the love of money(sadden)

Tom picked up the microphone and cleared his throat. ‘So there was this day my car broke down in the middle of nowhere. I called up my family and friends who were all far from where I was. Then Austin’s call came in.’
The crowd murmured. ‘Smile Tom.’ Grissel whispered.
‘Okay my wife just whispered I love you.’ Everyone laughed and as usual the boys in the far corner were making noise.
Tom was lucky to have both American and African friends, so his normal day as a man full of dreams who had lots of girls flocking around him wasn’t boring.
‘Go on.’ The MC encouraged.
‘Austin said he had a friend who was closer so he was going to send the person to pick me. He forgot to mention it was a female.’ He paused and feigned a smile. ‘About some thirty minutes, this black beauty with her shades on pulled up and asked me to join her ride. I bluntly told her I wasn’t waiting for an escort then she mentioned Austin sent her.’
‘So at first sight you thought she was a call girl.’ The MC interrupted.
‘Yes, I mean she wasn’t dressed as one but she was a beauty.’
‘And you assumed every escort is a beauty.’ The MC scoffed this time.
‘Aren’t they all beautiful?’ There was distance laughter from within the crowd.
‘But mind you, my wife is the prettiest.’ He feigned a smile at her and looked straight at the MC who was standing in front of his table.
‘So what happened after that?’
‘The drive home was quiet and I figured she was the quiet type.’ Tom grinned. ‘I’m not sure if she noticed I was stealing glances and was sweating. I felt ready for marriage that very moment, you could call it love at first sight.’
‘Love at first sight huh.’ The MC stressed.
‘When i alighted, I had to apologize for thinking she was an escort. She just smiled and drove off.’ Tom grinned at this point. ‘I remember calling my aunty about this girl giving me sleepless night, she just laughed knowing how flirtatious I can be.
She didn’t believe me when I told her this one is for real.’
‘So you had a lot of girls huh.’
‘Trust me, more than you can think of but all that changed in Grissel’s car. I was attracted to her and wasn’t sure if it was her beauty because she didn’t speak a word in there with me.’
‘And you didn’t take her number Tom?’
‘I knew I would meet her again and luckily some few weeks after, Austin invited her for one of our usual drink ups.’
‘And there you got your moment.’
‘You should have seen me that day. I told Austin look man, I hope this girl isn’t your wife. He replied with a smile and my world fell apart.’
‘You thought you lost her?’ He asked.
‘Yes, he should have just given me an answer to my question. I finally had to talk to him again and he said she’s all mine but I wouldn’t like what I see.’
‘What does he mean you wouldn’t like what you see? Was Grissel some sort of hard nut to crack?’
‘A very tough one, it took me two years and here we are today. It turned out she’s just the gentle and stubborn type who probably have met some blockheaded men along the line so she chose to be reserved.’
Tom hadn’t noticed Grissel was pushing her tears back at that moment.
‘So how do you feel today?’ The MC and everyone’s eyes were fixated on him.
He looked around confused.
‘Tom, how do you feel after cracking the nut?’
‘Wait for it. I’m looking for the right word.’ He laughed.
‘Listen everyone, I think the man of the moment has something up his sleeves.’ The crowd cheered.
‘I can call you Danny right?’ He asked the MC.
‘Yeah sure.’ He replied
‘When you were a child you always wanted a toy right?’
‘Yes at some point.’ Danny replied and wasn’t sure where Tom was going with that.
‘Do you always get your toys that easily?’ Tom looked Danny straight in the eyes probably to find out if he was telling lies.
‘Not a chance, it takes a miracle to get my desired toys.’
‘How do you feel any time your parents deny your request?’ Tom asked again.
‘I cry and make a scene.’
‘Great, and now that you are of age how do you feel?’
‘Gosh I can get the whole d--n world if I so wish.’ Danny responded smiling.
‘There you have your answer. Not to say my wife is a toy but I used to cherish my toys back then. My family can attest to that.’ He glanced at his family.
Julia and Melisa smiled from the front where they sat. ‘That’s true.’ Julia shouted out.
