Chapter 5 Grace

At the end of his primary school, Grace was the best graduating pupil for that set. When the results of the common Entrance Examinations were released, he came out in flying colours; his name was shortlisted for admission into one of the best secondary schools in the city. But he knew no one there with whom to stay. And also, he wasn't sure Mr. Angelus would still agree to continue paying his school fees.

As he sat at the corner of the corridor wondering how he was going to talk to him about it, Mr. Angelus suddenly walked inside without his knowing. Immediately, his thought was interrupted when Mr. Angelus called out to him. He jerked a little and adjusted himself.

" What are you thinking of my boy?" Mr. Angelus asked. This sudden question jolted Grace out of his trance; he was speechless, not knowing how to put his request across to the teacher now that he had the opportunity. He didn't want to appear like Oliver twist by asking for more items of scholarship for his secondary education. But when the question was repeated, he told him what's been troubling him.

" I knew about your dilemma and I'm on top of it ". The teacher assured him. He hadn't spoken to him because he needed to get feedback from his eldest daughter whom he had contacted from the very first day he saw Grace's result. He needed to be sure she would agree to accommodate him in the city before speaking the news to him. But now he's aware of his plan he had no other option than to let the cat out of the bag.

A few days later after they had taken a lavish Saturday lunch, Mr. Angelus took Grace along with him to visit his family and share with them the good news of their son's success and plans towards furthering his Secondary School Education.

On hearing the tale, Mrs. Opus couldn't contain the joy that bubbled from inside of her. She stood up and started singing and dancing. She held her son by his hand and prodded his sisters to join them in the party. The girls, jumping and jubilating as though they took opium, joined their mother in celebrating Grace, the hero of the family.

Not hiding their feelings, the Okaros expressed their gratitude to Mr. Angelus for everything he's done for their son. But in the midst of this, they became very worried about who he would stay with when he got to the city realizing they had nobody there.

It was a big relief for Mr. Opus when the teacher told him that Grace would be staying with his daughter. This was a good news. While still beaming with smiles, he looked at his son and advised him to be nice and obedient to his son to his new found aunty in the city. Now, that wasn't going to be the problem for Grace because he had made up his mind to survive and endure any harsh condition that availed itself.

Grace loved his family. He was very happy that out of his five girls that his parents had, three were now in the primary school. They always followed their father to the mangrove; while he went fishing, they will alight from the boat to the river bank to gather periwinkles and crabs which they would sell to make money. It warming to know that this was how they were able to save for their tuition fees. He wished as they stood up to leave.

Two weeks before the school resumed, Grace, in the company of Mr. Angelus, traveled to the city to go start his registration. He spent one month at the home of his host, Mr. Angelus daughter, Aunty Patricia, and then moved to stay in the boarding house.

He spent some of the public holidays with his Aunty and occasionally traveled to the village during the long holidays to be with Mr. Angelus and also visit his parents.

When he was promoted to class three, he decided to spend the long holiday in the village in order to find time to be with his family and visit some of his friends and catch some fun. Of course his main residence was Mr. Angelus's quarters in the Missionary School.

On this particular occasion, when he returned after seeing some of his friends in the village, the teacher called for his attention and had him sit on the bench in the veranda so he could talk to him. He reminded him of the issue concerning vocational skill and the need to acquire one so that it would help him secure a job that would earn him money. He explained how this would help him raise the money he would need for his university education.

He told Grace he had already spoken to a marine welder who's willing to train him on the condition that it's only during the holiday periods he'd be available.

" After your training you can get a job, work for two to three years on a part-time basis, and save to further your education ". Mr. Angelus advised. without he hesitating, Grace thanked him and expressed his readiness to start immediately.

Without wasting time, Mr. Angelus and Grace set out to see Mr. Chukwudi the following morning. Fortunately, he was around and upon his order, the staff in the front office ushered them into his office. After their discussion, The welder agreed to admit Grace as a trainee but requested for the sum of ten thousand, a packet of biscuits, a crate of soft drink and a bottle of wine. This was the tradition he explained to Mr. Angelus as he showed them round his facility and also introduced them to his other apprentice and machinist.

The whole idea of getting skilled in welding was good one as far as Grace was concerned. In fact, he felt at home at home as he saw a worker slice into two parts, a large sheet of metallic plate using a blazing sky blue flame from the nozzle of a small brass pipe connected to a glant gas cylinder.bin another corner, someone wearing goggles was hacking a huge spherical metal clenched in a vice with heavy hammer in his hand. He hadn't started but he was already thrilled by what he saw. "This is where I belong!" He said in his heart.

Getting the money and the other requirements was never a problem . He humbly persuaded Mr. Angelus, who had wanted to assist in paying the bills, to allow him put into practice everything he learnt from him and also to start taking responsibility for his life. Having been charged by the exigency of the matter, he was consumed in an unusual enthusiasm as he joined his father in fishing the following morning. As expected, he surpassed his target within a week and did as Chukwudi demanded.

Within the holiday periods Grace took intensive training at the welder's shop. He was able to grasp so much because he was a quick learner; even Mr. Chukwudi alluded to that and once pointed out to Grace that he had a place in the fabrication business.

