Chapter 6 Routines

Few months after my birthday, things were kind of getting back to normal, mom hated me again, my sister and I were close enough and fought when it was time. But things were just I would say regular. We went to school, took keke to school and back home, we had to fend for ourselves cos mom wouldn't cook and then homework and sleep and so the process continued everyday. I still couldn't eat and stomach anything.

I would have some food and then immediately throw up, so I ended up with an eating problem, I mean I had it since dad died and mom started forcing me to eat, but it had just gotten worse. I would go for days without food and when mom noticed, she'd force me to eat and then I throw up. I was getting so skinny and skinny with each day that passes by.

December came with Janice's 6th birthday. Mom was not having anything for her and I felt bad. She k

Few weeks before it, she kept telling mom she wanted the same thing as mom did for mine and I was terrified. Not for me but but for her because mom was a desperate woman and she would not mind giving her 6 year old kid up for money, so I tried as much as possible to keep them from having alone time

I would always would come up with excuses like new games, new hairstyles, new toys, new stories and homework to keep my sister entertained and far away from my mother. I even made her breakfast in bed everyday for two weeks, just so she would not bug mom for a birthday celebration but this girl was as stubborn as a sheep. She kept crying and throwing tantrums. So on the birthday, my mom called me into her room and when I got there, she was in her bathroom.

From the bathroom, "sit down, let me come. My stomach has been giving me trouble with The beans you are always cooking. Two three days, you have cooked beans like that's the only good in this Nigeria" she said angrily.

"Am I even the one to be cooking in this house at this age? Rubbish", I murmured silently, loud enough only for my ears because if she had heard, trust a Nigerian mother with that flying slippers that never misses your eye or skull or entire face.

My mom came out of the bathroom wiping her hands on the wrapper she had tied above her nightgown.

"Eh-hen.." she began "Janice has been asking for birthday, birthday up and down and I'm tired. She will think I'm cheating if I don't do something about it and I don't have the money for it. We barely feed enough here, luckily your stupid father built this house before he died in that deserving accident. So you will need to go and see chief. You know Mr Kingsley. Play with him and get the money. So go and get dressed and tell your sister to get dressed to. Be ready in 10minutes and be by the car. I am coming and don't waste my time Madam" she finished and left for the bathroom.

I left the room wondering why my mother was like this! Why she would make me do this again. I thought it was a one time thing, now every time we need money, she will make me sleep with that man eh?

"No I cannot live like this! For how long? But I am just a child and have no where else to go! Neither do I have any money and what would happen to my little sister? If I am not here, mommy will definitely turn her into a sex machine. I will do something! Lemme first go and do this Mr Kingsley first and then think of something", I concluded as I walked into my sister's room and gave her the news. She jumped and ran to the bathroom to start getting ready. I did same and in 20minutes, mommy came to the car and soon, we were on our way to chief. The same way I reacted on the first day I saw that house, is the same way Janice did. I guess we are both two peas in a pod and looking at her big smile, and how sweet and innocent she was, I came to a conclusion that I had to rescue myself and my sister from the clutches of the witch we called our mother. But I needed help and the only way to get it was through the man I wa going to see in there, in that dream house. My solution, laid in the hands of the man who molested me and if I had any chance at succeeding, I had to play my cards right! Since I was forced to grow quicker than my peers, I am also obliged to use what I have to get what I wanted.

"You know what to do right?" Mom asked waking me up from my thoughts and I just noticed them staring at me in the back seat.

"Yes" I managed to utter as I stepped out of the car.

"Can I follow?" Janice asked

"NO!" We both shouted.

"I just want to collect something from my friend. This is their house and her father die not like many people coming around so I will just hide and take it and come out fast eh. Then we can go and buy everything you want for your birthday. You hear!" I tapped her shoulder as I finished speaking.

Not knowing Janice very well, she will not take no for an answer so I didn't even wait for her to say another thing, I quickly moved away from the car, moving in slowly to go see Mr Kingsley who was waiting for me in the living room, apparently, my mom had already called him and said we were coming.