‘I can buy the whole dam world with Grissel by my side.’ He turned to Grissel who had supported her jaw with her hands watching Tom speak.
‘Aww, that’s a nice one.’ Danny blushed.
‘And wait. This is to Austin, I would cherish this toy you brought into my life and I promise never to make her cry so you can stop doing due diligence anytime you and I quarrel.’
‘I will boss.’ He shouted from the far right corner while everyone else laughed.
‘Grissel do you have anything to say. I mean your husband just promised you the whole d--n world.’
She just broke down with tears. Tom wasn’t sure if he should hug her at that moment because aside the nice things he said which were from his heart he was still confused about her reaction in the church auditorium.
‘OMG, he just made her cry when he promised earlier never to make her cry.’ Danny teased.
He knew Grissel wasn’t the Public display affection type so he wiped her eyes with the back of his hands and held onto her tightly.
‘Austin, don’t come for my head yet, that wasn’t me. I guess she meant to say I love you.’ Tom made everyone laugh with tears at that point.
‘Now, isn’t that Love.’ That came from someone from the crowd.
‘Grissel congratulations,’ her elder sister came hugging her.
That was the last time they spoke before the party came to an end.

Julia got home and slumped on the sofa.
‘Aunty, where did you go this early?’ Melisa asked coming from the kitchen with a napkin in her hands.
Julia looked so exhausted and just rolled her eyes.
‘Did you just roll your eyes?’
‘No my eyes rolled itself, come on Mel, I’m not in the mood to exchange words today.’
‘I’m sorry, but you left without waking me up, I’ve been waiting since morning till breakfast got cold and lunch is ready.’
‘Sorry, I had an emergency. Can we eat now? I’m sure you must be hungry.’
‘Emergency?’
‘Yes.’
‘And you couldn’t leave a note.’
‘It won’t happen again Mel. Can you let this go already.’ Julia was getting fed up with her niece getting over suspicious.
She knew how Melisa could make an issue of every small thing.
‘Was it Tom again? Has his marriage crashed already?’
‘Melisa,’ Julia yelled with an expression that gave her out.
‘Wow, so that was it.’ She smiled mischievously.
‘Be happy for your brother and his new family and stop wishing evil comes their way.’ Julia winced. ‘I’ve always told you, if I were to wish your mom evil you both wouldn’t be in this world now.’ Julia finally said almost in tears. She knew that was the only thing that would put a stop to their unhealthy conversation.
Melisa rushed off to the sofa.’ I’m sorry. I promise to be good from now on.’
‘Thank you, I’m hungry. Can we go to the dinning now?’ Julia quickly changed the topic and stood up.
‘But what was the deal with you and mom anyway,’ she asked curiously leading her to the dining.
‘You this smart girl. Give up already.’
‘Okay, sit here. Let me get your food.’ Mel announced and disappeared into the kitchen smiling. She loved her aunty so much that her tears became her weakness.
‘Necessary Evil.’ Julia whispered to herself after she left.
‘But you know Grissel is too young for Tom right?’ She yelled out from the kitchen.
‘Come on, she’s twenty eight and married to a thirty year old which I wish was you.’ Julia knew it was wrong to compare the both of them but she knew that was the only way to shut her up.
Luckily, she never said another word but came out with food on a tray and a gloomy grimace on.
****
Melisa was five years when her mom left home one early morning to give birth to Tom and never came back. She hated Tom for their mom’s death. Though they both somehow accepted it was fate when they grew up and moved on, they hardly got along.
Melisa being a party girl, though not the high class type knew how to have good fun.
She had several failed relationships that cut her deep.
She wasn’t the type to say “I have tried and failed, so let me give up.”
Melisa always had men flocking around her even to her door step but she wasn’t done having fun yet to settle down.
Somehow Julia felt her niece was becoming another version of herself and she disliked it so much. At sixty, she was still single and her niece had clocked thirty five and wanted nothing to do with marriage.
Since her sister died, she hadn’t thought of men. It had always been work and the kids. She felt she owed her that much. Besides she couldn’t leave two young children alone in a foreign land.
