Chapter two

"It was a bright day when I opened my eyes to this world, my mama used to say" Simeon began his story as he looked down at the carpeted floor "she always reminded me of the relief she felt immediately I burst into the world. The relief being that the pain began to subside, but she also constantly reminded me that due to my being overweight, 5kg in her dictionary was a child being overweight, I ended up destroying the correct balance of her feet and brought about a constant waist pain for her. She would always join the people that visited her during the three months she stayed at home for recovery to praise God that I was born as I was the first male child she had. According the culture of my hometown, the birth of a male child was a big testimony as it was agreed among them that the conceiving of a male child was a blessing and was a rare find. It was tradition to them that any woman who had succeeded in birthing a male child has established her womanhood and was done with her work of childbirth as the male child, who was to be the heir of the family and carry on the name of the family, had been born. So to her and many others who had my family in mind, it was a thing of joy."  He swallowed, took a deep breath and let it out slowly, emotions of pain running through his face like marathon runners

"My family was a pack of staunch disciplinants. We were so committed to the welfare of the society that we were so respected. It was like after the sheriff, not counting his kids, we were the next highly respected family. Our words were taken in high esteem, both by those wishing us greatness and those working against us."

"Growing up was what my current self defines as hazardous living. My parents were so different that I could always picture Pharaoh and Moses whenever I saw them. My Sunday class teacher back then told us that Pharaoh was a man of force and Moses was the man who took it upon himself to save Israel from Pharaoh's hands. I have always tried to find out from my parents how they met but I only got scratches of the story from my sister. Apparently, they met when a certain friend of my mother, a Mr. Peters, visited with my father on a certain occasion, in which Mr. Peters, who wanted to marry my mother back then, came with my father to introduce him to his would-be bride, but along the line the tables seemed to have turned. After meeting my father, my mother now decided that it was my father she was interested in. Many people protested but my mother turned a deaf ear to their pleas as the Mr. Peters in question was a well-to-do young man who was preparing to leave the country soon. However, my mother said no though at that time, my father had nothing much he could boast of as his own. He was just okay in the terms of finances and had a place of his own, tastily furnished, my dad even at his old age has always been a man of exquisite taste in dressing, choice of furniture, cars etc. I got that from him though." Simeon chuckled to himself still having that faraway look in his eyes.

"I really appreciate that you have chosen to come to me. I know you have a dozen excuses to give if you had not come" Mr. Jones, the therapist said, beaming at Simeon approvingly. Others sitting before Simeon also nodded their heads in approval and pity.

"It is a nine-year secret but I believe it's time for it to come out before I die of heartache and pain" Simeon said, clutching his heart.

"You did the right thing. Keep going. Let it all out" Mr. Jones encouraged him "Make yourself experience freedom by releasing those fears"

Simeon took a deep breath as if trying to extinguish the pain with it before he continued.