CHAPTER EIGHT
I skipped the last step to my father's house out of happiness. It was 10am according to my wrist watch and I was already done with overly annoying adventure my father sent me off to. 10am in my father's house meant that daddy and mommy were in their different workplaces, Davidson was either at the state library or the lesson center and I was at school. But that was only applicable during school days, but, that Monday morning's 10am saw me headed to my room to watch some cool Korean movies. I didn't bother to take off my clothes or shoe, I just booted on my laptop and clicked on Boys Before Flower, a movie acted by lee min ho. I was only three minutes into the movie when I heard a knock on my door. I was taken aback because I was sure no one of importance was at home and the house keeper never knocked on the door to the rooms. I put the movie on pause and walked to the door, lo and behold my darling father was standing before me. For seconds I didn't know what to say, my mind went blank.
"Adanne, what are you doing at home by this time of the day?" my father began. Have I ever told you that my father never raises his voice, so one can never gauge his temper?
"I,I…just got back now' I stuttered. Stuttering was the first sign of an imminent break down of my nerves.
"You just got back from where?" he prodded.
"I just got back from the prisons"
"when did you leave the house" he asked.
"I left in the morning" I innocently answered.
"I meant to ask, by which time you left the house" he continued. Truthfully, I knew he asked about the time but can't a girl stall?
"I left by 8:30am sir" I answered trying my meek and obedient girl attitude.
"Did you give your society president the package I told you to give him" he inquired.
"Yes sir" I almost rolled my eyes at my father's inability to say "money" or "cheque". I don't get the point of being excessively modest even in private.
"And you went for the prison visitation today" he continued
"Yes, I did sir" at that point I took a step backward. My father wasn't a violent person but I took precautions to avoid stories that touch the heart.
"And you are back to this house already"
"Yes, sir"
"Are you telling the truth Maryann Udeh" he questioned.
"Yes sir" I took the mention of my full name as a sign of impending catastrophe.
"Do you have an evidence to show that you are being honest" he asked. Uh ooh, was in grave danger.
"Uhmm, not physically sir but…" I was cut off.
"Be in my can in the next three minutes" he finished before he strode to his room. I knew he was internally boiling with anger because of what I did or rather what I did not do so I didn't bother to shut down my laptop. I skipped the stairs praying he didn't see me and add to my punishment. And thankfully I buckled my seat belt at exactly two minutes and thirty seconds. Thirty seconds later we were on our way to only my father knows where.
I wasn't surprised that my father drove to the prisons, because he would be less of himself if he took my word for it. I don't blame him either cos half of what I tell him are half truths. He stopped before the gate because Mr. gruesome and Mr. gentle policeman pointed their guns at us. He stepped down from his car and raised his hand up in surrender. I didn't alight until they lowered their guns.
"Good morning sir" Marcus fanatically greeted
"Marcus, kedu kwnu" my father inquired with the same excitement which surprised me.
"I am fine sir"
"How is your mother faring" my father continued
"she is getting better, thank you sir"
If I wasn't in that fettle, I would have asked how they knew each other but I held my tongue.
"We thank God. This is my daughter" he began I stepped to his side like I usually did when he wanted to introduce me to someone.
"Did she come to this place earlier?" he inquired, always being a straight to the point man.
"Ehe, she come oga. She even dash us one thousand naira" Mr. gruesome looking policeman put in.
"Ok, Marcus could you estimate the length of time she spent here" he interrogated. At that juncture I made eye contact with Marcus and slightly shook my head given him a sign not to say the truth.
"Uhm…" he began but was cut off
"Oga, she bin come here by that kind 8'oclock but she no stay reach thirty minutes. She no waste time lie lie" Mr. gruesome parrot interjected.
"Ok thank you Mr. Luke" he appreciated him. "Marcus, please can I ask a favor from you?"
"Of course sir, please go ahead" Marcus concurred.
"My daughter doesn't value the privileges given to her. I am hoping her daily visitations to those who have by experience made mistakes and taken their corrections, she would understand her value and not misuse her opportunities. I am requesting if you could be her supervisor" my father finished.
"I would love to, but I am usually on duty at this gate so I doubt if I would be able to leave my duty post. I am sorry sir" Marcus apologized.
"No, I am not saying you should be her guide and literally go anywhere she goes. Am asking if you would ensure that whenever she arrives she does not leave until four pm. And also at intervals check if she is really interacting with the inmates not wasting her life on her phone and headset" my father expounded.
"There is no problem sir, I agree. I will be her supervisor" Marcus agreed.
After bidding farewell to the two policemen, my father and I entered his car and drove home. So the summary of what happened later that day is that my laptop, headset, and my phone were confiscated. I was told to sweep, clean and arrange the house. And I was deprived of food that that period of manual labor. A loving father right?