Julia always thought of going back to Ghana with the kids but she hoped when they grew up they would make that decision for themselves.
Julia and her sister Joyce came down to the states in their youthful age. They worked to gain the freedom they enjoyed presently in the foreign land.
She always told the children, “In those days, things were a lot easier than they are now.”
The children’s father was a topic she never hid from them. Melisa had several memories of him leaving when their mom got pregnant, something about not wanting another child.
Melisa was a Doctor by profession but stopped practicing suddenly while Tom worked for Arts Engineering Ltd as their manager. She however took over her Aunty’s event planning business which she managed not to ruin over time.


They ate in silence. Tom and chicken were twins. Chicken time always meant quiet time for Tom.
But that afternoon was different, he suddenly had a lot to say.
Grissel could feel it because he kept stealing glances.
‘Tom stop doing that.’ She announced.
‘Doing what?’
‘The weird glances.’
‘I wanted to ask if you ever thought of going back home.’
‘Home?’
‘Yes, it would be good for you.’
‘I’m sorry about last night. I can be better today, just don’t send me back.’
‘Wait, I’m not sending you home as in to your sister’s place. But I mean Ghana. It’s been ten years and you never mentioned anything about visiting.’ He clarified.
She sighed heavily. ‘I don’t need to go. I talk to Mom regularly and I’m not sure I need to be home anytime soon besides she came over for our engagement.’
‘But you need some family around Grissel.’
‘I have my sister, that’s enough and you are now family too.’
‘And Aubrey too.’ He added.
‘Aubrey,’ she repeated without any expression.
‘Yes.’
‘Who is that?’ She asked focusing on her meal.
Tom was suddenly quiet.
‘Tom,’ she called out before he blinked.
‘Are you okay.’
‘Yeah, absolutely.’ He feigned a smile.
‘Who is Aubrey?’ She asked again.
‘Ooh that, I was referring to your sister’s husband.’
‘But he’s not Aubrey.’
‘Adam, I mean. The decorators name is still ringing in my head I guess.’ He lied.
‘You just need to forgive him, but I had no problem with the turn out of the reception. I don’t see why you nearly punched him Tom.’ Grissel changed the topic.
‘You call that quack job, good.’
‘But it’s in the past now, just forgive him, next time maybe your sister can get over her pride and help with the event planning.’
‘Forget Mel, but that punch would have made your heart drop into your stomach.’ He teased.
‘You sure know me well.’
‘Do I?’ He sighed.
Grissel raised her head from the plates where she bent it a second ago to pick up chicken from her plate.
‘That was a joke right?’ She asked with a serious face on looking directly into his eyes.
Tom was suddenly quiet and looked apologetic.
‘I got you right there,’ he suddenly burst into a hilarious laughter.
Grissel didn’t find it funny at all. She wore a worried grin on.
‘Come on, I was just trying to make a conversation and apologize for last night.’ He muttered. ‘You don’t have to forgive me yet but it won’t happen again.’
Grissel kept her worried face on him unable to tell if he was lying earlier.
‘Grissel, I said I’m sorry and don’t sue me.’
‘Ahaaa.’
‘Is that all you are going to say.’ He had no idea what’s going on with that expression on her face, her attention was on him but maybe her mind was occupied with different thoughts. Tom guessed.
‘Grissel’, He called out to her.
‘Tom, it’s okay. I’m fine and I’m glad we talked about it. And for your information you are my husband, I can’t sue you for what I happened to enjoy myself.’ She said hurriedly and stood up with her plates.
‘Really, you enjoyed?’ Tom’s eyes almost popped out.
She paused and nodded with her back facing him.
‘Is this girl for real right now?’ A tiny voice whispered to him and he quickly shrugged it off in his surprised state.
‘Okay, I know you might be thinking I let you off the hook easily but it was my fault same as it was yours as well.’ She tried to force a smile which appeared on her face foolishly.
‘Are you for real?’ He finally asked the question his mind had wanted to ask earlier.
‘Yeah, we are okay Tom.’
‘Thank you but where are you going? You haven’t finished your meal.’ He asked when she took some few steps away from him again.
