Chapter 3 Three

I shouldn't be getting angry but I am, who does Paula think she is to speak to me in that manner? I mean I am Ryan Chileshe and I get everything I want, so what in God's name does she think she is doing.

I sigh heavily, my mood suddenly ruined. I could call some people that owe me favors to deal with her but I decide against it, this is something I will deal with on my own.

I drive back home listening to Slap Dee's new album, I have been a fan of his music all my life and there is no song he has produced that has passed me by.

Its only when I get home that I remember Rob is there.

'Look who is back home early.' She says lifting her glass of wine to me

I laugh going to peck her cheek

'Isn't it too early to be drinking?' I ask looking at the time

'Says the drunk.'

I eye her seriously

'I hope you are not trying to scare me.'

I laugh, I swear this child has a way with me.

'What's for dinner?' I ask, realizing I haven't eaten the whole day

'Get ready, Joe is cooking and they are waiting for us.'

'Really? I was hoping to stay in.' I whine

'Not a chance, you know the ritual. Every first Saturday of the month is for family.'

I sigh

'Okay I will.'

Lynn and her husband host us every first Saturday of the month, this tradition has been going on from the time she got married. Honestly I feel like she only does it just to remind all of us that no matter what happens, we are still family.

After taking a quick bath and changing into fresh clothes, Rob drives us to Lilayi Extension where Lynn lives. I love how committed my sister is, she might have money from the company but she and her husband have vowed not to touch it. According to them it will be for the kids.

I look at the freshly done water fountain, it's like every time we come here there is a new development and I couldn't be prouder.

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'If it isn't my so pregnant whale.' I tease when they meet us at the door

'I won't hesitate to punch you if you tease my wife one more time.' Joe says coming to greet me in a manly way

Lynn is just looking at me chewing on a mango and I know she has the worst to say.

'So.' She begins

'Awe awe.' Joe and Rob say at the same time stopping her from talking

'I wasn't going to say anything.' She defends but we all laugh fully aware how rotten her mouth can be sometimes.

'So Rob you have been home and couldn't come to see us right?' Joe accuses

'I just got home yesterday.'

'This one will never leave Ryan's house, she will always be his baby.' Lynn says

'Of course she will, my little egg.' I say putting my hand around Rob's shoulder

'I have a huge feeling you will tear up when I get married, the way you treat me like a child like this.'

'Let us talk about something else.' I say avoiding the topic

I still remember how hard it had been for me to let go of Lynn, Joe proved to be a good man but come one – she was still my little sister in the eyes of big brothers, sisters never grow up.

I go to the kitchen to help out Joe, food is ready and now he is just warming everything.

'So how have you been?' he asks

'Oh good.' I respond reaching for a beer from the fridge

'Don't tell me you are still off alcohol.' I ask when he looks at it

'Yep, she claims it makes her sick.'

I laugh

'Are you sure it's the pregnancy or it's just a way of making you stop drinking?'

'It's the pregnancy.'

'Your faith is admirable.'

'Do I have a choice?'

'Nah, that is what you get for choosing marriage over the streets.'

He laughs

'One day you will be like me and when that day comes, I will remind you of all this.'

'Nah, I don't have the strength to be in a relationship. Let alone tolerate one woman, there are so many beautiful women in the world why would I stick to one?'

'Because you want stability, family, companionship and legal sex.'

'That is where you married folks get it all wrong, who said family should be my offspring only? I have you and the girls. Stability I must confess that I am well off and I don't need companionship when I have business deals that I need to seal.'

'And the last part?'

'Legal sex? How boring is that. You guys just have missionary all the time because once your women pass through those traditional teachings they change and start doing everything they are taught.'

'Who lied to you? Do you want me to start telling you about the kind of sex I and my wife have?'

'You know your wife is my sister and you will gross me out right?'

I laugh, helping him carry the Pyrex dish to the dinning room.

'You know I can't stand alcohol.' Lynn complains

'Are you sure?' I ask taking a huge sip

'Ryan please take that away.'

I eye her

I know myself, she can be quite manipulative when she wants something done and she will use whatever she can to have her way. Joe was a heavy drinker at some point and the day he called me complaining that the alcohol was making her sick, I knew she was finally getting somewhere.

'You finally managed right?' I ask her when he goes to the kitchen

'A girl has got to use everything she has to get what she wants.' She responds with a wink making me laugh

'And you people want me to settle down? No thank you.' I say taking a seat

'Baby please tell Ryan that marriage is a beautiful thing.' She says when her husband comes back

'I have been telling him that but he doesn't want to listen.'

'What he needs is a woman who will put him in his place, someone that will challenge him.' Rob says

'Like that stupid Paula.' I say more to them than to my myself

'And who is Paula?' Lynn asks with interest

'No one.' I say fully aware they won't give up until I tell them.'