CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Mother Found Guilty
My grandparents sent message across asking us to come for new yam festival and we attended. It was a time we eagerly awaited in the year. Though we did not attend it regularly, it was a time we received the best attention from grandmother who over-pampered us and lavished gifts on us. She was truly a generous soul liked by everyone. It was a big privilege to have a grandmother who showed us love and made us believe that her love was greater than even that of our mother.
It was a long journey and my younger ones felt so tired and slept most of the way. Mother kindly dragged us to her home that evening. We arrived late that evening and met other distant relatives who had been invited home for the festival. They were related to us by blood. We were all entertained. It was good to see them again after a long time.
The next morning, we played around the large compound with other children whom we had not seen for long and exchanged ideas. Mother sat with her parents for a talk. It was obvious that we would be leaving that day to our home.
We enjoyed those visits because no matter how naughty we behaved, we often got away with it. And whenever Mother attempted to beat us, grandmother prevented her, with a warning to her never to treat us harshly. The belief of the aged was that the growing children are easily adjusted than a grownup.
That afternoon as they were discussing, they passed time with roasted corn and pears which was considered the greatest combination for that period of the year. It was found almost in every home.
‘That is what we are saying. You shall have to allow Ikem or Obi here with us. At least we ease you off that burden.’ I heard grandmother tell her.
‘Mama, I don’t want us to drag this further. I don’t also want you to get it all wrong. These children belong to you more than they do to me. You have every right to withhold them from going with me. I don’t want people to see me as a very difficult person. I am not difficult mama. If you need Uzor with you, give me a little time. He is on drug. He suffers from frequent iba and it takes all the blood in him within a short time. He needs constant attention from a young eye. I shall ensure that as soon as he starts shedding his milk teeth I will bring him here for you. As for Ikem, I need him around because of the farm and other household work. Please do understand.’
‘Nkem,’ my grandfather who had been quiet since it all began called, ‘You have really placed much burden on yourself. You are too young for all these. Sometimes I wonder where you inherited this strong will of yours. Young able-bodied men have come from all corners of this village and beyond to seek for your hand in marriage since the death of your husband but you refused them all. You are still marriageable and every right thinking man would like you. I have always wanted to have a talk with you but you have really avoided me. The reasons are many. Your husband died nearly ten years ago or two seasons ago, I do not know exactly, and it is a long time for a young woman like you to continue without a man. A woman’s season does not last long like that of man. When a woman sheds her first flush of young womanhood because of childbirth and then gives birth to a second child, no man finds her attractive. But you are favored by nature. Look at how old you look. While your mates have just finished getting married a couple of years ago, you are already a single mother with four children. Your mother and I cannot nurse you again like we do to small children. But remember we feel and deeply care for you and what you are passing through. We only want to be of help to you because we are your parents, but with the way an old man sees things, you don’t really need our help. We shall leave you to carry on with your life.’
Grandmother nodded in support of her husband. The whole thing Mother had been accused of was true; at least with the support of two witnesses of note.
She could not deny those accusations either. Mother lives a newr-perfect life and few people could understand her. It was one of her greatest weakness that people struggled to contend her with.