Chapter 3 Resolutions

Motun sat in front of the TV that she barely paid attention to. She thought about the event of the day: the dead body, the missing patient of one of the best therapists in town and the fight with Amanda that she had not been able to settle. The thought of the day worsened her mood. She was still trying to come up with a way to patch things up with Amanda- to make it up with the kids all together for how bad a mother she had been these past years. The fight with Mandy did not start today, it was simply a reaction to Motun's actions and inactions as a mother.

She remember the look Mandy had that afternoon when she had tried to explain herself. It was like her mind was made up, she was going to choose not to believe Motun no matter what she said even if she knew it was the truth. Fear gripped her. She-

"Hey babe."

Motun looked up, surprised to find her husband standing at the door. "Steve!" How long has she been out? "I didn't hear you drive in."

"Somebody was lost in thoughts, huh?" He gave her a kiss on the forehead. "How are you?" He asked, taking his shoes off.

"I'm fine. How was work?" She asked, taking his jacket off.

"Normal? I'm almost done signing the papers for the deal."

"It's finally going to be official? Oh, my God! I'm so happy for you babe." She jumped on him.

"Whoa whoa. How did you get so heavy between last night and now?"

Motun bit his shoulder in retaliation even as she snuggled deeper into his embrace.

"You do know those teeth of yours have no effect on me, right?"

Motun was past hearing as tears welled up in her eyes. Steven deserved that deal. That, she knew. She had seen him work himself up when he was writing the proposal. There was a time it looked like he wasn't getting the deal. Even at that time, he had been the best, making himself available and covering up for her mistakes with the children. When they had fought, he put up a facade so that the children would not see. Steve had tried a lot. Amanda was the only person the facade did not work on. She saw through all of them and somehow always got to know it was Motun's fault almost every time. If only she could be a better wife and mother.

"Earth to Motun." Steve shook her lightly. "What's the matter, honey? You seemed lost. You didn't even hear me ask a question."

God. "I'm sorry, what was the question? Dinner? I already served dinner-"

"I didn't say anything about dinner. What's going on?"

What the matter was was not the big deal. The deal was she could not tell Steve. She and Steve had just become cool after a very long fight. She remembered vividly what the fight was about. It happened here two months ago. Motun remembered the look in Stephen's eyes- the pain and disappointment. She had missed an important day in their life chasing a lead and he had vowed not to ever forgive her. It took a lot of pleading- a whole lot- before he finally forgive her a week ago. The kids were not the only person Motun messed up with, she had messed up with Stephen too, countless times in fact. Looking back at the time when they weren't on speaking terms, she dreaded going back there. If she told him she had a fight with Amanda, what will be the reason she will give? How could she possibly say the reason was because she chose work again when she had promised to be a better person? Lying was not an option either. If anything, Steve preferred the bitter truth to a sweet lie. She had witnessed him cut ties with people who lied to him. It did not matter why they did it.

So she decided not to say anything.

"Nothing." She replied.

"Right."

Steve obviously was not buying that.

"I'm fine. Really." She tried to sound reassuring.

Steve said nothing and simply nodded. Motun knew it was not because he was convinced she was okay. It was the other way round. He led the way up the stairs to their room.

"The kids?"

"I put them to sleep a while ago." Motun took off her cloth and started to get ready for bed.

"I just decided what I want for dinner." Stephen breathed behind her ear. When did he get there?

"Well, a man can be fast when he sees dinner. An appetizing one."

"This... Is out of bound for people who do not eat food." Motun protested.

"No, this... Is up for grabs." He carried her and placed her gently on the bed. "Specially made for people who do not eat food."

Later that night as Motun laid in bed, she resolved to do one thing: to settle things with Amanda after work the next day. For starters, she was going to pick them up from school as soon as it was closing hour. That in mind, she was finally able to sleep.

* * *

Motun look at the desk phone, half-expecting it to ring like it had yesterday when Clara had called to report Stella missing. She had been like that since morning. Why was no-one, not even a friend, calling to report Stella missing? Clara had done that but it wasn't in Clara's place to inform the family of her speculations. If anything, the family should by now be missing her. When she got to the part of the form that required Stella's home address, she realized she did not get that detail form Clara. She picked up her phone and dialled Clara's number.

"Clara adichie speaking."

"Good afternoon, Dr Adichie. This is Motun Banks."

"Detective! Good afternoon. How may I help you?

"Could you perhaps help me with Stella's address? I'm completing and processing the form for her case but I realised just now that I did not ask for her address. I need it completely fill the profile.

