"No man is an island."
BUYING TIME
Vicky returned home that day light-hearted. Even though she knew that she had merely postponed the problem but at least some peace will be restored in the meantime. When she arrived, she found that her mother was having visitors in the house and they were chatting happily. Among them was Mama Calvin and three other women from the market. They had come to console her after seeing the troubles she was in earlier on that day. The good thing with this Chama women is that they had such a strong bond of unity and cooperation. They would always stand with one of their own in times of need and that is why they were at Gloria's that evening.
Vicky entered carrying the shopping bag she had brought with her from the market. Tod had been so happy that he decided to buy them some foodstuffs to use at home that evening. He had also given her some money and hired a motorbike that brought her home. As she entered the house she was amazed to see all the ladies from the market there. On the table they had also brought a lot of foodstuffs for the family and Mama Calvin was holding a number of currency notes in her hand, indicating that they were doing a contribution, more likely for Gloria. At first Vicky was confused because her mother's turn to receive the contribution was due in two weeks yet here they were, already bringing the money to her. Furthermore all those presents on the table were so overwhelming.
Vicky expressed her surprise upon seeing the guests but Mama Calvin helped her by speaking up first. "There you are my dear Victoria! How are you doing? See I came to check upon you to see how you are faring on." She said and all the women joined in complementing her words. Vicky put down the bag and went around the room greeting each lady in turn.
"That is very kind of you Mama Calvin! Thank you so much." She said as she passed around greeting the ladies.
"Wow! And you have really grown into a beautiful young lady," another lady added.
Then her mother spoke up, "Victoria, see how God works. These mamas have decided to bless us so richly. They have even contributed part of your fees!"
"Oh my God!" Vicky cried out in surprise. She had not told her mother that she had been sent home due to her fee arrears but her mother somehow knew this. She could not believe her eyes.
"Yes Vicky, and this is not refundable to us, neither is it a debt to your mother. We are doing this for your sake and because your mother is a very good person. We hope you will not let us down! And you will not fail your mother either."
Vicky straightened up and solemnly stood before the ladies who were all staring at her. Then without a warning, tears rolled down her cheeks. They were tears of joy and disbelief. She just could take in all that was happening. It was like being in a dream.
"I will not fail you, thank you so much mama!" and she ran and hugged her. "Oh how sweet!" the other ladies commented.
Before they left, Vicky hurriedly helped her mother to prepare tea and bread for the ladies and set the table for them.
"We are glad that we have been of help to one more soul on earth today. This is what God called us to. We need to stand with the suffering humanity. Heart to God and hand to man!" Mama Calvin said.
"Amazing! Mama Calvin where did you learn such inspirational words? They are so touching!" Vicky was beside herself with Joy, and awed by words of wisdom which were flowing from this iconic woman.
"I learnt them from our church, The Salvation Army. We believe in serving the suffering the humanity through the provision of soap for one to be clean, soup for one's physical wellness and soul nourishment for spiritual growth. We are saved to serve, that is why we are here with you today. And that is why one of our taglines is giving our hearts to God and extending our hands to man!" All those who were in the house stared at her as she meticulously elaborated on her beliefs. She was a woman of influence and had successfully brought all these women together for a noble course.
Vicky went and embraced her to show her gratitude and it was yet another moment of emotions rising high. Then they escorted the ladies as they left for their homes that evening.
"I can't believe how the day that started so gloomy ended up so brightly!" Gloria said as she sat back on the coach in her sitting room. She heaved a sigh of relief and did not look sick anymore. Vicky was happy to see her this way. At least now her mother was happy. She came and joined her on the coach.
"Ehe! You came in with something like a shopping, my dear. What was it?" Gloria suddenly asked. Vicky was caught unprepared and she fumbled for words to answer her mother. She wondered if she should tell her or keep it to herself. After all things seemed to have started working out well for them, why would she ruin them again?
"Victoria, I asked what those things were which you came in with them," Gloria asked again seeing her daughter going blank. Vicky was suddenly brought to reality and she stammered as she answered.
"They were foodstuffs mum. I got them from the market." She answered her mum shortly trying to sound as if it was nothing unusual. She hoped that Gloria would not persist with her questioning. But she did because it was unusual for Vicky to buy things from the market. In fact she had never done this before gone for a shopping alone. Furthermore, she did not have any money.
"Where did you get the money for all of those stuffs?" the mother was looking at her now with a color clouding her face. Vicky wished she had spoken about Tod earlier. Now she struggled to start explaining. But she knew she had to speak up now or risk being misunderstood later.
"Mam, I went to where he is and I demanded that he gives me provision because you were sick and your stall had been vandalized!" she spurted.
"Tod bought all these for us?" she was even more puzzled.
"I went there with a threatening language mama, I vowed to cause a scene in front of his customers and friends. And he seemed like he did not want to be ashamed so he gave me everything that I demanded," she added. "I even got astonished at how fast he changed," she added.
"Oh Vicky!" was all that the mother said and she fell back on the coach in a resigned state. In her mind she saw that Vicky, though wanting to help, might have made things worse. She was afraid of what Tod would do when he comes home that night. She remembered the previous night's fights and she shuddered. But she could not tell Vicky all of these, she wouldn't understand, as Gloria thought. Vicky, on the other hand was questioning her actions too and was beginning to blame herself. She started recollecting what had happened that day at the hotel.
