CLOSER

The Priest Okafor, preached about the peace that comes from trusting God. He began his sermon by admonishing every one that there is a great peace that comes upon anyone who trusts and serves God. The entire message was basically centered about having absolute trust in God.

He pointed out that God is not just a supreme being who rules over us from heaven with wisdom but an entity of endless Love. He asked the parents in the congregation if they would hate their children after they commit an offence against them.

Michael found himself unconsciously glancing towards Stephanie at that very time. He realized that he would love his daughter regardless of any misbehavior she displayed or whatever evil act she may commit. He admitted to himself that he could never stop loving his girl.

The priest told the parents that if they would not stop loving their children, how much more their father in heaven. Michael pondered a little while about his life all through the message. Though he was not born poor, but he had worked himself up to the point of being the wealthiest in his family. Aside the tragedy of Laura's death, his family has relatively known peace. Did God love him to spare him further pain? He thought of the love Priest Okafor spoke about. He questioned if truly the Reckless Love of God exists.

After the sermon, the Priest called the families out for thanksgiving including the Oladokun's. They all danced out and were prayed upon. Michael realized he missed coming to church as there was a certain upliftment of his mind after the service.

When the service ended and they all came out together, Deji asked Michael a question at the entrance of the church where they converged.

"Are we going home or heading to the Africana's to eat?"

" I want Africana!!!" Stephanie shrieked.

"I think I want Africana too" Mrs Bose supported. Jenny shrugged as she had no input to make. She could eat anywhere, she was not choosy.

Nina also supported the idea. As they debated, a young man who obviously attended the service walked towards Jenny and all eyes was on him.

"Good morning o" He greeted her smiling.

"Good morning. Can I help you?" Jenny said in a polite manner and everyone's eyes scowled at him.

"You don't remember me? I'm one of the caterer that stirred the food you made yesterday."

"Oh thank you for the great service yesterday. I really appreciate. But, is something wrong? I mean, did you miss anything at the party or is there something you need?"

"No! Nothing is wrong oh. I did not loose anything.I just say you're very a fine girl. All through yesterday, I was just looking at you. At night, I was just thinking about you. As I see you in church, I say let me come and collect your number". The young man narrated.

"What the fuck?"came out of Michael's mouth loudly in the presence of other congregants who were in front of the church. He didn't realize he was still in church and suddenly he didn't care anymore. The young man's nerve irritated him.

Deji tried to calm him down but he was not listening. So Deji took over the situation.

"Young man, what's your name?" Deji asked.

"My name is Samson."

"What do you want with Jenny here?"

"Oga, I just like her when I see her yesterday and I think say, this girl, you are so sweet."

"So what do you do with the sweetness?" Deji asked

"Oga....." the young man laughed, obviously getting shy. The ladies chuckled amongst themselves and looked at him while Michael's resentment kept brewing.

"What do you do Mr Samson?" Deji asked as though he was an interviewer. He was certainly finding the situation funny as well.

"I am among the guys that stirred the food she cooked yesterday at the party"

"So you're are not even the one who cooks the food. You are just a serving steward to stir the food. Why are you coming to ask for her number?" Deji asked, suddenly becoming serious.

"Oga you are a guy like me. Even if she is your sister, I want to ask her out na"

"This is absolute nonsense! Jenny get in the car. I don't want to murder somebody in church today Sunday.What nerve?" Michael called out.

Jenny chuckled as she walked up to Stephanie to hold her hands.

"Mummy I think he likes you" Stephanie said aloud to everyone's hearing.

"She done born? Na she born the girl when do birthday yesterday? I nor know o" Samson lamented to Deji.

"Of course she done born" Michael shouted as he walked to the car.

Everyone entering into the car laughed uncontrollably at Michael's language. Michael drove his latest Range Rover, sitting in the front with Deji besides him. Jenny, Stephanie, Mrs Bose and Nina sat at the back.

Deji teased Jenny further as Michael reversed the car to leave the church premises with their security team in the hilux behind them.

"Miss J your food is bringing men to look for you oh. He said you are so sweet. I think I need to do a competition or maybe I should hold auditions for Husbands for you?" Everyone laughed except Michael.

"Are you mad?" Michael asked hi. and Mrs Bose busted into more laughter. Jenny couldn't hold back her giggling and neither did Stephanie or Nina who were still cracking up.

