Chapter 18

 When we all trooped into the tent, everybody kept staring at each other waiting for the next command, what are we to do now? Because the tent was fully packed, I could not even have a seat 

"We are all aware that since Johnson was found guilty, we are all guilty by association, and because of that, we will be punished, the older ones here already know the likely punishment," said an aged man amongst us. He looked like he could barely stand on his own, I began to wonder how he copes with the chores and has not returned to his home to die there.

"There goes our hope of eating dinner," replied a nan whose face I recognized as one of those who brought the body earlier at the gathering.

"Damn you, Johnson, see what your selfishness had caused" he spewed on.

I guess I was not the only one looking forward to dinner, I was so hungry to the point where it felt as if my stomach, was turned against me. It felt so funny when we noticed Theresa come up behind him and smacked his head 

"We do not insult the dead, God rests his soul" with her head bowed as if she was praying 

We were not big into religion back at NATINGS, so it was pretty funny to watch her behave overly religiously. The simple act caused laughter to ripple around the tent.

"This is not the first time we have gone to bed hungry and it will not be the last. Most times even after the meager portions of what they call food, we still end up hungry" she had a stern expression on her face as she said it and cut her gaze around the tent to make sure we got what she was saying.

" For those that have anything stored up, if you can afford to share it with others, do so, especially to the older and younger ones". She nodded her head alongside her words to let people know she is serious.

Immediately she said it, people started bringing out finds from different parts of their body and clothes where was hidden, in that few minutes, a lot of food was gathered and brought before Theresa.

It still amazes me how much love they have for each other despite the evil they keep experiencing.

They could have all hidden their food and said they do not have it, no one will force them to bring it out but they brought it out so it could be shared and we all could eat together.

We all formed a crooked line due to how tight it was in the tent and stood before Theresa so she could apportion the food to every one of us. It does not matter the ratio we get, immediately we are served, we take the food to a corner and eat in silence.  Once we were done eating, wat. er was passed around for everyone to drink.