The Blue House S04 E11

For the first time in a long time, Dapo considered the possibility that he had made a mistake. Raising children with the right morals and good Christian values had been his greatest pride as a parent but in the past few months everything had been tested- his capabilities as a parent was tested.  It was this, his seeming incompetence as a father that annoyed him the most about the whole pregnancy episode. His reputation had been tarnished, he and his family had been the image of the perfect family, church members rallied to him for advice and encouragement and he had relished the position of authority it gave him. To think that those same people would be praying for him, gossiping about him or pitying him was a devastating blow to his self-esteem. Ronke had said that he had to own up to his mistakes, to be a man. He had never thought he’d hear those words from her mouth, she had challenged his manhood.

In spite of how much he would have loved to exonerate himself he couldn’t ignore this- Ayodele had fallen prey to the corrupt guidance of his barber because he had failed to provide an alternative. He couldn’t remember a time when he had spoken to him about what manhood meant. He had never explained to his son that manhood was more than the capability to make love to a woman or procreate. Here, he had been wrong. Finally admitting this brought about a pain that was even more than that of a soiled reputation and for days he had wondered how he could ever turn the situation around.

Ronke came into the room with their baby girl on her back and here again he was reminded of another error- he hadn’t forgiven Ronke for being pregnant again and had carried that resentment out on the girl. He could only remember carrying her a few necessary times, no one even dared suggest that he carry her or talked about her to him. Ronke went about the room rearranging things and ignored his presence just like the children did. They avoided him and only spoke to him when necessary. What would become of him when he got older? By then the children would be more sympathetic towards their mother and it would be difficult for him to undo his actions as a father.

“Dear?” he called out to Ronke. “Dear?” Ronke looked at him startled as if it was the weirdest thing he had ever said to her. “Can we talk?”

Ronke stood baffled wondering what had possessed her husband to call her “dear” again after almost a year. It had been “Mummy Ayo” or “Ronke” for a while now. “O…okay…” she took a seat apart from him and loosened the wrapper that held the baby.

“Let me carry her.” Dapo held out his hands.

“Ehn?

“Please let me carry her.”

Ronke handed the child to him speechless and watched as Dapo kissed and cuddled her. She opened her mouth to speak but couldn’t find the words to express her shock so she left it open.

“I have been wrong.” Dapo said to her sullenly. “I want us to fix our family.”

Ronke could only nod.

“First let’s talk about Ayodele.”

“Okay…”

“I honestly think we should leave things as they are. Even though she was raped, Ayodele still slept with that girl. The only guarantee we have is the test. I doubt that her parents even know the truth…”

“So you’re saying we should leave them alone? What about that barber? Are we going to leave him alone too?”

“I will speak with him, but we don’t have any proof so we can’t accuse him or report him to the police.” Ronke thought about what he said. “What’s done is done. Let’s move forward.”

**********

“I’m glad to be home too.” Obiora said to his wife and held her. “Is Ada still doing her weekend course?”

“No, she’s done with it.”

“Oh! So she’s in?”

“No she’s in the compound, she’s at Kunle’s house.”

Obiora shot Helen a look. “Why don’t we go in?”

“Daddy doesn’t want Aunty Ada to marry Uncle Kunle.” Onyebuchi said to his younger brother when they were gone.

“Why?”

“I don’t know.”

“But Aunty Ada really likes him.”

“I know, she’s always at his house. Uncle Kunle also likes her, that’s why he buys us things.”

“I want them to get married.”

“Me too.”

**********

“Why is Ada at Kunle’s house?”

“Obi, Ada is a graduate. I can’t censor her movements.”

“I thought I told you to discourage her from considering Kunle?”

“Obi she’s not a child! I can’t tell her who or who not to date. If you have a problem with their relationship why don’t you talk to her yourself?” Helen asked exasperatedly, she was becoming weary of Obi’s disapproval.

“Well it looks like that’s what I’m going to do.”

“What exactly do you not like about Kunle?” Obiora turned away. “Would you have been more accepting of him if he was an Igbo man?”

“What that’s supposed to mean?”

“Answer the question Obi.”

“Alright I admit I’m uncomfortable with the fact that he’s Yoruba. I don’t want my sister being with a guy who kicked out his wife because he didn’t have money.”

“Really Obiora? Can you hear yourself?” Obiora sighed and Helen went to sit by him. “Kunle is a good guy and he’ll take care of Ada, besides she really likes him. You have to trust that she knows what she’s doing.”

“I hope you’re right.”

Helen was quiet. “How big is your place in Port Harcourt?”

“I don’t understand. What are you asking?”

“Is it a self-contained room?”

“Yes, but only because you said you weren’t moving… why’re you asking?”

“Nothing…”

“Have you changed your mind? Helen are you…”

“Still thinking about it. I’m still thinking about it.”

Obiora pulled her into a tight hug. “That’s a good step.”

**********

“I should let you know that my Mum came here.” Effiong choked on his water.

“What?”

“Effiong this has to stop. I’m tired of tiptoeing between you and my Mum.”

“Why aren’t you having this conversation with her?”

“I have tried…”

“So what do you want me to do? Go over to her house and beg her?”

“I don’t know… can she at least come here?”

“I don’t think you need my permission there…”

“I’m sorry. She knew you weren’t going to be around and I couldn’t tell her not to come.”

“So you were more comfortable going against my wishes?”

“Effiong she’s my mother! I know she’s offended you but she’s still my mother and I can’t ignore her to please you.”

“Okay.”

“Effiong…”

“I’d really not like to discuss this anymore, do whatever you think is right with your mother. Your mother slaps me and then you demand that I understand it. That’s fine.”

“Effiong…”

**********

Joy opened the door to see George standing in the doorway.

“W…welcome sir.” Joy stood still clutching the door.

“Let me in.” George snapped at her pushing the door open.

“Aunty is not in.” Joy almost cried.

“I know. Bring me a beer.” He said kicking off his shoes.

She set the beer-laden tray on the table in front of him and immediately set off towards her room.

“Where are you going?”

“I’m going to do my homework sir.”

“Go to the kitchen and make me something to eat!”

Joy grudgingly went to the kitchen biting her lips and wondering what she could do. Aunty hadn’t come back from work and it could be hours before she did, there was no one to call to come to her aid. How would she escape George?

Unthinking, she tuned the gas cooker on and warmed the stew.