"Bro what did I say just now, that is wrong. It's just organizing a simple contest or even an interview to sort out the best man for Jenny here. You see Jenny, I know you're a great cook and a sweet person" The emphasis he made on "sweet" made the ladies laugh the more.

"Deji it's very obvious you will join the security and a drive along with us" Michael said as he was the only one not finding the situation funny and the ladies cackled the more.

When they go to the African restaurant, Deji asked everyone to make an order of what they wanted to eat.

"What do you want to eat Jenny?" Michael asked her. She couldn't choose so Michael ordered for her. They made a choice of banga rice and grilled tilapia fish with assorted meat.

Stephanie chose to eat peppered turkey and spiced fried yams. Mrs Bose wanted her regular pepper soup but decided to go for peppered Snail and Spiced fried Potatoes. Michael watched Deji and his girlfriend order fish and bowls of banga rice as well. The both of them paired with each other while Stephanie sat close to Mrs Bose.

While everyone chatted as their food was brought to their table, Abdul and his parents walked into the fast food. Stephanie glimpsed at Abdul and smiled a lot. She immediately waved at him.

"Daddy can I go and sit at their table?" she asked.

Michael almost rejected the offer with a blatant "No" but Jenny's hands were in this thighs, rubbing him so tenderly.

"I think I would go with her" Mrs Bose said, offering some sort of assurance to her son who was furious.

"At least let me get to see the people that came to the party and appreciate them as well" She added. Stephanie was motioned by Jenny to come close to her.

"Honey, make sure you appreciate his parents for the gift and thank them for coming to the party as well".

Stephanie nodded

"Yes Mummy, I'll do that" She carried her tray of Food alongside Mrs Bose and they went towards Abdul and his parent's.

"That boy likes my daughter and I don't like that. Boys that age are lions, dangerous, erection crazy, cutout to reap innocent girls like my princess." Michael scowled glaring at Abdul's direction.

"I wish to go there and threaten his parents. Let them keep their horny teenager on a leash" He grunted.

"If you go hard at her, in this manner, you would end up raising a rebellious young girl. She will feel you want to control her life. Don't worry, I will talk to her about Abdul's advances. I will fix it" Jenny assured him.

"I like that. Please fix it. Do you still want to travel this week?" Michael asked.

"That will be the second time you're asking me this same question. Most certainly, I will travel on Tuesday. I want to see my people and let them know that I love them."

"Of course you love them. They should know that. Love literally flows through your veins. Its your nature" Michael complimented.

Deji and and Nina excused themselves and Michael wondered why and where they were going to but he did not call them back. He liked the privacy and intimacy with Jenny. She seemed smitten by him.

"The truth is a lot of things happened back at home before I left. Nonetheless, I want to go back and let them know that I'm fine." Michael could see that she had a story but did not want to share it.

"It's okay. Your request is granted and fully supported. So, do you want me to take you down there?" He asked smiling.

"No!! that is so far. I will go with a public transportation. Even when Sir Deji offered to drive me, I had to tell him not to bother. The journey is rigorous and transport vehicles are better suited for the drive."

"So Deji offered to drive you and you did not tell me? What does he want this time? Does he want to show you his hairy ass again?"

"What did you say?" Deji asked, suddenly behind Michael. He had obviously returned with Nina

"Miss Jenny, Please be honest, have i ever shown you my ass?" Jenny was so embarrassed. Nina on the other hand was stunned. She looked from Deji to Jenny before sitting down opposite Jenny to gaze at her.

"Please save your self the morality speech asshole. Jenny saw you banging Nina against the floor bed. Don't be foolish with your guilt tripping questions. And i must tell you, you always have bad timing." Michael stated as he rolled his eyes.

"Oh my God!" Nina exclaimed as she started laughing. Jenny was so ashamed that she covered her face with both hands. "You're just embarrassing me, sir Michael" she said. Nina was still laughing at the discussion and teased her boyfriend.

"Thank God I was the one inside. Jenny Hope you didn't see me?" She asked Jenny who nodded in the negative.

"Well you were quite covered in the garden. It was this very light-skinned man who displayed his hairy ass and banging skills for the world to see" Michael said.