‘I’m full and tired. Want to get some rest after here.’ She still said with her back facing him.
‘Are you sure that’s all or you just can’t forgive me yet.’ He asked worried.
‘No,’ she responded with her back facing him and not so sure which of the questions she responded to.
Grissel stood an inch from the table with her eyes shut for seconds and then she opened them quickly with a painful look which drew lines on her forehead. She finally turned around masking her expression earlier with a fake smile which Tom hardly noticed because when it came to Grissel everything about her is genuine.
She walked over dropping her plate on the table and leaned over sealing his opened lips with hers.
He responded weakly, that wasn’t his idea of apologizing. He wanted a real talk because he had a lot of things to talk about.
‘Gri..ss..el, le..t’s t..alk first.’ He said in between their clenched teeth’s.
‘No,’ she responded.
Tom shut his eyes immediately and opened it, he wasn’t so sure what had come over his shy wife.
‘Okay, ar..e y..ou su..re,’ he managed to ask with his breathe increasing.
‘Come with me,’ Grissel finally let go of his lips and whispered into his ears.
‘I thought you were tired earlier.’
‘Don’t ruin the moment Tom.’ She feigned a smile when Tom was not looking.
Tom stared, was that his wife. He thought silently and followed her gesture.
***
Grissel came to the states to pursue her educational dreams.
She did extremely well and was lucky to get a job at the firm she practiced with.
She had always wanted to be a lawyer like her father. After he died, her mom a retired nurse sacrificed everything to send her over to the states to pursue her dream. Grissel was just eighteen when she came to the states though very young her mom didn’t want the opportunity of studying law to pass her by and she checked up on her regularly.
Grissel was the only child and her mom had always been so proud of her.
Jessy’s mom is a Ghanaian and her Dad an American so when she met another Ghanaian in her class they became family. Jessy was one of her lecturers, who was married to Adam Riggs.
As fate would have it she got along with Grissel since she joined her law class in her first year. Jessy was always amazed at the level of knowledge she had about law and took her in. They both had to depend on each other several times along the line. Jessy became her sister, confidant and everything far from home.

I would be there soon Henry.’
She smiled to herself on the phone.
Melisa had no idea Julia was standing behind her in the hall way until she saw her reflection on the glass window.
Melisa hanged up quickly. Her Aunty never liked Henry she felt he was bad news anytime he spent time with her niece.
‘Going somewhere this late?’ She queried.
Melisa turned around like a child, smiling mischievously.
‘Okay, I know you don’t like Henry but I have to meet him soon. We have a night out.’
‘Alright,’ she responded quickly and walked away while Melisa followed.
‘Aunty, it’s not what you think.’ She tried to clarify. ‘Your precious Grissel is out of hook ups for now. We are just hanging out for a few drinks.’
‘I didn’t ask you for an explanation. You know what’s good for you.’
‘You seem a little angry.’
‘I’m not angry but just call me to pick you up when you feel too drunk to drive. You don’t want what happe……’
‘Yeah I get it, you don’t want another accident happening soon.’
She smiled and gave her a hug, picked up her bag on the sofa and rushed out before Julia could start another lecture.
Julia shook her head worriedly.
***
‘Do you think we just made our first child?’
He asked smooching her face which was facing the ceiling with her head on his chest. Grissel rolled her eyes unintentionally and then realized she was in his arms. She tried to smile but couldn’t.
‘Grissel, are you with me?’
‘Yeah but I’m not sure to your other question.’
‘Wow, don’t hurt my ego lady,’ he said jokingly.
‘Ahaaa, I got you right there,’ she feigned a smile and raised herself up pulling up her wears.
‘Are you going somewhere?’ He asked locating his shorts lying by the sofa in the hall.
‘Clear the lunch table and get this hall cleaned up before someone walks in here.’
‘Someone like who. Grissel this is our home, who cares if we lie here all day. I might even cut you some slack if there’s no dinner tonight.’ He winked.
‘Tom that’s not happening.’ She hit him on the shoulder and walked away.