As someone who was highly committed, he completed the training just before hi final term in school and was then given a certificate. On the day of his graduation, the citation about him in the that place was inspiring, the remarkable. He would be missed by everyone; he was loyal, obedient and hard working. The workers and other apprentice saw in him virtues and values that anyone would emulate.

Grace was not the "eye service guy", like some workers in that place. He served very well and carried out every task and assignments he was given with a sense of seriousness. He always acted in the interest of his boss and did the job as though he owned the place. He taught them how to pray before the start of work every day. He was punctual; he was the first person to report for duty and the last to leave. He would clean the place and set scattered tools and equipment in their right place and boxes.

All these good deeds of Grace didn't go unnoticed by Mr. Chukwudi, who himself was motivated to take his business more seriously. Soon, he noticed a remarkable progress in his business. More so, the spirit of co-operation and unity started flowing and conflicts because of the strong bond of love which came into play through the constant prayers in the workshop. Mr. Chukwudi didn't hide his feelings that he would miss Grace greatly. He only prayed he returned after school to come work with him soonest.

Grace returned back to school. He studied very hard to always be ahead of his class. He noticed he'd developed a great likeness for welding. Once in a while he thought about it. He longed to be with them as soon as he finished. He was beginning to let them be while he concentrated on his studies.

After his studies, he packed all his things in readiness to leave for the village. He talked with Aunty Patricia and her husband about his plans to join Mr. Chukwudi immediately he's through with school; they liked the idea and gave him their blessings. His departure would leave a big vacuum in their family because of the bond that developed between him and the children, who would miss him greatly. They loved him and wished he would stay longer with them.

After his exams, Mr. Chukwudi pleaded with Grace to come work with him in his company. Before Grace got the message, he was also thinking of how to approach him and request for an opening in his company. Well, this was what he prayed for. What a delight it was for Grace to accept the offer.

He requested for a period of two weeks bto enable him get his results before coming down. When he finally arrived, chukwudi promised to give a a percentage of every contract he got instead of placing him on salary. Grace couldn't believe his ears; knowing he would never have merited it through hard work but attributed it to God's favour. Without thinking twice, he accepted the offer and thanked him for the opportunity he's given him.

After he finished with Mr. Chukwudi he ran home to share the good news with Mr. Angelus, who was extremely happy for him and urged him to always put in mind his education and not forget it when big money start pouring in. He further explained that practical knowledge of marine welding alone wasn't enough; but with the backing of theoretical knowledge he would achieve more. Grace thanked him for his advice and took permission to go share the good news with his family.

Chukwudi Engineering works was a company that rendered all kinds of welding and metal fabrication for the two multinational companies that have their operations in kuroama. They were into building, repairs and maintenance of barges and tug boats. Recently, they got a huge contract from R&G exploration to construct a 500 metric tonnes barge.

This was a major breakthrough for Grace. Before the job commenced, they received a 30% mobilization for the Job. And keeping to his word, Mr. Chukwudi invited Grace to his office and gave him his first payment. It was One million naira cash. Because it was already close of work he had no other option than to take the money home.

It was like a dream! Since he was born he had never counted TWENTY THOUSAND NAIRA in his life less of One Million Naira as his money. As he was walking home, fear enveloped him. It was as though someone was following him to snatch the money from him. He was always looking left, right and center, suspecting every one that walked past him.

When he finally got home, he went straight to his room and hid the money under his bed. He couldn't leave the room until Mr. Angelus returned home. When the teacher heard the good news he was happy for him and advised him to go to the bank first thing in the morning and open a savings account with it.

As soon as Mr. Angelus left his room he quickly locked the door and windows; even with this he still used his chair to wage the door. He didn't understand why he was that fearful and couldn't control it. Throughout the night, Grace couldn't sleep because of the fear of robbers. As a result he kept watch over the money till dawn.

When morning came, Grace thanked God that nothing happened and then rushed into the bathroom and took a quick bath. After that, he and Angelus were the first to reach the commercial bank in the area where he lodge in every cash he received from Chukwudi. Immediately he did that, he became himself again.

It took them a year and seven months to complete the project. As soon as the project was completed and delivered, Mr. Chukwudi called Grace to his office and commended him a job well done. He gave him the balance of FOUR MILLION NAIRA as his own cut of the job.

Grace was extremely happy. He thanked his boss and left his office and went straight to the bank to lodge in the check. After four days, when the check has cleared, he withdrew his tithe and took it to his church.

A month later, Grase sought Mr. Angelus's attention to share with him what has been on his mind. He thought about resigning and being on his own so he would be able to further his education. After all, he'd mastered the job and will do well if he relocated to the city.

Secondly, he would want to build a two bedroom bungalow for his family, which would cost him about a million Naira. He brought out a cheque of N500,000 and gave to his teacher. At first Mr. Angelus refused the money saying, " it isn't necessary as everything I did was unto God." But after much persuasion he received it and thanked Grace.

On the issue of venturing to set up his own business, Mr. Angelus supported his plans and advised him to get his boss blessings before living. He prayed for him and wished him well in his endeavors.