"Oh my God, I can't believe my eyes. Jenny, you never told me and I thought we are close" Deji said to her.

"What would make her bring it up in a conversation? Deji is something wrong with your head?" Michael asked and Nina supported him by nodding. The chatting and eating continued for so long.

Later, the family went to see a movie before retiring home for the night. By the time the movie was over, they arrived home quite late, at about 10 pm.

Deji went to drop Nina at home with his car and Stephanie quickly ran upstairs and Jenny wondered why.

Giving her a few minutes she went after her. Stephanie was holed up in the bathroom after she entered the room.

"Honey what is wrong?" Jenny asked

"I accepted a love note from Abdul at the fast food." Stephanie replied from inside the bathroom.

"Where is the note?" Jenny asked.

"It's in my purse" she answered. Jenny reached for the purse and opened it. She saw the piece of paper addressed to Stephanie and it reads:

"Dearest Stephanie can you be my darling forever? You look so beautiful and I want to make you so happy. Please allow me to be your boyfriend. Love Abdul"

"Okay I've read the message honey. There's nothing inside to make you go to the toilet and hide yourself." Jenny said.

"After reading the message, my stomach started to hurt"

"Maybe it's because of the candies you ate yesterday."

Stephanie came out of the toilet, standing in front of the door, wrapped in her towel. She looked sad.

"And there is so much blood from my vagina." She added.

"Oh my baby, your period has started!" Jenny exclaimed. She quickly dashed out of the room into her room to bring out the pack of pads she regularly purchase every month.

She returned into the room and went straight to Stephanie's drawer, picked a pant and fixed the pad for her. She also showed her how it's achieved, so the subsequent ones can be done on her own.

Urging her to rest, Jenny quickly ran to the kitchen to fix a cup of chamomile tea which she said is soothing and brought some pain medications for Stephanie.

Mrs Bose and Michael saw her hurrying up the stairs while they were watching TV.

"Is everything okay with Stephanie?" Mrs Bose asked him.

"I don't know Mum"

"Let's go find out" She said.

The both of them came upstairs to see Jenny assisting Stephanie sit up on the bed and sip the tea.

"What is wrong Jenny" Michael asked.

"It's nothing alarming" Jenny replied.

"My stomach hurts and I just started my menstrual flow" Stephanie stated looking down and shy.

"Don't be ashamed about it. It's simply means you're becoming a woman." Mrs Bose admonished her as she sat on the bed with her.

"When did this flow start?" Michael asked as he believed this may be the reason for her attachment to the Abdul character. However, Jenny glared at him. "Show support" Jenny mouthed to him.

"Hey honey! This is a good development. Should I get you a gift? I was told we get...."

"Yes son, you are right. Do you know as a growing up girl, when your period starts, we will cook your favourite meals and get you the best gift you want. I think we should do that for Stephanie. So what meal do you want your mummy to cook for you.?" Mrs Bose asked.

"I don't want anything.I just wish she wouldn't travel. I need you here."

"Oh don't be such a baby Stephanie. You and I know that Jenny will be back before anyone knows it" Mrs Bose said

"It's true honey. I'll be back soon. " Jenny affirmed.

"Do you promise?" Stephanie asked.

"I promise."

That night, Michael wanted to spend some alone time with jenny but he didn't know how to go about it. Jenny practically slept in Stephanie's room. He wanted to kiss her again. He wanted to hug her. But his daughter's unannounced flow ruined his desires.

On Monday, Jenny went to the market to buy everything she would need to stock the house kitchen. She made so many meals and labelled them in the freezer.

Michael kept calling her from the office just because he just wanted to hear her voice. He pretended to find out about Stephanie's condition. Jenny assured him that she was fine and the pain had subsided.

By the time he arrived home by 5pm, the house smelled really nice. Mrs Bose informed him that she had spoken to Regina who promised a new cook will come on Tuesday morning as Jenny was scheduled to travel on Tuesday morning.

That Monday evening during dinner, Mrs Bose told Jenny that she will meet with the new cook the next morning before she would leave for the village.

Jenny promised to make proper introductions and let the new cook know all the things she had cooked in the fridge and freezer.

"I wish I could bring your family to Abuja" Deji said

"Really? like you don't want to see her to see her family" Michael asked.

