Chereads / The tales of Epiphany / Chapter 8 - Chapter Seven

Chapter 8 - Chapter Seven

Adanna

The porch looked a bit Like David's wardrobe. Pieces of clothing sticking out of the boxes, some forming a misguided trail leading to the car.

I grabbed what I could forcing them back into the boxes. Both Chioma and Simdi were already seated in the back of the car. Another wave of crashes emitted from the house.

A shrill voice could be heard over  the racuous, neighbors flooded our gates peeking through to see what was going on.

I made my way in glancing over my shoulders at the newly formed crowd. They knew what to do if it got way out of hand.

The living room was thrashed, this was worse than their usual constant arguments. Sometimes it got violet but not like this.

The portraits weren't just smashed they were ripped apart every last one of them. A large gash on the TV, matching it with the portraits. Blood stained shards of glass everywhere.

David was passed out cold on the sofa, remnants of a white powdery substance littered on his face just below his nostrils at the top of his lips.

He was using again just like he always does after committing for a day, trying to get his life back on track.

The clatter led me to the kitchen where they both were.

He was at the apex of his mania, his eyes bloodshot, jaw clenched,face flushed.

He didn't look like my father, the man I've known for the past years of my life. Even after his drastic change in behaviour I always saw bits and pieces of the old him  whether it was a smile or a tear.

But now all I saw was a savaged beast high on a hunger for violence.She watched with wide dread  filled eyes her breathing shallow but rapid. I had never seen her so anxious.  She was petrified,clutching her left arm she turned to face me. 

I was rooted to the spot, she glanced between us both breathing hard. She fought back, I could see that through his bruised ankle. He was limping leaning on his good leg.

I tip toed towards the cooker wrapping my fingers around the cool metal. My only option was to act fast if I was going to salvage the situation. She was in pain, He was in pain, they both did this to themselves.

Was this what they planned to do for the rest of their lives? Stuck in a loveless marriage fighting, eating away at each other's happiness till they was nothing left.

All they had to be grateful for was us but I'm starting to see that it's not going to be enough. It wasn't ever going to be enough.

I slammed it down on his skull channeling all my energy to that one blow, just enough to knock him out.

He landed with a muffled thud, his mercurial temperament momentarily evaded.

She was out first grabbing a few things, I stood over him unblinking with the pan in my hand. What have I done?

Please don't be dead I pleaded searching for a pulse. Please, then I felt it the soft yjumping sensation.He wasn't dead that was for sure.

"I'm sorry" I whispered  moving away. He had his demons, he  wasn't the best father or husband but he wasn't the worst either. He needed professional help or he'd be gone completely.

Maybe one day I would finally forgive him, one day.

David I sighed kissing him goodbye, wherever it was that we were headed I was gonna miss him. 

"Adanna" she whisper yelled ushering me out of the room.

I swayed leaning against the wall. Not being able to shake away the sudden dizziness.

The walls moved black dots clouding my vision.

"Ada!" She called out for me her voice blending with the deafening sounds in the background.

Images began to blur melting away till it all ceased.

_________

I groaned lifting my droopy eyelids images of streetlights and trees blurring in the distance. Where am I?

The tense atmosphere drowned out by the consistent buzzing in the background.

"What happened?" I slurred partially still in my drunken haze.

"When was the last time you ate?" He asked tightening his grip on the steering wheel.

I tuned him out sliding my fingers along the plush dashboard of his sleek black BMW ALPINA B7. I knew a thing or two about cars especially this particular brand.

"Don't ignore the question" he growled his displeasure at my silence. 

"Lecture me later on the consequences of my actions, the last thing I need right now is another parent" I rolled my eyes at him bubbling with rage,his statement only fueled my anger.

Why was I angry? I had no idea, maybe cause today was one for the books or cause my mother could've been through a lot worse had I not been there or cause my little siblings had to go through what they did today.

"Do you know what happens to your  body when you don't eat?" He glumly stated glancing at me. Food? He thought that was important now?

"Did you know your mother is having an affair with my father?" I arched a brow at him with a close lipped smile.  Petty,yes I know but what would one expect from a night like this.

I wanted to hurt him, why? I don't know just cause he was oblivious to everything going on around him even the one problem next to him waiting for a response.

My inquisitive gaze didn't seem to faze him.

His gaze was fixed on the road, clenching his jaw he swerved on the road pushing me against the door.

"You knew" I gasped.

"You didn't think that I deserved to know?, we may not be close but still!"

"It wasn't my story to tell" he sighed

"Pull over" I pressed my lips together narrowing my eyes at his five o'clock shadow.

"What?" he asked glancing at me .

"Pull over" I firmly stated enunciating each word.

"Stop acting like a child Ada" he pulled into a parking lot killing the engine.  Slamming the car door shut, I stormed my way through the parking lot into the building with Ikenna hot on my trail.

People bustled all around me some in great haste others without a care in the world huge plasma screens of arrival and departure times lined on the walls of the airport.

The spotless white tiled floors littered with a variety of shoes, atmosphere buzzing with anticipation.

To my left,an old lady in a blue polka dot dress paired with a string of Pearls arguing with a security guard in uniform.

To my right, backpackers taking selfies and giggling. How long would the smile on their faces last? How long before the train of reality knocks them off their feet?

A bony shoulder bumped into mine ending my trail of thoughts, it was the old lady in her blue polka dot dress, she glared at me probably wondering what I was doing  Just standing there in the middle of an airport lobby.

"Adanna" I turned to face my mum waving tickets in front of me.

"Where is Noah?" she asked scanning through the throng of people.

"I don't c--"

"I'm here!" he yelled cutting me off, hands shoved deep into his pockets.

"let's go" she gestured towards the check in desk. A long line of people shielding the actual desk.

This was going to take a while.