Granville

The sun was just making it's way back to it's shell as cars and vehicles horned and made their way through the streets of Ohio. The weather was calm and chill it was the end of the Summer break and the Chill breeze of winter was already blowing its way through the city. Everyone was busy with work and the movement was random. Granville was a small town with alot of middle class and educated citizens mostly the Whites. Even though with the much diversity there was peace in the neighborhood.

I was helping mum in the kitchen to prepare dinner, he had been living here since his mum came back from San Francisco. I am light skinned, handsome and short. I was just turning 18 that year. I had been with my mum and Grandmother at Granville for the past years. I took the food to the table, and mum asked me from the kitchen "Hope you didn't spill it on the floor?" I was already halfway through the door and I answered "No!" We all smiled at each other, it was a joke mum always made when I took food to the table cause I had slipped and fell once while taking the food to the table. Mum was cooking my favourite meal, meatloaf with steak and eggs. I loved that dish, most of all if it was prepared by my mum. Mum had been alone since my dad left us 18 years ago. I never really got to spend anytime with him around. Mum told me he died but was forced to tell me the truth after I turned 10.

My mum (Roseline Nelson) told me she was schooling at San Francisco state university (SFSU) when she met my dad(Albert Godwin). They went to same highschool at Ottawa. Even though they were not friends back in Highschool, they got together really quick since he was the only familiar face she could find then. Their friendship became more intimate and they started dating. Mum loved what they had together so much, she still smiled painfully. The love they shared was magical or so mum described it while talking to Norbert after he introduced her to a female friend. Godwin, dad, on the other hand told Roseline that he was gonna marry her after College. They were the best love birds until mum got pregnant for him and he got so reckless. He was not ready for a child so he had asked Rose to abort the child and she refused so he left her 19yrs back. She was very heartbroken after the experience and refused to go intimate in any relationship.

She was yet to heal from the experience and it was very hard for her to trust another man. She was currently working as a Teacher in Denison University as a Head of Department for Arts Studies. She was working there for the past 15yrs and she was just fine, or not troubled yet because the pay was adequate for all the needs they had.

Mum then told me to go and get grandma upstairs so she could come for dinner. Margret Nelson, my grandma retired 5 years before and she was staying with us since after her retirement. She had worked as a Nurse. 

Things were beginning to get better in our family. I went upstairs and knocked on the door. Grandma who was seating on a chair going through the VANGUARD Magazine, the magazine was a coverage of all the political and governmental affairs of the state and she was reading about the project of the incumbent Prime Minister at the time , James HARPER, to attempt Democracy. He was doing alot for the state and was willing to do more or so the correspondent wrote in the magazine.

"Granny, food is ready!" I said, Grandma then looked up at him with a smile and said"Thank you, Junior.... I'll join you guys soon".

I shared same predicament as my Grandfather. Mr Nelson Norbert was also given birth to out of wedlock and had stayed with his grandparents throughout out school and until he left to study and settle in Ottawa, Canada. He had passed on a few years ago which explains why granny was living with Roseline. She visited Ottawa the periodically though, to see a few friends.

I then came down the stairs hurriedly and joined mum who had already dished my food and was waiting for us to come so we could share the grace.

"What's grandma doing upstairs?" She asked me with a sigh of impatience

"I'm here Rose" Grandma said behind me 

"Come on we have to share the grace together"mom said almost like an command.

Grandma came to the table and took her seat and we prayed over the food. They were Catholics so they always prayed at each meal or breakfast and dinner at least.

Dinner that day was quiet and quick so we could get to bed quickly, the next day was Monday. The week Norbert was to resume his freshman year in college. He'd just been given admission to Carleton college. Roseline had wanted him to study at a school closer but he was always so passionate about going to Carleton and grandma was so supportive so Rose couldn't help it but let him. It was his first time way from home alone. 

I was so nervous about how it would be at College. I played basketball in highschool and wanted to make it to the freshman basketball team. I had a lot of things that I was so nervous about. I retired to my room immediately after I was done with the dishes. "Knock Knock" Mom said before she opened the door, I was already getting ready to sleep. Mum sat on the bed covers and after a heavy sigh said," You are really sure you want to go this far right?" Looking wearily at him.

 "Yes mom, I think it's gonna be a nice experience and it's been my dream all this while" I said happily.

"Okay....... "She said defeated " you'll have to be very careful when you get to school, and face your studies"

"Yes ma'am I'm gonna die my best to make you and grandma proud" I said. 

Roseline then drew closer to him and hugged him, then said in a low tone " Always remember where you're coming from and where you're headed to, Don't loose that." After saying this she pulled away and stood up. Then said quietly "Goodnight" then she walked out of the door without saying anything else. I was so confused after having this conversation with mum. I then switched of the bed light and tucked myself in and forcefully closed my eyes so I could drift into the best and worst day of my life.