I Believe!

Part Nine

Two weeks later, David stood at the window waiting for Michael and his wife to arrive. He looked at the clock, sighed and went to sit down. It was just 3:15 pm and Michael had said they would be arriving about 4 pm. He turned on the TV and began to go through the stations, finally settling for what seemed like a good action movie.

He'd called Sara immediately he found out that Jim had been arrested and she'd said she would help but the company was sending her to Botswana for some business meetings and she'd be gone for about a month. Could he wait till then? She'd asked.

David found it hard to believe she'd say such a thing. He'd felt a lot better when he'd called Michael and Michael had sounded sincerely worried. But he also couldn't come immediately because he had some business to wrap up. He'd said he would call some of his police friends to get things going before he came. And now, David was so anxious for him to get here so they could go get Jim out.

He sighed heavily and stuck his hands deep into the pockets of the light sweatshirt he had on, he just couldn't shake the guilt. He felt like a big coward himself because he hadn't even gone to see Jim, not even once since then. He knew he should have gone but he just hadn't felt up to it. So many emotions were running through him and for the life of him, he didn't know how he would face his father. He was just too confused.

Ifeanyi, Tobi, and Shedrack had offered to go with him but he'd used their final exams as an excuse. They'd started their final exams about a week ago and he hadn't been able to concentrate. One good thing was he had started praying again and it felt so good to be talking with God again that he wondered how he'd ever stopped in the first place.

The sound of the gate opening jolted him from his thoughts, he could barely contain his joy as his eyes moved with the car coming into the compound.

The car was parking when he got outside. Michael got out and David had to employ all of his willpower to stop him from running to Michael and throwing his arms around him.

His older brother's eyes shone as bright as his. He wanted to say something. He had so much to say but his throat felt so choked up and every breath he took, made it worse.

"Why did you wait this long?" He was finally able to ask and it sounded little more than a broken whisper.

Michael laughed bitterly, he knew David wasn't talking about their father. "It wasn't time before now and I'm glad I waited this long."

He was still looking at him in perplexity when Michael turned around to the young lady.

"Dave, I'd like you to meet my wife, Bidemi. Bidemi, my brother, David." Michael's voice was full of joy and his eyes twinkled with love as he looked at Bidemi.

Later that day, Michael laughed warmly as he leaned back in his chair, his fingers wrapped around a glass of ice lemonade perched on his knee. "There'll be time for us to catch up. And don't worry, by this time tomorrow, we'll have Jim home."

***

David and Michael stood at the counter in the police station waiting impatiently while the officer at the desk went through the entry log.

They had gone to two police stations in the area before they had been directed to the station which Bandys fell under. It was a hot sunny day and they were both tired and sweaty, the slow service wasn't helping either.

"What did you say his name is?" The officer asked again, his eyes half-closed with boredom. His starched uniform strained over his bulging stomach and his sagging jowls flapped as he spoke.

Michael took a calming breath and repeated the same information he had given the three other times the officer had asked, "Jim Okoro. He was arrested for harassment and disruption of business at Bandys. We've come to bail him out." He stressed the last sentence.

The officer continued to flip slowly through the large book, then he went to the ancient computer occupying a place on the old rickety counter where he typed in something and began to scroll down slowly.

"Ah, here it is, Jim Okoro. Are you related to him?" His eyes barely looked open as he looked up at Michael.

"Yes," Michael said wearily, "we're his sons."

"Well, what kept you for so long? Why didn't you come earlier?"

"The important thing is that we're here now. How much is the bail? And can we pay by card?"

"Cash." The police officer said with an incredulous frown and told him the price. As Michael counted out the bills, the police officer went in through a door muttering under his breath. "You're lucky you came today."

"What did he say?" David asked Michael from where he stood leaning heavily against the counter.

Michael sighed, "I don't know and I really don't care. He should just bring Jim. I want to leave this place."

Four police officers came out half-dragging, half-carrying someone and Michael stretched to see who it was. His heart dropped as he recognized Jim. "Wh-what happened to him?"

"What does it look like?" the officer asked, "He's ill. I hope you came with a car. You should take him straight to the hospital."

"Why didn't you guys take him there? Why leave him here?" David was outraged as he took in his father's awful state.

"Pay your taxes." The officer answered sarcastically.

With Jim in the car, Michael nodded his thanks to the police officers and managed a small smile before he also got in.

He drove in silence as they headed toward the nearest hospital. Neither of them looked at their father nor spoke.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Hi people! Thanks to everyone reading my story :D. I hope we all have an amazing journey together.Hit the star if you enjoyed this part and let me know what you think in the comments. I'd appreciate suggestions.