had an affair with Uncle Kola because of dad and Sister Yemi. Because you were angry.β
βNo,β her mother shook her head. βI donβt care what they are all saying. Your father was the best husband ever. I knew him. Even if that oloribobo was telling me all sorts so he could snatch me, do you think I would have fallen for it? After experiencing what real love is?β
βI guess not.β
Her mother helped her up and shifted for her so that she could sit beside her. She stared at her with concerned eyes.
βIβm fine, Mum. Iβm. Happy and ready for the rest of my life.β
βBut?β
βI wish Anthony and I would survive this.β
βI donβt think Anthony is angry with you,β her motherβs voice was tender. βHe is tired of our family and hearing of the many mistakes we made. Everyone could see that at the meeting.β She stroked her hand in a light caressing movement. βI think you should give it time. The man lost his job. The stress of struggling to pay his mortgage alone, will be enough to finish any man. And give him plenty of time, to be fine with Jackie, Lola and even their father again.β
She nodded.
βBe patient with him. If God says you two belong together, iya mi, it will happen.β
Later, her mother woke her up from sleep. Tapping her with one hand, holding her phone with the other. βPele. It is your sister.
Her mother had toddled out of the room before Kenny moved the phone to the side of her face and said hi. She let her eyes skim the room. At the corner chair, wonky wardrobe and the vintage stereo that used to help her drift off to sleep which she no longer needed. Anything that would stop whatever her sister had to say from hurting.
βWe have to get Tony back.β Taye said in her usual blunt, direct manner.
βMy Tony?β She did not get to add anything else before her sister interrupted her.
βYes. You have to continue with your marriage plans, Kehin. If you donβt, our marriage obsessed mother will start to ask me when Iβm getting married again.β
βShe wonβt pressure you.β
βYes, she will. She has been planning our weddings since we were two. Or have you forgotten how she used to show us wedding dresses at that shop close to school? Or how she used to buy you sweets every time you watched that boring wedding show with her. The one she used to set her alarm clock to watch.β
They laughed at the same time. Tayeβs one louder than Kennyβs. Β Β Β
They were nine when the wedding dress shop opened. The owner wore frilly dresses. She received them well in the beginning. Soon, she started scrunching up her face every time their mother ushered them in, claiming her sister in Nigeria was about to get married. Her motherβs face stayed the same for years as she repeated this. Β Β Β
βShe only had a small introduction when she married Dad,β Kenny reminded Taye.
βAnd now she wants to have her dream wedding through us. She wants a big wedding for one of us. Limos, doves, twenty bridesmaids and a mile-long bridal train.β
βA mile-long?β
βIβm not joking. She called Mat today and stylishly said she doesnβt like the simple registry wedding we planned. So, Mat came home and went straight to get a beer bottle and a calculator.β Taye softened her tone. βPlease Kehin, say you will go with the whole big wedding thing. You know I hate dresses and Iβve already decided on a skirt and suit jacket. What If they try to force me into an Alexander Wangβ¦β
βVera Wang,β Kenny corrected softly. She glanced at her clock and saw it was past midnight, yet it did not worry her that she might not be able to get enough sleep. She felt completely awake. And thinking of her motherβs reaction after hearing Taye would like to wear a suit at her wedding eased her into a better mood.
Kenny and Taye had not spoken about weddings for a long time. Not since Uncle Kola.
***
Lola woke up to a sunnier day and an alert mind. The fog and drowsiness had cleared and the cold she had nursed for a few days did not leave her feeling heavy-eyed.
She reached for her phone and sent John a message. His voice conveyed a lot of worry when he called to tell her he had been offered some overtime yesterday.
She had to plead with him to stay at work. Having been off sick for a couple of weeks, it was not hard. βWe need the money, Johnny. Please, just do the extra shift,β she had pleaded. And when that did not work she told him she would ask Jackie to come and stay with her.
βAs long as itβs not Kenny,β he moaned. βYou know, she doesnβt like me. She didnβt greet me on the day of the meeting. I even went to see her outside when you were talking to Mummy and she just blanked me.β
Lola was not sure how to react to what he said. Whilst making herself tea and toast in the kitchen, she decided to let things be. She did not want to choose between her husband and her cousin.
She opened the cabinet to the right of the cooker. She was looking for the lighter, so she could scramble some eggs for Jackieβs breakfast.
Inside the cabinet, underneath a box of matches were two packs of codeine-based painkillers. Lola picked them up and examined the one with a broken seal. A dozen tablets were missing from the pack.
