WORLDS APART Shes frail and her sickness has made her deaf. She screams to talk. Shes irritable. Shes without a husband, having married and divorced twice. She lives alone save for her teenage daughter who I once asked how old she was and she said she would ask her mama. She did. She too does not remember. Okay, she will go visit her papa, maybe he knows. Shes the archetypal tamergant. A total yenta. She unleashes all her troubles on the hapless daughter who is expected to go meet men and earn some money for both. You are mad you will hear her scream. Did you sleep here last night? What kind of men are you meeting that cant give you money? You must buy kerosone or you wont leave this house today. Then you will see her in the morning with smiling as if all is well with her. You ask how she is, she smiles some and say shes fine. How about your mama? You ask finally. Ah that one? Shes there. Always giving me troubles. Shes insane. No wonder none of my siblings would have her stay with them. Not even the married ones. The sickness has entered her head. I hope she dies soon. Dont say that! No, if she dies, all will be well with everyone. With me, and with her. She will rest and me too will rest. Today I called to ask how shes faring with the hair dressing apprentiship I helped her start. The bell-like crispness in her voice isnt there. I asked why shes not sounding fine. Shes fine she says. But didnt go to work today. I was flashing you since last night. She says. I made some lame excuses and hurried to make her forget it by asking, by the way, hows your mama? My mama? Shes gone. What do you mean gone? Shes gone to be with her people. Her people? In her village or where? Shes dead. That was why I was flashing you last night. She died in the night. I froze. Speechless. Should I congratulate this kid or say some lame I am sorry? Shes buried, she continued. But I need some money. My friends are here. I want to cook something for us to eat. How much do you need? It was my escape card. At that point I could pay anything to remove myself from her world. Shes 17 from my estimation but she says shes seen more of men than most ladies twice her age. I agree. Its in the darkness of eyes. The easy laugh and ready smile are mere camouflage. I know. It all started with the second family her father sent her to live with since she was 8. It started with the man of the house and she was just about 14 then. Then his son followed. Then the daughter, whenever shes around from the university. Finally she couldnt stand it anymore and fled. Her father said she must go back there or leave his house. She couldnt tell because she just cant, she says. The woman of the house is not bad to her, why would she destroy her home with her tales which no one might even believe? He disappointed father said she would be as useless as her mama and stood his ground. That was how she came to stay with her mama. And that was where I met her during my last vacation at my rural place of birth. As time drew the curtain on today I wondered what she would be doing now that her mama is gone. I was careful, or rather too scared to call. Oh, yes I really can call. I have something I can ask her. I called and asked if she got the money I asked a friend to send to her. She did. And you are a god! You made everything easy. I am glad. God will repay you. What do I say? The voice is back. Not as bell-like and full of that childish excitement. But the innocence with the vintage crispness is there. What more can I ask, even if for a second? I am glad. God has paid me already. Even if the confusion lingers. #written for her who wouldnt even read this because we are worlds apart.
Posted on: Tue, 01 Apr 2014 20:36:47 +0000
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