Palm lines - Episode 8

 

Sharon's POV

I went back home where I started drawing. I realized I needed a room to paint and do stuffs. I haven't had the tools yet but I happily chose a room to use; a room close to mine since we had about eight rooms. 
It was one of the spacious room in the house. It had a view close to the flowers. While I was viewing the whole room, Cynthia walked in. 
"What are you doing here?" She asked and I almost scoffed . "I don't owe you any explanation, it's my house"
"And mine too and I'm demanding, what are you doing here?" "How is it your business?" I asked, "It my mom's room" she answered and I scoffed. 
"You're kidding me right? When did you fix a permanent room for your mom?" I replied going out and she followed me. I locked the door removing the keys. 
"Well now it's mine" I answered and she tightened her fist. 
"Sharon give me the key this instance"
"I'll like to see you get it!" I shouted going into my room then I slammed the door. "Ugh!" I heard her say with a grunt. 
"I hate this girl!" She yelled.
"Right back at you miss!" I said within.
Somone knocked on the door and i opened up slightly. I was shocked to see Dad

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/palm-lines

. It's not everyday he knocks on my door.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, "It's my house" "I know, but It's my room" 
"Sharon I came here to talk to you"
"Seriously?" I asked in shock, I have never had that "Talk" with him for years then i realized  he must have been informed about my plan to use one of the rooms.
 "Probably because Cynthia told you about the room right?" I snapped disappointingly and he opened his mouth to say something but words didn't didn't come out. I knew my guess was right.
 I actually thought he came in to talk to me just as Mrs. Reiner predicted.
"What do you want to use the room for?" He asked and i shrugged. "It's nobody's business"
"Sharon this is my house and I have the right to discuss whatever i want with you. Sharon I'm done with all your sassiness! It's becoming old." He paused and i nodded almost closing the door and Dad placed his fingers to stop the door but  instead the door shut against it.
"Aww!" He groaned and i opened the door quickly.
 I felt bad. I didn't think he was serious about blocking the door from being closed.
"I'm sorry" she apologized.
Dad waved his hands in pain. "Thanks a lot Sharon" "I didn't mean for that to happen" "But it did anyways" he retorted and I held his hands looking at it. 
He sustained bruises already. "That must hurt"
"It's okay"
"I'll get bandages for first aid treatment" I walked into the room opening my wardrobe to get my first aid box. "It's okay" Dad answered. 
"It's not okay, you're bleeding" I brought out my mini box.
"You have first aid box?"
"I do"
"Since when?" He asked, the surprise on his face was crystal clear. "Since I started taking care of myself" I answered and he gave that sigh. 
I said that to spite him and he was probably feeling guilty already. I brought out a spirit, cotton wool and bandages. 
"Uncle Dan bought it for me. I was in Jss 3 when he bought it. It was for a"
"Project, science project or what was it called. You guys were asked to come along with first aid kit. I remember"
"Apparently we were taught to take care of ourselves for times like this" i added then I pulled a stool for him to sit on.
"Sit" I demanded, "You don't have to" he answered and I pushed him to the chair. 
"Geez Sharon, you're just like your mom" he commented and I laughed raising up his hands. He was already bleeding.
I dipped a cotton wool in the methylated spirit then I cleaned the wound. "Ouch" he groaned.
"Suck it up, you're not a baby" I snapped and he laughed. 
I laughed too.
It's been a while since we've been this close or speak nicely for this long. Then I closed the wound with a bandage.
"All done"
"Just like your mom would" he muttered and I blinked back my tears at the thought of her.
"Why wasn't she a nurse or doctor?" I asked and dad chuckled. "Because she didn't want to follow her family footsteps, family of doctors. You mom was stubborn and i I miss her" dad confessed. 
I haven't heard him say that in a while.
"I miss her too. Everyday" i answered and I saw tears trickle down his face. 
"Are you crying?" I asked, "Na" he lied, "I think I broke a bone" he waved his fingers.
Of course he was lying. He was definitely crying because of mom. 
"No kidding. I think I broke a bone and I might have to check out with a real doctor" he answered and I felt bad again for locking the door against his fingers.
"I'm sorry" I muttered and he scoffed.
"No I should be the one apologizing. I'm sorry you had to do it alone. I'm sorry I wasn't there for you all those times. I love you Sharon, I hope you know that"
"But you love your business more"
"No!" He exclaimed.
"You don't understand" he added, "Then make me" I answered. I wanted an explanation. Any explanation! But there was nothing, he just looked into my eyes and said nothing.
"About the room" he chipped in, "Goodnight Daddy"
"Sharon"
"Good night" I added firmly and he stood up from the stool.
"Good night baby" he wanted to give me a kiss on the forehead but i dodged it. 
He walked out and I locked the door crying.