John did not like painkillers. He avoided taking anything he considered not natural. Shunning paracetamols and vitamins.
Lola was holding the pack in her hands for a while, standing on the same spot until she heard movement in the spare room and went to get her phone.
She typed a message to her husband slowly.
Morning Johnny. Hey, I was feeling so sleepy when you went to work yesterday. I hope you wonβt be angry. I really need to ask. My tea tasted strange. Did you put something in my tea? Just to help me sleep, I guess xx I think it helped anyway. Just asking, my darling xxx
His reply did not come until much later.
Na something like small paracetamol, I gave you. To help you sleep like you said. Donβt worry sha, itβs okay. You know I am a doctor. It is fine for the baby. As long as my baby mama is fine and sleeping well.
Shey, we are okay? Another message came soon after.
Iβm supposed to go church for meetings but I can come home after work. Whatever makes you happy, wifey.
Itβs okay, Johnny. Go to your meetings. I will make something nice for you. Love you.
Lola drove her sister home after binning the toasts her sister made her. She settled on the sofa once there and supported her back and sides with her motherβs cushions and throws. When her father came back, he brought home delicious suya that he let her have more of. Perhaps she appeared reluctant to leave because her father suggested Jackie should go back with her.
βKeep her, Omolola.β He grinned and hugged her twice.
***
Lola was deep in sleep when a sound woke her up. She plodded into her slippers, straight to where the sound came from. The living room, where she left her sister. Jackieβs Sky series had proven more desirable than sleep. She had begged to stay up to watch it.
Jackie was no longer spread out on the settee where she left her. She was holding the living roomβs lamp over Johnβs crouching form.
βShe hit me,β John pulled himself up with the corner of the centre table. βYour crazy sister hit me with that thing.β
Lola stared at her sister who had disappeared into a corner of the room. At her face that had started to get wet and the ripped piece of her blouse. She was muttering incoherently, Johnβs voice silencing her every time he spoke.
βThis girl is mad. Really mad. See enh, I was on my way to the kitchen. I couldnβt even see who was on the sofa.β
βShe hit you?β Lola did not take her eyes off her sister.
βYes. Brother Tony was right. The girl is evil. A liar heading for the deepest part of hell.β
βJack, what happened? Please, baby-sis. Talk to me.β
βShe tried to make me sin, thatβs what happened. She spread her legs, yakata. She has been after me since, Osaibvie. In fact, e don tey wey she start. Check her phone, you will see how many times she calls me.β
βThatβs not true,β Jackie shook her head. βI lied about Tony. This is different. I woke up to find your husband on top of me. He tried to force his fingers between my legs.β
βLiar, you dirty ashawo. Who wants big orobo like you. If you open that mouth again, I will beat you to stupor.β
βPlease, Johnny.β Lola went to him and held his hands. βI know my sister lies. We all know it. Donβt lose your temper. Please Johnny.β
His nostrils were flared and the air that came out of them fanned her face. Β The eyes above them, big and piercing held hers. They seemed to be pleading with her. The way Tonyβs pleaded when her sister told lies about him. Lies that changed him.
When she saw him at the meeting, he barely spoke. He walked around with the strength of someone that could not take any more. And when she apologised to him in the kitchen for her part, he had simply grunted.
βGo and get her things from the guest room,β she told her husband. βSheβs got to go. Please get her phone charger from our room. I want everything she owns out of here.β
βThanks, my number one,β he kissed her lips. βSorry, she dey do this to you and my child.β Bending, he kissed her swollen belly. When he straightened, he held her gaze firmly.
βItβs okay. Go and get her things.β
βYes. I will drive her home. You can go and rest. I will take her to the house myself.β Β
βJust take her straight home. Please. I will talk to dad later.β
He turned, glared at her cowering sister then marched out of the room.
βJackie,β Lola beckoned to her sister. βGet up. Letβs go home.β she fished her car keys out of the tableβs drawer, hurried over to her sister and pulled her up. βWe need to go. Now.β
Lola will believe Jackie unto death. But I believe her too. John has to pay for his sins this time around.
Kenny is a complicated person. Sometimes she tires me. She puts Anthony through so much. I think he should stay away from her for a while, let her really look for him. She has a lot going on that she has to handle, and until she does so, she will keep pushing him back and forth.
Welcome back, Jumoke
So sad about Tony and Kenny. Tony has to speak to someone. He is hurting real bad.
Somehow I feel lola knows Jackie is telling the truth she knows are husband. ….. I hope she believes and will use this chance to leave and never come back.
