Laughter

one of the joy of lies in the family and

this was what miracle held with her as she left for school the next day. she has gained admission into college and her parents were worried about her accomodation and tuition fees but they were christians and believed in the Almighty God to provide for the needy"we should be positive God will surely provide" Amadi said with bitter in his heart for not been able to provide for his family. if not that he married a good wife he would have known more troubles beyond his imagination. one of his kinsmen okoye has been passing through hell in his home because his wife has refused to give him peace on his own home. women are terrible he heaved and smiled of course his wife is not included. ebere is an epitome of motherhood capable of cherish and love which he has never experienced before not even from his mother. ebere has been very patient with him and has loved him with all her heart. she has sacrificed a lot for him to make sure that the children go to school and they eat food. they had been able to manage until miracle got admission to study English in the state university in the city and the family was overjoyed not only did they feel happy that there daughter and sister was going to the big city but also the bright future that lay ahead of them never minding that there is no money in the house.

miracle felt really overjoyed because all her friends has gone to the big cities because they have uncle's and friends and relations there to take care of them but miracle's family were poor and their family members have deserted them.

"my daughter you should remember the family you come from and always uphold all our values" Amadi told his daughter

"yes papa"

"and my daughter you need to remember to pray hard for you know our background and our status never forget that and pray to God that he will open doors for us"

"yes mama" miracle was just nodding vigorously as if her nodding will make a huge difference but what lay her mind how she would cope.

on the day she was scheduled to leave one of her favorite uncle who travelled for a long time came to their house, they were arranging the house and her brother was in the front yard when he saw him entered. at first he thought it was a ghost and he stepped back but when he smiled at him he stood and then called him

"uncle chima"

hello my boy" that was his way of calling ugochukwu my brother. ugochukwu shouted and ran to embrace him

"mama, Mimi papa" he shouted and every body ran outside to see what it was and immediately they were surprised and knew instantly that the shouts was supposed to be.

"good day brother I bring good news" Uncle chima said and we all laughed

"what kind of news did you bring chima after all these years"

"brother I know and I can explain how are you" he said and looked at me

" nne" how are you now"

" I'm fine uncle welcome"

" you have grown so big since the last time I saw you"

"that's so long now"

"anuty I know and like I said I can explain"

we went inside and mama said we should prepare something for him. she told me to get the yam in the bag that I was using to go to college so we could prepare a good meal for him

"mama why?" my face reddened and I couldn't believe my ears

"come on dear he just came back from the states"

"so we should now give him everything we have?"

"no my dear just be calm and let's see what God will do for us you never know what made him come back now at this time"

I calmed down and brought the yam and we started preparing.

"just peel the yams let me go and check something" she left and I knew she was going inside.

I peeled the yams and began preparing the potage.

"so they held me at the airport after my passport has expired and I was sent to prison"

"oh but why did they send to prison after your passport expired I thought they were supposed to deport you"

"that's my confusion but the thing is that I was praying and one young lawyer came around and bailed me out and we are married now"

"just like that?" mama asked surprised

'yes anuty just like that"

"and that is the good news you have for us. it is really very good news and all praise be to God"

"amen"

"brother it is not the good news yet just calm down"

"ok tell us the good news now why are you keeping us in suspense"

" I want to pay for miracle's tuition in college that is if she is already in but if not I will sponsor her from now to actualize that" my mother raised her hands up in praise and I was peeping with my brother ugoo through that door.

" you have always loved me like a brother and I thought about you all these years in the prison and knew your prayers saw me through so this is what I want to do for the family"

my father was speechless and didn't know when tears ran down his cheeks but his was tears of joy and he said

"God bless you my brother you don't know what this means to me and my family" he said to my mother "go and call miracle" mama almost ran and met us peeping because we didn't hear what they were saying well and was too late to move away soon.

' I hope that yam is not burnt"

"no mama" I said

"ugoo check the food and you come your uncle want to see you"

"what about me mama" ugoo made a face

"just wait" mama said

we entered into the sitting room and met a wild laughter from the men and without anyone telling me I knew the good news would affect me positively so I smiled