***
There was a knocked on the door, I opened it slightly to see dad. "Good morning" I greeted and I wondered if he was here to continue where he stopped last night. 
I also noticed he was dressed in a white top and sweat pants. He was definitely going to the gym or going out to jog, but it was too late to take a jog.  
"I was on my way to the gym, I was wondering if you would like to come along" he offered and I shook my head. 
There was no way I'll follow Cynthia to the gym. "I think I would rather stay at home than go to the gym with Cynthia" I replied.
"I'm going alone. Lawrence would be there too"
My mood brightened. "Seriously?" I asked, "Yes" he answered. 
I changed up into a pink top and a black trousers and we set off for the gym. I was so happy to see Uncle Lawrence. 
I knew there won't have to be awkward moments with dad or dull experiences. He wanted to know about my week in school and I told him everything.
I even told him I made a new friend. 
Dad stucked an earpiece in his ears while lifting weights. I wondered how he was able to do it with his injured thumb.
A lady strut by and Uncle Lawrence followed her. 
"When will he get married?" I asked dad who stopped what he was doing then he took off the earpiece. 
"Forget it" I added.
"I was listening to music"
"Someone said it's rude to use your earpiece when people are talking" 
"Well not when they're not paying attention to you. You weren't acting as though I didnt exist" dad answered and I sensed a hint of jealousy.
"Were you jealous?" I asked and he shrugged.
"You were jealous"
"You weren't paying attention to me"
"Because I don't know you as much as I do, Uncle Lawrence"
"I am your father, before Lawrence we were really close"
"Uncle Lawrence has been the one playing the role of a father these past two years" I snapped and he raised his hands in surrender.
"Won't he get married? Uncle Lawrence"
"He's still searching for the right one. Sometimes these things take a very long time" "Why didn't you search for the right one?" I asked and Uncle Lawrence interrupted us.
"Did your dad tell you he went for your PTA yesterday?" He asked and I turned towards dad in surprise. I was surprised at the new found, time-creating dad.
"I was going to tell you"
"How was it?" I asked and he cleared his throat then told me all that happened. 

