Chapter Three

I broke down and I cried my eyes out hugging my pillow. The past weeks had been hell for me and Yuvonne, I hated dad for leaving us in this trying times.

From mum's story the other night, I learnt that dad may or may not be my biological father. 

Mum had a very dark story growing up and she doesn't share alot. I felt like I don't know my mum and there is more to what she had not and would never tell me. She mentioned also that she had three sisters and a brother, where will they be now? Aren't family supposed to look out for each other? At this point I knew that if some how mum doesn't come back, the responsibility would automatically be shifted to me and I don't think I'm ready for that, I can survive on my own but then what about Yuvonne?

I went to Yuvonne and I asked her to give me her hands, she did and I prayed for mum's safety as we hugged each other, slept and hoped to see tomorrow.

Tomorrow came and she was nowhere, I dialed her line but it was not connecting, I stayed calm and made cereals for breakfast.

" I don't want to take cereals Hel, make me fish sauce" Yuvonne said.

" Yuvonne listen to me. You need to understand that things are not as it use to be, and I need you to grow up and help me out. Please don't make things harder than it is already. I need you in my pace so you don't draw me back because right now, it seems it is you and I against the world, so, buckle up"  I told her pushing the cereal infront of her, gesturing her to take it.

"Hel, mum is alright right?" She asked

" Yes, she is fine, now eat up"

Yuvonne ate the cereals as I watched her, my mind not with her. I was so lost in my thoughts, I tried calling dad's line to feed him in with the recents but it wasn't going through. I had to hope on mum.

The next day, I was doing a little clean up when mum rushed inside and banged the door shut as though she was being chased by something. I heard the bang and came rushing to see what it was, it was mum and Yuvonne ran to her as she hugged her very happy. Yuvonne felt safe again.

"I missed you mum" Yuvonne said. holding mum's face in her hands. Mum only smiled not replying her as I came and gave her a hug too

"How did it go?" I asked wanting to know what kept her yesterday.

Then she brought down her backpack that has been behind her all the while. She took out a wrapped rectangular envelope and handed it to me. I looked at her and for the first time I noticed she had a bruised lips.

" They will come for me, Hel and I don't want to drag you two into this. It was a successful operation but the gang blew it half the way, we wasted time because some of the gang guys wanted the money for themselves and when we noticed, they opened fire and it delayed us in the firm. The security came for us but I escaped, I don't know about the others but I got my hands in what you are holding now. But something tells me I was seen and they will come for me. I don't want to be seen with you two, else."

"What do we do now?" I asked her 

" I haven't had time to think it through, but I will be taking you to the..... To the Fosters"

"No! I will not go there mum, please don't go!"

Yuvonne said tugging mum's dress"

 I turned away and closed my mouth with my palms as I cried. It was as if Heaven and Earth was against us. Why? Why are things turning sour by the day?

 

"Yuvonne I am doing this because I love you. You just have to hold on and take care of each other. I promise I will come..."

"Do not say that!, never make promises you cannot fulfill. What is going on? What did we do to deserve this. First we lost dad, we lost the house and now we are about to lose you and you want to make a false promise to us just like dad did?" I said crying as my vision blurred with tears 

"Listen Helion, I need you to understand. I am only trying to get you out of my mess. When the road is clear I will come back. You have to stay strong, not for me but for Yuvonne" She said standing up as if it's not a big deal. I was so angry I felt like giving her a punch on the face.

" You are always quick in making decisions and that is why we are here. You are cold hearted and sometimes I wish you are not my mother."

I uttered as I took Yuvonne inside hoping she will come up with a better idea.

Mum came to our corner after some time and said;

" Pack a bag. We leave tonight"

She left for outside with her weed and whiskey.

I wished dad will come back. I wished he never left.

I packed a bag and waited as mum made some calls in preparation for our time in the Fosters.

At night we set out we boarded a taxi and mum wore a hoodie and covered her head to disguise.

I found out we were heading to the Marshalls and we cut through the Fosters' road. In confusion I had to ask;

" What's going on? Why are we heading to the Marshalls?"

"You have grown out of age for the Fosters, Hel, so it's better to be here than there. Besides, they'll take care of you better here" She answered.

"How did you pay for the two of us, I heard it's very expensive for one even?" I queried

Mum rolled her eyes and looked at me and I remembered the operation of two nights ago. So I only nodded at her because I already knew. We wouldn't want the driver to hear. Yuvonne was very excited, she had always wanted to be a member of the Marshalls and mum saw that she was there so she could forget about everything a little bit. I looked over at my mum, I knew even as things are getting bitter, she still wanted the best for us. I felt sorry for last night's outburst. I had to apologise;

"You later thought it through, it's a good job you pulled out. I uhhh, I am sorry for last night mum"

She looked at me and smiled then she took my hands in hers and I layed my head on her shoulders through the drive to the Marshalls.