"No. Not really. That's not what I meant bro. I'm going to miss you Jenny." Deji said.

"Please don't say you're missing her. She's not Nina." Michael declared.

"And I never said she was bro. Stop attacking me na" Deji protested and Michael pouted.

"Promise me you'll be back by Friday" Stephanie let out sadly.

"Friday?" Mrs Bose asked looking surprised.

"I thought I told you to stay at least one week." She asked Jenny.

" I promised Stephanie that I will be back on Friday" Jenny told her.

"That is too short to spend with family"Mrs Bose objected.

" I know but I'll be fine ma'am and I don't want to leave my baby girl for so long" Jenny said.

Stephanie smiled and everyone teased her for being a baby to Jenny.

Michael stayed in his room that night thinking of being with Jenny all night. He wanted to go to her room but wondered what everyone will say.

He kept tossing on his bed with intense feelings swelling up inside of him. By morning, when he woke up, he heard a hoarse, husky voice and he opened his door.

So did Stephanie, Mrs Bose and Deji. They all came out at the same time.

"Who has that deep voice" Deji asked.

Jenny had come downstairs to make breakfast in the morning and heard a knock on the door. when she opened the door, she met a plump, dark looking woman who did not smell so good.

"Good morning o,my name na Abiola Patience and na me be the new cook." The young woman said.

"Good morning. My name is Jenny. Please come in. I have already made the food in the fridge and the freezer. I will show you what it takes for the family to have breakfast."

"Them dey show person breakfast again. Breakfast nor be bread and Akara or bread and tea?" Patience argued.

"Sorry we do not do that here. Everyone has specifications. You just have to learn them and make it for them" Jenny replied.

"I fit nor sabi that one but I sabi cook beans well well. "

"Please excuse me ma, have you taken your bath this morning?" Jenny asked.

" I dey smell for your nose?" Patience asked.

"Not really but your smell is not good. Maybe you can come with me upstairs to get properly cleaned up. Did you come with luggage?"

"I nor know wetin be that?"

"I meant did you come with clothes or toiletries?" Jenny explained.

"I get two shirt for this cellophane" She showed Jenny the Nylon bag she held.

"Don't worry more will be provided for your stay."

"I hear say downstairs room dey for me" Patience asked. Before Jenny could reply, she heard footsteps.

"Who is this? Mrs Bose asked as she stepped down with the squad of three behind her.

"Good morning ma. This is the new cook. Her name is Patience Abiola.

"I be yoruba with Una. I sabi speak the language. Nor be all this oyibo when this one they speak." Patience said pointing to Jenny.

"Ekaro ma" She greeted as a proper Yoruba person.

"Oh my God! Regina must be a fucking bitch. Who the fuck is this?"

"Michael language!" Jenny screamed.

"Mummy this is not a language issue. This one smells horrible and she reminds me of the cook that gives me burnt food" Stephanie protested.

"Oh my baby" Jenny sympathized as Patience rolled her eyes at Stephanie's outburst.

"Good morning Patience" Deji greeted her slowly.

"Good morning fresh bros. Better person". She replied "We are doomed Jenny. She stinks." Deji said.

"Has she had a bath this morning?" Mrs Bose asked.

"I never baff sha. I just dey come from my sister place where I go shade my akamu make them help me sell" Patience answered.

"No wonder!! " Everyone chorused.

Jenny quickly took Patience upstairs for a bath. She gave her one of her new simple designer gown which is for plus size persons, some toiletries to have a bath with and some new shirts.

"Ah this dress is fine oh. You dash me?"

" It's yours and the two other tops, skirts, body spray and perfume. Just put them in this bag and I'll take you downstairs"

"You be kind woman o.You come still fine. Why you come dey do cook for these people?"

"Please let's go downstairs" Jenny ignored her question.

On getting downstairs she could find all of them in arguments. She knew what they were debating about, including Stephanie who also seem to have an objection.

Taking Patience into the kitchen, Jenny showed her around.

"You don't need to go to the market. Like I have said. I have already made their main meals and light meals." Jenny opened the fridge and freezer to show her labelled food cans.

"Oh boy dis people na party dem dey do every day o?"

"Excuse me?" Jenny said.

"See as food plenty full here. Na fat get me be that for this house" Patience exclaimed.

