Set me free - Episode 3

 

I've been under the weather for a few days now, hence the late upload. I made this episode longer just to appease you guys. Enjoy!!

Williams:

"Hey babes. There's something you should know. I'm dirt poor and won't be able to enter into the university with you this year like we agreed." I pause then shake my head at my reflection in Mr Desmond's beat up truck just beside our house. I've done this almost every day as I stroll home from school . I debate about telling Dawn the truth about me. Would she accept that we are from different social class?
You're probably saying she will if she loves me but even I wouldn't accept me.
I've been lying to her for the five years we've known each other. Plus no one deserves a dirt poor bastard child.
I screw my face at my reflection as self loathe begin to make my skin crawl.
I'm poor. I'm a bastard. My mom doesn't do anything other than drink and feel sorry for herself. I hate my life. I want to be able to make things better. For Dawn and for mother.
"You are going to mess up my mirror kid." Desmond's deep voice brings me out of my deep thoughts and I quickly back off from his car with my hand held up.
"Sorry sir. Was just wiping some bird poop" I mumble

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/set-me-free

. No one messes with this man in this neighborhood. It's the slums and to survive, you have to know your place. This guy heads the deadliest cult in the area and just annoying him could mean dying in your own house. I watch him with bated breath as he eye me up and down.
"You know what kid?" He asks.
"I like you. You know your place and look like you could make things happen for yourself." He continues when I don't answer the obviously rhetorical question. Can I leave? I'm tempted to ask but I just nod like a dummy. Desmond having an interest in a boy my age is never good news.
"Here." He push a one thousand naira note into my palm as he walks around me to enter his car. I'm about to turn down his cash when he starts the car.
"It's for wiping the shit off my truck. Call me if you need anything." He says before driving off.
What just happened? I should call him for help? So he could get me involved in something illegal? No can do Des. Note to self, avoid Desmond at all costs. I'm tempted to throw the naira note away but know it would come in handy.
"Mom, I'm back." I call out as I push our wooden door open. It doesn't take long to get my shoes off before I hurry towards the kitchen. I'm famished.
The house is eerily quiet as I move through the living room to the kitchen.
I meet only dirty plates in the sink. All the pots are empty. My stomach growl in protest. This isn't new but I still feel like ripping someone's head off every time. That someone being my shitty dad.
"Mom? There's nothing in the kitchen." I say quietly when I feel a presence behind me.
"I knew I was forgetting something." I hear her mutter and I turn around to look at her. She's clutching a bottle of wine hard. Her eyes are bloodshot and she looks pale. I sigh heavily.
"I see you didn't forget to get your drink though." I tell her.
"I'm sorry son. You don't deserve a mother like me. I-I- just felt so sad you know? After that witch came over yesterday and tore your application form while I stood there helpless, I just felt like I needed this drink badly."
"Is the drink supposed to make you feel helpful?" I mutter.
"Do you know I called your father this morning. He couldn't pick up though. I'm sure if I talk to him, he'll give you the scholarship. I'm sure that witch he married is the one diverting my calls." She says without answering my question.
"Mom, dad doesn't want to speak to you. He would be here with us if otherwise." I try to grab the bottle from her but she push me away from her.
"Don't say that!" She scream as she throw the bottle against the kitchen wall. The sudden sound of glass hitting the wall beside me is followed by sobbing.
"He loves me. He'll come if I talk to him." She sob. I know the drill. When she gets like this, all you can do is agree with her.
"You're right mom. Maybe he'll come tomorrow. Why don't you sleep so you can look pretty for him tomorrow." I tell her and she smile.
"You're right. I should sleep. He'll be here when I wake up tomorrow you'll see." She says as she walks out of the kitchen. I wait for her to be out of earshot before I let the sob hanging in my throat out. I clench hard on the wooden table behind me as I try to quieten my sobs. I can't let her hear me. She'll be fine when she wakes up. I tell myself but know she needs help.
"I'll be your rock, mother. Father has abandoned you but I promise to always take care of you." I make this silent promise as I wipe my face of tears. With my resolve toughened, I grab two stale slices of bread from last night's dinner and chew on them as I move to my room to change. I still have my night shift at the supermarket uptown.

******

"Smallie afa!" I roll my eyes as Dickson, my childhood friend holler at me from the supermarket's entrance. I hide my smile as I help a customer bag her purchases.
"Thanks for shopping with us ma'am." I say as I hand her purchases to her. she gives me a polite nod as she waltz out of the supermarket.
"Who the heck is your smallie?" I ask Dickson jokingly.
"You of course. Don't think going to that rich kid's school of yours has made you bigger than me." He says and I shake my head and appraise him seriously.
"I'll never dream of it. Sir." I tell him and receive a blow to my shoulder.
"Smartass." He mumbles.
"Eggs right?" I ask him. That's what he always comes here to buy. His mom sells indomie at the street junction and he always comes all the way here to patronize me. it's the only time we get to talk these days.
"Watch the counter for me while I get them." I instruct.
"Sure."
"Holler me once a customer arrives okay?" He just wave me off as he walks pass me to take my place behind the counter.

Read " Mirage " by the same author ( Ameh juliet )

. I quickly walk to the back of the store where I stored the bigger eggs for him. I hear the buzz of the store's front door signifying the entry of a new customer and I quickly rush out of the storage room. I'm already out of the room when I slip on a nylon bag. The eggs fly out of the crate before I can get my footing and they land on a middle aged man in an obviously expensive suit. Shit!
"You idiot! What the hell!" The man bellows and I quickly hurry to his side.
"I'm so sorry sir. It was a mistake. I slipped and they just-- I'm sorry." I ramble as I try to wipe his suit.
"Don't touch me you clumsy fool!" He yells as two slaps romance my face in quick succession.

"Look at my shoes you dumb fool! Don't just  be sorry. kneel down and wipe it off!" he grabs my head and try to push me down to my knees.
"Get off me,you old geezer!!" I grind out as I push him away from me. The old man stumble and fall on his ass. The situation just got worse.
"Dad! What's going on?!" The familiar voice makes me stiffen as I look from the old man to my hands. Shit it's Dawn! And she's just behind me.
 

So guys! what do you think is gonna happen now? Has our hero been caught? Would Dawn accept a poor bastard And do you think he's wrong to lie about his poverty?