Chapter 12

The reunion was an emotional and joyful one for both of them.

Avery could feel a deep connection to this uncle of her's. 

"How have you been all these years, Avery? I hope your mom has been taking good care of you" Kenny said.

Avery smiled shyly and nodded in response. 

"So what school do you go to and what class are you in now?" 

Avery felt awkward answering the question. 

How could she tell him that her mother pulled her out of school because there wasn't money anymore?

She fell silent. 

Uncle Kenny assured her "You can tell me anything, Avery" 

Avery stared at him deeply and was thinking if she could trust him. 

"I promise you Avery, you don't have to be scared about anything when you're with me" He tried to cajole her.

Avery decided that if her late father could trust this man to be her custodian then she could also trust him. 

"Can I really tell you anything?" She asked softly. 

"Yes Avery and I promise that anything you tell me will stay between us if that's your wish" 

Kenny saw Avery gaze around as if afraid someone would eavesdrop on their conversation. 

"We can go to my study, Avery. No one can listen in on our conversation there" Kenny offered. 

Avery nodded and followed him to his study room. 

Inside the study, Kenny gently urged her again "Avery, your dad, may his soul rest in peace, made me promise to look out for you. The two reasons that make it seem, I wasn't there for you was my ever busy work schedule and also your mother" 

"Did my mother stop you from coming to visit me?" Avery asked sharply. 

"I don't know how to explain it to you. It's quite complicated" Kenny replied. 

"It's actually my mom who pulled me out of school when dad died. She said there was no more money" 

Kenny stared at her very surprised. He couldn't believe his ears! 

"Really Avery? Your mother claimed there was no more money and pulled you out of school?" Kenny asked still not believing what he just heard. 

"Yes sir. You can ask her if you don't believe me but she would be furious that I told you about one of our family secrets" 

"Are there any more 'family secrets' you'll like to tell me about?" 

Avery chuckled "More than enough" 

"So all this time, you've not been going to school, what have you been doing?" 

At this point, Avery's eyes welled up with unshed tears, "Mom has never really cared about me. I couldn't just remain at home doing nothing when she pulled me out of school; I started going to the library. I spent most of my time there until Mrs Emma, the librarian kindly offered to teach me for free but mother only permitted it if the lessons were held at Mrs Emma's house instead" 

Kenny couldn't genuinely understand Karen. How could a mother deprive her only child of basic education?? 

And why did she sprout lies claiming there was no money? Didn't Samson leave her a company to manage that would be used to cater for Avery's needs and if indeed there was no money any longer, couldn't she have come to him? 

Something fishy was definitely going on and he would just have to find out what it was but he didn't forget to make a mental note to reward the kind Mrs Emma for her selfless deeds. 

"Avery" Kenny sighed "We as humans, all have our shortcomings. Your mother may have her shortcomings but I believe she loves you" 

Avery became enraged "I would rather be an orphan without parents at all than have her as my mother!"

"Avery!" Kenny was stunned by her reaction. "What are you not telling me?" 

"Uncle Kenny, are you aware that my mother got remarried to someone by the name of Fred Jones, a year after my dad died?" She asked. 

"Yes I'm aware. What about that?" 

"Uncle, both Fred and my own mother are responsible for my father's death!" 

"Hush, that's a very serious allegation you are making, Avery. You don't just say things like that without proof!" Kenny whispered harshly. 

"But I overheard them when they were talking; they didn't even know I was there!" 

"Okay, let's calm down and take a deep breath. What were they saying when you overheard them?" Kenny curiously asked. 

"Fred told mom that dad ruined his life. He said he didn't regret killing my dad and he would do so again if given another chance!" 

"WHAT!!!??? 

"It's true uncle! It was Fred who staged the hit and run accident that killed my dad!" 

"Then what did your mother say in reply?" 

"Mom told him to keep his voice down so no one would hear him else all they've worked for will go to waste" 

"Avery, you're not making things up right?" Kenny was still trying to believe what he just heard. 

"Uncle, I'm not making things up. I came across solid proof that will surely send both of them to jail" 

"Do you have the proof here or somewhere safe?" 

"I wrote down all their crimes, illegal deeds and transactions with dates in a notebook which I've kept in a safe place" 

Kenny's heart was filled with overwhelming sadness at the thought of what this poor child must have been passing through. 

"Avery, you are a brave girl but you've been playing with fire and my dear, fire burns and melts everything in it's path" Kenny said "What you did was very dangerous and that notebook of yours will not be permissible in court. It cannot be used as solid evidence. I would really like to know the extent of your mom's involvement" Kenny said. 

"My dad's illness was caused by both of them. Fred had given her a powdery substance to add to his food on a weekly basis which he guaranteed will make dad's health decline without any trace. Mom had been systematically feeding my dad poison till he got so sick that even his doctor couldn't detect the real cause" Avery replied. 

Kenny was unaware his mouth was opened down in unbelief.