Lola will believe Jackie and this time she won’t be wrong to do so. Lola needs to give herself brain and soon too. I no just understand this di e di e she de do.
Anthony really does need to give Kenny her space. Me ma, her matter don taya me. Ahnahnn kilode!?!?
Thanks for this episode Jumoke
Wow!!! This is one complicated mess. From one drama to another…Tony’s really got his hands full with this Kenny’s family.
Lola is so believing Jackie. She’s been nursing her suspicions against John and I think he is about to get served.
We want more, Olajumoke.
Welcome jumoke, good to read this episode. Lola Lola Lola…”Give ursellf brain oh”. This pastor John sha, leopard cannot change its skin….too bad for all d love n trust your parent in law had for you.
Oh dear… What a complicated life. Please Lord let Lola have sense and discern the truth. The thing dey pain me no be small.
Lola husband na devil’s incarnate o…..see big lie after doing things then looking like puppy so his wife can believe him.I think he is psychological unstable.
anyway, unto tony andkenny matter……..tony don try o, love sha. the family don show him lots. thanks Olajumoke(akowe not onibreadi)
Too complicated for Tony and Kenny,,I believe love will find a way,,john thinks he’s smart abi,,oniranu,,yes his cup don full,,Lola knows him so well,,she’s only playing along,,thanks jummie
Lola and Jackie should run home o. John la beaste. Tony take time off and sort out your emotions mbok. Their drama na wa… welcome back Jumoke
Kenny has a loota issues, Taye as well. Methinks, its times to get things straightened out so that Kenny can get closure and have a better and meaningful relationship with Tony.
Lola’s husband disgust me! After he has been doing, does he think that Lola is stupid. His cup don dey full. Causing disunity among family as well. I hope Anthony gets to beat him o.
Jackie, Jackie just wants normalcy, a sense of belonging. I suspect, she will turn out well in good time. But really, this family has drama.
Wow!!!
This story (for me) is emotionally exhausting. To think people like this actually exist.
John…that God you call and ‘preach’ about MUST punish you and man will punish you too.
My heart go out to people living in this situation or have loved ones who have been scarred and are unknowingly punishing people who genuinely care about.
May you find that hope, peace and courage you desperately need to break free of this vicious circle.
Jummy…no doubt this story might be taking its toll on you too.
Find peace!
God bless you
Yeah.. Jackie has been a bitch but this time ehn.. John has to pay.. Stooopeed vellow… Kenny shouldn’t lose Tony.. He’s had too much to handle… And the mama.. Papa.. Uncle Kola… Yemi palava ehn.. Nawa!
Jumoke I’m a huge fan. Been following your stories for a long while now. Read this episode last night and forgot to comment. Just had to come back. Absolutely thrilled by this episode. Can’t wait for the next( don’t wait too long plssss)
Wow!!!
Pastor John Sha!!! I still wonder what he went to do in Kenny’s house. Lola, I hope you finally borrow yourself brain and admit to yourself that the man you married is a psycho!!
Kenny, it’s your turn to give Tony all the support he needs o. Tony hope you’re prepared for a life of drama with Kenny’s family.
Welcome back Jumoke, you have been missed
Yay!!!!????Welcome back ma’am β€οΈβ€οΈ But this pastor John is soo evul sha? I believe Jackie this time…waiting patiently for the next episode
Welcome back Jumoke, missed this series. I don’t think Lola believed her husband though, I think she is going to institute divorce proceedings after this. As for Tony and Kenny, maybe the time apart will help them especially Kenny. I hope Tony gets a job soon. But this Family set na real wa for them I
the emotional ups and downs in this story ehn??! ?
I thought I was the only one tired of Kenny ‘s matter… hot today cold tomorrow…. Tony dey try. I understand that when you marry someone you also marry their family but this Kenny’s family is a lot for anyone to handle. the trust issues they have run too deep.
weldone o anty Jummy?
This Kenny’s family is full of it but I guess a lot of families are.
Tony you too try joor. Take the space you need to sort yourself out.
I guess oga John’s cup finally got full.
Hmmmmn*deep sigh*
Finally, Kenny’s family is on the healing road, they let the whole saga weigh on them for too long. They let the Nigerian Mentality of keeping quiet follow them to Obodo Oyinbo. But am glad they are finally talking. Kenny has been selfish, I think she has not as been as understanding of Tony as he has been of her. He is going through a lot and it is mainly thanks to her shitty family.
As for Lola and John, I have no words, I wouldn’t even constipate myself over their issues.
this is a nice one……life can be so complicated for some people….. well done olajumoke