'Do I deserve to be sacked? Do my friends and colleagues agree with the management that I deserved what I got?'
He asked himself.
Evans had been in that organization for twenty-nine years and had contributed immensely to its growth and development. I remembered the days of our courtship when he always failed to keep his appointment with me because of his work. My husband was a thorough person who hardly jokes about anything he did, and he also applied the same tenacity with his love and family life.
Then, he walked back to the living room and sat before the television again. Within two weeks, he had experienced unimaginable things. Losing his job and hitting his wife. Then, I wondered what could be going on in his mind. These were the character traits that made him to dislike his father.
'Was he gradually taking after his father?'
I thought as I watched him from the kitchen. Now, the children and I were having a good time without him. Though, I was feeling the heat because I had missed our weekend love. By now, we would have been nude and walking about in our room and making love whenever the urge arose, but I managed to control myself as if he was not there.
'But it was only my wife that I hit and not the children. Why are they not talking to me? Did their mother inform them of what happened last night? I doubt. I was the last to go to sleep after my late dinner. Sarah does not involve the children in our fights.'
My husband concluded. Now, he was deep in his thought when George brought him back out of his reverie.
“Dad.”
“Yes, George. What do you want?”
“Chris called to inform me of the taekwondo training this evening. I would like to go with Lilian if you permit us.”
George's request gave him some relief and the assurance that he was still loved and respected by his family. Taekwondo was George’s hobby. It is the traditional Korean art of self-defense, originated from Ancient Korea. It means 'Way of the Hand and Foot'. Not only that, but it is a skilled application of kicks, punches, strikes, holds and throws.
He developed a likeness for the game when a boy in their school bullied her kid sister. Then, he was so helpless that he could not defend his only sister and for that, he felt bad. At the age of five, he engaged in taekwondo classes which also attracted his sister to it, and he was happy being her coach. On the other hand, Chris was the son of my husband's colleague, who lived a few buildings away from ours in the quarters. Likewise, the Taekwondo training would take place at the Recreational Park in the Residential Area.
“What time does it start?”
Evans asked.
“By 4 pm, daddy.”
George replied, as he read his countenance, which was not pleasant.
“We will be there. I want to see how far you have gone with your training.”
My husband accepted so quickly.
“We? Are you and mummy coming to watch us?”
George inquired anxiously.
Now, my husband was not prepared for the question, and he could not promise that I would like to go with him. He knew that I can be naughty sometimes, but if only he knew that just a mere asking me to come with him would change numerous things. Then, he responded with an unfriendly tone.
“I said we will be there. Did you get it?”
“Yes, daddy. Thank you.”
Now, George knew when to withdraw so, he quickly appreciated and walked back to his room. To my husband, that would be an opportunity to stroll out, instead of just sitting in doors all day and doing nothing, which brought negative thoughts his way.
At the Recreational Park.
Evans met some of his colleagues driving in and out of the Recreational Park. Some of them gave him a cursory greeting, while some avoided him for fear of being accused by the General Manager of being an accomplice. He ignored them too and got into the youths' section of the park with his children, where Chris was already waiting for them.
“Good evening, Mr. Owens.”
Chris greeted.
“Chris, how are you?”
“I am fine, Mr. Owens. And you?”
“I'm fine. Thanks.”
Now, the adult section was busy, but the General Manager was not there. Then, the three youngsters rehearsed the Basic Skills of Front Kick, Round House Kick, Standard Punch and Shoulder Throw. To them, no matter how skilled one is, the Basics were essential. Howbeit, Chris was an excellent opponent to George because his skills were great. Though they were taught by the same instructor, Chris Ezra had his tricks that were not known to George. He had tried to grasp it, but it had always proven futile. Such tricks enabled him to defeat others, but not George.
Meanwhile, the Taekwondo class was interesting. George was happy that his father and sister were there with him. He displayed different skills and also brushed Lilian up where necessary to impress his father. With such skills, Evans was confident that our children would defend themselves when confronted with opposition, at least to an extent. But a great surprise awaited them at home.
After the game, they got home to see Mama. My mother had her way of visiting unannounced. She was eating as well as watching the television when they walked in. It happened that she arrived as soon as they left for the park and startled me when I went to open the door for her. Then, I had prepared her meal immediately – unripe plantain oatmeal.
The unripe plantain was harvested from my garden in the Quarters, which I planted as soon as we moved in. When I engaged the gardener to do that, he was surprised. I inquired why he was amazed with the planting of plantain, he said that many people do not know the nutritional value of plantain and often neglect it.
“As you can see, I'm not one of such people”
I corrected as I handed the plantain suckers that I bought from a plantain orchard when I traveled to my state over to him.
“Welcome, Mama.”