Tod had shown Vicky that he really didn't care what happened to her family or to her education, as long as she continued resisting him. She had tried to coerce him to admit that he was responsible for all the misfortunes and pains they were facing. Although he did not say it directly, he somehow agreed that he was responsible. Then Vicky had asked him what he wanted from her and he was clear in his intentions. He wanted to lie with her. "It is up to you if you want to save them… all you have to do is one simple thing!"
"Just once?" Vicky had asked him. She was drowning and straws could be helpful to her at that very moment. So she wanted him to commit a word that he would have her only once and it would be all over. The only thing she wanted was that her family would be safe and her education progressive. However, upon hearing her question Tod burst out laughing. He laughed so heartily and seemed to enjoy the circles he was taking her through. But as he laughed, Vicky kept quiet and looked at him intensely that he realized and stopped laughing. Just for the sake of cooling her red-hot eyes he decided to say that he would have her just once.
"Are you ready my dear?" he asked. Vicky was stunned.
"Now?" she asked in astonishment. Then, her mind working fast, she decided to buy time for herself before indulging in anything with him. She did not like him even a single bit. In fact she deeply resented and loathed him deeply.
Tod then reached across the table and took hold of Vicky's hands. She started moving her hand away but stopped. She thought, I must make it appear that I have agreed so that I trick him. So she left her right hand lying there on the table while she looked away. Tod held her in his huge hands and started rubbing his fingers all around her tiny arm. She felt like pulling away and running off but she tried to still herself. Every passing moment became more difficult as Tod intensified his greedy approaches over her. Then he stood up and came around to her side of the table. Vicky trembled. She did not know what to do. Tod was now standing all too close to her that she could feel his breathing and the warmth that emanated from his body.
She did not want to feel him. Tod by now had started groping her and his breathing had intensified. Then he pushed him away so suddenly that he was taken aback. He looked at her without saying a word and his face started turning color again. Vicky noticed this and was quick to defend her actions.
"I am sorry, I am not okay."
"How?" he asked in a deep growling voice. Trembling, Vicky told him that she had started on her monthly flow that morning. That was enough to take him back though disappointment could be seen in his eyes. Vicky decided to cheer him up, albeit, was just a matter of speaking to buy more time.
"It is only five days and I will be clean. Then you can have all that you want." With this hitting his ears a broad grin appeared across Tod's face and soon he was his happy self once again. He went back to his seat all smiles. He sat looking at Vicky, still smiling sheepishly. Vicky also smiled and eventually burst out laughing. Tod joined him in the laughter, thinking that she, too, was enjoying their company together, yet in reality Vicky was laughing at him. He looked so ugly and stupid in her eyes.
It is with that trick that she had won her way into Tod's heart. Now he felt like he can do anything for her.
"Would you like some chips and soda my dear?" he asked her.
"No thank you. I should be getting home mother must be getting really worried." She said this hoping to find an entry point in order to bring on the table the real issue that had brought her over there in the first place. She, like a blind but determined fellow, was groping her ways in the darkness, determined to reach her destination.
"Did you tell her where you were going?" he asked, sounding a little alarmed.
"No. Not exactly. I just said I was going to the market. I think she would expect me to get back with something for her," she said, still pressing closer to her point.
"Yes of course. I was thinking of the same," he said as he took out his wallet from the back pocket of his trousers, and counted from it some notes, "here, take this, you can buy anything for her, for your brothers and for yourself. Then when you are through come back here at the stage and I will have a rider ready to take you home." He handed her all those notes and it seemed a little too much. This was not what Vicky expected but she received the money and stood up to go.
"Come on here, give me a hug before you leave," he said, though in a light voice but she knew what he meant. Shyly, she embraced him briefly and she let go off him as fast as she could. As she went away, Vicky was left staring at her, smiling and speaking to himself. "You thought you were tough! Hahaha!" he laughed away his evening and sat back drinking in this joint.
That is what had transpired at the hotel earlier that afternoon before Vicky came home to meet the ladies who had visited her mother. As she sat on the coach where her mother was, she started pondering on what God can really do! They had almost lost their minds following the sudden pains inflicted upon them. Then the tables had turned around so suddenly. Led by Mama Calvin, the ladies had blessed the mother and the entire family as well through their generous contribution and gifts. They had helped not only Gloria to get back to her feet but also Vicky to go back to school the following dear,
Gloria straightened up from her worries and found Vicky still seated their looking at her. Vicky looked at her and said, "Mama are you okay?" She spoke fluently.
"I just don't know what will happened to you people when he comes back tonight," Gloria said, standing up and looking outside the house.
"No don't worry mum. He will not be violent. Besides if he returns he may have felt how wrong he was." Vicky said that while deeply she knew that Tod would come home, happier than any other time.
True to her thoughts that evening Tod came home earlier than it was normal. But even so, he found that the little boys had already eaten and taken to their rooms just in case something ugly occurred, that was according to Gloria. Tod knocked at the door which was locked from the inside. Vicky went ahead to open the door for him and left it wide open so that he could just enter. She did not want to look at his face yet he smiled at her albeit briefly. Vicky did not stay in the sitting room. As soon as Tod entered, she said to her mother, "Mum, I will be in my room." With that she was gone. Tod also tried his best not to look at her as he thought this might start so soon to sell off his dirty little tricks.
As soon as Vicky was gone, Tod came at the front of Gloria and knelt down. Gloria was stunned! "What are you doing?" she asked in panic. But Tod did not say anything. Instead, as he knelt, he slowly brought out a bouquet of flowers – red roses – and he gave them to her.
"I am sorry my dear Gloria," he said, "I am so sorry for everything that I have caused you."