"Is- is it important?"

What did she just say? "Of course! I mean, yes. If anything, we could get answers to get whereabouts in the neighborhood.

"Wait, you- you're visiting the house?"

Why was Clara being so dramatic about giving out Stella's address? "Like I said, it will help to get familiar with the victims life. I will not call you if it were not important. For all we know, she might even be in the house."

"Oh-Ok."

As Clara dictated the address to Stella's house, Motun could sense the fear in her voice.

"Thank you very much, Dr Adichie. I appreciate this."

"It is my pleasure."

Motun knew it was not Clara's pleasure considering the fact that she had not minded her not calling her 'Clara'. She could not place it yet but she knew something was wrong. What was beyond the therapist-patient relationship Clara and Stella seemed to have? She was determined to find out what was wrong but right now, it was time to settle things with her kids. She picked her keys and headed to her car. She ensured her mediation gifts were in place before zooming off hoping that Lagos traffic would not spoil things for her.

* * *

Traffic seemed to be on her side because she got to the school just as the closing bell was being wrong. She quickly drove into the school premises, parked her car and got out. Five minutes later, she saw Jerry running towards her.

"Mom?"

"Jerry!"

"Mom!" He hugged her waist tight. God! What had she done to get kids? Jerry was not the emotional type. Seeing him that way, Motun felt worse. All the same, she hugged him tighter.

"How are you, darling?"

"You are here early!"

"Well... That is not all there is. I got you something."

"You did?"

"Yes. It's-"

"Mommy!"

The fact that T.J. could call her 'mommy', Steve 'daddy', Jerry 'Jerry' and Amanda 'Amanda' had always been a source of joy to her. Not every child suffering from the same disease could do the same.

But today, it touched her in a different way. She could see he was so happy to see her. Because he would not have to deal with his oh-so-mean classmates for the rest of the day.

"Hey sport," she carried him up. "How are you darling?"

"Fine."

He wanted to say something, Motun noticed. She had an idea what it was.

"I know, I'm early. But there is more. I got you something. Wanna see?"

He nodded.

Motun heard Jerry whistle. "Here comes the boss lady." By instinct, she looked up.

Amanda was walking towards the park with a friend. They appeared to be saying something funny as they giggled. As if sensing eyes on her, Amanda looked up. Her smile froze and for a moment, she stopped working. Then she caught herself and started working again, this time towards the car.

"Good afternoon, mom." She said, opened the car door and got in.

Jerry rolled his eyes.

Motun exhaled sharply. "Ok! Time to go." She buckled T.J. in and got in her side of the car.

* * *

Even after lunch, Amanda did not say anything to Motun- not even a word about her early arrival at school. So, Motun decided to go to her by herself. The mountain can go to Mohammed if Mohammed is mad at the mountain.

Motun knocked before opening the door. "Can I come in?"

"You're in my room already, mom."

Motun walked closer to the bed and sat down facing her daughter, holdund the gift she had in her hand gently. She could see the curiosity in Amanda's eyes.

"It's a gift." She stretched the gift. "For you."

Amanda closed the book she had been reading before she came in, collected the gift, placed it on her closet and sat back down.

"Won't you at least check what is inside?"

"Not now. I'm still mad at you. I won't give you the satisfaction of seeing the look on my face when I open it."

This girl clocked fourteen only a few months ago, yet she already knew how to take an eye for an eye.

"Fair. I'm sorry ok? I don't think it's necessary to explain myself because it obviously won't solve anything. I'm sorry hmm? I'll be better, I promise. Forgive me, my darling. Please."

Amanda said nothing but Motun could see her eyes soften.

"Come here." She beckoned.

Amanda snuggled into her arms. A few moments later, Motun released her.

"Am I forgiven?"

"Hmm, hmm. I'm still mad at you, though."

She smiled. "What's the difference?"

"We are having this conversation."

"Right. You know I love you, right?"

"I know you do. I never doubted that. I love you, mom. We love you, but we need you to be here for us."

She felt tears gathering in her eyes. "I'll be better. I promise."

That was a promise she planned to keep no matter what.

"I have to get back to work. I'll be back in two hours just in time for dinner. We are going out, ok?"

"Ok, mom."

Motun made for the door.

"I love you."

"You said that before."

"I know."

Now that her family is in order, Motun felt like a heavy weight was being lifted off her chest. She was not going to miss dinner tonight. Not for anything. She made a mental note to text Stephen about it. Right now, it was time to meet Stella Coker for real.