Chapter 28

These holidays have just been for me the best holiday ever since my parents passed away. Jimmy's house has been a new home ever since I arrived here. Everyone trying to make me happy. Is it because Jimmy has no daughter? Or because of the bond, he shared with my parents? The response didn't just come as I want it. Even Jimmy's wife sees me as 'her own. The kids that were supposed to make a difference since we're of different gender turned out to be more friendly than I could ever imagine.

On a Sunday morning, Madam Ruth insists that we all should attend the church service. I never opposed her but my new crew, Jeff and Derrick didn't want to attend the service. I got confused about who to support. Though my uncle Jimmy is around, I just need to consider the expression on his face and follow his decision. I found Jimmy getting ready for the service. Then I convinced the boys so we all prepared for the service. It was just easy for me to convince the boys unlike what has been in their minds since their mum told them about the church service. Derrick couldn't just accept my proposal easily. He even confessed it to me ... Jessy, it's just because of you, I don't want to attend any service today.

Thank you darling let's just attend today's own... I responded to him just to make him happy. We then dressed up and went to church. Though Jimmy carried us in his car.

No one knew that this couple had something in mind for us. After the church service, Jimmy took us to the graveyard. He didn't respond to all our questions we got confused and kept questioning him why he brought us to the graveyard. He packed the car at the entrance gate while we trekked into the main graveyard. Stepping my foot into the graveyard, I developed goosebumps.

... Ah popsy!! Is this an excursion or still part of the Sunday service? Derrick couldn't continue being silent since no one asked more questions.

I know you'll talk. We came to greet your forefathers. I don't want to hear any word from you again. Madam Ruth responded rudely. Not just about what she said but the expression on her face. We all followed Jimmy to any corner he followed. We arrived at a place where two graves were designed with the same color of tiles. Something pushed me to read the name on the grave and I saw Barrister Louis Eze. Just the name struck me and I felt like sharp pain in my head. Just like a flash and I read the name on the other grave and it was that of my mum. The pain in my head was getting more severe. I had to close my eyes to see if it could ease the pain. I lost all my strength and was about to fall when someone grabbed me. For some seconds I couldn't account for what happened. I opened my eyes to see that the flowers I was having in my hands already fell before me. Uncle Jimmy played a trick on me. Once we alighted from the car, he gave me flowers without giving them to another person. Now I know the reason. He was still the one that grabbed me when I wanted to fall since he planned his moves.

.. Jessy, since the day your parents were buried, I know you never come by. I guess, Now is the right time for you to be here again...Jimmy said with a sorrowful voice.

Already I knew what he was saying beforehand but all the pains I felt the day they were murdered came back. I couldn't just control tear drops from rolling down my cheeks. I began to cry very loudly. I was just envisaging the whole incident that happened the day my parents were killed. Everything turned out to be new in my memory. I heard the voice of my dad again crying and begging Sam. " Sam so you're the one doing this to me and my family".

My feet couldn't carry me any longer. I sat on the bare ground mourning the death of my parents as if they just died then. Derrick tried stopping me but Madam Ruth who has already bent down beside me told him to let me mourn my parents. At a point, Jimmy held my hand and drew me up since I'd cried for some time. I cleaned my tears but still feel the urge to cry. I never knew Jeff could be that emotional. I looked at him to notice tear dropping from his eyes.

..... Jessy, drop the flowers for them so we may go home, they're gone but their memory lasts as long as we live. Jimmy said with a cracked voice

I struggled with myself to control the tears that were about to drop from my eyes again. It didn't stop tears from rolling down but I was in control of myself. I bent down and picked the flower. I threw one to My father's grave while I threw the other to that of my mother. Then I couldn't control myself. I was disturbed to revenge the death of my parents.

I turned to my father's grave..... Mummy!!!, Dad, I must revenge your death. Unless I die. But even if I die while revenging your death, there's nothing bad in it, but one thing is certain, I must revenge your death.....

I was still sobbing when Jeff held and dragged me away from that spot. He began to clean my tears with his bare hand. From there, we walked to where Jimmy packed his car. There was grave silence since almost everyone had tears in his or her eyes. I rested my head on Jeff's chest since he was closest to me.

Jimmy arrived at a supermarket. I and Jeff stayed in the car while Derrick and his parents went into the supermarket. They only shopped for groceries.

Dad, Is it only grocery that brought us this far, I'm hungry too!!

Derrick said to his dad as he loaded those groceries inside the trunk.

Why won't you be hungry? Come and eat me! The one at home is not for us but our neighbors. Will you get inside the car or I should leave you here? Jimmy replied Derrick with such anger in his voice.

Derrick quietly got inside the car. without uttering any other word. Jimmy drove us home. Our journey home was still quiet since Derrick got angry and couldn't talk to anyone.

Jeff pampered me just like a baby. As we got home, I wished to just enter my room and cry out my eyes but he insisted that I must eat before entering that room. He was supported by his parents and I couldn't oppose them. I and Jeff saint the dining room with the same cloth we wore to church while waiting for mummy, madam Ruth to serve us the meal. Others changed their cloth. Unlike Madam Ruth, she served the meal without requesting my assistance. As she brought the food, Jimmy himself filled the table with drinks and it was just like we were having a party.

.... This man self, Dad you could've told me that you already arranged something for us at home instead of talking to me the way you did at the supermarket. Derrick said to his father while putting on a smiley face

Derrick, with food, someone can easily enslave you... Madam Ruth said

So far I'll still be feeding well, I don't think that's slaver... He responded to his mother

Why won't I tell Derrick the event planner that I want to drink during a meal in my own house while he's my father? Derrick mind your word to avoid any problems. ...said Mr. Jimmy to his son.

Yes, daddy. Derrick replied and we continued with the meal.

Even before we finished the meal, I forgot anything like crying again. The jokes they cracked during the meal made the house warm and I didn't want to leave the dining room again. Derrick isn't just serious about his life. He jokes about everything. It got to a point where his mother hit him with her spoon and told him to provide another spoon for her. Without grudges, he did just as the mother directed. We finished the meal and everyone drank the wine he or she likes. I like what was happening. Only Jimmy takes alcoholic drinks in the family I and the remaining members of the family drank the nonalcoholic beverage