CHAPTER 1

Saturday mornings are Kaylee's worst day. Mommy forces her to go to her dance practices. She took up dancing as her hobby, but mommy turned it into a compulsory and necessary talent. So, she started hating dances.

"Mom, I have a high fever. I can't make it to today's dance class."

"That's always an excuse."

"It's not an excuse. I am really sick. Feel my forehead. It feels so hot."

Mother bent over to Kaylee, who lay straight on her bed, and touched her forehead.

"Ouch! Hot! How come?"

"I told you, it has been this way since last night. I wasn't able to sleep."

Kaylee avoided Mommy's eyes. That was how Mother knew she was lying.

"Oh dear Kaylee. I have known you since you were born. You can't fool me. Now get that hot sachet water off your sheet!" Mom yelled and pulled the blanket off Kaylee's body. She found three sachets of hot water.

"Jeez! How'd you know? Gosh! I am sorry, Mom, but can't I skip this ugly dance class just once?"

"Sweetie, this is your future. You need to make a bright future, and to do that, you need to be hardworking. It pays. I assure you, your higher education will be abroad, and the authorities are angry about what you did to the coach. So, you have to show your face and apologize."

"But you are the authority. And I am not apologizing."

"It's not just me. Up, up, up from the bed, go bathe. I will ride you to the practice hall and leave Lagos for Port Harcourt."

"What! You didn't tell me you were leaving."

"It is an every Saturday thing. I thought you knew. I leave home every Saturday."

"But you tell me that on Fridays."

"I thought you were already used to it. No need to waste time telling you every Friday."

"Goddamn, Mom! This is shit! I will have to spend another night alone and suffer loneliness."

"You always complain."

"Why wouldn't I complain?"

"You can call your friends over. They will keep you company."

"You talk as if I have friends."

"What about Jane and Mary?"

"They are my followers, not my friends. I have no friends, and it's all your fault!"

"My fault?"

"Yes."

"How? Did I deprive you of making friends? Aren't you the one that scares them away with your unusual school attitude?"

"You made me have that attitude!"

"What? Kaylee, watch your mouth. Don't put words in mine."

"Mom, can you please act like a mom for once and keep me company for just today? Even if you aren't going to talk to me or listen to what I have to say, at least just be there for me at night, and I will have a good sleep."

"Wait, Kaylee, do you need a nanny to put you to bed? Or a babysitter to sing you a lullaby?"

"A nanny... babysitter... oh, you know what? Forget it! Never mind! I am going to take my bath. You can leave for PH anytime you want. I care less! It's just because of all this that Daddy left us."

"Shut up!"

"You hate the truth. Dad divorced you because you were not always there for him—"

Kaylee felt the burning sensation on her cheek. Mother had slapped her.

"Do it more. Do it more, Mom! You are such a bad mother! I hate you!" Kaylee ran to the bathroom with her hand on her cheek.

*

"Eat enough and don't get indigestion, ok?" Mom said.

Kaylee ignored her, got down from the car, and banged the car door shut.

"See you on Monday!" Mom shouted.

*