Maybe, You Will See Me Now

031

Andrew fixated his gaze down at the front sole of one of his black shoes, messy with a little mud stain. On one hand, he held his phone to his ear.

"Andrew, Andrew, are you still there?" His mother on the other end of the line called out.

He sucked in a deep breath and lifted his eyes. "Yes. Yes, I am here."

"Then, say something. I don't understand. Ever since you left for Lagos, it's like... you seem like a different person. I don't think you even worry about me at all."

He rubbed his forehead lightly. "That's not true. I care about you."

"Yet you didn't tell me about Jennifer and her son's visitation. I've been waiting for your call. Finally, I had to be the one to call you."

A soft sigh left his lips. "There was nothing to say. My brother showed up and I let him stay with me. She wasn't happy because he left without letting her know. That's all."

"Andrew, that's not all and you know it." Her loud sigh was clear on the phone. "We're at war. We've always been at war and I know it's exhausting but it's the truth."

Andrew rubbed the back of his neck a bit irritated with the topic. Frustration played across his facial expression. He didn't like talking about any of this. Especially because of the mood it put him in.

"Mum, I'm not at war with anyone. They're my brothers and she's my stepmother. Maybe, they dislike me a bit. Not everyone has to like me... I'm okay with that." Andrew told his mother. He hadn't felt that way before. But living away from them had shown him that there is and can be a bigger and better picture for him. He was learning to accept that.

She was silent. All he could hear was the slight sounds of her soft breathing. He wondered if he'd upset her.

"Andrew, I wish it was so. I really wish the case was as simple as that." She spoke up soon. "You have no idea the length Jennifer can go to."

"We'll be fine. I'll be fine. Isn't that the most important thing?"

She was silent again and he knew her reply was heavy for her. For a moment, he shut his eyes and ran his hand over his face.

"If it's too much, my door will always be open for you. Come anytime."

"I can't leave my husband. He needs me." She replied after a few moments of hesitation, her tone lower.

Andrew hung his head low. It was an expected reply but also a disappointing one. In terms of his father being a husband to his mother, Andrew couldn't say he was amongst the best in the game. After all, his family wasn't like any normal one. Polygamous families worked for some people and then, there were others like his that it didn't work for. As a child, he wished his dad paid more attention to him and his mother or at least acknowledged the mental strain this division in the family was causing them. But as an adult, he wished his mother would just accept a holiday, some time away from everything.

"Um, okay. I have to go back inside. I—I'll speak to you some other time."

"Mmm. Okay. Eat and rest properly."

Andrew nodded his head. "Yes." He spoke out on realisation that she couldn't see him. "Bye." Then, he disconnected the call.

For a minute, he stood there trying to gather his thoughts and push himself out of the foul mood the talk about home always put him in. Finally, he turned and walked back into the building.

#

Ijeawele felt quite uncomfortable throughout the meeting. She did her very best not to let it show. Yet whenever her eyes met with Isaac and he flashes her a weak smile, how quick she was to look away somehow gave away her discomfort.