‘You know you just ruined the fun right?’ He announced as Grissel walked away.
‘Stop whining and help here with the plates.’ She shouted out from the dining.
He pulled on his shirt and held on the couch to stand up.
‘Can we shower down together after clean up.’ He asked walking up to the dinning section.
‘Anything you want Tom but only after we are done with the dishes.’ She smiled mischievously to his direction.
Though Tom was relieved from the happenings the previous night, he couldn’t help but wonder how her wife quickly recovered from the traumatic experience.
‘That earlier was weird.’ He muttered quietly reaching out for a bowl on the table while Grissel seemed lost cleaning up.
‘What was weird?’ She asked pausing what she was doing.
‘Nothing, I was referring to something else.’
‘Tom, don’t lie now.’ She sounded angry.
‘I meant we have to talk at a point.’
‘Talk about?’ She opened her eyes widely.
‘You not wanting to talk about last night and the sex earlier was not expected.’
She rudely dropped the plates on the table and rolled her eyes.
‘I already told you talking about it isn’t worth it.’ She raised her voice at him. ‘It’s not like you can help me forget so let’s not mention it again.’
‘But you are making me feel bad and I j…’
‘Were you supposed to feel good about molesting your wife?’ She asked with her eyes fixated on him without budging.
‘I didn’t mean to rub it in but I ju..s..t w.a…’ He stuttered with a regrettable face and paused.
‘You just what?’ I want to forget this so please let’s not bring it up ever again.’
She threw the napkin on her shoulders onto the table with the attempt of rushing off.
‘Grissel, wait up.’ He held on to her before she could run off.
‘What?’ She asked pushing her tears back.
‘I thought we were okay earlier.’
‘You were okay Tom because, I told you I was.’ She snugged out from his grasp. ‘Who is ever okay after this experience?’
‘But you said I was forgiven and we even made lo…’
‘Made love?’ She scoffed. ‘Tom that was an obligation.’
‘An obligation?’ He repeated painfully.
‘Yes, I did you a favor as a wife Tom.’ She spewed out with an expression that showed was serious.
‘Grissel, what do you want me to do when you were ou….’
‘Save it.’ I don’t want to hear it.’ She quickly rushed off while Tom’s mouth was still opened.
Tom watched her almost falling down but she quickly got her balance back and vanished into their room.
He decided to let her cool off and then continued with her cleaning.
*****
Melisa pulled into the Champs bar parking lot which was her favorite joint because it got the caliber of men she ends up with at the end of the night.
She discovered Champs when Tom moved into that area and Julia dragged her along to help with packing of his stuff.
Anytime she came to the area Melisa knew she was safe as it is just an hour drive from Tom’s house.
She straightened her hair and got out and was locking up her door when Henry yelled out.
‘Mel, here’, he called out to her.
‘Relax, let me just lock up.’ She retorted to Henry who was standing a few meters away from the parking lot.
Mel finally walked to where he was standing.
‘Let’s go inside,’ she gave her friend a bear hug.
They walked to their favorite table and signaled to the waitresses who gestured back.
‘Hope your Aunty didn’t give you any fake tears this time.’
Mel rolled her eyes.
‘Sorry I get it,’ she’s off limits.’
‘Glad we are on the same page Henry.’
Just then the waiter walked to their table.
‘The usual,’ Henry announced once she noticed the waitress with her notebook and pen between her lips.
She nodded and was turning away when Melisa called her back.
‘I will get Soda water for tonight. The gentle man will take his usual vodka.’
‘Okay, that’s strange.’ She whispered and left immediately after.
Henry, looked at her friend and smiled. Melisa on the other hand was looking around as the bar was quiet and not fun as usual.
‘Spill it Mel.’
‘What is there to spill?’
‘You taking Soda water?’
‘Oh that, I guess I’m just too full tonight.’ She replied.
‘Are you sure or you’ve found him.’ Henry queried.
‘Him? You mean my Dad?’
‘Really, may I remind you we both know the where about of Mr. Addison.’
‘Great, then let’s change the topic.’
‘I remember you telling me, you would stop taking vodka when you meet Mr. Right.’