On our way back home, I decided to stop at Tuni's house. The gate was opened so i walked in. I didn't know where exactly they lived but I could hear loud arguments coming from the down floor.
I had second thoughts on going in. Just as I turned back, I heard the door open. I turned to see Mrs Reiner with a pail filled with dirty water. 
"Good afternoon Ma"
"Hello dear" she notice me looking at the pail. "The sink is bad. I called the plumber already but he's taking longer than usual"
"Is this a bad time?" I asked and she waved.
"It's always a bad time with Tuni. Come in dear" she welcomed me in and then went out to probably pour the water out.
Tuni seemed shocked to see me. "What are you doing here?" I asked, "I came to see you" I answered. "I heard you arguing with your mom" i added in a critic tone. 
"I'm not in a good position to judge you. I'm not a saint either, I argue with my dad but not as loud as you do. I don't want a bad influence and you're one. I'm sorry" I turned my back to leave when she called me back.
"Dad want to take me out but mom would not allow him"
"Why?" 
"Because...." She hesitated, "I didn't want anyone finding out, mom and dad are separated" tears poured down her cheeks. 
"And it's her fault" she added.
"She made him leave. Maybe if she hasn't been so scary, dad could have stayed" she busted into tears and we moved the discussion to her room.
I sat on a short stool while Tubni sat on her bed. 
"Maybe if I hadn't insisted on a baby brother , maybe mom would have survived. Maybe, maybe not, we don't know for sure. Maybe your dad would have still been with your mom
 Maybe mom would be alive" I paused losing my point.
"What's your point?" Tuni asked, "I think I lost it" I replied and we both laughed.
"At least you have your mom" I tried to shed positive light on her situation. 
"At least you have your dad" she answered and we busted into laughter again.
"A wise woman once said that we shouldn't live life as though our problems are the worst. We should learn to exercise patience and learn not to transfer anger"
"Let me guess, Genevieve Nnaji or Omoni Oboli" she guessed wrong and I laughed.
"No Miss Erika" I answered and from the look on her face, she obviously knew her.
I got back home in the evening. 
Dad was on a call with someone. "I'll be in Ghana on Tuesday, will that be fine by you?" he asked then I saw him wave at me to wait for him. I guess he wanted to speak to me.
"How's your friend?" He asked just after dropping the call as though I went to meet an imaginary friend.
"She's fine and she's real" I answered.
"Im not disputing that fact, Is she the one responsible for your new behavior. You're acting differently" 
"How differently?" I asked and cleared his throat. 
"You're nicer"
"So I'm not always nice" I asked moving close to him and he chuckled.
"Yes" he replied.
"Why are you acting nice too? Is it because of what the teacher you met said?" I asked and he laughed.
"I've always been nice. Besides when we talked yesterday, I realized I've been a jerk of a father. I want that corrected" he answered and I smiled. 
"Well I owe my new found kindness to two names, Miss Erika" i answered. "Technically that's one name?" He argued and I chuckled.
"Who's she?" He cleared his throat and I moved even more closer.
"A teacher in school, I want to be like her when I grow up. Except that at her age I want to be married with kids" "Was that a dig at her?" Dad asked and I shook my head.
"You just digged at your role model, that unfair" Dad tickled me and I laughed.
"Stop it Dad.

Read " Dysfunctional " by the same author ( Essien Eno )

. I didn't, I just...." I pulled back. 
"The point is...She's thirty four and she hasn't killed her dad for neglect, I'm just fourteen and I want to kill you. So it's not worth it" I answered and dad touched his chest feigning hurt. 
"I'm hurt, I haven't been a horrible dad" "Are you sure?" I asked and he sighed. 
"Okay, I'll like to meet her" he proposed and I scoffed.
"There's no way you'll be meeting her, you don't come to school often" I snapped and he smiled. 
"I came for your PTA right? I can work something out" he answered and then I heard Cynthia's voice. 
"I'm waiting!" She exclaimed, she was in a blue nighties. She then blew kisses at him. I knew what she was calling him for.
 "Good night Dad" I rolled my eyes then i went into my room.

Erika's POV
I couldn't wait for Monday, I was eager to know my result. I couldn't concentrate in school, even Sharon noticed it. "Maybe you should have had a day off"
"I'm fine"
"You're clearly not fine Ma" she argued.
"I'm just worried about something. So what was it you wanted to tell me?" I asked and she shook her head. 
"I'm not telling you in this state"
"I'm okay" I argued.
"You're not, you look weird. Like you're bothered about something. Wanna share with me" 
"I'll be fine" I assured faking a smile. 
I zoomed off to the hospital during break time. I told Vera that I was outside the hospital so she brought the result to me at the parking lot. 
It was in a white envelope. 
"Is it negative?" I collected it and she folded her hands. 
"Don't ask me, look it at yourself" she sounded so serious. 
Part of me wished it was just pranks and she would yell, "Got ya!" In a bit.
I opened it to my shock. 
The results came out positive. I was pregnant! I dropped the envelope and it's content. 
The results were definitely injurious to my reputation, I thought of the church, I thought of Feso and then I thought of mom.
My shaky hands found balance on my head.