Elizabeth Kingsley

Chapter 8(Gap year)

       "What was Jordan doing at your school anyway?
        Aunt asks me and it hits me that I didn't inquire what he was doing there.
        "Yeah,Jordan,what were doing there?Aren't you supposed to at the University ?
      "Erm..yeahh,but then"
Aunt lowers her glasses and turns to look him sternly,
     "Boy,don't tell me you are quitting school,you know I won't accept that in my house",she shakes her head and repeats it again,"not in my house,Mr.".
I see Jordan getting anxious as Aunt keeps talking and I begin to wonder what this is all about.
      "Mom,relax.Am not quitting school okay.I am taking a gap year and I spoke with the administration and the payments will not be in vain"
    "It's good my payments will not be in vain or else I would put you out on the street myself,"She sighs and turns to look at the wall clock and back at Jordan,"time and tide wait for no man,I hope you know what you are doing."
      I look at the astonished mother and nervous son,I guess Aunt wasn't prepared to have her child skip school a year.She is really into our education,am sure if she could,she would feed us with knowledge.Not forgetting her mantra,"knowledge is power".
       "So what are you going to do now?I ask and Aunt backs me up,"Yeah son,what are you going to do now?

    "That's what am trying to figure out,it's just that when I got to the school,I assessed the environment and everything and I am just not ready to take it all in now.But..",Jordan pauses and Aunt and I  look at each other not knowing what to expect.
        "I will figure something out soon,don't worry Mum",Aunt sighs in relief and I hold back the urge to say some unkind words to him for keeping us in suspense.
         Jordan receives a call and excuses himself leaving Aunt and I alone in the room,"Are you sure this is the only reason he wants to take a gap year?Or is there something else?I take Aunt's hand and assure her of Jordan being truthful about his gap-year.Even I didn't know what to think because,it was sudden buh a leap of faith won't hurt,he's my cousin.

     "Aunt,"I cry out like a child and she quickly turns to pay attention to me,"what is it dear?","does your leg hurt or is it your back?I hide the smile that's trying to form to avoid being called a fraud,the pain is real.
       "No Aunt,it's not the pain.It's just that am hungry",I blink a couple of times and try to make a cute face while anticipating Aunt to scold me for being hungry all the time.
      "You don't have to make that face Liz,like seriously,don't try it anywhere",she ends with a small laugh and I laugh back.
    "And yes,I would like to scold you but you are hurt but I will hold my peace this time,just this time,"she says in  an order-like tone.I salute her and respond,"Yes Madam".We both burst into laughter and she reaches for the lunch bag.