‘Well I haven’t yet, today happens to be one of those days I meant to shame the devil.’
‘I’m the devil then.’ He frowned.
‘No, I didn’t mean you.’
‘Who else is with you here?’
‘Okay I’m sorry. Forgive me love.’
‘Love? That won’t make me forgive you now’
‘I will take our usual.’ She feigned a smile. ‘Is that enough to make you forgive me?’
‘Now my friend is back,’ Henry stood up with a cheerful smile and signaled to the waitress which he spotted walking back with their orders.
The waitress understood and went back.
*****
Melisa wanted to cut down her drugs and alcohol intake. A decision she made the last time she met her Dad. Though she despised her Dad, sometimes she felt he had other reasons for leaving their mom.
They met several times when she was five and she kept it to herself.
Not that she cared what about her dad’s long speech on addiction but she doesn’t want to end up like him and that night was not about obeying her dad.
She had a feeling something was off about the night as her usual men were not at the high table as if they all decided not to come in that night.
Morris Addison who left Tom’s mom for the same reasons known to everyone became a shadow of himself, buried himself in work and drinking but he somehow got his old self back when Tom turned five. He had his friends advising him, Tom looks exactly like him so he should clean up his life and reach out so he did.
He never re-married and has been trying for years to reach out to his children. Mr. Addison knew he failed his children so he buried himself in his job as an Import and Export Specialist with his own company.
*****
‘Girl you are sweating. Are you okay? You barely touched your drink.’
She feigned a smile and picked up her glass of vodka.
Before they knew it, they were on their sixth glass.
‘Mel, you promised me Grissel, yet I still don’t have her.’ He said while checking his phone.
‘Yeah, see how that turned out. You were too slow Henry.’
‘Slow, your brother just didn’t want her to be mine. I won’t give up though.’
‘You should.’
‘She’s my dream woman, Mel.’
‘Dream woman? You still don’t believe she’s a love peddler. Do you?’
‘I don’t care Grissel, just get my love back. You know, you owe me.’
‘Henry, let’s not go there.’ She put on a serious face. ‘I must admit I hate Grissel’s gut but Tom has made his choice. Just let it go.’
‘I’m not going to Mel, i love her. And you are going to help me out.’ He said finally and took his last glass.
***
Julia worried all night. She knew Melisa would end up in either Henry’s or one of her numerous rich men’s bed if she doesn’t go after her.
Her niece never regrets her intimacy with Henry or anyone else and Julia blamed herself all the time for how she turned out.
‘Did they stay too long in another man’s land or she took better care of Tom than her sister.’ She sighed and pulled in front of Champs.
She saw her car in the drive way and whispered to herself.
‘Thank God. She’s still here.’ She smiled weakly.
Just then they both came out fighting with their balance. Julia thought she saw someone rolling her glass up with his hands when she drove in but she shrugged it off since it was from afar.
‘You sure, you don’t want to follow me home?’ Henry asked scratching his head. He always looked sober even after a lot of drinks.
‘Nope, I have lots of planning to do for some clients tomorrow so I better get going.’
‘Are you sure? You could drive behind me so we continue back home.’
‘Whose home?’
They heard a familiar voice behind them. Henry saw Julia first and walked away briskly to his car.
‘Mel, see you next Sunday.’ he waved his car keys in the air.
She watched him drive away and turned to her Aunty’s direction.
‘What are you doing here?’
‘Nothing, I was in the neighborhood and since you didn’t get back before I left, I decided to check on you.’
‘Great.’ Melisa replied surprising her.
‘You are not angry?’
‘Why should I?’ She questioned Julia barely standing straight.
‘I mean you usually snub me when I come around to pick you up.’
‘Ooh so, that’s it. You came to pick me up.’
‘I’m sorry. I was worried about you.’
‘Yeah I know and it’s fine. I think I can’t drive with my head so high on a few drinks.’ She staggered. ‘So you are driving.’
‘Okay, let’s go. I will let Tom pick up your car.’
‘That isn’t necessary. Besides he might not.’
‘Leave that to me.’
