Speechless

"Good morning Travis" She returned standing before him with her head tilted in the left direction, as if to say "how may I help you"

"Hi... "He managed to say. He hadn't noticed her gesture. He had been busy. His eyes settled on her pair of shoes. He noticed she had got a matching nail polish for it. Her pair of jean clung nicely to her thighs and waist. Her knee-length jacket sat well on her shoulders over turtle neck cotton blouse. He couldn't help but notice that as well.

His eyes feasted voraciously on her skin as well. She seemed a little lighter in complexion and alot fluffier. Her skin glow is something he could not explain. He couldn't help it. He knew it was rude to stare but that is all he could do. She cleared her throat.

"I was of the opinion you had something to say Travis" she began as she observed her wristwatch. Uncle Travis heaved heavily.

"I am sorry I stared at you like that. I was wondering... Ahem! I .. I .." he couldn't believe he had lost track. He had run out of words.

"Uncle Travis!" Ramses ran out through the door and stretched out his hand. The two men shook hand.

"What a nice surprise! I am glad to have you over. Come on in. Momsi is on her way out. She might be running late for work soon"

"Oh" uncle Travis nodded. "I am sorry I am here to see your son" he lied.

She said nothing but stepped aside for him to enter into the house. As she descended, the sound of her footsteps became fainter. He listened and heard a taxi pull to the curb for her. He could hear a voice in his mind persuading him to something to her, for the last time. He heard the door of the taxi get shut and she was gone. Gone out of reach. He had come to see her but alas, it was not an achievable feat.

Of course she was on her way to work. Is there anywhere she goes to that she doesn't look so beautiful? Wow! Is that what she had looked like now ? She seemed to be getting along better without him. His heart sank as he thought of it. He knew she might have a valid explanation but his anger had blinded him too much to see that.

"Come in and take a seat. I will be back" Ramses said. He heaved a sigh of relief.

"Thank you Ramses" he replied as he managed a smile.

Ramses had just saved him from embarrassing himself. He couldn't believe it. It was only a month and look what was happening to him, already. Could it be the guilt he felt that made him behave the way he did?

There is something about Sheila that always made him weak in the knees but this time he was completely disarmed. Women grow older and look older but she seemed to be aging backwards. How was he going to deal with her descision if she moves on? He would not to see her with someone else. She is everything. Smart, beautiful, strong, brave, focused, independent.

What else is there to ask for on a woman? In recent times he didn't know if she wanted anything to do with him anymore. She has been through a series of painful experiences. She sure had painful memories. Maybe that is 'the straw that has broken the back of the camel'. Maybe that is the extent to which she could take. What do I do now? In reality I hardly think I can do without this woman.

A few moments later, Minka and Nkom appeared in the parlor. They greeted him with a smile as they set before him a cup of hot pap and moin moon (Nigerian steamed bean pudding). He inhaled the aroma. How her relished it. He enjoyed eating her meals. She cooked meticulously. He admired it. He knew she had been the one who made it.

Ramses came back with a jug of water and a tumbler. All of which were in a tray which he set before uncle Travis.

"How are you feeling this morning?"

Uncle Travis asked, willing to play along. There was no way he would be telling the young man that he was there for his mother, not with the affinity between them. After all the young man had become part of his family. Ogar had become so fond of him. It felt as though he had an elder brother where he didn't.

"I am very well thank you. How about you?"

"Oh I am doing great, thanks for asking"

"What about Ogar? Why is he not here?" Ramses asked perplexed. He knew that Ogar and Minka had a thing for each other and he knew Ogar would have been glad to see her, as would she.

"Well ehn you see we will be going out later in the day so I thought it wise that he stays back to prepare"

"Oh! Okay" Ramses responded. Uncle Travis turned towards the curtain that demarcates the parlour from the rest of the house.

In amazement he stared as he saw a figure which happened to be Minka. She had been listening to the conversation between he and Ramses. She seemed to be as interested in Ogar as Ogar was interested in her. No one would ever ruin that. They were friends at the moment no doubt. He knew Sheila will never let her daughter start dating at such a tender age.

Although that was what every teenager was doing. Her standards were too high for such to occur. Maybe if they didn't come back together it would be an ultimate sacrifice for the two young ones. Maybe it will help them make better choices and give them a chance at a relationship in the nearest future.

That wasn't a price too high to pay. Ogar was all he had got. Minka was like a daughter to him. Having them both would be a great blessing. That way, he would always have Sheila close to him. She would relish the idea. He already knew she would. Maybe he could begin a conversation between them with that.

He had to settle a score with her before that. He swallowed the last spoon of pap. He drank water and belched loudly. He was grateful that noone was around the corner. He smiled to himself as he relaxed, resting his back against the chair.

He had to bury the hatchet with Sheila. Visiting her home and spending time with her children was a good way to start.