At home Ella sat on the sofa reading her book or rather; it was the book that was reading her because she just stared at it while her mind was far away from home.
"Ella are you okay" said her mother,
"Yes, welcome home mom" Ella did not even notice when her mother walked in.
"How was school?"
"It was fine ma" Ella answered quickly but sounded worried, her mom went on to ask, "Hope all is well? Have you eaten?"
"Mom, I said am fine. I've eaten already"
"Okay, if you need anything let me know. I'll be in my bedroom."
Later that day Clara came around to visit Ella. She stayed just few blocks away from Ella's house.
"Hi Ely," she said
"I'm fine, how are you?"
"Just coming from Sam's house and I think he knows where to find your prince charming"
Ella jerked up from the sofa and sat properly, eager to hear the good news, "where?" where can I find him?" Clara laughed until Ella felt embarrassed.
"I told you, you're in love. Why are you denying it? Babe you know love is a beautiful thing." She said poetically
"I don't think I am, not yet," Ella said, "but Clara, please tell me now." She said childishly
"Not until you admit it" Clara said amusingly
"Okay, fine I am in love." Ella surrendered covering her face with the small pillow beside her. Clara laughed again and told her that Kevin was a university student who was staying off campus at Saint Peters Street not too far from them.
"In fact," Clara added, "he's Sam's friend."
After a long chat Clara left and Ella went to her room trying to get some sleep, it was already half past seven pm. Just then she heard the gate-bang, she stepped put to check.
She opened the front door hastily and there stood her dad, he walked bit unease. She knew he was drunk as usual, a Good Samaritan who was supporting him said he knew he could not drive after the several bottles of beer he took, and so he took the liberty of driving him home. Then he gave Ella the car keys.
"Thank you very much sir. May God bless you." She said
She stared at her father from head to toe irritatingly, "what an embarrassment" she told herself. He splashed with his vomit, it smell of nothing but beer and she almost hated him. Her mom came out and dragged her drunken husband indoors, while Ella went in to take a shower. She refused to think about what had happened because it will only irritate her more. She eats her dinner sadly and alone, her mom was attending to her father. Afterwards she went into her room, knelt down and prays that God should change her dad for good.