the rejected stone episode 3

Episode 3



Father walked in drunk late at night and tapped my sleepy mother hard on
her buttocks. She quickly jolted from sleep. She looked around in confusion
as the deep sleep she just woke up from was yet to set her brain to
reality, my older ones were already asleep. Father yelled again. "Are you
deaf?! His breath which reeked of alcohol choked her her nostrils. She
tried to cover her nose from the offensive odour but father held her
tightly while he gripped her breasts. "Yes! Yes! Yes! I have gotten rid of
it" "Good! Oya, lay down flat. I want to visit your Jerusalem with my John
Thomas.” He said, loosening his belt. Mother couldn't bulge. She obeyed him
as a servant would obey her Lord. Then he mount on her to get the love
affair started.

Few months later, my father noticed the protruding stomach of my mother. He
became mad at her. He has been deceived. Mother had finally kept me and
hide it from him. He thought.

"So, you finally kept this bastard? I'm done with you! It is over between
us!" I listened to sounds that looks as if some luggage were being thrown
out of the house. Father threw all mother's luggage outside. My older
sisters and brothers were weeping for mother. I couldn't control the tears
in my eyes. I blamed myself to have chosen mother's womb at this critical
moment. I blamed myself for causing this calamity. I had chosen mother's
womb because I love her. I love the entire family. I have a special gift to
give to them. I saw their struggles. I saw their pains. I listened to their
crying and complains. Most especially, mother wouldn't allow my Father in
heaven to rest. Always fasting and praying. At times, she would have
nothing to eat except cassava grain and water.
God had chosen me to come into the family to wipe off their tears. If only
they could see the future from here.


My older ones who came before me had wanted to deliver their gifts too but
mother and father with the assistance of abortion pills had gotten rid of
them. I hope they can give me the opportunity to show case what I have for
them. Father threw every of my mother’s and the children’s luggage away and
slammed the door on their face.

Mother was left with mixed feelings of where to go at the deadly hour of
the night. Chioma, mother’s friend received us warmly. Her husband had been
away from town for a contract and won't come home until five months. She
was very hospitable and prepared a delicious food for us. She prepared eba
and egusi. It tasted yummy as part of it landed in my mouth. I joined in
the meal from my mother’s womb and sucked the Egusi juice which tasted
yummy.

Aunty Chioma works in a bank and owns two cars. She lived a quite
comfortable life unlike my parents who lived from hand to mouth. She had
two children who stayed in a boarding school. Aunty Chioma really showed
the true character of how a good friend ought to be.

Mother was put to bed few months later. I came into the world in triumph,
a bouncing baby boy. I was welcomed with joyful cheers. Everyone around
wanted to see and carry the me. Lots of Chioma's friends came around. I was
given lots of gifts and felt like Jesus, though I couldn't save the world,
I had risen from mamas womb to save my family from the wicked grips of
poverty.

Chioma's elder brother came to visit us. He works as a manager in a
reputable company. Chioma had narrated my mother's story to him and he felt
pity for us. He issued a cheque of eight hundred thousand naira for my
mother to start up a business as soon she was fit enough and dropped his
phone number just in case we needed anything in future.

Father heard about our success story and located us, he was as remorseful
as the biblical Prodigal son after his shameful ordeal. How the news got to
him, remains what I couldn't fathom. He came to Chioma 's house and
apologised.Chioma wasn't moved by his tearful pleas. She warned my mother
not to accept him back. Afterall, what does she still want from men? God
has blessed her with three boys and two girls. But mother still loved my
father and still wanted him back wholehearedly.

After all said and done, she still felt incomplete without him. They united
back as a happy family. My mother reached Chioma's elder brother on phone
and pleaded that her husband needed a job. She told him she had finally
united with her husband. Chioma's elder brother was happy with the new
development. He promised to assist him though there was no vacancy in his
company. He recommended my father to a friend who employed him immediately
as a senior supervisor with a fat salary. My arrival has put a smile on my
family's face. I, a once rejected stone.

The end.

ARRIVAL OF THE REJECTED STONE by Temitope Shadiat Jimoh