Dauda and Dele chatted for several minutes after they got to his sisters’ house.
“You see why we need a strong grip on this Glory girl. If I let her go now, she’ll take a bus to Efayaw and disappear into the creek. End of story.”
Dele slapped his back. “You are a good policeman. So smart of you.”
“The girl? She’s as dangerous as her sister. She just hasn’t gotten the opportunity.”
Dele sighed. “Poor Mo. They must have sent their gang members to finish her because of what she knows.”
“A deadly gang, those ones. I’m keeping Glory locked up. I have no other choice.” He took his phone. “Let me tell Ofem not to let her go.”
“I guess I should let you go home. Thanks for today.”
“You’re welcome.”
Dele got out of the car and waved his friend off. He had never felt so fulfilled in his life. Maybe he should pursue a career in the force as well. There was nothing more fulfilling like catching bad guys in the society. It was like picking stones out of the local brown beans.
He opened the door and found Bessie and Tami seated in front of the TV, but it was switched off. Their angled posture told him something had just happened, a discussion gone bad, or a tragedy. Either way, he’d learned a while ago never to prod.
“Good evening, ladies.”
They didn’t answer. He strolled to the kitchen, hoping there would be some food for him. Many times, he’d gone to bed hungry. He’d also learned not to ask if there was nothing to eat. He walked to the bathroom, and when he came back he found them in the same position.
He took his cellphone and opened one of his favorite games. Because it never ended well to put the sound on for his games, he had switched them off for good.
“The electricity bill came today,” Bessie muttered. “You’re paying it tomorrow morning so the power will not be disconnected.”
He knew she addressed him, but because she hadn’t mentioned his name, he didn’t respond.
“It’s eight grand. I think you should give me, I’ll pay it,” Tami sneered. “Before we will be hearing a long story in the dark.”
The sarcasm grated. Dele raised his head from his game. “Are you talking to me?”
Bessie snickered. “Who else gives nothing in this house and expects to be housed, fed, and clothed?”
“I don’t have eight grand.”
He returned to his phone. His head pounded as he got ready for it. Both sisters were physically violent. Bessie hadn’t been able to keep a man because she would at some point do something crazy, like throw hot water or rocks. Tami’s last boyfriend ran from her when she threatened him with a kitchen knife. A throw pillow landed on his head, and because he expected something from them, he flung it right back.
It landed square on Tami’s face. She flew to her feet and screamed, “Was I the one who threw the pillow at you? Are you mad, Dele? Are you crazy? How dare you!”
Bessie got on her feet too. “In fact, I am sick of this. I will not take any more of this nonsense.” She marched into the bedroom.
Tami continued to scream. “What kind of useless big brother are you? Your life has no direction, and you think you can get away with it just because we accommodate and feed you!”
She moved closer, less than a foot away. So close, Dele imagined she would hit him. He sucked in his breath in anticipation.
“Are you not the one I am talking to?” Tami screeched. “All your mates are married and living respectable lives, and you have no shame. You can’t even contribute to your daily living. You have to depend on your two little sisters. Shameless man!”
“Two little sisters who earn a living selling their bodies!”
His words triggered her more. She swung around and beat her chest. “At least I pay my bills and don’t beg like you. And who are you to point fingers? Your cup is full. No, no. You won’t get away with this.”
She searched the room, wild with rage, and, unable to find something strong enough to cause him harm with, stomped into the kitchen.
“She’s gone for a knife,” Dele muttered.
He tucked his phone in his pocket and headed for the door. Better to leave before she stabbed him to death. He opened the door and stepped out a moment before a bag hit his shoulder. He swung around to know his attacker.
Bessie picked up another bag and flung it at him. “Good, you know you’re out of this house. Worthless creature.”
He saw his clothes sticking out of both traveling bags and picked them up. “Bessie, listen.”
Tami came barging out with a kitchen knife. “Where is he? Where is this mad idiot?”
Bessie grabbed her by the waist. “He’s going. Leave him.”
Dele ran to the road but slowed down to watch his sisters shout at the top of their lungs. A few neighbors shouted back, and some switched on their security lights to peer out. Well, his sisters had done their bit, he guessed. There had to be a time when this would happen, and he had to get going. He’d hoped for too long. Sometimes he argued fate had not been kind to him, but for years these two girls had accommodated and fed him. He’d put up with their insults because he thought he had no choice. But he did.
He called Dauda. “I’m so sorry to disturb you. Are you home yet?”
“Actually, no. Ofem wanted me to see my prisoner. I’m on the way there. Why?”
“Oh, well. Can you stop by and pick me up? It’s a long story.”
To Dele’s surprise, Dauda laughed. “They threw you out? Finally! I’ll be with you on my way back.”
Dauda picked him up close to midnight, three hours later. He was hungry, tired, and almost sure he would spend the night by the roadside.
“You should have picked me up on the way to Ofem!” he admonished his friend when he arrived.
“No.” Dauda opened the trunk and threw his torn bags inside. “I wanted you to learn one more lesson about life.”