Chapter 4 MASTURBATING

The rain pour was a great one within the town of Lekki. Traders went on with their business, school children running to the car parks, possibly where their parents and guardians must have parked their cars. Those who handled white collar jobs, and afforded big cars, sat comfortable, while their drivers took them to their place of work. It was Monday, of course, every activity would be lively. As Nigerians and Lagosians, making money was the goal. Everywhere still bubbled, despite the rain.

Although these activities were going on, Grace had no idea what was going on out there. Her parents had gone to work, leaving her with Mary. It was obvious her tutor for the day wasn't going to come. So, she declared it a free day. She had masturbated the previous week, and she enjoyed the feeling that came with it, she cared less if her parents locked her indoors. Her energy diverted into watching pornographic videos and pictures and ending up practicing them. It became her new hobby, a habit she couldn't do without. She would stay in her room without. She only came out when she needed to eat something. This attitude continued, and no one was able to detect that something was off, simply because she was always indoors. She only discussed with Mary when she felt like.

Three months passed, and it was the month of December already. Her habit of masturbating kept on growing and grown. To her parents, she now understood why they kept her away from people. To Mary, something was odd. Mary became observant of her movement. The Grace she knew never liked going to her parents, nor swimming, nor coming out to get her food herself, but the past months had been something else. She had tried her best to find out what the issue was, but she knew it was going to be difficult, Grace had always been a smart teenage girl.

An interesting day arrived, as usual, it was the two of them at home. Grace was swimming, to Mary, it was the best time to talk to her. She approached the pool, with a towel in her hand.

"Grace" she called out. She wasn't expecting an answer from her, Grace would only stop whatever she was doing to indicate she was listening.

"I was wondering, why did you suddenly start doing things yourself? Even being nicer to your parents?" The question seemed absurd to Grace. She wondered where the question came from.

"I don't understand what you are trying to say Mary. Am I not growing into a woman? Can't I turn soft towards my parents again? See, I've come to accept their terms. I'll live my life the way I want it. And the least I need is someone observing my moves, especially you" she said, collecting the towel, while heading towards the stairs that led to her room.

"God help this family" she said heading to the kitchen.