SCARLET
Immediately
when it was lunch hour I walked to the bus stop. There was a line. The line was
just long. I sighed as I stood on the line. I was even starting to wonder if I
was going to make it back at work on time.
As
I was still standing on the line the silver BMW parked right on the bus stop.
He got out after a while & walked up to me.
Him:
hey.
I
just looked at him then looked away.
Him:
this line is pretty long.
Me:
what do you want?
Him:
did you get the flowers?
Me:
they’re in the bin.
He
laughed.
Him:
ok... want a lift?
Me:
until I ask for it then I don’t want it.
Him:
you are never going to ask for it.
Me:
then get lost.
Him:
am I going to beg to help you again?
Me:
you can always leave.
Him:
I'm not leaving you, the line is not even moving.
Me:
can you just leave me alone?
Him:
no.
Me:
I have enough to deal with… I don’t have to be dealing with your shit.
Him:
you seem stressed.
Me:
I'm getting tired now.
Him:
I'm also getting tired let's go its hot.
He
said pulling me by my hand then opening the door.
Him:
if you cause a scene they might call the police on me & I will get arrested
but I have my sister's daughter to look after… she still needs me.
Me:
I just-
Him:
please get in.
He
said pushing me inside then closing the door. He also got in.
Him:
where are you going?
Me:
to my brother’s school.
Him:
where's that?
Me:
where I stay.
He
drove back home, the journey was filled with silence & I didn't care. All I
kept thinking was Litia. If I go to jail that will be the end of my mother, it
will kill her. What example will I be setting for my siblings?
I
came back to world with him softly petting my shoulder. I looked at him.
Him:
are you ok?
Me:
yeah.
He
was parked a few houses from mine.
Him:
where do we go from here?
I
directed him to Twanda’s school. He parked by the gate.
Him:
what are you here for?
Me:
you can go now.
Him:
no.
Me:
Quinton you don’t have no business here.
Him:
I do…my business is you.
Me:
something is wrong with you.
I
said getting off his car. I walked to the ground where I could hear noise. He
walked behind me. When we got to the grounds, the school kids had crowded the
whole place even the local residents. We walked across the crowd to the other
side. I could now see clearly, it wasn't really hard identifying him. He was
still playing I guess I came on time. Quinton was standing beside me.
Him:
where's your brother?
I
pointed at him.
Him:
he sure does plays.
Me:
he always played soccer from young age.
Him:
how old is he?
Me:
18
After
a while they were on half time. I walked towards him.
Twanda
hugged me.
Me:
you are sweaty let go!
He
let me go.
Twanda:
you came!
Me:
yeah… but I need to go back to work
Twanda:
yeah
Twanda
then looked at Quinton.
Me:
this my brother & Twanda this is… Quinton.
Quinton:
I'm a friend.
Twanda:
nice to meet you Sir.
Quinton:
no… please call me Quinton.
They
smiled as they shook hands.
Twanda:
how was I?
Me:
you were great.
Just
then some girl came. She looked at Twanda then at me.
Twanda:
umhhm Carl this is Euphie, she's my girlfriend & Euphie this is my sister Carl
& her friend Quinton.
She
smiled shyly while I just looked at Twanda. I was just lost for words to say.
Euphie:
ummh T Litia's crew is coming.. They want to cause havoc for you Sis' Carl
I
looked at her.
Me:
what?
Euphie:
yes.
Me:
Quinton you should leave.
Quinton:
who's Litia?
Me:
someone you don't want to meet… please leave… your car is.. God you need to go.
Quinton:
I'm not leaving without you.
Me:
I can handle it, please leave.
I
turned & they were really coming, I knew things were going to end bad if he
doesn't leave.
Twanda:
He's right… he will probably hurt you also.. leave with him
Me:
what about you? they won't leave you.. you know what? let's go.
We
started walking away as Twanda bid farewell to his girlfriend, I hated doing
this to him. He was in middle of the game.
Me:
I'm sorry
Twanda:
it’s ok... as long as you are safe.
Me:
they won't come home... They respect mom.
We
walked to his car, they had broken Quinton's Windows on all the doors.
It
was really bad.
Me:
oh God no!
Quinton:
it’s ok… Let’s leave.
He
said unlocking the car. As we got inside he got cut by a glass on his hand.
Quinton:
fuck!
I
took off my shirt then took his hand & tied his hand with it. He drove back
home & parked inside the yard. I didn't care about Mulenga who was sitting
by her veranda. We got out & knocked because it was locked but I was sure Michelle
was in. She opened the door after a while, she was actually surprised to see us
all. We got inside & he sat on the couch while I went to take mom's first
aid kit. I walked back with it, He was talking with Twanda.
Twanda:
Uncle Quinton says he can help me get sponsorship.
Me:
You need to leave after this.
I
said sitting beside him & removing my shirt.
Quinton:
while I'm still in pain?
Me:
I will give you some painkillers.
Quinton:
they make me sleepy.
I
looked at him.
Me:
stop trying to piss me off! your mother will come running for you.
Quinton:
she passed on
I
kept quite as I treated his hand. I could see that it was painful but the
quicker I get done with his hand the sooner he will leave to avoid him to
getting hurt more.
After
I was done bandaging his hand I gave him painkillers.
Me:
Michelle please go get water.
She
stood & came back after a while with the water.
Michelle:
mom is back.
Me:
what?
Michelle:
she's back.
