4.Kitchen

"Pass the salt, Miss Sally" requested Dorcas the cook.

"Alright, Coming right up" I answered with so much excitement as I rushed to get the salt from the cabinet.

It's been 4 days after my encounter with my parents. I bet they didn't know that the kitchen have always been my safe haven . The clanging of the enamels, the sound of the shiny golden spoon against the boiling pot and the aroma from the simmering food on the gas cooker brings so much calmness to my troubled mind. Severally, I have sneaked into the kitchen to help out or just sit at a corner and watch the Cook whip up something for dinner.

"How many spoons of salt?"

"Just watch me and learn, I don't want us visited by Saul's wife" she said with a smile.

That erupted a thunderous laughter from me.

Mama Dorcs as I fondly call her has been with us for over 10 years and she has always been my source of consolation whenever I have a fallout with my Mother. I have ran to her on several occasions and she has never failed to console me with her soothing words of either consolation,advice or reprimand. I grew closer to her than I did with my Mother.

I turned around and saw my Mother peep through the door, I guess she heard my laughter. I felt a hint of satisfaction, though I had no intention of drawing her attention but seeing her come to know what's amusing me ,kind of made me to laugh more.

I have not spoken to her since after the altercation and one would think that I'm meant to miss her but deep down, I feel no remorse for what happened. I guess I'm better off without her.

Staying closer to Mama Dorcs,opened my eyes to many things that have been going on in our mansion.

I noticed that Mama Dorcs does practically everything,from housekeeping,to cooking,laundry and sometimes gardening. I also got to find out that Mrs Martins just resigned .

It made me to wonder how my mother can have the heart to sit and allow only one person carry out all this chores without making a move to hire a replacement. I made up my mind to speak to my father about the situation but not when my mother is around.

"Food is ready,you can set the table"

"Okay"

I went ahead to arrange the cutleries in readiness for dinner,while Mama Dorcs went to call my Parents.

We said our prayers and in silence ate our meal.