CUSP

I was hoping that by the time I get home I would have felt better but I am still very angry, the conversation with Besa just put me in a bad space and unfortunately I am not able to control myself right now.

I park in Nancy’s usual spot and stay in the car for a few seconds deciding on what to tell them when they ask about the hair, O’Brien on the other hand has been calling me non stop but I don’t want to talk to him.

After gathering some courage I get out of the car and walk towards the house, both Nancy and Caleb are in the living room.

‘Hey good afternoon.’ She greets

‘Hai.’

I was hoping that they would both freak out and then I remember that even last time this happened, I got home with my gold hair only for it to return back to its colour and length when I entered the house.

‘How was school? Anything interesting happened?’ Caleb asks

‘Nothing had if you guys don’t mind I would like to be alone.’ I say walking away to my room before they can say anything.

I close the door lightly not wanting to draw attention, I have already shocked them as it is.

I am just about to start removing my clothes when there is a light knock at the door.

‘Come in.’

Nancy walks in and stands against the door after she has closed it.

‘You do know you won’t go about disrespecting your brother and I in our own house like that, yes?’

‘Yes.’ I respond after swallowing hard.

‘So what is going on?’

‘Huh?’

‘I know I haven’t sat you down and asked what exactly happened to you the past four months and I was hoping you would open up but here we are.’

I look at her not sure why she is saying all this, besides Caleb didn’t seem like he minds which I must say was a bit weird but then I thought we would just throw everything under the rug and forget about it.

‘So will you talk to me?’

I sigh heavily and go over to the bed, she comes and sits next to me.

‘I am still pregnant incase you are wondering and no I am not getting rid of the baby.’

She nods her head.

‘I left home because I didn’t feel safe, not me or my child and the fact that Caleb found out about my pregnancy and tried to kill my baby is what freaked me out.’

‘I understand but you shouldn’t have run off like that, at least you should have been in touch with me. Just letting me know that you are okay unlike how you behaved.’

I don’t know what to say to her and it’s only then I notice that her eyes are glistering with tears.

‘Do you even realise that you are the only family I have? You and your brother?’ She asks wiping away a stray tear

‘Nancy.’

She shakes her head, holding my hand.

‘You are like a little sister to me Wane, I know we haven’t been the best of friends but I wish you could see me past your brother’s wife and just find a friend to confide in. I was hurt that you run off like that no matter how bad things were with you and Caleb at least you should have gotten in touch.’

I want to tell her that to me I was gone for a few days but how do I even start explaining that to her right now as if she can understand it.

‘I am sorry for treating you the way I did, I promise to do better next time.’ I respond instead

‘That is better.’

‘Won’t you tell me who the father of the child is?’ She adds with a question

I shake my head

‘Not now, I plan on raising this child alone.’

‘Wane some how you have to open up to us, you know we care about you. A child is not something you wake up to today and tomorrow you ditch it, there are going to be a lot of changes once he or she is here, a lot of money that has to be spent and not once but for a long time and for so many years to follow. I am not sure you have thought in those lines.’

‘I have and I will do whatever it takes to raise my baby right.’ I say swallowing hard when I am well aware that once Yakari is born he will be taken away from me.

‘I trust you, I hope you will learn to trust me from now on.’

I smile not wanting to make any promises because this baby is not an ordinary child and there are things about Caleb that still don’t sit well with me.

‘On that note, I thought you hear it from me.’

‘There is no problem I hope.’ I say now getting worried

‘We are pregnant.’

‘Oh my word that is very nice Nancy, congratulations you two.’ I say now my own tears glistering

They have been trying for a child for years and I have seen how that has put them in a bad space but now for them to be here is the best news I could ever receive.

‘Congratulations.’ I say again pulling her into my arms but then I feel a sharp pain, more like my child being pulled from me.

‘Whoa did you feel that?’ Nancy aids pulling away

‘I did.’

‘I guess our babies are already playing cat and mouse.’ She says

‘I guess so.’ I respond even though I have my doubts.

‘I will see you at dinner yes?’

‘Yes.’

When she walks out of the bedroom I take a moment to think of what just happened, before knowing what I know now I would have thought it was a coincidence or some biological connection with our children but no. I need to talk to O’Brien now and try to find out if Caleb and his wife being pregnant is innocent or I should be on the look out.

..

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Winnie

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