DAWN

I gazed up to our old wooden clock. It was half past 10pm already and my mother was yet to return. When my mother arrives late, she always struggle with customers especially drunk ones who wouldn't want to come home. When thier resistance becomes unbearable, she locks her bar after taking all her stuffs in and deserts the drunk customers addressing thier unseen friends.  Shortly later, my mother arrived home. I could hear her fetching water from our drum into the bathing bucket. Each cup of water she fetched was immediately followed by another. She was tired. My mother came in with a wrapper across her chest and hurried to the bed like a child into the arms of his mother. She laid on her back and while facing the ceiling she said "Fetty why aren't you asleep. "? "I was waiting for you Ma. " I quickly replied. She knew I wanted to talk. When I wanted to collect money from her for my final secondary school examination, I waited for her that night to return from her b

"Sister where are we going to this night? " asked Tami. "I think its a party" replied Osifa. Meanwhile, I had dressed them in thier best outfits which they used for Christmas recently.   We reached Greenland brothel around 8:30pm. My father will be waiting for us at the Greenland front   gate at exactly 8:30pm. He wrote that in the note he left.   It was obvious I had mixed feelings. My body was slightly trembling and my voice shook when I began addressing my younger ones. "There's  something I will be collecting from one man. " I began. I held my ear while speaking to prove I was passing a warning to them. "Under no circumstance must Mother find out that we came here tonight. Do you understand. " "Yes sister " they chorused. "I will get you guys buns and chocolate on the way. " They smiled and I knew our little secret was safe. "But sister, " began Osifa, look at our bar over there. " she said while pointing towards it's  direction. "What if Mother sees us.

I always knew Greenland brothel had its protocols like checks with the securities  at the gate.  I've been  there for parties couple of times.  Layo and I would normally flash our invitation cards at the gate then hurry in. Unlike the other time when I stood outside the front gate with my siblings to meet our father,  I was inside the main building this time around because I meant business. I went straight to the gate keeper and when he asked me which room I was going to, I was silent. "Who do you want to see. " he asked. "I know who I want to see Oga just allow me inside the main building. " I replied. "All this small small girls without respect living here. So am talking to you and you are answering as you please. Is it because Men are coming to pick you girls on and on so you think you've  made it abi? " I was furious and I spoke to him harshly. "Oga in the first place I dnt live here. Respect yourself and stop saying what you don't know. Don't you e

The clouds were dark and angry signalling the coming of a heavy rainfall. I stood outside and wondered where my sick Mother went to this early morning. I began thinking about the possible places she might go to. I knew she wouldn't be at the bar. It is too early and besides she is ill. "Fetty What are you doing outside?  The rain will pour down heavily any moment from now and some stuffs are outside. " I turned around and it was my Mother speaking. I felt relieved then ran towards her to collect the plastic bags she was carrying. I peeped into the bags and saw bread, some vegetables, grains and other things wrapped inside the plastic bag. "where did she get these stuffs from "?  I thought. We went inside and met Kiki taking stuffs like the bench, buckets and other things inside. "Tell Osifa to leave those clothes in the room. We'll wash them after the rainfall. " I said. Tami came out, hugged our mother tightly and said "I am hungry. " "I know." replied our Mother. "We are

When I got home, I stood outside for a while, heaved a deep sigh and cleaned my eyes with the end of my top. I cleared my throat then went inside. The bulb was off so I switched it on and saw how peaceful everyone laid. Tami hugged our mother tightly as they slept while my mother facing him snored loudly. Kiki and Osifa were also fast asleep. I pulled our blanket from the bag underneath our bed and covered them. Our mother already covered Tami with her wrapper. I took off my mini skirt and top, wore a more comfortable gown I usually sleep in then laid on the mat. My limbs were aching. It was as if people were beating drums in my head. My eyes were sore. I felt weak all over. I immediately got up and grabbed my Mother's phone which laid on the center table. I smiled after noticing she had set the alarm already. Layo will always say "The show must go on. " Amidst the demolition notice, food shortage and my incessant mental crisis, the show must go on. I laid on the mat and the more I