Chapter 4

Gideon and I became friends, more like best friends. Like he said before, our friendship was kept at a safe distance, out of sight. We had a meeting spot that we always met at. I wait till everyone is asleep at night and arrange pillows under my blanket and sneak out to meet Gideon.

We talked, laughed and joked. Just enjoyed each other's company. We didn't really meet everyday. He meets me on my way back from school to tell me when he wants to meet.

I went to his house one time and what I saw had me considering my backgrounds. His dad was the richest man in our community. I had heard of that man, in fact he was my dads friend and ex boss. The one who gave him the job that paid a lot. But apparently my dad was 'dishonest' and spent the man's money so Mr.Ability took everything from him and yet he still owed the man!

I didn't want to stain their house with filth so I never went there ever again!

But he still came to see me at our secret meeting place.

***

He laid his head on my thighs while I played with his hair. His eyes were closed with a soft smile on his beautiful lips. I loved the way his hair felt between my fingers with every stroke. It felt so rich and full and thick but soft. It was almost as if he was birthed by a white woman or something.

He told me his mum didn't live with them. He only came here to be with his dad but then he didn't want to leave so he took his junior high class here. He was 15, quite tall, I was 12 but also tall for my age.

"You know it hard when I get here and you're not here yet, it makes me wonder if you'll show or not" he said to me frowning a little bit.

"I'm sorry Deon but I promise that no matter the time I'll still show up just to meet you, I hate disappointments so I do my best not to disappoint you" I told him still stroking his hair. It was so soft.

"I just wish you had a phone, or maybe I could get you a pho-"

"Shhh... I know, but I can't have a phone right now, my dad is going to kill me when he sees me with it" I shushed him before he could complete his sentence. I knew what he wanted to say. He said it far too many times.

"Mmm okay"

******

The situation at home was still same as always.

Gideon was the only one who kept me from breaking. He was the only one who kept me sane. I would've lost myself by now. Or better still committed suicide.

He told me it was gonna be okay, i knew it wasn't gonna be but I still believe in his words for the sake of my sanity. He gave me money but I refused to accept it. He bought me gifts but I didn't take it. I was too scared of what my parents would do or think when they see me with those items.

*****

One day my mom just showed up at our house! I was both shocked and happy at the same time. I was so overjoyed that she finally came! She came back for me! She came to take me with her! I ran into her arms and gave her the tightest hug I ever gave anyone. With tears of joy turning into tears of sorrow. Upon all the pains I had to go through, it's finally over!

I couldn't believe it myself that it was finally over.

"Mimi how are you doing! I miss you so much my baby" she said happily hugging me just as tight.

"I'm fine mama. I just missed you! I missed you so much!"

"Aww I'm here now baby, I'm here for you"

We broke apart and sat down. She looked so beautiful and well taken care of.

"What did you bring me mom, I hope you brought lots of goodies for me!" I said happily. I forgot about all my sorrows for awhile there.

"I brought you a lot of stuffs! But since I sent you the laptop and the other things, I just brought you cloths this time" she said to me.

"What laptop? And when did you send it? And what other things are those?" I asked confused.

"I sent a laptop and some learning tools through someone to give to your dad and she said she delivered them. Don't you have them? Didn't your dad give them to you?" She asked with a deep frown, clearly not pleased that I didn't get the stuff. She was ready to reign hell on the household and I immediately cut her off.

"Oh you mean those things? Oh yeah dad said I wasn't up to that age to use them so he kept them for me until I get to a level I could use them, for now he said I'll spoil them" I lied right through my teeth but since she didn't really know me she couldn't tell. But clearly she wasn't convinced.

I remember those things. My dad sold the laptop for money right under my nose. I didn't know it was mine but even if I did there was nothing I could do about it.

He divided the learning tools between his wife's kids. The worst part is he never bought me stuff, but when mum sends him something, to give to me he doesn't give them to me either. I mean am I that of a bad girl?

"If you say so. But take this phone, I want to be able to reach you on it. I'll warn your father never to take it from you or he's gonna get a piece of me" she said and handed me the phone.

"Wow thank you so much mum!"

It was a small Samsung phone, screen touch. It was white and pretty I loved it instantly. The fact that I could hear from Gideon all the time made my heart bust with joy.

"Where's your stepmom and why ain't you in school?"

Oh no.

"She's sleeping, and I hurt my foot so I couldn't go to school today!" I lied again!

"Mimi don't be skipping school like that, I work so hard to send your dad money, for your upkeep and to put you through school so don't disappoint me oo" she held one ear as a sign of warning.

Say what now.

She did what?!

I barely ate! I barely went to school and all this time she sent my dad money to put me through school? Then why this treatments? I thought I was a burden to him, some burden he couldn't keep but couldn't throw away either. That's why I sucked up the maltreatment like that.

I thought he was stuck with me and doing all the work so maybe he was tired.

Why would he do this to me? Why?

I was lost in thought and before I knew it I was crying.

"Mimi what's wrong? Why you crying? Is there something you're not telling me?" She asked looking at me curiously.

I couldn't tell her those things? What if she creates a scene? Then when she's gone, I'll be the one to get it. It might even worsen my case.

"No mama, nothing is wrong. I just missed you too much" I said to her and she chuckled.

"I miss you more my baby. Now call your stepmom so I could greet her" she told me and I nodded.

I went in and called the demon of a woman. She was all fake smiles and pretentious. Pretending as if she treated me well. Speaking to me nicely and all those bullshîts! I hated her with such passion that was too intense for my young self.

*****

My mum told me that my dad introduced her to someone who sells land and got a plot for herself and started building. She said that the house was for us, she and I.

It was Monday when she came so we agreed on me going to school the whole week so we could spend the weekend together and since she'll be on her new site regularly we'll see each other very often and I agreed.