Chapter 70

Ah! Why is Dave's phone number not connecting? This is the third time I'm dialing his number, but it still doesn't connect. This is serious! I have to do something quickly. This is unlike him. Anytime we went out together, he always calls to say one funny thing or the other. But since when he called to check if I got home safely from where we hung out yesterday, I've been expecting his calls, but he never called. What could be the problem?"

I continued to mumble to myself as I woke up on my bed. It's like all my bones are broken. Even raising my hand was a great task for me. I got up from the bed and then staggered to the bathroom to freshen up.

Since it was Sunday morning, I went inside the kitchen to tidy the kitchen and prepare tea and bread for breakfast for the family before going to church. Since Madam Ruth has made it compulsory that she'll make the house inconducive for anyone who didn't attend the Sunday Service, every Sunday morning we all would prepare fast and be waiting for Madam Ruth and uncle Jimmy. We finished taking breakfast and everyone dressed up for the service. Uncle Jimmy insisted that he won't drive the car and instead let another person drive it. He said that he also wants to seat in the back seat and as we always do. At first, we thought he was making jests of us, but uncle unlocked the car, dropped the key on the bonnet then went inside the car and sat in the back seat just as he said.

My brothers and I got confused. No one knew whether he was having an issue with Madam Ruth. We continued gazing at each other. The look on Madam Ruth's face doesn't show that she was as confused as we are.

Since it was turning into a real threat, We went and be begging Uncle Jimmy to drive us to the church, but he stood his ground that he expect all of us to know how to drive a car before then. The wife didn't even talk to him. Instead, she comfortably took the key from the bonnet and started the engine. The Boys and their Dad were in the backseat, then I joined Madam Ruth in the front seat.

"I hope you all can hear me!" Uncle Jimmy continued

"I won't always be your driver while having grown-ups in the house. From today, anywhere we may be going as a family, have it in mind that I won't drive. Instead, I go with my wife in a separate car, then you people can either take the other car or trek. You people never employed me as a driver and I won't drive you, people, again" He concluded.

"Yes sir" Derrick replied jokingly with such an amusing voice.

"Derrick, I'm not talking to you. You're too young to drive, I'm taking you to Jeff and Jessy."

As Uncle Jimmy mentioned my name and that of Jeff, I looked back just to see that Jeff's eyes were also fixed on me.

"Though you would also learn to drive, I don't expect you to drive now since your age proves otherwise" He replied to Derrick" uncle Jimmy replied to his son.

"I've heard you Daddy" Jeff replied angrily

"But Daddy!" he continued

"I can remember when I told you that I wanted to learn how to drive, but you didn't agree, why now?"

" Then you were too young, and I knew it was just to scatter my car. Then you had no solid reason to learn how to drive, you only wanted to drive so that you'll be using it to show off. Now you're of age, and you know what's right and wrong. Now I want you to learn how to drive. And you too, Jessy, you're not exempted. I will register you too in a driving school"

" Yes, Daddy. Thank you, sir" I replied, and we continued the journey.

Just like a flash, I remembered about Dave and how his number couldn't connect then. Since the whole family was together in the car, calling him again wasn't a good move. I sent him a text message asking him whether all was well. Within a twinkle of an eye, he replied to the text that he was ok. That was a relief to me since I'd been worried. Just in some second, he texted me back again asking whether we could see within the day. Because of what already happened before we left the house, I couldn't be certain about the response. I only replied to him that he should wait until after the church service. Then I could know my next step.

After the service, Madam Ruth drove us back to the house. On our way home, everywhere was hushed. Madam Ruth refused to turn on the car radio. Everyone was with his or her handset doing one thing or the other except "our driver"