"Please focus, this is how the family eats breakfast. Today it will be toasted bread, scrambled eggs, waffles and honey pancakes for Stephanie. We will also have oats on the side and lots of fruits.

"Which kind plenty cooking be that? You wan kill person?. For only those three people? That one nor be waste?"

"Excuse me? I said you present them with options." Jenny corrected.

"I nor sabi cook all this oyibo things when you call so. Them go chop fried egg, bread and tea till you go come" Patience stubbornly said.

"Can you hear what she's saying in the kitchen ?" Stephanie said.

"I cant eat any thing this girl cooks." Deji added.

"Daddy we can send her away. I know how to make breakfast and Mummy already cooked what we are to eat for lunch and dinner" Stephanie inputed.

Jenny prepared the breakfast with the eggs scrambled, toasted bread, stir fried hot dogs, pancakes with blueberries, waffles and creamy oats. She also made different teas.

Black offee for Michael and Deji, Chocolate tea for Stephanie and Lipton tea for Mrs Bose. Writing them down , she showed it to Patience. Telling her what each family likes.

"This breakfast na big breakfast be this o". Patience said as she watched Jenny place the food on the table.

"Una dey chop sha" She added.

"What the fuck is she saying?" Michael exclaimed.

"Please clean language". Jenny protested.

"I can't believe that I am paying Regina 50 grand a day for this thing. Could she not get us a secondary school graduate or someone who understands English." He added.

"I would speak to her as soon as possible. Just calm down Michael and let's have breakfast with Jenny." Mrs Bose said.

Jenny went into the kitchen to bring the fruit salad while Mrs Bose asked her to sit with the family for breakfast. Jenny did not want Patience to feel bad so she declined the offer but everyone insisted. They did not want Patience at their breakfast table.

"This is horrible. I think I should handle the kitchen" Stephanie insisted.

"She can go daddy. I would simply just be warming our food."

" Don't worry baby. she would do well. Just give her a chance as you gave to me." Jenny pleaded for Patience who was eating in the kitchen. Suddenly, she came out of the kitchen.

"I sabi cook beans and akamu o not just look down on me, you small girl" Patience said to Stephanie. Everyone was shocked

"Could you please stop talking for a second" Jenny said. She pleaded on Patience behalf and told them she would be back soon. Michael could not eat much, as he realized that Jenny was leaving soon.

When she was set to leave, Jenny wore a Jean trousers with a blue T-shirt. Michael thought she looked too sexy.

Stephanie hugged her "I will miss you. Please promise me, you will come back on Friday Mummy" She asked yet again.

"I promise you that you would see me on Friday" Jenny affirmed.

"You don't have to hurry back for Stephanie's sake. Please, Jenny take your time with your family alright. I'll see you in a week's time." Mrs Bose said.

Deji grabbed her and hugged her while Michael looked away. It hurts to see him hold her that close.

"I will see you soon" he said and she nodded, pulling away to Mrs Bose.

"Thank you so much ma'am for this Love. For everything you have done for me. I'm grateful." Jenny said to Mrs Bose who hugged her so tight and Patience wondered why.

Everyone watched Michael thinking he would hug her but instead he held out his hand for her to hold.

"Come show me which of my car you would like to use." He said arrogantly.

Jenny walked out with him and no one else followed. Instead of taking her to the car park, he dragged her into the secluded flower bed and seeing no one there, he held her face closely and kissed her.

He was a bit rough, consumed with so much emotions. He held her so close and passionately poured his heart into the kiss. Jenny had learnt better since the first kiss and her mouth was more receptive. He let his lips feel the fullness of her mouth. His tongue explored everywhere. His manhood came alive, threatening to rip open his trouser. Breaking away for air, he gazed deeply into her eyes.

"I wanted to spend last night with you. I wanted to hold her you so close."

She smiled as he spoke with so much intensity. Like he had ran a marathon.

"Jenny promise me, I will see you soon"

"I promise I'll be back on Friday."

He didn't want to let her go but he had no choice.

When they came out of the garden, she chose the Hilux and Michael told the driver to get it ready.

Stepping into the hilux with her was the security man in the front with the driver and Jenny began her journey back home. A place she had not seen for four months.

They rest of the family came outside to bid her goodbye and she waved back as the driver drove off.