Julia held her by her waist and led her to lay at the back of her car.
She took her car keys and walked to the security. After discussing with him, she got herself into her ride while stepping on the brake.
She dialed Tom’s number and placed it on speaker out.
Grissel who was closer to the phone in the hall while cleaning up picked it up.
‘Tom, your Aunty is calling.’ She called out to him upstairs where he went a while ago to wash down.
‘Take a message for me. Would be down in a while.’
‘Hello, good evening Aunty.’
‘My dear, how are you.’
‘We are fine, Tom is taking his bath.’
‘That’s fine, just let him know I left Melisa’s car at the Champs. He should drive it home while she picks it up another day.’
‘I will let him know that but how do we get the car keys.’
‘Ask the security at the gate. Just mention her name.’
‘Okay but I hope she’s fine.’
‘Nothing to worry about, drunk as usual but kindly let Tom have someone check it out for any faults before he drives it.’
‘I can hear you both Aunty.’ Melisa informed.
‘I wanted you to hear me,’ Julia retorted.
‘Let us know when you get home. I’ll have Tom call you back soon. Goodnight.’
‘Not so fast, you sound like you planned to get rid of me.’
‘No, I just felt you were driving so it wouldn’t be a good idea to talk and drive.’
‘Yes, you are right my dear. Did Tom apologize Grissel?’ She asked when Grissel was mute over the call suddenly.
‘Apo…logiz…ed?’
‘You know what I’m talking about. You don’t have to always cover up for him. Learn to fight for your rights.’
‘He told you?’ She asked immediately.
‘Just answer me, did he make things right.’
‘Yes, he did.’
‘Are you okay and has he taken you to see the doctor?’
‘Umhh.. .’ Grissel paused.
‘Umhh what?’
‘Aunty I’m fine.’
‘I will take your word for it. If I find out you are lying…..’
‘I’m not. We are both okay now.’
‘Good news then, you can hang up now.’
She hanged up quickly and shyly.
‘Tom do you have to tell your Aunty everything.’ She thought to herself loudly but shrugged it off.
She rushed up to let him know they have to pick up her sisters car.
Grissel knew Tom wouldn’t oblige as they both hardly get along.
She knew of how best to convince him.
Grissel didn’t want another misunderstanding that evening like the other time she left him rudely at the dinning and they had a real argument after, which was ruining their honeymoon.
But she was so glad when he spent the last three days trying to fix what has already been broken.
Tom was the man she pictured herself with even after Amy nearly ruined their relationship so she had decided to let go of the resentment because despite what happened she still felt the same way she did every other time with Tom in her life. Tom had promised not to repeat his mistakes and they have been doing so well for the past few days.
***
‘Is she with you?’ The man at the other end of the call asked him.
‘Not tonight,’ He frowned over the phone while his other friend who joined him in the car along the road glanced at him uncomfortably.
‘Who messed up?’ He further asked.
‘Julia came around.’
‘Gosh, the evil aunty you told me about?’
‘Yeah, but don’t worry. We will have fun soon.’ He said and hanged up.
‘Why are you looking at me that way?’ Henry asked his friend.
‘I was just wondering why not just ask Melisa. ‘I mean, she’s already sleeping around so I’m not sure how this is different.’
He looked at his friend who was behind the steer. Anytime they over drink and Melisa had to end up at his end, Henry makes sure his friend does all the dirty work and drop them off.
‘When men are talking, nitwits also want to talk.’ Henry said rudely.
‘I’m sorry man.’ Henry’s friend replied apologetically and turned to the steer.
Henry relaxed on the seat and kept his eyes on the road for a few seconds.
‘Melisa could be a s--t sometimes, but she chooses his own men carefully.’ He finally found the need to reply his friend. ‘There was no way she would sleep with the rest of the boys if she knew about them.’
Henry who had arranged with his friends to spend the night wasn’t so happy about Julia picking her up.
He usually had to tamper with her car anytime they had a drink up night at Champs. Once the car was unable to move Melisa always had no choice than to end up going home with him.
Though she suspected a few times, Henry always managed to convince her.