3 II: Show them 'filthy'

I alighted my sad train of thoughts when Lizzie carefully padded into the room, still in her nighty, with a small peice of paper in her grasp. Her action reminded me of how bad I'd acted towards her earlier; I'd only reinforced her feeling of not blending in; of not being welcomed my dysfunctional as fuck family.

Lizzy had been that way since she was brought from into the house, after surviving a fire outbreak in the orphanage she'd been sent to when we couldn't afford to feed an additional mouth for too long, and everyone —whenever they had the time to— always tried their best to help her feel at home, and though we were on the level of friends, almost close friends, I tended to lash out at her when I felt angry.

She never complained, but I knew it hurt her deep down to be on the receiving end of all the anger and bitterness I had to offer. I knew she also wished she hadn't agreed to leave two years after a seven year old me found her tied in a sack and abandoned in a shrub close to where we used to live.

I never blamed her for leaving, because mother had made the decision for her. However, she always gave off the vibe that I stopped caring after she left and for the second time in less than thirty minutes, I felt guilty because my actions must've made her think so.

"Uhm… mum said to give you this note before she left." She offered the thin slice of paper by stretching out her hand to its full capacity. I recognised the action to be her trying to keep distance in case I wanted to blow up in her face once again.

With a sigh, I reached over and held her hands instead of the paper she meant to deliver and walked her to my bed. She looked astonished and very uncomfortable with my action, but I didn't mind. When we finally got to the bed, I motioned her to sit, she complied immediately and I followed suit.

"Family argue a lot, you know?" She nodded stiffly. "That I shouted at you earlier today doesn't make you an outsider. I was frustrated and I took it out on the nearest person available; but even at that, my actions are not justified and for that, I apologise."

Her eyes had widened even more by the time I was done, but she recovered quickly and placed her other hand over where my left hand was holding hers.

"I'm not mad, sis. I'm just sad that your family…" she paused when she noticed the look I gave her. "Our family. I'm just sad that our family had to turn out this way."

She finished with whimper and I nodded in empathy. I could tell, from the sadness in her eyes that she also craved a happy, peaceful family like I did and even though I was grateful to be aware that I wasn't the only one who wanted a fairy tale life, I couldn't promise the eighteen year old sitting with glossy eyes and holding my hands in hope that everything was going to get better.

Because I knew I would be lying.

"Can I ask a question?" Lizzie piped up suddenly and I nodded. "Why do you talk to mum the way you do? What happened after I left? What changed the love that was so evident between you two?"

If those weren't the million dollar questions my mother should have given a reply to when I'd asked several years ago.

I smiled ruefully.

"Whatever it is that happened between mother and I doesn't matter anymore, Lizzie. Just know she deserves everything that comes her way. Everything. And more." She nodded uncertainly. I plucked the paper from her grasp and began to read it aloud to prove a point to her;

"I believe you already know where the Olowo's residence is at, I want you to get the Aso Ebi material for her son's traditional wedding. It'll be in six months. I've wired half a million to your account, remit half into her account when she asks and keep the other half for yourself." I paused deliberately to allow it sink in, then I said the final part to drive it home;

"You'll be a representative of the Cokers when you get there. For that reason, I've prepared a nice dress for you to wear for the occasion, and my personal driver will be taking you in my latest car. I implore you to be on my best behaviour, show them how filthy rich your family is, but don't dare mess me up there."

I looked up from the sheet with a smile to confirm my hunch; Lizzie's eyes were the size of golf balls for sure.

"All that fuss…" she began.

"Is because of a blasted lace material for a wedding that isn't until six months time." I finished for her and she sighed sadly.

"I'm sorry for taking your time, sis. I have to pack up for school." It was an uncreative way to deviate, but I nodded all the same.

"I believe the keys to our apartment are with you?" She gave a curt nod and began to stand up. I released her other hand and worked to shred the love note my mother had written with so much care.

"Will you be coming with? Or…" she trailed off timidly and I refused with a polite shake of my head. She gave another curt nod to notify that she understood.

I wanted to disregard my mother's stupid note and probably invite my best friend —Becky— over for a girls day out, but I'd given my word already, I couldn't back out now.

I shouldn't have allowed that hag blackmail me into this ugh!

The only way I could get back at her was doing the direct opposite of what she wanted.

I began towards my closet with a mischievous smile. If Susan wanted me to show how filthy rich the Cokers were, who was I to say no?

I would show them 'filthy' in truth and in deed. It was my obligation, after all.